第24章 逾越节
§1
第24章 逾越节
§2
Chap. 24 - The Passover
§3
当摩西第一次向埃及王提出释放以色列民的强硬要求时，他就发出那灾难中最可怕的警告。那时摩西奉命对法老说：“耶和华这样说，以色列是我的儿子，我的长子；我对你说过，容我的儿子去好侍奉我，你还是不肯容他去，看哪，我要杀你的长子。”（出4:22-23）以色列人虽为埃及人所轻视，但却是上帝所重看的，因为他们乃是从万民中被选出来，作保守上帝律法的人。因为上帝所赐给他们的福分和特权，他们就在列国中有优越的地位，正如长子在众子之中一样。[1]{PP 273.1}
§4
When the demand for Israels release had been first presented to the king of Egypt, the warning of the most terrible of the plagues had been given. Moses was directed to say to Pharaoh, Thus saith the Lord, Israel is My son, even My first-born: and I say unto thee, Let My son go, that he may serve Me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy first-born. Exodus 4:22, 23. Though despised by the Egyptians, the Israelites had been honored by God, in that they were singled out to be the depositaries of His law. In the special blessings and privileges accorded them, they had pre-eminence among the nations, as the first-born son had among brothers.{PP 273.1}[1]
§5
上帝最初所警告的刑罚，到最后才降在埃及人身上。上帝是长久忍耐、大有恩慈的。他对那照着自己形象所造的人，作亲切的照顾。如果埃及人在丧失庄稼和牲畜之后即行悔改，他们的儿女就不致受击打了；但是，这个国家顽梗地抗拒了上帝的命令，如今最后的打击即将来到了。[2]{PP 273.2}
§6
The judgment of which Egypt had first been warned, was to be the last visited. God is long-suffering and plenteous in mercy. He has a tender care for the beings formed in His image. If the loss of their harvests and their flocks and herds had brought Egypt to repentance, the children would not have been smitten; but the nation had stubbornly resisted the divine command, and now the final blow was about to fall.{PP 273.2}[2]
§7
摩西曾被禁止再到法老面前来，否则，即处以死刑；但是从上帝那里还有最后的一个信息，必须传给这个悖逆的君王，于是摩西又到法老之前，传出可怕的宣告说：“耶和华这样说，约到半夜我必出去巡行埃及遍地，凡在埃及地，从坐宝座的法老，直到磨子后的婢女,所有的长子，以及一切头生的牲畜，都必死。埃及遍地必有大哀号，从前没有这样的，后来也必没有。至于以色列中，无论是人是牲畜，连狗也不敢向他们摇舌，好叫你们知道耶和华是将埃及人和以色列人分别出来。你这一切臣仆都要俯伏来见我说：求你和跟从你的百姓都出去，然后我要出去。”（出11:4-8）[3]{PP 273.3}
§8
Moses had been forbidden, on pain of death, to appear again in Pharaohs presence; but a last message from God was to be delivered to the rebellious monarch, and again Moses came before him, with the terrible announcement: Thus saith the Lord, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt: and all the first-born in the land of Egypt shall die, from the first-born of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the first-born of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the first-born of beasts. And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more. But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the Lord doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel. And all these thy servants shall come down unto me, and bow down themselves unto me, saying, Get thee out, and all the people that follow thee: and after that I will go out.{PP 273.3}[3]
§9
在没有执行这判决之前，耶和华曾借摩西指示以色列人，关于他们出离埃及，特别是保护他们免除未来灾难的事。他们每家独自或几家合杀一只“无残疾”的绵羊羔，或山羊羔，并拿一把牛膝草蘸血，涂在“房屋左右的门框上，和门楣上，”（见出12:1-28）使灭命的天使半夜来的时候，不致进入那住屋内。当夜，他们吃的羊羔肉要用火烤，与无酵饼和苦菜同吃，正如摩西所说的，“当腰间束带，脚上穿鞋，手中拿杖，赶紧的吃，这是耶和华的逾越节。”[4]{PP 274.1}
§10
