第34章 十二个探子
§1
第34章 十二个探子
§2
Chap. 34 - The Twelve Spies
§3
希伯来全军离开何烈山十一天之后，他们在加低斯安营。加低斯位于巴兰旷野，离应许之地的边界不远。在这里，百姓建议差探子去窥探那地。摩西把这事呈到耶和华面前，耶和华应允了他们，并指示他们每支派要选出一个首领去窥探那地。于是摩西照着耶和华的指示拣选了十二个人，并打发他们去看看那地如何；位置和形势怎样；其中所住的居民是强是弱，是多是少；也要观察地土是否肥美；出产是否丰富；并要把那地的果子带一些回来。[1]{PP 387.1}
§4
Eleven days after leaving Mount Horeb the Hebrew host encamped at Kadesh, in the wilderness of Paran, which was not far from the borders of the Promised Land. Here it was proposed by the people that spies be sent up to survey the country. The matter was presented before the Lord by Moses, and permission was granted, with the direction that one of the rulers of each tribe should be selected for this purpose. The men were chosen as had been directed, and Moses bade them go and see the country, what it was, its situation and natural advantages; and the people that dwelt therein, whether they were strong or weak, few or many; also to observe the nature of the soil and its productiveness and to bring of the fruit of the land.{PP 387.1}[1]
§5
他们去了，从南疆的边界进去，直到北疆的尽头，窥探了全地，过了四十天，他们就回来了。以色列百姓存着极大的希望，热切地等待着他们。当探子回来的消息从这支派传到那支派时，他们都快乐得欢呼起来。百姓蜂拥出去迎接他们所派的使者。因为他们已经完成涉险的任务，并脱离种种危难，平平安安地回来了。探子们为要证明那地的肥美，曾带回来各种土产的样子。那时正是葡萄初熟的时候，他们带来一挂葡萄，是两个人用杠抬着回来的，足见那一挂葡萄是多么大。同时，他们也带了那地出产丰富的无花果和石榴。[2]{PP 387.2}
§6
They went, and surveyed the whole land, entering at the southern border and proceeding to the northern extremity. They returned after an absence of forty days. The people of Israel were cherishing high hopes and were waiting in eager expectancy. The news of the spies return was carried from tribe to tribe and was hailed with rejoicing. The people rushed out to meet the messengers, who had safely escaped the dangers of their perilous undertaking. The spies brought specimens of the fruit, showing the fertility of the soil. It was in the time of ripe grapes, and they brought a cluster of grapes so large that it was carried between two men. They also brought of the figs and pomegranates which grew there in abundance.{PP 387.2}[2]
§7
百姓见到他们所要承受的是那么美好的土地，心中很是快乐；当探子们向摩西报告的时候，众人便在旁注意谛听，不愿遗漏一句。探子们开始回报说：“我们到了你所打发我们去的那地，果然是流奶与蜜之地，这就是那地的果子。”（民13:17-33,14）百姓听了十分兴奋；极愿听从耶和华的话，立刻去得那地。但探子们在形容了那地的肥美之后，他们中间有十个人，却过分形容以色列人在从事战胜迦南人时所必要遇到的困难和危险。他们列举了散居那地的强国，并说他们的城邑坚固宽大，住在那里的居民又强壮，若要胜过他们是绝对不可能的。他们也提到自己曾在那里看见了巨人，就是亚衲族人的后裔，所以他们不用梦想承受那地了。[3]{PP 387.3}
§8
The people rejoiced that they were to come into possession of so goodly a land, and they listened intently as the report was brought to Moses, that not a word should escape them. We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, the spies began, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it. The people were enthusiastic; they would eagerly obey the voice of the Lord, and go up at once to possess the land. But after describing the beauty and fertility of the land, all but two of the spies enlarged upon the difficulties and dangers that lay before the Israelites should they undertake the conquest of Canaan. They enumerated the powerful nations located in various parts of the country, and said that the cities were walled and very great, and the people who dwelt therein were strong, and it would be impossible to conquer them. They also stated that they had seen giants, the sons of Anak, there, and it was useless to think of possessing the land.{PP 387.3}[3]
