第11章 亚伯拉罕蒙召
§1
第11章 亚伯拉罕蒙召
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Chap. 11 - The Call of Abraham
§3
世人从巴别城分散之后，拜偶像之风几乎又遍及了全地，最后耶和华就任凭那些刚愎犯罪的人们一意孤行，他只拣选了闪的后裔亚伯拉罕，为后世的人保守了上帝的律法。亚伯拉罕生长在迷信和邪教的环境中；甚至连他那曾保守认识耶和华之知识的父亲，也受了四面败坏的影响，而离弃耶和华去“侍奉别神。”（书24:2）但是真信仰是决不会中断的。上帝总是保留一班侍奉他的余民。亚当、塞特、以诺、玛土撒拉、挪亚和闪，这一世系的人一直持守着上帝旨意的宝贵启示。后来他拉的儿子亚伯拉罕成了这神圣委托的继承者。虽然有拜偶像之风在各方面引诱他，但他并没有受到影响。众人忤逆他独信，他坚定不移地守着敬拜独一真神的信仰。“凡求告耶和华的，就是诚心求告他的，耶和华便与他们相近。”（诗145:18）上帝把他的旨意传达给亚伯拉罕，使他对律法的条例，以及借基督所要成就的救恩，都有清楚的认识。[1]{PP 125.1}
§4
After the dispersion from Babel idolatry again became well-nigh universal, and the Lord finally left the hardened transgressors to follow their evil ways, while He chose Abraham, of the line of Shem, and made him the keeper of His law for future generations. Abraham had grown up in the midst of superstition and heathenism. Even his fathers household, by whom the knowledge of God had been preserved, were yielding to the seductive influences surrounding them, and they served other gods than Jehovah. But the true faith was not to become extinct. God has ever preserved a remnant to serve Him. Adam, Seth, Enoch, Methuselah, Noah, Shem, in unbroken line, had preserved from age to age the precious revealings of His will. The son of Terah became the inheritor of this holy trust. Idolatry invited him on every side, but in vain. Faithful among the faithless, uncorrupted by the prevailing apostasy, he steadfastly adhered to the worship of the one true God. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth. Psalm 145:18. He communicated His will to Abraham, and gave him a distinct knowledge of the requirements of His law and of the salvation that would be accomplished through Christ.{PP 125.1}[1]
§5
上帝赐给亚伯拉罕的应许，使他的后裔众多，成为大国，这是当时人所特别珍视的。他说：“我必叫你成为大国，我必赐福给你，叫你的名为大，你也要叫别人得福。”（创12:2）此外他又加上一个保证，在继承信仰的亚伯拉罕看来，这比其他一切更宝贵，那就是：世界的救赎主必要从他的后裔中出来，“地上的万族都要因你得福。”（创12:3）然而应许实现的首要条件，就是信心必须先受试验，必需要有牺牲。[2]{PP 125.2}
§6
There was given to Abraham the promise, especially dear to the people of that age, of a numerous posterity and of national greatness: I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing. And to this was added the assurance, precious above every other to the inheritor of faith, that of his line the Redeemer of the world should come: In thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. Yet, as the first condition of fulfillment, there was to be a test of faith; a sacrifice was demanded. {PP 125.2}[2]
§7
上帝给亚伯拉罕的信息是：“你要离开本地、本族、父家，往我所要指示你的地去。”（创12:1）上帝为要使亚伯拉罕适于作他的大工，作他圣言的保持者，就必须叫亚伯拉罕离开早年的生活环境。因为本族和朋友的影响，有碍于上帝所要给他仆人的训练。如今亚伯拉罕既然与上天有了特别的联络，就必须住在外人中间，他的品格必须特殊而与世人完全不同。他甚至很难向朋友们解释明白自己行动的方针。属灵的事唯有属灵的人才能洞察。他的动作和行为，是他拜偶像的族人所不能理解的。[3]{PP 126.1}
§8
The message of God came to Abraham, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy fathers house, unto a land that I will show thee. In order that God might qualify him for his great work as the keeper of the sacred oracles, Abraham must be separated from the associations of his early life. The influence of kindred and friends would interfere with the training which the Lord purposed to give His servant. Now that Abraham was, in a special sense, connected with heaven, he must dwell among strangers. His character must be peculiar, differing from all the world. He could not even explain his course of action so as to be understood by his friends. Spiritual things are spiritually discerned, and his motives and actions were not comprehended by his idolatrous kindred.{PP 126.1}[3]
