第19章 回到迦南
§1
第19章 回到迦南
§2
Chap. 19 - The Return to Canaan
§3
雅各过了约旦河，“平平安安的到了迦南地的示剑城。”（创33:18-20）这样，先祖在伯特利求上帝带领他平平安安回到本地的祷告便蒙了应允。他暂时住在示剑谷。这里就是一百多年前，亚伯拉罕在应许之地支搭第一个帐棚和建筑头一座祭坛之处。雅各在这里“用一百块银子向示剑的父亲哈抹的子孙，买了支帐棚的那块地。在那里筑了一座坛，起名叫伊利伊罗伊以色列，”“就是上帝以色列上帝的意思。”雅各像亚伯拉罕一样，在他的帐棚旁边为耶和华筑了一座坛，叫家里的人参加早晚的献祭。他也在这里挖了一口井，一千七百年之后，雅各的后裔，也就是他的救主，有一天正午来到这井旁坐下休息，当时他告诉惊讶的听众说：“我所赐的水，要在他里头成为泉源，直涌到永生。”（约4:14）[1]{PP 204.1}
§4
Crossing the Jordan, Jacob came in peace to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan. Genesis 33:18, R.V. Thus the patriarchs prayer at Bethel, that God would bring him again in peace to his own land, had been granted. For a time he dwelt in the vale of Shechem. It was here that Abraham, more than a hundred years before, had made his first encampment and erected his first altar in the Land of Promise. Here Jacob bought the parcel of ground where he had spread his tent, at the hand of the children of Hamor, Shechems father, for a hundred pieces of money. And he erected there an altar, and called it El-elohe-Israel (verses 19, 20)--God, the God of Israel. Like Abraham, Jacob set up beside his tent an altar unto the Lord, calling the members of his household to the morning and the evening sacrifice. It was here also that he dug the well to which, seventeen centuries later, came Jacobs Son and Saviour, and beside which, resting during the noontide heat, He told His wondering hearers of that well of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4:14.{PP 204.1}[1]
§5
雅各和他众子在示剑地的居留，终于在暴乱和流血中结束了。雅各家的独生女儿遭遇了羞辱和不幸，她的两个弟兄因而受连累犯了杀人的罪；为要报复一个鲁莽青年的不法行为，竟使全城遭到破坏和杀戮。这乃是因雅各女儿的行动所造成的可怕结果，她“出去要见那地的女子们，”（创34:1）因此就擅自与不信主的人结交。哪想在不敬畏上帝的人中间追求享乐的人，就把自己置于撒但的阵地，而招致他的试探。[2]{PP 204.2}
§6
The tarry of Jacob and his sons at Shechem ended in violence and bloodshed. The one daughter of the household had been brought to shame and sorrow, two brothers were involved in the guilt of murder, a whole city had been given to ruin and slaughter, in retaliation for the lawless deed of one rash youth. The beginning that led to results so terrible was the act of Jacobs daughter, who went out to see the daughters of the land, thus venturing into association with the ungodly. He who seeks pleasure among those that fear not God is placing himself on Satans ground and inviting his temptations.{PP 204.2}[2]
§7
西缅和利未背信残暴的行为固然不是无缘无故的；然而就他们对待示剑人而论，却犯了严重的罪。他们曾小心地将他们的企图瞒住雅各，他听见他们报仇的信息，心中不胜惶恐。他对他儿子们的欺骗和残暴，甚是痛心，他只能说：“你们连累我，使我在这地的居民中，……有了臭名；我的人丁既然稀少，他们必聚集来击杀我；我和全家的人，都必灭绝。”将近五十年之后，雅各躺卧在埃及的病床上提到这事时所说的话，就显明了他对这两个儿子残忍流血之行为所有的悲伤和憎恶：“西缅和利未是弟兄，他们的刀剑是残忍的器具。我的灵啊，不要与他们同谋，我的心哪，不要与他们联络，……他们的怒气暴烈可咒；他们的忿恨残忍可诅。”（创49:5-7）[3]{PP 204.3}
§8
The treacherous cruelty of Simeon and Levi was not unprovoked; yet in their course toward the Shechemites they committed a grievous sin. They had carefully concealed from Jacob their intentions, and the tidings of their revenge filled him with horror. Heartsick at the deceit and violence of his sons, he only said, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land: . . . and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house. But the grief and abhorrence with which he regarded their bloody deed is shown by the words in which, nearly fifty years later, he referred to it, as he lay upon his deathbed in Egypt: Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations. O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honor, be not thou united. . . . Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel. Genesis 49:5-7.{PP 204.3}[3]