§9
这时情形就改变了。撒但既用丧胆的思想使探子们灰心，所以当他们一发表没有信心的意见时，百姓的希望和勇气顿时就变成怯懦绝望了。他们的不信给会众播了一个不祥之兆，上帝为选民所显示的那么多次的大能，他们竟都忘记了。百姓既没有事先考虑一下，也没有想一想，上帝既引领他们一直到了这里，他自然必将那地赐给他们；他们也没有想到上帝如何奇妙地拯救他们脱离那压迫他们之人的手，如何在红海中为他们开了出路，如何毁灭了那追赶他们的法老全军。他们竟把上帝置之度外，一切所作的似乎都必须单靠他们的武力。[4]{PP 388.1}
§10
Now the scene changed. Hope and courage gave place to cowardly despair, as the spies uttered the sentiments of their unbelieving hearts, which were filled with discouragement prompted by Satan. Their unbelief cast a gloomy shadow over the congregation, and the mighty power of God, so often manifested in behalf of the chosen nation, was forgotten. The people did not wait to reflect; they did not reason that He who had brought them thus far would certainly give them the land; they did not call to mind how wonderfully God had delivered them from their oppressors, cutting a path through the sea and destroying the pursuing hosts of Pharaoh. They left God out of the question, and acted as though they must depend solely on the power of arms.{PP 388.1}[4]
§11
他们的不信限制了上帝的能力，他们没有依靠那一直在安全的道路上引领他们的圣手。于是他们重蹈了从前埋怨摩西亚伦的覆辙。他们说：“哪里想到，这就是我们一切希望的结局，这就是我们从埃及出来走这么远的路，所要承受之地。”他们毁谤他们的领袖，斥责他们欺骗百姓，使以色列人遭遇困难。[5]{PP 388.2}
§12
In their unbelief they limited the power of God and distrusted the hand that had hitherto safely guided them. And they repeated their former error of murmuring against Moses and Aaron. This, then, is the end of our high hopes, they said. This is the land we have traveled all the way from Egypt to possess. They accused their leaders of deceiving the people and bringing trouble upon Israel.{PP 388.2}[5]
§13
百姓在绝望之中心灰意冷了。营中起了痛苦的哀号，搀杂着喧嚷埋怨的声音。迦勒明白这情况，就奋勇地出来为上帝的应许辩护，并竭尽全力来抵制不忠实之同伴的恶劣影响。百姓立即静听他述说关于那美好之地有希望有勇气的话。他没有反驳别人所说过的话；城墙固然高大，迦南人固然强壮，但上帝已经把这地应许给以色列人。迦勒强调说：“我们立刻上去得那地吧，我们足能得胜。”[6]{PP 388.3}
§14
The people were desperate in their disappointment and despair. A wail of agony arose and mingled with the confused murmur of voices. Caleb comprehended the situation, and, bold to stand in defense of the word of God, he did all in his power to counteract the evil influence of his unfaithful associates. For an instant the people were stilled to listen to his words of hope and courage respecting the goodly land. He did not contradict what had already been said; the walls were high and the Canaanites strong. But God had promised the land to Israel. Let us go up at once and possess it, urged Caleb; for we are well able to overcome it.{PP 388.3}[6]
§15
但那十个探子打断了他的话，因而把当前的障碍形容得比先前更可怕。说：“我们不能上去攻击那民，因为他们比我们强壮。……我们在那里所看见的人民，都身量高大。我们在那里看见亚衲族人，就是伟人，他们是伟人的后裔，据我们看自己就如蚱蜢一样，据他们看我们也是如此。”[7]{PP 388.4}
§16
But the ten, interrupting him, pictured the obstacles in darker colors than at first. We be not able to go up against the people, they declared; for they are stronger than we. . . . All the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature. And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.{PP 388.4}[7]