§9
“亚伯拉罕因着信，蒙召的时候，就遵命出去，往将来要得为业的地方去；出去的时候，还不知往哪里去。”（来11:8）亚伯拉罕不疑的顺从，乃是全部《圣经》中最引人注目的、有关信心的事迹之一。在他看来，“信就是所望之事的实底，是未见之事的确据。”（来11:1）他信赖上帝的应许，虽然从外表上看，这应许还没有一点现实的保障，但他却舍弃了本地、本族、父家，随着上帝的引领，到未知的地方去。“他因着信，就在所应许之地作客，好像在异地居住帐棚，与那同蒙一个应许的以撒、雅各一样。”（来11:9）[4]{PP 126.2}
§10
By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. Hebrews 11:8. Abrahams unquestioning obedience is one of the most striking evidences of faith to be found in all the Bible. To him, faith was the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Verse 1. Relying upon the divine promise, without the least outward assurance of its fulfillment, he abandoned home and kindred and native land, and went forth, he knew not whither, to follow where God should lead. By faith he became a sojourner in the land of promise, as in a land not his own, dwelling in tents, with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise. Hebrews 11:9, R.V.{PP 126.2}[4]
§11
这个临到亚伯拉罕的试验实在是很大的，而要他付出的牺牲也相当地重。本地、本族和父家，与他原有一种牢不可破的关系，可是他毫不迟疑地顺从了上帝的呼召。关于应许之地，他也没有提什么问题，例如：地土是否肥美？气候是否适于健康？环境是否合宜？是否有发财的机会？他认为，上帝既已吩咐，他的仆人理当顺从；地上最幸福的地方就是上帝要他去的地方。[5]{PP 126.3}
§12
It was no light test that was thus brought upon Abraham, no small sacrifice that was required of him. There were strong ties to bind him to his country, his kindred, and his home. But he did not hesitate to obey the call. He had no question to ask concerning the land of promise--whether the soil was fertile and the climate healthful; whether the country afforded agreeable surroundings and would afford opportunities for amassing wealth. God has spoken, and His servant must obey; the happiest place on earth for him was the place where God would have him to be.{PP 126.3}[5]
§13
今日许多人也要像亚伯拉罕一样受到试验。他们虽然听不见上帝直接从天上向他们说话的声音，但是他用《圣经》的教训和天意的安排呼召他们。上帝或许要他们放弃一个得财富和享尊荣的事业，辞别意气相投的益友，并离开本族，到那显然只有克己、艰辛和牺牲的路上去。上帝有一种工作需要他们去作，而安逸的生活和亲友的影响，会妨碍他们造就一种完成此工所必需的品格。上帝要他们避开人的影响，抛却人的援助，而感到只需要他的帮助，单依靠他。这样上帝就可以向他们显示自己。有谁准备响应上帝的呼召，而放弃原有的计划和亲密的朋友呢？有谁愿意接受新的使命，进入未曾传过福音的地区，以坚定和乐意的心作上帝之工，并为基督的缘故而把失去的看作为对己有益呢？凡愿意这样作的人，就是有了亚伯拉罕的信心，也必与他同享“极重无比永远的荣耀，”而“现在的苦楚，若比起将来要显于我们的荣耀，就不足介意了。”（林后4:17；罗8:18）[6]{PP 126.4}
§14
Many are still tested as was Abraham. They do not hear the voice of God speaking directly from the heavens, but He calls them by the teachings of His word and the events of His providence. They may be required to abandon a career that promises wealth and honor, to leave congenial and profitable associations and separate from kindred, to enter upon what appears to be only a path of self-denial, hardship, and sacrifice. God has a work for them to do; but a life of ease and the influence of friends and kindred would hinder the development of the very traits essential for its accomplishment. He calls them away from human influences and aid, and leads them to feel the need of His help, and to depend upon Him alone, that He may reveal Himself to them. Who is ready at the call of Providence to renounce cherished plans and familiar associations? Who will accept new duties and enter untried fields, doing Gods work with firm and willing heart, for Christs sake counting his losses gain? He who will do this has the faith of Abraham, and will share with him that far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, with which the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared. 2 Corinthians 4:17; Romans 8:18.{PP 126.4}[6]