§9
雅各觉得应当深深自卑，因为在他众子的品格上已经显明有残忍和欺骗的罪。在他帐棚的范围之内还有假神存在；拜偶像的风气，就是在他家中也有了立足之地。如果耶和华照着他们所应得的对待他们，他岂不要让他们受四围列国的报复吗？[4]{PP 205.1}
§10
Jacob felt that there was cause for deep humiliation. Cruelty and falsehood were manifest in the character of his sons. There were false gods in the camp, and idolatry had to some extent gained a foothold even in his household. Should the Lord deal with them according to their deserts, would He not leave them to the vengeance of the surrounding nations?{PP 205.1}[4]
§11
当雅各的烦恼正在难以支持时，耶和华指示他向南行，往伯特利去。先祖一想到这个地方，不但忆起了他从前看见天使的异象和上帝慈悲的应许，也想起了他在那里所许的以耶和华为他上帝的愿。于是他决定在到那神圣的地点之前，叫他的全家除掉拜偶像的污秽。所以他吩咐家里一切的人说：“你们要除掉你们中间的外邦神，也要自洁，更换衣裳。我们要起来，上伯特利去；在那里我要筑一座坛给上帝，就是在我遭难的日子，应允我的祷告，在我行的路上，保佑我的那位。”（见创35:2）[5]{PP 205.2}
§12
While Jacob was thus bowed down with trouble, the Lord directed him to journey southward to Bethel. The thought of this place reminded the patriarch not only of his vision of the angels and of Gods promises of mercy, but also of the vow which he had made there, that the Lord should be his God. He determined that before going to this sacred spot his household should be freed from the defilement of idolatry. He therefore gave direction to all in the encampment, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments: and let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.{PP 205.2}[5]
§13
雅各生动地述说他离开父家，只身逃亡在外，初次到伯特利的经历。他又提到耶和华怎样在夜间的异象中向他显现。当他回顾上帝对待他的奇妙恩典时，自己的心就软化了，而他儿女们的心也被折服人心的能力所感动了；他用这最有效的方法来准备好他家人的心，使他们可以到伯特利去朝拜上帝。“他们就把外邦人的神像，和他们耳朵上的环子，交给雅各；雅各都藏在示剑那里的橡树底下。”[6]{PP 205.3}
§14
With deep emotion Jacob repeated the story of his first visit to Bethel, when he left his fathers tent a lonely wanderer, fleeing for his life, and how the Lord had appeared to him in the night vision. As he reviewed the wonderful dealings of God with him, his own heart was softened, his children also were touched by a subduing power; he had taken the most effectual way to prepare them to join in the worship of God when they should arrive at Bethel. And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all their earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem.{PP 205.3}[6]
§15
上帝使那地的居民都甚惊惧，所以他们没有试图为示剑被杀的人报仇。于是雅各一家的人平安无事地到了伯特利。上帝在这里再向雅各显现，向他重申立约的应许。雅各便在上帝与他说话的地方立了一根石柱。[7]{PP 206.1}
§16
God caused a fear to rest upon the inhabitants of the land, so that they made no attempt to avenge the slaughter at Shechem. The travelers reached Bethel unmolested. Here the Lord again appeared to Jacob and renewed to him the covenant promise. And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where He talked with him, even a pillar of stone.{PP 206.1}[7]
§17
在伯特利，那陪着主母利百加从米所波大米到迦南地的奶母底波拉死了，雅各为这一位在他父家多年受爱戴的老人非常悲伤。这个老年的妇人常使雅各想起幼年的生活，特别是那极其宠爱他的母亲。底波拉埋葬时，大家为表示极大的悲哀，甚至她坟墓以上的橡树也被称为“亚伦巴古”，意思就是“哀哭的橡树。”底波拉一生的忠心服务，和雅各全家对这个老年朋友的去世所表示的悲痛，都有记在《圣经》中的价值，这是我们所应该注意的。[8]{PP 206.2}
§18