§17
这些人一走入歧途，就刚愎不驯地反对迦勒和约书亚，反对摩西，并且反对上帝。他们越来越坚决了，他们定意要阻挠一切想承受迦南地的努力。而且他们为要支持这个恶毒的影响，竟不惜歪曲事实。他们说：“我们所窥探经过之地，是吞吃居民之地。”这不但是一个恶信，而且是一句谎言，又是自相矛盾的话。探子们既然说那地肥美富饶，居民身材高大，怎么又说那地的气候是不合卫生，甚至可称为吞吃居民之地呢？可见当人心充满不信之念，让撒但来控制他们时，就没有人能说撒但将要带他们到什么地步啊。[8]{PP 389.1}
§18
These men, having entered upon a wrong course, stubbornly set themselves against Caleb and Joshua, against Moses, and against God. Every advance step rendered them the more determined. They were resolved to discourage all effort to gain possession of Canaan. They distorted the truth in order to sustain their baleful influence. It is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof, they said. This was not only an evil report, but it was also a lying one. It was inconsistent with itself. The spies had declared the country to be fruitful and prosperous, and the people of giant stature, all of which would be impossible if the climate were so unhealthful that the land could be said to eat up the inhabitants. But when men yield their hearts to unbelief they place themselves under the control of Satan, and none can tell to what lengths he will lead them.{PP 389.1}[8]
§19
“当下全会众大声喧嚷，那夜百姓都哭号。”暴乱和公然的叛变很快地就接着发生了；因撒但完全支配了他们，百姓就似乎失了理智。他们咒骂摩西和亚伦，忘记上帝已经听见他们的恶言，那隐在云柱里的使者已经看见他们恐怖的暴动。他们在悲哀中喊叫说：“巴不得我们早死在埃及地，或是死在这旷野。”于是他们转而埋怨上帝，说：“耶和华为什么把我们领到那地，使我们倒在刀下呢？我们的妻子和孩子，必被掳掠，我们回埃及去岂不好吗？众人彼此说，我们不如立一个首领，回埃及去吧。”这样，他们不但控告摩西，而且还要说上帝应许一个他们所不能得到的地，乃是欺骗他们。他们竟另立了一个首领，要他带他们回到从前受苦为奴，而后蒙全能之主把他们拯救出来的地方。[9]{PP 389.2}
§20
And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. Revolt and open mutiny quickly followed; for Satan had full sway, and the people seemed bereft of reason. They cursed Moses and Aaron, forgetting that God hearkened to their wicked speeches, and that, enshrouded in the cloudy pillar, the Angel of His presence was witnessing their terrible outburst of wrath. In bitterness they cried out, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness! Then their feelings rose against God: Wherefore hath the Lord brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt? And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt. Thus they accused not only Moses, but God Himself, of deception, in promising them a land which they were not able to possess. And they went so far as to appoint a captain to lead them back to the land of their suffering and bondage, from which they had been delivered by the strong arm of Omnipotence.{PP 389.2}[9]
§21
摩西和亚伦在屈辱苦恼之下，“就俯伏在以色列全会众面前，”不知道该作什么来挽回他们卤莽任性的意志。这时迦勒和约书亚欲安抚叛乱；他们就撕裂了衣服来表示悲愤，冲到百姓中间，以高过那暴风雨般号哭及叛乱悲呼的声音说：“我们所窥探经过之地，是极美之地。耶和华若喜悦我们，就必将我们领进那地，把地赐给我们；那地原是流奶与蜜之地。但你们不可背叛耶和华，也不要怕那地的居民；因为他们是我们的食物。并且，荫庇他们的已经离开他们，有耶和华与我们同在。不要怕他们。”[10]{PP 389.3}
§22
In humiliation and distress Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel, not knowing what to do to turn them from their rash and passionate purpose. Caleb and Joshua attempted to quiet the tumult. With their garments rent in token of grief and indignation, they rushed in among the people, and their ringing voices were heard above the tempest of lamentation and rebellious grief: The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land. If the Lord delight in us, then He will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defense is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not.{PP 389.3}[10]
