第46章 祝福与咒诅
§1
第46章 祝福与咒诅
§2
Chap. 46 - The Blessings and the Curses
§3
在执行了亚干的判决之后，约书亚奉命率领一切兵丁再上艾城去。上帝的能力与他的百姓同在，他们不久就攻取了那城。[1]{PP 499.1}
§4
After the execution of the sentence upon Achan, Joshua was commanded to marshal all the men of war and again advance against Ai. The power of God was with His people, and they were soon in possession of the city.{PP 499.1}[1]
§5
这时，军事行动必须暂时中止，使以色列众人可以参加一次严肃的祀典。原来百姓急切地要在迦南地安家立业；可是直到现在，他们还没有盖造房屋，修建田园；自然，若要得到安居，他们必得先把迦南人赶出去；但是，这种重要的工作必须延搁一下，因为有一个应尽的更高本分，要他们首先加以注意。[2]{PP 499.2}
§6
Military operations were now suspended, that all Israel might engage in a solemn religious service. The people were eager to obtain a settlement in Canaan; as yet they had not homes or lands for their families, and in order to gain these they must drive out the Canaanites; but this important work must be deferred, for a higher duty demanded their first attention.{PP 499.2}[2]
§7
在他们承受为业之地以前，他们必须重立效忠上帝的约。摩西在他最后的训示之中曾两次指示以色列各支派，要聚集在示剑的以巴路和基利心山上，举行一次承认上帝律法的严肃会。因此全会众，不但成年人，连“妇女孩子并他们中间寄居的外人，”（书8:30-35）都要离开吉甲的营帐，经由他们仇敌的领域，出发到迦南地的中心地带示剑谷去。虽然他们四围都是尚未征服的仇敌，但只要效忠上帝，他们就可以在他的保护之下得到安全。这时，正像雅各的日子一样，“上帝使那周围城邑的人都甚惊惧，”（创35:5）所以希伯来人没有受到骚扰。[3]{PP 499.3}
§8
Before taking possession of their inheritance, they must renew their covenant of loyalty to God. In the last instructions of Moses, direction had been twice given for a convocation of the tribes upon Mounts Ebal and Gerizim, at Shechem, for the solemn recognition of the law of God. In obedience to these injunctions the whole people, not only men, but the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them left their camp at Gilgal, and marched through the country of their enemies, to the vale of Shechem, near the center of the land. Though surrounded by unconquered foes, they were safe under the protection of God as long as they were faithful to Him. Now, as in the days of Jacob, the terror of God was upon the cities that were round about them (Genesis 35:5), and the Hebrews were unmolested.{PP 499.3}[3]
§9
那指定作以色列人举行严肃会的地方，乃是与他们列祖的历史有关的一带圣地。亚伯拉罕在迦南地为耶和华所筑的第一座祭坛就在这里。亚伯拉罕和雅各都曾在这里支搭过他们的帐棚。雅各曾在这里买了一块地，以色列人在这地里埋葬了约瑟的骸骨。这里也有雅各所挖的井，还有雅各曾把他家中所有邪神的偶像埋地其下的那棵橡树。[4]{PP 499.4}
§10
The place appointed for this solemn service was one already sacred from its association with the history of their fathers. It was here that Abraham raised his first altar to Jehovah in the land of Canaan. Here both Abraham and Jacob had pitched their tents. Here the latter bought the field in which the tribes were to bury the body of Joseph. Here also was the well that Jacob had dug, and the oak under which he had buried the idolatrous images of his household.{PP 499.4}[4]
§11
所选择的这个地点，乃是全巴勒斯坦最美丽的地方，正适合于举行这一次伟大而隆重的盛会。那悦目的山谷中有活水的溪流，浇灌着绿色田野上点缀着的橄榄树林，在不毛的山岭之间，分布着美丽逗人的花。山谷的两旁就是以巴路山和基利心山，两边的山头几乎衔接在一起，其较低的横岭似乎形成一座天然的讲台，从这一边所讲的每一句话，在那边都可以听得非常清楚，而山下的广场正适合于群众集合之用。[5]{PP 500.1}
§12
The spot chosen was one of the most beautiful in all Palestine, and worthy to be the theater where this grand and impressive scene was to be enacted. The lovely valley, its green fields dotted with olive groves, watered with brooks from living fountains, and gemmed with wild flowers, spread out invitingly between the barren hills. Ebal and Gerizim, upon opposite sides of the valley, nearly approach each other, their lower spurs seeming to form a natural pulpit, every word spoken on one being distinctly audible on the other, while the mountainsides, receding, afford space for a vast assemblage.{PP 500.1}[5]
§13