At Bethel, Jacob was called to mourn the loss of one who had long been an honored member of his fathers family--Rebekahs nurse, Deborah, who had accompanied her mistress from Mesopotamia to the land of Canaan. The presence of this aged woman had been to Jacob a precious tie that bound him to his early life, and especially to the mother whose love for him had been so strong and tender. Deborah was buried with expressions of so great sorrow that the oak under which her grave was made, was called the oak of weeping. It should not be passed unnoticed that the memory of her life of faithful service and of the mourning over this household friend has been accounted worthy to be preserved in the word of God.{PP 206.2}[8]
§19
从伯特利到希伯仑，虽只有两天的路程，但因拉结之死，使雅各极其悲伤。他曾为了拉结的缘故服侍拉班两个七年，并因深爱拉结而不以辛劳为苦。在多年之后，当雅各在埃及临死，约瑟来看他的时候，这位年迈的先祖回顾他自己一生的经历，足以显明他爱拉结的心是多么的恒切；他说，“至于我，我从巴旦来的时候，拉结死在眼前，在迦南地的路上，离以法他还有一段路程，我就把她葬在以法他的路上。”（创48:7）在他一生久经坎坷的岁月中，他只想起了拉结的死。[9]{PP 206.3}
§20
From Bethel it was only a two days journey to Hebron, but it brought to Jacob a heavy grief in the death of Rachel. Twice seven years service he had rendered for her sake, and his love had made the toil but light. How deep and abiding that love had been, was shown when long afterward, as Jacob in Egypt lay near his death, Joseph came to visit his father, and the aged patriarch, glancing back upon his own life, said, As for me, when I came from Padan, Rachel died by me in the land of Canaan in the way, when yet there was but a little way to come unto Ephrath: and I buried her there in the way of Ephrath. Genesis 48:7. In the family history of his long and troubled life the loss of Rachel was alone recalled.{PP 206.3}[9]
§21
拉结临死之前生了第二个儿子。她就要断气的时候，给儿子起名叫便俄尼，意思就是“我的忧患之子。”但他父亲却给他起名叫便雅悯，意思就是“我的右手之子，”或“我的力量。”拉结埋葬在她去世的地方，雅各就在她的坟上立了一个碑，给她作个永久的纪念。[10]{PP 206.4}
§22
Before her death Rachel gave birth to a second son. With her parting breath she named the child Benoni, son of my sorrow. But his father called him Benjamin, son of my right hand, or my strength. Rachel was buried where she died, and a pillar was raised upon the spot to perpetuate her memory.{PP 206.4}[10]
§23
在往以法他去的路上，另外发生了一件暧昧的罪行，玷辱了雅各的门庭，并使流便丧失了他长子的权利和荣誉。[11]{PP 206.5}
§24
On the way to Ephrath another dark crime stained the family of Jacob, causing Reuben, the first-born son, to be denied the privileges and honors of the birthright. {PP 206.5}[11]
§25
最后雅各到了他行程的终点，“来到他父亲以撒那里，到了基列亚巴的幔利，乃是亚伯拉罕和以撒寄居的地方；基列亚巴就是希伯仑。”雅各在父亲的晚年一直住在这里。对年老体衰而失明的以撒，这个久别的儿子所有亲切的照顾，乃是他多年孤单无侣时期中的安慰。[12]{PP 207.1}
§26
At last Jacob came to his journeys end, unto Isaac his father unto Mamre, . . . which is Hebron, where Abraham and Isaac sojourned. Here he remained during the closing years of his fathers life. To Isaac, infirm and blind, the kind attentions of this long-absent son were a comfort during years of loneliness and bereavement.{PP 207.1}[12]
§27
雅各与以扫在他们父亲临终的床前又见面了。这个哥哥原想趁父丧的机会报仇雪恨的；但自从那时以来，他的思想已经大大改变了。而雅各深以长子权的属灵福分为满足；况且以扫所追求、所重视的只是财产承继权，所以雅各就把父亲的财产让给他哥哥承受。他们不再因嫉妒或怨恨而疏远，然而他们却分开了，以扫迁移到西珥山去。那厚赐福惠的上帝曾在雅各所追求的属灵福分之外，又赐给他世上的财富。“因为二人的财物群畜甚多，寄居的地方容不下他们，所以不能同居。”（创36:7）这一次的分离是符合上帝对雅各所预定的旨意的。因为弟兄二人对于信仰既然有很大的分别，所以还是以分居为妙。[13]{PP 207.2}
§28
Jacob and Esau met at the deathbed of their father. Once the elder brother had looked forward to this event as an opportunity for revenge, but his feelings had since greatly changed. And Jacob, well content with the spiritual blessings of the birthright, resigned to the elder brother the inheritance of their fathers wealth--the only inheritance that Esau sought or valued. They were no longer estranged by jealousy or hatred, yet they parted, Esau removing to Mount Seir. God, who is rich in blessing, had granted to Jacob worldly wealth, in addition to the higher good that he had sought. The possessions of the two brothers were more than that they might dwell together; and the land wherein they were strangers could not bear them because of their cattle. This separation was in accordance with the divine purpose concerning Jacob. Since the brothers differed so greatly in regard to religious faith, it was better for them to dwell apart.{PP 207.2}[13]