Before the execution of this sentence the Lord through Moses gave direction to the children of Israel concerning their departure from Egypt, and especially for their preservation from the coming judgment. Each family, alone or in connection with others, was to slay a lamb or a kid without blemish, and with a bunch of hyssop sprinkle its blood on the two side posts and on the upper doorpost of the house, that the destroying angel, coming at midnight, might not enter that dwelling. They were to eat the flesh roasted, with unleavened bread and bitter herbs, at night, as Moses said, with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the Lords Passover.{PP 274.1}[4]
§11
耶和华又说：“那夜我要巡行埃及地，把埃及地一切头生的，无论是人是牲畜，都击杀了，又要败坏埃及一切的神。……这血要在你们所住的房屋上作记号，我一见这血，就越过你们去，我击杀埃及地头生的时候，灾殃必不临到你们身上灭你们。”[5]{PP 274.2}
§12
The Lord declared: I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the first-born in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment. . . . And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.{PP 274.2}[5]
§13
为纪念这一次的大拯救，以色列民要世世代代每年守这个节期。“你们要纪念这日，守为耶和华的节，作为你们世世代代永远的定例。”日后，当他们每年守这节期时，他们要把这个伟大拯救的故事，告诉他们的子子孙孙，正如摩西所嘱咐他们的：“你们就说，这是献给耶和华逾越节的祭；当以色列人在埃及的时候，他击杀埃及人，越过以色列人的房屋。”[6]{PP 274.3}
§14
In commemoration of this great deliverance a feast was to be observed yearly by the people of Israel in all future generations. This day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations: ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance forever. As they should keep the feast in future years, they were to repeat to their children the story of this great deliverance, as Moses bade them: Ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the Lords Passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when He smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses.{PP 274.3}[6]
§15
再者，以色列中一切头生的，无论是人是牲畜，都要归与耶和华，并要用赎价赎回来；这是为要承认当埃及的长子被击杀的时候，以色列中头生的虽然蒙恩得以保全性命，其实他们若不是因了赎罪祭，也不免遭受同样的厄运。耶和华说：“凡头生的是我的，我在埃及地击杀一切头生的那日，就把以色列中一切头生的，连人带牲畜都分别为圣归我，他们定要属我。”（民3:13）在制定圣幕的礼节之后，耶和华拣选了利未支派归于自己，代替以色列人一切头生的，办理帐幕的事。他说：“因为他们是从以色列人中全然给我的，我拣选他们归我，是代替以色列人中一切头生的。”（民8:16）虽然如此，一切以色列人为报答上帝的恩典起见，还要付赎价把头生子赎回来。（见民18:15-16）[7]{PP 274.4}
§16
Furthermore, the first-born of both man and beast were to be the Lords, to be bought back only by a ransom, in acknowledgment that when the first-born in Egypt perished, that of Israel, though graciously preserved, had been justly exposed to the same doom but for the atoning sacrifice. All the first-born are Mine, the Lord declared; for on the day that I smote all the first-born in the land of Egypt, I hallowed unto Me all the first-born in Israel, both man and beast: Mine they shall be, Numbers 3:13. After the institution of the tabernacle service the Lord chose unto Himself the tribe of Levi for the work of the sanctuary, instead of the first-born of the people. They are wholly given unto Me from among the children of Israel, He said. Instead of the first-born of all the children of Israel, have I taken them unto Me. Numbers 8:16. All the people were, however, still required, in acknowledgment of Gods mercy, to pay a redemption price for the first-born son. Numbers 18:15, 16.{PP 274.4}[7]
§17
逾越节是一个纪念，也是一个预表，不但指明以前上帝拯救以色列人脱离埃及，也是预指基督所要成就的更大的拯救，就是他使他的子民从罪恶的捆绑之中得到自由。献祭的羔羊代表“上帝的羔羊，”唯有他是我们得救的指望。使徒说：“我们逾越节的羔羊基督，已经被杀献祭了。”（林前5:7）人仅仅宰杀逾越节的羔羊是不够的，还必须把羔羊的血涂在门框上；照样，基督宝血的功劳也必须和我们的心灵发生关系。我们必须相信，基督不仅是为世人舍命，而也是为你我各个人舍命，我们必须自己亲身接受赎罪祭的功劳。[8]{PP 277.1}
§18