§15
当亚伯拉罕还住在“迦勒底的吾珥”时，上帝第一次从天上呼召他，他就遵命搬到哈兰去。他的父家随着他直到此地为止。这时他们还是一面拜偶像，一面敬拜真神。亚伯拉罕留在这里，直到他父亲他拉去世的时候。及至他拉死后，上帝吩咐他离开父亲的故里，再往前去。他兄弟拿鹤和拿鹤的家属，却留恋他们的家乡和偶像。因此除了亚伯拉罕的妻子撒拉之外，只有那早已亡故的哈兰的儿子罗得，愿意和他同过飘流的生活。然而那从米所波大米出发的人数，已是相当可观的了。亚伯拉罕现在已经拥有大群的牛羊，因为牛羊就是东方人的财富，他又有许多仆人和随从。这一次他离开父家不再回来了，所以就带着一切所有的，就是“他们在哈兰所积蓄的财物，所得的人口。”（创12:5）这些人口之中，有许多并非专为服役或得利而来，乃是出于更高尚的动机。因为亚伯拉罕和撒拉留在哈兰的时候，曾引领许多的人敬拜并侍奉真神。于是这些人依恋着这位先祖的家庭，就与他一同到应许之地去。亚伯拉罕把他们“都带往迦南地去，他们就到了迦南地。”（创12:5）[7]{PP 127.1}
§16
The call from heaven first came to Abraham while he dwelt in Ur of the Chaldees and in obedience to it he removed to Haran. Thus far his fathers family accompanied him, for with their idolatry they united the worship of the true God. Here Abraham remained till the death of Terah. But from his fathers grave the divine Voice bade him go forward. His brother Nahor with his household clung to their home and their idols. Besides Sarah, the wife of Abraham, only Lot, the son of Haran long since dead, chose to share the patriarchs, pilgrim life. Yet it was a large company that set out from Mesopotamia. Abraham already possessed extensive flocks and herds, the riches of the East, and he was surrounded by a numerous body of servants and retainers. He was departing from the land of his fathers, never to return, and he took with him all that he had, their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran. Among these were many led by higher considerations than those of service and self-interest. During their stay in Haran, both Abraham and Sarah had led others to the worship and service of the true God. These attached themselves to the patriarchs household, and accompanied him to the land of promise. And they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.{PP 127.1}[7]
§17
他们在迦南的第一个居留处就是示剑。亚伯拉罕在摩利橡树的树荫下支搭了帐棚。这里是一个广阔而多草的山谷，有橄榄树林和泉水。一边是以巴路山，一边是基利心山。先祖亚伯拉罕进入的地方非常美丽，“那地有河、有泉、有源，从山谷中流出水来。那地有小麦、大麦、葡萄树、无花果树、石榴树、橄榄树，和蜜。”（申8:7-8）但是，这布满树林的山头和果实累累的平原，对于敬拜耶和华的人来说，却都被浓厚的阴影笼罩着。因为“那时迦南人住在那地。”亚伯拉罕已经到了他所期望的目的地，谁知发现这地已被异族占据，并且盛行拜偶像之风。在树林中有敬拜假神的祭坛，在邻近的高处有人献活人为祭。亚伯拉罕虽然确信上帝的应许，但当他支搭帐棚的时候，总不免带些悲观的情绪。于是“耶和华向亚伯兰显现说：我要把这地赐给你的后裔。”亚伯拉罕因有这一上帝与他同在而不至落在恶人手中的保证，信心就坚强起来了。“亚伯兰就在那里为向他显现的耶和华筑了一座坛。”（创12:7）这时，他仍然是一个旅客，不久又迁到邻近伯特利的一个地方去，他在那里又筑了一座坛，求告耶和华的名。[8]{PP 127.2}
§18
The place where they first tarried was Shechem. Under the shade of the oaks of Moreh, in a wide, grassy valley, with its olive groves and gushing springs, between Mount Ebal on the one side and Mount Gerizim on the other, Abraham made his encampment. It was a fair and goodly country that the patriarch had entered--a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills; a land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey. Deuteronomy 8:7, 8. But to the worshiper of Jehovah, a heavy shadow rested upon wooded hill and fruitful plain. The Canaanite was then in the land. Abraham had reached the goal of his hopes to find a country occupied by an alien race and overspread with idolatry. In the groves were set up the altars of false gods, and human sacrifices were offered upon the neighboring heights. While he clung to the divine promise, it was not without distressful forebodings that he pitched his tent. Then the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land. His faith was strengthened by this assurance that the divine presence was with him, that he was not left to the mercy of the wicked. And there builded he an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him. Still a wayfarer, he soon removed to a spot near Bethel, and again erected an altar, and called upon the name of the Lord.{PP 127.2}[8]