§29
以扫和雅各同样受了有关认识上帝的教训，二人都可以自由地遵守上帝的诫命，并领受他的恩惠；可惜并非二人都作如此的选择。弟兄二人既然分道扬镳，便越来越疏远了。[14]{PP 207.3}
§30
Esau and Jacob had alike been instructed in the knowledge of God, and both were free to walk in His commandments and to receive His favor; but they had not both chosen to do this. The two brothers had walked in different ways, and their paths would continue to diverge more and more widely.{PP 207.3}[14]
§31
这并不是由于上帝一方面的独断，使以扫得不到救恩的福分。上帝借着基督所给的恩赐乃是白白赐给万人的。罪人若不是自取灭亡，上帝是决不会命定他灭亡的。上帝在《圣经》中已经提出各人蒙拣选得永生的条件，就是借着相信耶稣基督，顺从他的诫命。上帝已经定出一个合乎他律法的品格的标准，无论何人，只要达到他的条件，就可以进入他荣耀的国。基督亲口说：“信子的人有永生；不信子的人得不着永生。”“凡称呼我主啊主啊的人，不能都进天国；唯独遵行我天父旨意的人，才能进去。”（约3:36；太7:21）他又在启示录中说：“那些遵守他诫命的有福了，可得权柄能到生命树那里，也能从门进城。”（见雅各王英文《圣经》启22:14）关于人最后的得救，《圣经》中所提出的只有这一种蒙拣选的标准。[15]{PP 207.4}
§32
There was no arbitrary choice on the part of God by which Esau was shut out from the blessings of salvation. The gifts of His grace through Christ are free to all. There is no election but ones own by which any may perish. God has set forth in His word the conditions upon which every soul will be elected to eternal life--obedience to His commandments, through faith in Christ. God has elected a character in harmony with His law, and anyone who shall reach the standard of His requirement will have an entrance into the kingdom of glory. Christ Himself said, He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life. John 3:36. Not everyone that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven. Matthew 7:21. And in the Revelation He declares, Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. Revelation 22:14. As regards mans final salvation, this is the only election brought to view in the word of God.{PP 207.4}[15]
§33
凡恐惧战兢，作成自己得救功夫的人，必蒙拣选。凡穿上全副军装，为真道打美好的仗的人，必蒙拣选。凡警醒祷告，查考《圣经》，远避试探的人，必蒙拣选。凡恒久相信，并顺从上帝口里所出一切话的人，必蒙拣选。救赎的恩典是白白赐给万人的，而救赎的结果，唯有那些合乎他条件的人才能享受。[16]{PP 208.1}
§34
Every soul is elected who will work out his own salvation with fear and trembling. He is elected who will put on the armor and fight the good fight of faith. He is elected who will watch unto prayer, who will search the Scriptures, and flee from temptation. He is elected who will have faith continually, and who will be obedient to every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. The provisions of redemption are free to all; the results of redemption will be enjoyed by those who have complied with the conditions.{PP 208.1}[16]
§35
以扫轻看了圣约的福分。他认为属世的利益比属灵的福分更有价值，他所希冀的也已经得到了。他与上帝的百姓隔离，是出于有心的选择。但雅各却拣选了信心的基业。他曾想用奸诈和欺骗的手段得这福分。但上帝为要改正他的错误，却让他自食其果。雅各虽然经过了晚年一切的痛苦，但他的宗旨丝毫没有动摇，也始终没有放弃他的初衷。他得了教训，知道以人的技巧和奸诈的手段去求得福气，乃是与上帝为敌的。从雅博河边那一夜的挣扎中，雅各已经成了一个新人。自恃的心已经根除，从此以后，再也不玩弄早年奸诈的手段。他的一生再无奸诈欺骗的行为，却以淳朴真诚著称了。他已经学会了绝对依靠那全能者的膀臂；而且在试炼和苦难之中，他也谦卑地顺服了上帝的旨意。他品格上的杂质已经在炉火中烧尽，真金已经炼净，直到亚伯拉罕和以撒的信心清清楚楚地显明在他身上。[17]{PP 208.2}
§36