§23
迦南人已经恶贯满盈，耶和华不能再容忍他们了。他们既没有上帝的保护，就容易被掠取。这地已经由上帝的约保证给以色列民了。但是他们接受了不忠实之探子的虚伪报告，以致全会众因而受了欺哄。这些叛徒已经完成了他们的工作。如果只有两个报告恶信，而其余十人鼓励他们奉耶和华的名去得那地，他们依然会因不信的恶心听从那两人的建议，而不肯听十人的劝勉。但是这一次只有两人为正义辩护，而十人则站在叛逆的一边了。[11]{PP 390.1}
§24
The Canaanites had filled up the measure of their iniquity, and the Lord would no longer bear with them. His protection being removed, they would be an easy prey. By the covenant of God the land was ensured to Israel. But the false report of the unfaithful spies was accepted, and through it the whole congregation were deluded. The traitors had done their work. If only the two men had brought the evil report, and all the ten had encouraged them to possess the land in the name of the Lord, they would still have taken the advice of the two in preference to the ten, because of their wicked unbelief. But there were only two advocating the right, while ten were on the side of rebellion.{PP 390.1}[11]
§25
那些不忠实的探子高声的斥责迦勒和约书亚，于是，全会众喊叫起来，要用石头打死他们。疯狂的暴徒拿了石头要杀那两个忠心的人，他们大声呐喊，冲向前去，忽然石头从他们手中落了下来，众人寂静无声，战栗不已。因为上帝亲自干涉，阻止了他们杀人的计划，他的荣光像火焰一般照彻会幕。全会众看到耶和华的信号。有一位比他们更大的主已经显示了自己，再没有人敢继续反抗了。那些报恶信的探子被惊慌所慑服，很畏缩的屏住气息，回到自己的帐棚去了。[12]{PP 390.2}
§26
The unfaithful spies were loud in denunciation of Caleb and Joshua, and the cry was raised to stone them. The insane mob seized missiles with which to slay those faithful men. They rushed forward with yells of madness, when suddenly the stones dropped from their hands, a hush fell upon them, and they shook with fear. God had interposed to check their murderous design. The glory of His presence, like a flaming light, illuminated the tabernacle. All the people beheld the signal of the Lord. A mightier one than they had revealed Himself, and none dared continue their resistance. The spies who brought the evil report crouched terror-stricken, and with bated breath sought their tents.{PP 390.2}[12]
§27
这时，摩西起来进了会幕。耶和华对他说：“我要用瘟疫击杀他们，使他们不得承受那地，叫你的后裔成为大国。”但摩西又为百姓代求。他不能同意任他们遭毁灭，而使自己成为大国。于是他恳求上帝的慈怜，说：“现在求主大显能力，照你所说过的话说，耶和华不轻易发怒，并有丰盛的慈爱，……求你照你的大慈爱，赦免这百姓的罪孽，好像你从埃及到如今，常赦免他们一样。”[13]{PP 390.3}
§28
Moses now arose and entered the tabernacle. The Lord declared to him, I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a greater nation. But again Moses pleaded for his people. He could not consent to have them destroyed, and he himself made a mightier nation. Appealing to the mercy of God, he said: I beseech Thee, let the power of my Lord be great according as Thou hast spoken, saying, The Lord is long-suffering, and of great mercy. . . . Pardon, I beseech Thee, the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of Thy mercy, and as Thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.{PP 390.3}[13]
§29
耶和华应许不将以色列人立时毁灭，但因他们的不信和懦怯，他就不能彰显他的能力来制服他们的仇敌。所以他凭着怜悯嘱咐他们转回红海去，作他们唯一的安全之路。[14]{PP 391.1}
§30