The Passover was to be both commemorative and typical, not only pointing back to the deliverance from Egypt, but forward to the greater deliverance which Christ was to accomplish in freeing His people from the bondage of sin. The sacrificial lamb represents the Lamb of God, in whom is our only hope of salvation. Says the apostle, Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. 1 Corinthians 5:7. It was not enough that the paschal lamb be slain; its blood must be sprinkled upon the doorposts; so the merits of Christs blood must be applied to the soul. We must believe, not only that He died for the world, but that He died for us individually. We must appropriate to ourselves the virtue of the atoning sacrifice.{PP 277.1}[8]
§19
那用来蘸血的牛膝草，乃是洁净的表号。古时人曾用它洁净患麻疯病和因摸死尸而沾染污秽的人。在诗人的祷告中，也可以看出它的意义：“求你用牛膝草洁净我，我就干净；求你洗涤我，我就比雪更白。”（诗51:7）[9]{PP 277.2}
§20
The hyssop used in sprinkling the blood was the symbol of purification, being thus employed in the cleansing of the leper and of those defiled by contact with the dead. In the psalmists prayer also its significance is seen: Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Psalm 51:7.{PP 277.2}[9]
§21
逾越节的羔羊是要整只烤熟，它的骨头一根也不可折断；照样，“上帝的羔羊”为我们舍命的时候，他的骨头也是一根也没有折断。（出12:46；约19:36）这样就代表了基督牺牲的完整性。[10]{PP 277.3}
§22
The lamb was to be prepared whole, not a bone of it being broken: so not a bone was to be broken of the Lamb of God, who was to die for us. John 19:36. Thus was also represented the completeness of Christs sacrifice.{PP 277.3}[10]
§23
羔羊的肉是必须吃掉的。我们单单相信基督能赦免我们的罪是不够的；也必须经常的因着信，借着他的话，从他领受属灵的力量和滋养。基督说：“你们若不吃人子的肉，不喝人子的血，就没有生命在你们里面。吃我肉喝我血的人就有永生。”他又进一步解释说：“我对你们所说的话，就是灵，就是生命。”（约6:53-54,63）耶稣领受了他父的律法，在自己的生活上实行了这律法的原则，把律法的精神表现出来，并显明了它在人心上所有向善的力量。约翰说：“道成了肉身，住在我们中间，充充满满的有恩典有真理。我们也见过他的荣光，正是父独生子的荣光。”（约1:14）跟从基督的人，必须与基督的经验有份。他们必须领受并消化上帝的话，以致他的话能成为他们生活行为的原动力。他们必须靠着基督的能力变成他的形状，来返照上帝的品德。他们必须吃上帝儿子的肉，喝他的血，不然，就没有生命在他们里头。基督的精神和工作，必须成为他门徒的精神和工作。[11]{PP 277.4}
§24
The flesh was to be eaten. It is not enough even that we believe on Christ for the forgiveness of sin; we must by faith be constantly receiving spiritual strength and nourishment from Him through His word. Said Christ, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, hath eternal life. John 6:53, 54. And to explain His meaning He said, The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. Verse 63. Jesus accepted His Fathers law, wrought out its principles in His life, manifested its spirit, and showed its beneficent power in the heart. Says John, The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 1:14. The followers of Christ must be partakers of His experience. They must receive and assimilate the word of God so that it shall become the motive power of life and action. By the power of Christ they must be changed into His likeness, and reflect the divine attributes. They must eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of God, or there is no life in them. The spirit and work of Christ must become the spirit and work of His disciples.{PP 277.4}[11]
§25
羊羔的肉要和苦菜同吃，为的是纪念在埃及为奴的痛苦。照样，我们吃基督的肉时，也要因自己的罪而存痛悔的心。吃无酵饼也是富有意义的。逾越节的律例明明白白的吩咐，在节期之间，各人家中都不可有酵，犹太人也严严地遵守这个条例。照样凡要从基督接受生命和滋养的人，也必须除净罪酵。所以保罗写信给哥林多教会说：“应当把旧酵除净，好使你们成为新团；因为我们逾越节的羔羊基督，已经被杀献祭了。所以我们守这节不可用旧酵，也不可用恶毒邪恶的酵，只用诚实真正的无酵饼。”（林前5:7-8）[12]{PP 278.1}
§26