Esau had despised the blessings of the covenant. He had valued temporal above spiritual good, and he had received that which he desired. It was by his own deliberate choice that he was separated from the people of God. Jacob had chosen the inheritance of faith. He had endeavored to obtain it by craft, treachery, and falsehood; but God had permitted his sin to work out its correction. Yet through all the bitter experience of his later years, Jacob had never swerved from his purpose or renounced his choice. He had learned that in resorting to human skill and craft to secure the blessing, he had been warring against God. From that night of wrestling beside the Jabbok, Jacob had come forth a different man. Self-confidence had been uprooted. Henceforth the early cunning was no longer seen. In place of craft and deception, his life was marked by simplicity and truth. He had learned the lesson of simple reliance upon the Almighty Arm, and amid trial and affliction he bowed in humble submission to the will of God. The baser elements of character were consumed in the furnace fire, the true gold was refined, until the faith of Abraham and Isaac appeared undimmed in Jacob.{PP 208.2}[17]
§37
雅各的罪，以及随之而来的一连串事件，曾发出邪恶的影响，这种影响在他众子的品格和生活上，显明了恶毒的果子。在他的众子长大成人之后，他们曾犯了严重的过失。多妻制度的结果在他家庭中显出来了。这可怕的邪恶容易使爱心的泉源干涸，而它的影响能疏远最神圣的关系。几个母亲之间的嫉妒曾破坏了家庭的和睦，而儿女长大时自然就好勇斗狠，不耐约束，以至父亲的生活烦扰悲愁，郁郁寡欢了。[18]{PP 208.3}
§38
The sin of Jacob, and the train of events to which it led, had not failed to exert an influence for evil--an influence that revealed its bitter fruit in the character and life of his sons. As these sons arrived at manhood they developed serious faults. The results of polygamy were manifest in the household. This terrible evil tends to dry up the very springs of love, and its influence weakens the most sacred ties. The jealousy of the several mothers had embittered the family relation, the children had grown up contentious and impatient of control, and the fathers life was darkened with anxiety and grief.{PP 208.3}[18]
§39
虽然如此，但雅各的众子中却有一个与众不同的儿子，拉结的长子约瑟容貌秀雅俊美，似乎是反射他内在的心灵之美。这个青年秉性纯洁、活泼愉快，而且在道德方面也是老成持重。他爱听父亲的教训，又喜爱顺从上帝。那后来能使他在埃及显身扬名的品德——温柔、忠义、信实，早已在日常的生活上显明出来了。他因母亲去世，所以就更加亲密地依恋着父亲，而雅各的心灵与这晚年生的孩子也是联在一起的。他“爱约瑟过于爱他的众子。”（见创37:3）[19]{PP 209.1}
§40
There was one, however, of a widely different character--the elder son of Rachel, Joseph, whose rare personal beauty seemed but to reflect an inward beauty of mind and heart. Pure, active, and joyous, the lad gave evidence also of moral earnestness and firmness. He listened to his fathers instructions, and loved to obey God. The qualities that afterward distinguished him in Egypt--gentleness, fidelity, and truthfulness--were already manifest in his daily life. His mother being dead, his affections clung the more closely to the father, and Jacobs heart was bound up in this child of his old age. He loved Joseph more than all his children.{PP 209.1}[19]
§41
但这种溺爱也引起了不少的烦恼和忧愁。雅各对约瑟显著的偏爱乃是不智之举，因此惹起了其他众子的嫉妒心。当约瑟看见他弟兄们的邪恶行为时，心中很是不安；他试图温和地劝告他们，但反而引起了他们更大的怨恨和愤怒。他不忍见他们得罪上帝，就把这事告诉了父亲，希望借父亲的权威能使他们改正过来。[20]{PP 209.2}
§42
But even this affection was to become a cause of trouble and sorrow. Jacob unwisely manifested his preference for Joseph, and this excited the jealousy of his other sons. As Joseph witnessed the evil conduct of his brothers, he was greatly troubled; he ventured gently to remonstrate with them, but only aroused still further their hatred and resentment. He could not endure to see them sinning against God, and he laid the matter before his father, hoping that his authority might lead them to reform.{PP 209.2}[20]