§19
“上帝的朋友”亚伯拉罕给我们留下一个很好的榜样。他的生活乃是一个祈祷的生活。他无论在何处支搭帐棚，总是在旁边筑一座祭坛，早晚召集他家里的人一起献祭礼拜。在他的帐棚挪移之后，祭坛就仍留在原处。后来在飘流的迦南人中，有一些接受了亚伯拉罕的教训，无论何时，当他们中间有人来到祭坛这里时，他们就知道从前什么人曾在此住过，于是他们在支搭帐棚后，就重修祭坛，在那里敬拜永生的上帝。[9]{PP 128.1}
§20
Abraham, the friend of God, set us a worthy example. His was a life of prayer. Wherever he pitched his tent, close beside it was set up his altar, calling all within his encampment to the morning and evening sacrifice. When his tent was removed, the altar remained. In following years, there were those among the roving Canaanites who received instruction from Abraham; and whenever one of these came to that altar, he knew who had been there before him; and when he had pitched his tent, he repaired the altar, and there worshiped the living God.{PP 128.1}[9]
§21
此后亚伯拉罕继续迁往南方，他的信心又受到了试验。有一个时期天不降雨，山谷里的溪水都干涸了，平原上的草木也枯槁了。羊群无草可食，全家都遭到饥饿的威胁。这时先祖是否要怀疑上帝的领导呢？是否要怀念迦勒底富饶的平原呢？当种种困难接连临到亚伯拉罕的身上时，众人都极想知道他将要怎样行。只要他的信仰没有动摇，他们就觉得仍有希望，他们确信上帝是他的朋友，仍然在领导着他。[10]{PP 128.2}
§22
Abraham continued to journey southward, and again his faith was tested. The heavens withheld their rain, the brooks ceased to flow in the valleys, and the grass withered on the plains. The flocks and herds found no pasture, and starvation threatened the whole encampment. Did not the patriarch now question the leadings of Providence? Did he not look back with longing to the plenty of the Chaldean plains? All were eagerly watching to see what Abraham would do, as trouble after trouble came upon him. So long as his confidence appeared unshaken, they felt that there was hope; they were assured that God was his Friend, and that He was still guiding him. {PP 128.2}[10]
§23
亚伯拉罕不能说明上帝是怎样引导他的，而现实情况也没有达到他的期望，但他仍坚信上帝的应许：“我必赐福给你，叫你的名为大，你也要叫别人得福。”他恳切祷告，要设法保全他全家和牲畜的性命，但决不容环境来动摇他对上帝圣言的信心。为了逃避饥荒起见，他便下到埃及去了。但他并没有放弃迦南地，也没有在穷途末路之时，回到他出来的、不缺粮食的迦勒底去，只是到离应许之地最近的所在暂时逃荒，打算不久仍要回到上帝所安置他的地方来。[11]{PP 129.1}
§24
Abraham could not explain the leadings of Providence; he had not realized his expectations; but he held fast the promise, I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing. With earnest prayer he considered how to preserve the life of his people and his flocks, but he would not allow circumstances to shake his faith in Gods word. To escape the famine he went down into Egypt. He did not forsake Canaan, or in his extremity turn back to the Chaldean land from which he came, where there was no scarcity of bread; but he sought a temporary refuge as near as possible to the Land of Promise, intending shortly to return where God had placed him.{PP 129.1}[11]
§25
上帝曾照着他的旨意，使这个试炼临到亚伯拉罕身上，为要给他顺服、忍耐、和信心的教训，这些教训都记在《圣经》上，使后世蒙召者在忍受苦难时得帮助。上帝引领他儿女的方式是他们所不知道的，但他决不忘记那些信赖他的人，也不丢弃他们。他曾让苦难临到约伯，但并没丢弃他。他也曾让蒙爱的约翰被放逐到孤寂的拔摩岛上，但在那里有上帝的儿子向他显现，使他在异象中看到无限的荣耀。上帝时常让试炼临到他的子民，使他们可以借着自己的坚忍和顺从，来丰富灵性生活，并使他们以自己的榜样来激励别人。“耶和华说：我知道我向你们所怀的意念，是赐平安的意念，不是降灾祸的意念。”（耶29:11）在那考验我们信心最严酷的试炼中，似乎上帝已经丢弃了我们，但这正足以使我们与基督更加亲近，并将一切的重担卸在他脚前，换得他所赐的平安。[12]{PP 129.2}
§26