他们照着摩西所给的指示，在以巴路山上用大石砌成一座纪念碑。并在砌成墁上石灰以后，在上面写上律法，不但是在西奈山所颁布刻在石版上的十条诫命，也有上帝传给摩西而由他写在旧约书上的律法。在纪念碑旁边，他们用没有凿过的石头筑了一座坛，并在坛上奉献燔祭与耶和华。他们在宣布咒诅的以巴路山上建筑祭坛是有意义的，说明以色列人因为违犯了律法，就理应遭受上帝的忿怒，而且，若不是因了坛上燔祭所预表的基督的救赎，上帝的忿怒就必立即倾在他们身上了。[6]{PP 500.2}
§14
According to the directions given by Moses, a monument of great stones was erected upon Mount Ebal. Upon these stones, previously prepared by a covering of plaster, the law was inscribed--not only the ten precepts spoken from Sinai and engraved on the tables of stone, but the laws communicated to Moses, and by him written in a book. Beside this monument was built an altar of unhewn stone, upon which sacrifices were offered unto the Lord. The fact that the altar was set up on Mount Ebal, the mountain upon which the curse was put, was significant, denoting that because of their transgressions of Gods law, Israel had justly incurred His wrath, and that it would be at once visited, but for the atonement of Christ, represented by the altar of sacrifice.{PP 500.2}[6]
§15
六个支派的人——尽属利亚和拉结的后裔——都站在基利心山上；而她们婢女的子孙，连同流便和西布伦的后裔，则站在以巴路山上，祭司和约柜立在两山之间的谷中。这时号筒吹出肃静的信号；于是约书亚当着沉静无声的全体会众，站在神圣的约柜旁边，宣读顺从上帝律法的人所必蒙受的福气。站在基利心山上各支派的人都答应说：阿们！以后他又宣读咒诅的话，站在以巴路山上的支派也照样应答。千千万万人的声音，如同一个人似的齐声严肃答应。接着就宣读上帝的律法，以及借摩西所传给他们的律例和典章。[7]{PP 500.3}
§16
Six of the tribes--all descended from Leah and Rachel--were stationed upon Mount Gerizim; while those that descended from the handmaids, together with Reuben and Zebulun, took their position on Ebal, the priests with the ark occupying the valley between them. Silence was proclaimed by the sound of the signal trumpet; and then in the deep stillness, and in the presence of this vast assembly, Joshua, standing beside the sacred ark, read the blessings that were to follow obedience to Gods law. All the tribes on Gerizim responded by an Amen. He then read the curses, and the tribes on Ebal in like manner gave their assent, thousands upon thousands of voices uniting as the voice of one man in the solemn response. Following this came the reading of the law of God, together with the statutes and judgments that had been delivered to them by Moses.{PP 500.3}[7]
§17
以色列人曾在西奈山领受上帝亲口颁布的律法；他所亲手写的神圣诫命，仍然保藏在约柜之中。如今又写出来，使人人都可以阅读，人人都有权利得以亲眼看见他们承受迦南之约的条件。人人都要表示接受这约的条件；并且同意遵守就可以蒙福，忽略这约必受咒诅的声明。这些律法不但写在纪念碑上，而且还由约书亚宣读给全以色列人听。不久以前，摩西曾当着百姓把申命记全书讲给他们听，可是，约书亚这时还要把律法宣读一遍。[8]{PP 500.4}
§18
Israel had received the law directly from the mouth of God at Sinai; and its sacred precepts, written by His own hand, were still preserved in the ark. Now it had been again written where all could read it. All had the privilege of seeing for themselves the conditions of the covenant under which they were to hold possession of Canaan. All were to signify their acceptance of the terms of the covenant and give their assent to the blessings or curses for its observance or neglect. The law was not only written upon the memorial stones, but was read by Joshua himself in the hearing of all Israel. It had not been many weeks since Moses gave the whole book of Deuteronomy in discourses to the people, yet now Joshua read the law again.{PP 500.4}[8]
§19
不但以色列的成人，连“妇人孩子”也都听见了约书亚所宣读的律法；因为他们也该知道他们的本分，履行他们的本分。关于他的法度，上帝曾吩咐以色列人说：“你们要将我这话存在心内，留在意中，系在手上为记号，戴在额上为经文。也要教训你们的儿女，……使你们和你们子孙的日子，在耶和华向你们列祖起誓应许给他们的地上，得以增多，如天覆地的日子那样多。”（申11:18-21）[9]{PP 503.1}
§20
Not alone the men of Israel, but all the women and the little ones listened to the reading of the law; for it was important that they also should know and do their duty. God had commanded Israel concerning His statutes: Therefore shall ye lay up these My words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. And ye shall teach them your children, . . . that your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the Lord sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth. Deuteronomy 11:18-21.{PP 503.1}[9]