§43
雅各很小心地避免用粗暴和严厉的话惹起儿子们的怒气。他谆谆地表示他对儿女们的担心，并切劝他们尊重年老的父亲，不要使他的名受辱，尤其是不可这样不顾上帝的律法而羞辱上帝。这些青年因他们的恶行被发觉而自知羞愧，表面上似乎是悔过了，但他们只是掩饰自己真正的心情，实际上反而因为被揭露而心中更狠毒了。[21]{PP 209.3}
§44
Jacob carefully avoided exciting their anger by harshness or severity. With deep emotion he expressed his solicitude for his children, and implored them to have respect for his gray hairs, and not to bring reproach upon his name, and above all not to dishonor God by such disregard of His precepts. Ashamed that their wickedness was known, the young men seemed to be repentant, but they only concealed their real feelings, which were rendered more bitter by this exposure.{PP 209.3}[21]
§45
父亲为约瑟作了一件华贵的彩衣，真是有失检点了，这样的衣服平常是贵族所穿的，约瑟的弟兄们认为这又是父亲偏爱的一个证据，就怀疑父亲有意越过年长的众子，而将长子的名分给予拉结的这个儿子。有一天，约瑟把他所作的梦告诉他们，他们的仇恨就更加深了。约瑟说：“请听我所作的梦；我们在田里捆禾稼，我的捆起来站着，你们的捆来围着我的捆下拜。”[22]{PP 209.4}
§46
The fathers injudicious gift to Joseph of a costly coat, or tunic, such as was usually worn by persons of distinction, seemed to them another evidence of his partiality, and excited a suspicion that he intended to pass by his elder children, to bestow the birthright upon the son of Rachel. Their malice was still further increased as the boy one day told them of a dream that he had had. Behold, he said, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf. {PP 209.4}[22]
§47
他的弟兄们又怨恨、又愤怒地回答说：“难道你真要作我们的王吗？难道你真要管辖我们吗？”[23]{PP 210.1}
§48
Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? exclaimed his brothers in envious anger.{PP 210.1}[23]
§49
不久约瑟又作了一个梦，意思也是相同，他告诉他们，说：“看哪，我又作了一梦，梦见太阳、月亮与十一个星，向我下拜。”这梦与第一个梦同样是不难解释的。当时父亲也在场，就责备他说：“你作的这是什么梦？难道我和你母亲，你弟兄，果然要来俯伏在地，向你下拜吗？”雅各的话表面上虽然严厉，他却相信耶和华已把将来的事向约瑟显明了。[24]{PP 210.2}
§50
Soon he had another dream, of similar import, which he also related: Behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me. This dream was interpreted as readily as the first. The father, who was present, spoke reprovingly--What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth? Notwithstanding the apparent severity of his words, Jacob believed that the Lord was revealing the future to Joseph.{PP 210.2}[24]
§51
当这个后生站在他弟兄们面前时，他俊美的面容上焕发着圣灵的光辉，他们不禁深表惊羡；但他们并没有放弃恶行，却恨恶他那令他们罪恶相形见绌的纯洁。那激起该隐的同样意气，这时也在他们心中鼓动起来了。[25]{PP 210.3}
§52
As the lad stood before his brothers, his beautiful countenance lighted up with the Spirit of inspiration, they could not withhold their admiration; but they did not choose to renounce their evil ways, and they hated the purity that reproved their sins. The same spirit that actuated Cain was kindling in their hearts.{PP 210.3}[25]
§53
弟兄们为了替羊群找寻牧场，不得不到处奔波，时常要离家数月之久。在以上的事发生之后，他们到父亲在示剑所买的那块地去。过了一些时候，他们还没有带信到家，父亲便为他们的安全忧虑起来了；只因他们以往对示剑人曾有过残忍的行为，所以就打发约瑟去寻找他们，看看他们平安不平安，然后回来报信。如果雅各知道众子们对约瑟所怀的真情，他就不会派约瑟独自到他们那里去了；可是这种心情他们一直是瞒着他的。[26]{PP 210.4}
§54
The brothers were obliged to move from place to place to secure pasturage for their flocks, and frequently they were absent from home for months together. After the circumstances just related, they went to the place which their father had bought at Shechem. Some time passed, bringing no tidings from them, and the father began to fear for their safety, on account of their former cruelty toward the Shechemites. He therefore sent Joseph to find them, and bring him words as to their welfare. Had Jacob known the real feeling of his sons toward Joseph, he would not have trusted him alone with them; but this they had carefully concealed.{PP 210.4}[26]