The Lord promised to spare Israel from immediate destruction; but because of their unbelief and cowardice He could not manifest His power to subdue their enemies. Therefore in His mercy He bade them, as the only safe course, to turn back toward the Red Sea.{PP 391.1}[14]
§31
百姓在叛逆之中曾经喊着说：“巴不得我们死在这旷野。”现在他们的祈求要蒙允了。耶和华宣告说：“我必要照你们达到我耳中的话待你们。你们的尸首必倒在这旷野；并且你们中间凡被数点，从二十岁以外向我发怨言的，必不得进我起誓应许叫你们住的那地。……但你们的妇人孩子，就是你们所说，要被掳掠的，我必把他们领进去，他们就得知你们所厌弃的那地。”关于迦勒，他说：“唯独我的仆人迦勒，因他另有一个心志，专一跟从我，我就把他领进他所去过的那地；他的后裔也必得那地为业。”按着探子窥探那地所用的时间四十天的数目，一日顶一年，以色列全军必要在旷野飘流四十年。[15]{PP 391.2}
§32
In their rebellion the people had exclaimed, Would God we had died in this wilderness! Now this prayer was to be granted. The Lord declared: As ye have spoken in Mine ears, so will I do to you: your carcasses shall fall in this wilderness, and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward. . . . But your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised. And of Caleb He said, My servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed Me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it. As the spies had spent forty days in their journey, so the hosts of Israel were to wander in the wilderness forty years.{PP 391.2}[15]
§33
当摩西把上帝的决定告诉百姓时，他们的忿怒就变成悲哀了。他们知道自己所受的刑罚是公平的。那十个不忠实的探子被上帝所降的瘟疫击杀了，死在以色列众人眼前；百姓在他们所遭遇的事上看出了自己的厄运。[16]{PP 391.3}
§34
When Moses made known to the people the divine decision, their rage was changed to mourning. They knew that their punishment was just. The ten unfaithful spies, divinely smitten by the plague, perished before the eyes of all Israel; and in their fate the people read their own doom.{PP 391.3}[16]
§35
这时他们似乎是真诚地悔改自己的罪恶行为了；但他们的忧愁乃是因自己行恶的结果，而不是因为觉悟自己的忘恩和悖逆。当他们看出耶和华无意改变他的旨意时，他们又任性起来了，并声称他们决不转回到旷野去。在上帝吩咐他们从仇敌之地撤退的事上，证明他们只是在表面上服从了他，而实际上并不如此。他们知道自己的罪孽深重，因为在他们轻率的性情冲动时，曾想杀害那劝他们顺从上帝的探子；但他们只是因看出自己所犯严重的错误，使他们遭受灾祸的后果而恐惧，他们的内心并没有改变；只要再给他们一个机会，他们就会再起一次暴动的。这在摩西奉上帝的权威吩咐他们转回旷野的时候，就表现出来了。[17]{PP 391.4}
§36
Now they seemed sincerely to repent of their sinful conduct; but they sorrowed because of the result of their evil course rather than from a sense of their ingratitude and disobedience. When they found that the Lord did not relent in His decree, their self-will again arose, and they declared that they would not return into the wilderness. In commanding them to retire from the land of their enemies, God tested their apparent submission and proved that it was not real. They knew that they had deeply sinned in allowing their rash feelings to control them and in seeking to slay the spies who had urged them to obey God; but they were only terrified to find that they had made a fearful mistake, the consequences of which would prove disastrous to themselves. Their hearts were unchanged, and they only needed an excuse to occasion a similar outbreak. This presented itself when Moses, by the authority of God, commanded them to go back into the wilderness. {PP 391.4}[17]
§37
以色列人四十年不能进入迦南的命令，使摩西和亚伦，迦勒和约书亚非常失望；然而他们接受了上帝的决定，没有发一句怨言。但那些过去一直埋怨上帝对他们的措置，并声称要回埃及的人，却在上帝收回他们所轻视的福气时，大大地哭泣悲哀起来了。他们过去的怨言原是毫无理由的，而今上帝却给他们一件真正需要哀哭的事了。如果他们在自己的罪被人忠心地指明时就能为罪悲哀，那么，这个判决也不会宣布了；但他们只是为所受的刑罚悲哀，他们的忧愁并不是真正的悔改，所以不能挽回他们的刑罚。[18]{PP 392.1}
§38