The Lord in His providence had brought this trial upon Abraham to teach him lessons of submission, patience, and faith--lessons that were to be placed on record for the benefit of all who should afterward be called to endure affliction. God leads His children by a way that they know not, but He does not forget or cast off those who put their trust in Him. He permitted affliction to come upon Job, but He did not forsake him. He allowed the beloved John to be exiled to lonely Patmos, but the Son of God met him there, and his vision was filled with scenes of immortal glory. God permits trials to assail His people, that by their constancy and obedience they themselves may be spiritually enriched, and that their example may be a source of strength to others. I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil. Jeremiah 29:11. The very trials that task our faith most severely and make it seem that God has forsaken us, are to lead us closer to Christ, that we may lay all our burdens at His feet and experience the peace which He will give us in exchange.{PP 129.2}[12]
§27
上帝常在苦难的炉中试炼他的子民。基督徒的品格要在炉火中受锻炼，好使渣滓与真金区分开来。有耶稣在旁留心看管，他知道炼净那宝贵的金子需要多少火力，以至那金子可以反射他爱的光辉。上帝要借着严格的试炼训练他的仆人。他看见有些人具有才能，可以用来推进他的圣工，他就要叫这些人遭受试炼。由于他的安排，使这些人临到某一种境地，以便考验他们的品格，并暴露他们自己尚未觉察的缺点和软弱。他又给他们机会来改正这些缺点，使他们配为他服务。他使他们看出自己的软弱，又教训他们倚靠他，因为他是他们唯一的帮助和保障。这样，上帝的目的就达到了，因为他们已经受了教育、造就和锻炼，预备好用上帝赐给他们的能力去完成伟大的工作。于是当上帝呼召他们去作工时，他们就有了准备，而天上的使者也能与他们联合，共同从事那必须在地上完成的工作。[13]{PP 129.3}
§28
God has always tried His people in the furnace of affliction. It is in the heat of the furnace that the dross is separated from the true gold of the Christian character. Jesus watches the test; He knows what is needed to purify the precious metal, that it may reflect the radiance of His love. It is by close, testing trials that God disciplines His servants. He sees that some have powers which may be used in the advancement of His work, and He puts these persons upon trial; in His providence He brings them into positions that test their character and reveal defects and weaknesses that have been hidden from their own knowledge. He gives them opportunity to correct these defects and to fit themselves for His service. He shows them their own weakness, and teaches them to lean upon Him; for He is their only help and safeguard. Thus His object is attained. They are educated, trained, and disciplined, prepared to fulfill the grand purpose for which their powers were given them. When God calls them to action, they are ready, and heavenly angels can unite with them in the work to be accomplished on the earth.{PP 129.3}[13]
§29
当亚伯拉罕居留在埃及的期间，他显明自己还没有脱去人性的软弱和欠缺。事实上，他既隐瞒撒拉是他的妻子，就显明他不信靠上帝的看顾，并缺少他素常具有的巨大信心和勇气。因为撒拉“容貌俊美，”所以他恐怕埃及人会因贪爱这个美貌的客旅，并为要娶她而毫不犹豫地杀害她的丈夫。他认为称撒拉为他的妹子并不算犯说谎的罪，因为她原是他同父异母的妹妹。但是隐瞒他们之间的真正关系，就是欺骗。人偏离了严格的诚实决不能蒙上帝的悦纳。由于亚伯拉罕缺少信心，撒拉就陷入极大的危险之中。埃及王听说她美貌，命人把她带进王宫，打算娶她为妻。但是耶和华凭着大怜悯降灾给法老的全家，借此保护了撒拉。法老知道了事情的真相，因亚伯拉罕欺骗他，甚是发怒，于是将亚伯拉罕的妻子还给他，并责备他说：“你这向我作的是什么呢？……为什么说，她是你的妹子，以致我把她取来要作我的妻子。现在你的妻子在这里，可以带她走罢。”（创12:18-19）[14]{PP 130.1}
§30
During his stay in Egypt, Abraham gave evidence that he was not free from human weakness and imperfection. In concealing the fact that Sarah was his wife, he betrayed a distrust of the divine care, a lack of that lofty faith and courage so often and nobly exemplified in his life. Sarah was fair to look upon, and he doubted not that the dusky Egyptians would covet the beautiful stranger, and that in order to secure her, they would not scruple to slay her husband. He reasoned that he was not guilty of falsehood in representing Sarah as his sister, for she was the daughter of his father, though not of his mother. But this concealment of the real relation between them was