§55
约瑟高高兴兴地离开父亲，父子二人都没有梦想到他们再相见之前所要发生的事。约瑟跋涉了寂寞孤独的长途来到示剑，却找不到哥哥们和羊群。他向人打听他们，有人指引他到多坍去。这时他已经旅行了一百五十多里路，如今还要再走四五十里，只因他想减轻父亲的忧虑，就忘记了自己的疲劳，赶紧前去与哥哥们见面。虽然他们待他不好，可是他还是很爱他们的。[27]{PP 210.5}
§56
With a joyful heart, Joseph parted from his father, neither the aged man nor the youth dreaming of what would happen before they should meet again. When, after his long and solitary journey, Joseph arrived at Shechem, his brothers and their flocks were not to be found. Upon inquiring for them, he was directed to Dothan. He had already traveled more than fifty miles, and now an additional distance of fifteen lay before him, but he hastened on, forgetting his weariness in the thought of relieving the anxiety of his father, and meeting the brothers, whom, despite their unkindness, he still loved.{PP 210.5}[27]
§57
他的哥哥们看见他来了；一点没有想到他如何跋涉长途来见他们，没有想到他的疲乏和饥饿，也没有想到他应该受弟兄们的友爱和款待，这一切都没有使他们狠毒的心柔和一点。他们一看见那一件彩衣——就是父亲偏爱的象征，便不禁怒气填膺。他们讥诮地说：“那作梦的来了。”他们久已隐在心头的妒忌和仇恨，这时控制了他们。他们说：“来吧，我们将他杀了，丢在一个坑里，就说有恶兽把他吃了，我们且看他的梦将来怎么样。”[28]{PP 210.6}
§58
His brothers saw him approaching; but no thought of the long journey he had made to meet them, of his weariness and hunger, of his claims upon their hospitality and brotherly love, softened the bitterness of their hatred. The sight of the coat, the token of their fathers love, filled them with frenzy. Behold, this dreamer cometh, they cried in mockery. Envy and revenge, long secretly cherished, now controlled them. Let us slay him, they said, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him; and we shall see what will become of his dreams.{PP 210.6}[28]
§59
若不是流便拦阻，他们就要实行他们的计谋了。流便不敢参加杀害兄弟的事，只是建议把他活活地丢在坑里，任他死去；事实上他的意思是要救他，把他送还父亲。流便既劝服大家接受他的计划，唯恐控制不住自己的情绪，让他们看出他的用意来，就离开他们去了。[29]{PP 211.1}
§60
They would have executed their purpose but for Reuben. He shrank from participating in the murder of his brother, and proposed that Joseph be cast alive into a pit, and left there to perish; secretly intending, however, to rescue him and return him to his father. Having persuaded all to consent to this plan, Reuben left the company, fearing that he might fail to control his feelings, and that his real intentions would be discovered.{PP 211.1}[29]
§61
约瑟走近了，他一点也没有虑及有危险存在，并为着寻找很久如今方达到目的而表示欣喜；但他并没有受到所希冀的欢迎，他看见他们发怒和报复的脸色大吃一惊；他们抓住他，剥了他的外衣。他们的辱骂和威吓，显明了恶毒的意图。约瑟的恳求一点也没有打动他们的心，他完全在这一班疯狂之人的控制之下了。他们粗暴地把他拖到一个深坑旁边，把他丢在坑中，使他无法逃脱，任他饿死，而他们却“坐下吃饭。”[30]{PP 211.2}
§62
Joseph came on, unsuspicious of danger, and glad that the object of his long search was accomplished; but instead of the expected greeting, he was terrified by the angry and revengeful glances which he met. He was seized and his coat stripped from him. Taunts and threats revealed a deadly purpose. His entreaties were unheeded. He was wholly in the power of those maddened men. Rudely dragging him to a deep pit, they thrust him in, and having made sure that there was no possibility of his escape, they left him there to perish from hunger, while they sat down to eat bread.{PP 211.2}[30]
§63