The decree that Israel was not to enter Canaan for forty years was a bitter disappointment to Moses and Aaron, Caleb and Joshua; yet without a murmur they accepted the divine decision. But those who had been complaining of Gods dealings with them, and declaring that they would return to Egypt, wept and mourned greatly when the blessings which they had despised were taken from them. They had complained at nothing, and now God gave them cause to weep. Had they mourned for their sin when it was faithfully laid before them, this sentence would not have been pronounced; but they mourned for the judgment; their sorrow was not repentance, and could not secure a reversing of their sentence.{PP 392.1}[18]
§39
百姓痛哭了一夜；但早晨又给他们带来了一线希望。他们决意要补救已往怯懦的过失。当上帝吩咐他们上去得那地的时候，他们不肯去；如今当上帝指示他们撤退时，他们又同样地反抗了。他们决定去夺取那地，承受为业；或许上帝能悦纳他们的工作，而改变他对他们的旨意。[19]{PP 392.2}
§40
The night was spent in lamentation, but with the morning came a hope. They resolved to redeem their cowardice. When God had bidden them go up and take the land, they had refused; and now when He directed them to retreat they were equally rebellious. They determined to seize upon the land and possess it; it might be that God would accept their work and change His purpose toward them.{PP 392.2}[19]
§41
上帝曾吩咐百姓，按着他所定的时候进入迦南，这原是他们的特权和责任；但因为他们故意疏忽，所以上帝就收回了他的成命。撒但在拦阻他们进入迦南的事上，已经达到他的目的；如今他还要怂恿他们，冒着上帝的禁令，去作前次上帝要他们作而他们不肯作的事。这样，那大欺骗者在引诱他们第二次叛逆的事上，又得了胜。以前，他们不肯依靠上帝能力的帮助去得迦南地；如今他们竟擅敢靠着自己的力量，而不靠上帝的帮助，去完成他的工作。他们说：“我们得罪了耶和华，情愿照耶和华我们上帝一切所吩咐的，上去争战。”（申1:41）他们因违犯律法，竟到了如此盲目的地步。耶和华从来没有吩咐他们“上去争战。”他的旨意不是要他们用战争进入迦南，乃是借着严格遵从他的命令去得那地。[20]{PP 392.3}
§42
God had made it their privilege and their duty to enter the land at the time of His appointment, but through their willful neglect that permission had been withdrawn. Satan had gained his object in preventing them from entering Canaan; and now he urged them on to do the very thing, in the face of the divine prohibition, which they had refused to do when God required it. Thus the great deceiver gained the victory by leading them to rebellion the second time. They had distrusted the power of God to work with their efforts in gaining possession of Canaan; yet now they presumed upon their own strength to accomplish the work independent of divine aid. We have sinned against the Lord, they cried; we will go up and fight, according to all that the Lord our God commanded us. Deuteronomy 1:41. So terribly blinded had they become by transgression. The Lord had never commanded them to go up and fight. It was not His purpose that they should gain the land by warfare, but by strict obedience to His commands.{PP 392.3}[20]
§43
百姓的心虽然没有改变，但他们已经承认自己听探子的报告而叛逆的罪恶和愚妄。如今他们才看出自己所轻易丢弃的福分是有多么大的价值。他们承认自己之所以被摒弃于迦南地之外，乃是因为自己的不信。他们说：“我们有罪了，”他们承认这个错误是在他们自己而不在上帝，就是他们所曾责怪没有向他们实现应许的主。虽然他们的认罪不是出于真心的悔改，但这却足以证明上帝对待他们的公义。[21]{PP 392.4}
§44