deception. No deviation from strict integrity can meet Gods approval. Through Abrahams lack of faith, Sarah was placed in great peril. The king of Egypt, being informed of her beauty, caused her to be taken to his palace, intending to make her his wife. But the Lord, in His great mercy, protected Sarah by sending judgments upon the royal household. By this means the monarch learned the truth in the matter, and, indignant at the deception practiced upon him, he reproved Abraham and restored to him his wife, saying, What is this that thou hast done unto me? . . . Why saidst thou, She is my sister? So I might have taken her to me to wife. Now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way.{PP 130.1}[14]
§31
亚伯拉罕曾蒙法老的厚待，就是到了这时，法老还恐怕亚伯拉罕或他的同伴会遇到什么伤害，所以就派了一队卫兵保护他们安全出境。那时，国家的法律不允许埃及人与外族的牧人来往，甚至不能与他们一起吃喝。故法老遣送亚伯拉罕，可谓仁爱而慷慨之举。同时王吩咐他离开埃及，是因王不敢让他居留。法老由于愚昧无知，几乎使亚伯拉罕受到极大的损害。幸亏上帝从中干涉，救了法老，免至他犯那么大的罪。法老看出这个客旅是上帝所器重的人，所以他不敢留这么一个明明受上天眷爱的人在他的国中。如果亚伯拉罕留在埃及的话，他那不断增加的财富和尊荣，势必引起埃及人的嫉妒或贪心，而且他或许要受到什么伤害，这是法老所要负责的，或许还会使法老的全家再遭受上帝所降的灾祸。[15]{PP 130.2}
§32
Abraham had been greatly favored by the king; even now Pharaoh would permit no harm to be done him or his company, but ordered a guard to conduct them in safety out of his dominions. At this time laws were made prohibiting the Egyptians from intercourse with foreign shepherds in any such familiarity as eating or drinking with them. Pharaohs dismissal of Abraham was kind and generous; but he bade him leave Egypt, for he dared not permit him to remain. He had ignorantly been about to do him a serious injury, but God had interposed, and saved the monarch from committing so great a sin. Pharaoh saw in this stranger a man whom the God of heaven honored, and he feared to have in his kingdom one who was so evidently under divine favor. Should Abraham remain in Egypt, his increasing wealth and honor would be likely to excite the envy or covetousness of the Egyptians, and some injury might be done him, for which the monarch would be held responsible, and which might again bring judgments upon the royal house.{PP 130.2}[15]
§33
上帝给法老的警告，在亚伯拉罕日后与异族人往来中保护了他；因为这事是无法保守秘密的，它使人看出，亚伯拉罕所敬拜的上帝必要保护他的仆人，而且任何危害他的事必要遭受报应。亏待天父的儿女，乃是一件危险的事。诗人曾提到亚伯拉罕的这段经历，他论到上帝的选民说：上帝“责备君王，说，不可难为我受膏的人，也不可恶待我的先知。”（诗105:14-15）[16]{PP 131.1}
§34
The warning that had been given to Pharaoh proved a protection to Abraham in his after-intercourse with heathen peoples; for the matter could not be kept secret, and it was seen that the God whom Abraham worshiped would protect His servant, and that any injury done him would be avenged. It is a dangerous thing to wrong one of the children of the King of heaven. The psalmist refers to this chapter in Abrahams experience when he says, in speaking of the chosen people, that God reproved kings for their sakes; saying, Touch not Mine anointed, and do My prophets no harm. Psalm 105:14, 15.{PP 131.1}[16]
§35
亚伯拉罕在埃及的经验，与数百年后他子孙在埃及的事，有些相同之点是非常有趣的。两者都是为了饥荒到埃及去，又都在那里寄居。上帝为了他们的缘故降灾给埃及人，使埃及人惧怕他们；他们都受了异邦人的厚礼，带了许多财物从那里出来。[17]{PP 131.2}
§36
There is an interesting similarity between Abrahams experience in Egypt and that of his posterity, centuries later. Both went down into Egypt on account of a famine, and both sojourned there. Through the manifestation of divine judgments in their behalf, the fear of them fell upon the Egyptians; and, enriched by the gifts of the heathen, they went out with great substance.{PP 131.2}[17]