The lamb was to be eaten with bitter herbs, as pointing back to the bitterness of the bondage in Egypt. So when we feed upon Christ, it should be with contrition of heart, because of our sins. The use of unleavened bread also was significant. It was expressly enjoined in the law of the Passover, and as strictly observed by the Jews in their practice, that no leaven should be found in their houses during the feast. In like manner the leaven of sin must be put away from all who would receive life and nourishment from Christ. So Paul writes to the Corinthian church, Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump. . . . For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us: therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 1 Corinthians 5:7, 8.{PP 278.1}[12]
§27
在未得自由之前，这些为奴的人必须对那即将实现的大拯救，表示他们的信心。他们的房屋上必须涂上血的记号，而且他们必须把自己和家属与埃及人分别出来，还要把家里的人都聚集在屋内。以色列人如果轻视了所给予他们的指示中任何一点，或忘记把自己的孩子与埃及人分开；或者他们杀了羔羊，却没有把血涂在门框上，或是走出家门之外，他们就不能得到安全。他们纵然诚诚实实的相信自己已经作了一切必需作的事，但实际上若没有作好，单是他们的诚心并不足以拯救他们。凡没有完全听从耶和华指示的人，必要在灭命的天使手中丧失他们的头生子。[13]{PP 278.2}
§28
Before obtaining freedom, the bondmen must show their faith in the great deliverance about to be accomplished. The token of blood must be placed upon their houses, and they must separate themselves and their families from the Egyptians, and gather within their own dwellings. Had the Israelites disregarded in any particular the directions given them, had they neglected to separate their children from the Egyptians, had they slain the lamb, but failed to strike the doorpost with blood, or had any gone out of their houses, they would not have been secure. They might have honestly believed that they had done all that was necessary, but their sincerity would not have saved them. All who failed to heed the Lords directions would lose their first-born by the hand of the destroyer. {PP 278.2}[13]
§29
百姓要借着顺从显明他们的信心。照样，凡是希望借着基督宝血功劳而得救的人，就应当认明，在获得救恩的事上，他们自己也有应作的事。固然，唯有基督能救赎我们脱离犯罪的刑罚，但我们应当离开罪恶而转向顺从的路。人得救固然是因着信，而不是出于行为；然而他的信心必须在行为上表现出来。上帝已经赐下他的儿子为人舍命，作为罪的挽回祭，他已将真理之光和生命之道向人显明，并已赐给我们一切的便利、方法与特权；人必须和这些救人的媒介合作；他必须体会并利用上帝所预备的这些助力，相信并顺从上帝一切的命令。[14]{PP 279.1}
§30
By obedience the people were to give evidence of their faith. So all who hope to be saved by the merits of the blood of Christ should realize that they themselves have something to do in securing their salvation. While it is Christ only that can redeem us from the penalty of transgression, we are to turn from sin to obedience. Man is to be saved by faith, not by works; yet his faith must be shown by his works. God has given His Son to die as a propitiation for sin, He has manifested the light of truth, the way of life, He has given facilities, ordinances, and privileges; and now man must co-operate with these saving agencies; he must appreciate and use the helps that God has provided--believe and obey all the divine requirements.{PP 279.1}[14]
§31
当摩西向以色列人述说上帝为拯救他们所作的准备时，百姓便“低头下拜。”（出12:27）他们得自由的快乐指望，和即将临到压迫他们之人的灾难，以及他们因急速离开埃及所有的思虑和劳碌，这一切，都因感激慈悲救主的心情而暂时忘记了。这时许多埃及人已经认明希伯来人的上帝是唯一的真神，所以当灭命的天使将要巡行全地之时，这些人请求以色列人准他们到他们家中避难。他们受了以色列人欢欢喜喜地接待，于是就立约，今后要侍奉雅各的上帝，与上帝的百姓一同离开埃及。[15]{PP 279.2}
§32