Though their hearts were unchanged, the people had been brought to confess the sinfulness and folly of their rebellion at the report of the spies. They now saw the value of the blessing which they had so rashly cast away. They confessed that it was their own unbelief which had shut them out from Canaan. We have sinned, they said, acknowledging that the fault was in themselves, and not in God, whom they had so wickedly charged with failing to fulfill His promises to them. Though their confession did not spring from true repentance, it served to vindicate the justice of God in His dealings with them.{PP 392.4}[21]
§45
今日上帝依然用这同样的方法使人承认他的公义，来荣耀自己的名。当那些自称爱主的人埋怨他的领导，轻视他的应许，并受邪灵的引诱，与他们联合来破坏他的旨意时，耶和华往往要支配环境，使这些人纵然不是真正的悔改，却也觉悟他们自己的罪，以致不得不承认自己行为的邪恶，和上帝对待他们的公义和良善。上帝常常这样发动一些反作用，来显明黑暗势力的作为。而且那引起恶行的精神虽然根本没有改变，但他们的自白却维护了上帝的尊荣，并证明那遭他们反对和诬蔑的，正是上帝的仆人。上帝将来倾下他最后的忿怒时，也必如此。当“主带着他的千万圣者降临，要在众人身上行审判”时，他也要“证实那一切不敬虔的人，所妄行一切不敬虔的事。”（犹14-15）每一个罪人必要看出，并且承认自己被定为罪是公义的。[22]{PP 393.1}
§46
The Lord still works in a similar manner to glorify His name by bringing men to acknowledge His justice. When those who profess to love Him complain of His providence, despise His promises, and, yielding to temptation, unite with evil angels to defeat the purposes of God, the Lord often so overrules circumstances as to bring these persons where, though they may have no real repentance, they will be convinced of their sin and will be constrained to acknowledge the wickedness of their course and the justice and goodness of God in His dealings with them. It is thus that God sets counteragencies at work to make manifest the works of darkness. And though the spirit which prompted to the evil course is not radically changed, confessions are made that vindicate the honor of God and justify His faithful reprovers, who have been opposed and misrepresented. Thus it will be when the wrath of God shall be finally poured out. When the Lord cometh with ten thousand of His saints, to execute judgment upon all, He will also convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds. Jude 14, 15. Every sinner will be brought to see and acknowledge the justice of his condemnation.{PP 393.1}[22]
§47
这时候，以色列人不顾神圣的判决，却准备去征服迦南。他们武装起来，自以为足能取胜；但在上帝和他忧伤的仆人看来，那是极不可能的事。在四十年之后，当耶和华指示以色列人上去攻取耶利哥时，他应许与他们同去。那时，有祭司抬着放有他律法的约柜行在军队的前面，并有上帝所委派的领袖在他的监督之下来指挥他们的行动。有了这样的引领，他们就不可能遇到危害。但如今他们违反上帝的吩咐和他们领袖严厉的制止，约柜和摩西都没有出营，他们竟去与仇敌的军队迎战。[23]{PP 393.2}
§48
Regardless of the divine sentence, the Israelites prepared to undertake the conquest of Canaan. Equipped with armor and weapons of war, they were, in their own estimation, fully prepared for conflict; but they were sadly deficient in the sight of God and His sorrowful servants. When, nearly forty years later, the Lord directed Israel to go up and take Jericho, He promised to go with them. The ark containing His law was borne before their armies. His appointed leaders were to direct their movements, under the divine supervision. With such guidance, no harm could come to them. But now, contrary to the command of God and the solemn prohibition of their leaders, without the ark, and without Moses, they went out to meet the armies of the enemy.{PP 393.2}[23]
§49
这时号筒吹出警戒的声音，摩西追上去警告他们说：“你们为何违背耶和华的命令呢？这事不能顺利了。不要上去，因为耶和华不在你们中间，恐怕你们被仇敌杀败了。亚玛力人，和迦南人，都在你们面前，你们必倒在刀下。”（民14:41-43）[24]{PP 393.3}
§50