但弟兄中有几个人心里不安，他们觉得这样的报复，并没有满足他们的期望。不久，他们看见一群商人来了。这是以实玛利人的商队，从约旦河外带着香料和其他商品往埃及去。这时犹大建议与其任他死，不如把他们的兄弟卖给异邦的商人。这样既可以除掉他们的眼中钉，又不必流他的血。他竭力主张，说：“因为他是我们的兄弟，我们的骨肉。”大家都同意他的建议，于是赶紧把约瑟从坑里拉上来。[31]{PP 211.3}
§64
But some of them were ill at ease; they did not feel the satisfaction they had anticipated from their revenge. Soon a company of travelers was seen approaching. It was a caravan of Ishmaelites from beyond Jordan, on their way to Egypt with spices and other merchandise. Judah now proposed to sell their brother to these heathen traders instead of leaving him to die. While he would be effectually put out of their way, they would remain clear of his blood; for, he urged, he is our brother and our flesh. To this proposition all agreed, and Joseph was quickly drawn out of the pit.{PP 211.3}[31]
§65
约瑟一看到那些商人，立时就看出弟兄们的用意。在那个时代，作一个奴仆比死还要可怕。他在恐怖惨痛之余，向弟兄们一一地恳求，但结果都是徒然。有几个人虽然动了恻隐之心，但因怕别人的讥诮，故而静默无言；大家都觉得这时已经到了骑虎难下之势。如果饶了约瑟，他无疑地必要告诉父亲，而父亲必不放过这么残忍对待他爱子的事。所以他们硬着心肠不听他的恳求，就把他交在异邦的商人手里。商队往前进行，不久就看不见了。[32]{PP 211.4}
§66
As he saw the merchants the dreadful truth flashed upon him. To become a slave was a fate more to be feared than death. In an agony of terror he appealed to one and another of his brothers, but in vain. Some were moved with pity, but fear of derision kept them silent; all felt that they had now gone too far to retreat. If Joseph were spared, he would doubtless report them to the father, who would not overlook their cruelty toward his favorite son. Steeling their hearts against his entreaties, they delivered him into the hands of the heathen traders. The caravan moved on, and was soon lost to view.{PP 211.4}[32]
§67
流便回到坑边，见约瑟不在。他心中又恐慌，又自责，就撕裂衣服，回到弟兄们那里说：“童子没有了，我往哪里去才好呢？”流便知道约瑟的下落后，此时已无法挽回，故只好同意与其他弟兄一同隐瞒着他们的罪行。他们宰了一只公山羊，把约瑟的衣服染上血，送给父亲，说是他们在野地里捡到的，怕是他们兄弟的衣服。他们对父亲说：“请认一认，是你儿子的外衣不是？”他们原可料到父亲的悲伤，可是没有想到父亲会那么的惨痛伤心，悲不自胜。雅各说：“这是我儿子的外衣，有恶兽把他吃了，约瑟被撕碎了！撕碎了！”他的儿女们都起来安慰他，他却不肯受安慰。他“撕裂衣服，腰间围上麻布，为他儿子悲哀了多日。”时间似乎并未使他的悲伤得到慰藉，他绝望的呼声是：“我必悲哀着下阴间到我儿子那里。”这些青年人因他们所作的事非常吃惊，但又怕父亲的责备，就一直把自己的罪放在心里，因为就是在他们自己看来，这罪也是非常严重的。[33]{PP 212.1}
§68
Reuben returned to the pit, but Joseph was not there. In alarm and self-reproach he rent his garments, and sought his brothers, exclaiming, The child is not; and I, whither shall I go? Upon learning the fate of Joseph, and that it would now be impossible to recover him, Reuben was induced to unite with the rest in the attempt to conceal their guilt. Having killed a kid, they dipped Josephs coat in its blood, and took it to their father, telling him that they had found it in the fields, and that they feared it was their brothers. Know now, they said, whether it be thy sons coat or no. They had looked forward to this scene with dread, but they were not prepared for the heart-rending anguish, the utter abandonment of grief, which they were compelled to witness. It is my sons coat, said Jacob; an evil beast hath devoured him. Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces. Vainly his sons and daughters attempted to comfort him. He rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days. Time seemed to bring no alleviation of his grief. I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning, was his despairing cry. The young men, terrified at what they had done, yet dreading their fathers reproaches, still hid in their own hearts the knowledge of their guilt, which even to themselves seemed very great.{PP 212.1}[33]