As Moses rehearsed to Israel the provisions of God for their deliverance, the people bowed the head and worshiped. The glad hope of freedom, the awful knowledge of the impending judgment upon their oppressors, the cares and labors incident to their speedy departure--all were for the time swallowed up in gratitude to their gracious Deliverer. Many of the Egyptians had been led to acknowledge the God of the Hebrews as the only true God, and these now begged to be permitted to find shelter in the homes of Israel when the destroying angel should pass through the land. They were gladly welcomed, and they pledged themselves henceforth to serve the God of Jacob and to go forth from Egypt with His people.{PP 279.2}[15]
§33
以色列人遵从了上帝所给他们的指示。他们迅速而秘密地完成了出埃及的准备工作。他们把家人都聚在一处，宰杀了逾越节的羔羊，羔羊的肉已在火上烤着，无酵饼和苦菜也预备齐全了。父亲是家中的祭司，他把血涂在门框上，将全家的人都聚集在房屋之内。他们急忙而静静地吃了逾越节的羔羊。百姓都存着敬畏的心，警醒祷告，一切的长子，从壮年人起，到小孩子为止，都因无可形容的恐怖而心惊胆寒。父母想到那可怕的灾难将要在当夜临到时，就紧紧地把他们所爱的头生子抱在怀里。但是灭命的天使并没有进任何以色列人的家里。因为有血的记号——救主保护的记号——在他们的门口，所以灭命的天使没有进去。[16]{PP 279.3}
§34
The Israelites obeyed the directions that God had given. Swiftly and secretly they made their preparations for departure. Their families were gathered, the paschal lamb slain, the flesh roasted with fire, the unleavened bread and bitter herbs prepared. The father and priest of the household sprinkled the blood upon the doorpost, and joined his family within the dwelling. In haste and silence the paschal lamb was eaten. In awe the people prayed and watched, the heart of the eldest born, from the strong man down to the little child, throbbing with indefinable dread. Fathers and mothers clasped in their arms their loved first-born as they thought of the fearful stroke that was to fall that night. But no dwelling of Israel was visited by the death-dealing angel. The sign of blood--the sign of a Saviours protection--was on their doors, and the destroyer entered not.{PP 279.3}[16]
§35
到了半夜，“在埃及有大哀号，无一家不死一个人的。”埃及全地一切头生的，“从坐宝座的法老，直到被掳囚在监里之人的长子，以及一切头生的牲畜，”（见出12:29-33）都被灭命者所击杀。在埃及的广大领土之内，每一家的骄傲都降卑了。哭号之声震动天地。法老和朝臣都脸色发青，四肢颤抖，在这非常的恐怖之下惊惶失措，呆若木鸡了。法老想起自己从前曾一度怎样自豪，说：“耶和华是谁，使我听他的话，容以色列人去呢？我不认识耶和华，也不容以色列人去。”如今，他那胆敢冒犯上天的威风已经蒙辱，卑躬到地了，“夜间法老召了摩西亚伦来，说：起来，连你们带以色列人，从我民中出去，依你们所说的，去侍奉耶和华吧；也依你们所说的，连羊群牛群带着走吧，并要为我祝福。”王的谋士和众民都请求以色列人“快快出离那地，因为埃及人说，我们都要死了。”[17]{PP 279.4}
§36
At midnight there was a great cry in Egypt: for there was not a house where there was not one dead. All the first-born in the land, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle had been smitten by the destroyer. Throughout the vast realm of Egypt the pride of every household had been laid low. The shrieks and wails of the mourners filled the air. King and courtiers, with blanched faces and trembling limbs, stood aghast at the overmastering horror. Pharaoh remembered how he had once exclaimed, Who is Jehovah, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I know not Jehovah, neither will I let Israel go. Now, his heaven-daring pride humbled in the dust, he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the Lord, as ye have said. Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said. . . . And be gone; and bless me also. The royal counselors also and the people entreated the Israelites to depart out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men.{PP 279.4}[17]