The trumpet sounded an alarm, and Moses hastened after them with the warning, Wherefore now do ye transgress the commandment of the Lord? but it shall not prosper. Go not up, for the Lord is not among you; that ye be not smitten before your enemies. For the Amalekites and the Canaanites are there before you, and ye shall fall by the sword.{PP 393.3}[24]
§51
迦南人曾听见那保卫以色列人的奇妙能力，以及为他们所施行的奇事，所以这时他们招集了大军，来抵抗这些向他们进攻的人。进攻的军队没有领袖，他们也没有奉献祷告，求上帝赐给他们胜利。他们以冒死的决心前进，想要挽回他们的厄运，不然就决意死在战场。他们虽然没有受过军事训练，但他们仗着武装的人数众多，希望借着突然而猛烈的攻击，压倒一切抵抗的势力。他们就这样擅自向那不敢攻击他们的仇敌挑战。[25]{PP 394.1}
§52
The Canaanites had heard of the mysterious power that seemed to be guarding this people and of the wonders wrought in their behalf, and they now summoned a strong force to repel the invaders. The attacking army had no leader. No prayer was offered that God would give them the victory. They set forth with the desperate purpose to reverse their fate or to die in battle. Though untrained in war, they were a vast multitude of armed men, and they hoped by a sudden and fierce assault to bear down all opposition. They presumptuously challenged the foe that had not dared to attack them.{PP 394.1}[25]
§53
这时迦南人已经驻扎在多石的高原上，只有一条险峻难登的山径可以上去。希伯来人的人数越多，只能使他们的失败越惨。他们慢慢地穿过山径，完全处于上面敌人飞石的射程之内。于是，大石从上面如同雷轰一般滚落下来，山径上到处遍染了被杀之人的鲜血。那些达到山顶的人，也已因攀登山路而筋疲力尽，被敌人凶猛地击退；损失惨重，积尸盈野。以色列军队全然失败了。这次尝试叛逆的结果，就是毁灭和死亡。[26]{PP 394.2}
§54
The Canaanites had stationed themselves upon a rocky tableland reached only by difficult passes and a steep and dangerous ascent. The immense numbers of the Hebrews could only render their defeat more terrible. They slowly threaded the mountain paths, exposed to the deadly missiles of their enemies above. Massive rocks came thundering down, marking their path with the blood of the slain. Those who reached the summit, exhausted with their ascent, were fiercely repulsed, and driven back with great loss. The field of carnage was strewn with the bodies of the dead. The army of Israel was utterly defeated. Destruction and death was the result of that rebellious experiment.{PP 394.2}[26]
§55
最后，他们不得不顺服了，剩下的人“回来，在耶和华面前哭号，耶和华却不听他们的声音。”（申1:45）以色列的敌人，以前曾恐惧战兢地等待那大能的军队来到，这时由于他们显然的胜利，就相信自己能抵抗以色列人了。他们从前听见的关于上帝为他子民所施行奇事的风声，如今他们都认为是虚谎的报告，他们觉得没有什么值得恐惧的理由。以色列人第一次的失败鼓舞了迦南人的勇气和决心，大大地增加了征服迦南的困难。如今以色列人只好从他们胜利的敌人面前撤退到旷野去，虽然他们也明知这旷野必要成为这一代人的坟墓，但也只有这一条路可走了。[27]{PP 394.3}
§56
Forced to submission at last, the survivors returned, and wept before the Lord; but the Lord would not hearken to their voice. Deuteronomy 1:45. By their signal victory the enemies of Israel, who had before awaited with trembling the approach of that mighty host, were inspired with confidence to resist them. All the reports they had heard concerning the marvelous things that God had wrought for His people, they now regarded as false, and they felt that there was no cause for fear. That first defeat of Israel, by inspiring the Canaanites with courage and resolution, had greatly increased the difficulties of the conquest. Nothing remained for Israel but to fall back from the face of their victorious foes, into the wilderness, knowing that here must be the grave of a whole generation.{PP 394.3}[27]