§21
每逢第七年，就要将全律法读给聚集的以色列众人听，正如摩西所吩咐的：“每逢七年的末一年，就在豁免年的定期住棚节的时候，以色列众人来到耶和华你上帝所选择的地方朝见他，那时你要在以色列众人面前，将这律法念给他们听。要招聚他们的男、女、孩子并城里寄居的，使他们听，使他们学习，好敬畏耶和华你们的上帝，谨守遵行这律法的一切话；也使他们未曾晓得这律法的儿女，得以听见、学习敬畏耶和华你们的上帝，在你们过约旦河要得为业之地，存活的日子，常常这样行。”（申31:10-13）[10]{PP 503.2}
§22
Every seventh year the whole law was to be read in the assembly of all Israel, as Moses commanded: At the end of every seven years, in the solemnity of the year of release, in the feast of tabernacles, when all Israel is come to appear before the Lord thy God in the place which He shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing. Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the Lord your God, and observe to do all the words of this law: and that their children, which have not known anything, may hear, and learn to fear the Lord your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it. Deuteronomy 31:10-13.{PP 503.2}[10]
§23
撒但不住地在努力工作着，企图歪曲上帝所说的话，来弄瞎世人的心眼，麻痹他们的智力，借以引诱他们陷入罪中。上帝之所以如此直言无隐，使他的条例非常清楚明白，乃在使任何人都不至作错。上帝经常在吸引世人投靠在他的保护之下，使撒但无法在他们身上施行他残酷的欺骗势力。上帝曾屈尊亲口向他们说话，亲手写下他活泼的圣言。而且这些弥漫着生命，焕发着真理的言语，已经交给世人作完全的向导。因为撒但随时要夺去人的心志，使他们的感情转离耶和华的应许和吩咐，所以我们必须分外的殷勤，将上帝的话存在心内，留在意中。[11]{PP 503.3}
§24
Satan is ever at work endeavoring to pervert what God has spoken, to blind the mind and darken the understanding, and thus lead men into sin. This is why the Lord is so explicit, making His requirements so very plain that none need err. God is constantly seeking to draw men close under His protection, that Satan may not practice his cruel, deceptive power upon them. He has condescended to speak to them with His own voice, to write with His own hand the living oracles. And these blessed words, all instinct with life and luminous with truth, are committed to men as a perfect guide. Because Satan is so ready to catch away the mind and divert the affections from the Lords promises and requirements, the greater diligence is needed to fix them in the mind and impress them upon the heart.{PP 503.3}[11]
§25
凡作宗教教师的人，应当格外留意，把《圣经》历史中的事实、教训和耶和华的警告及其吩咐教导人，并要用简易的言语讲说出来，使儿童也能领会。传道人和父母的任务，就是注意使青年人得到《圣经》的教训。[12]{PP 504.1}
§26
Greater attention should be given by religious teachers to instructing the people in the facts and lessons of Bible history and the warnings and requirements of the Lord. These should be presented in simple language, adapted to the comprehension of children. It should be a part of the work both of ministers and parents to see that the young are instructed in the Scriptures.{PP 504.1}[12]
§27
作父母的能够，而且也应当，使儿女对《圣经》中所有各种不同的知识发生兴趣。但他们若要使儿女对上帝的话发生兴趣，他们自己就必须先发生兴趣。他们必须熟悉《圣经》中的教训，正如上帝所吩咐以色列人的：“无论坐在家里，行在路上，躺下，起来，都要谈论。”（申11:19）人若要自己的儿女敬爱上帝，他们就必须时常讲说上帝在他的《圣经》内，和创造的作为中，所显示的良善、威严与权能。[13]{PP 504.2}
§28
Parents can and should interest their children in the varied knowledge found in the sacred pages. But if they would interest their sons and daughters in the word of God, they must be interested in it themselves. They must be familiar with its teachings, and, as God commanded Israel, speak of it, when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. Deuteronomy 11:19. Those who desire their children to love and reverence God must talk of His goodness, His majesty, and His power, as revealed in His word and in the works of creation.{PP 504.2}[13]
§29
《圣经》的每一章，每一节，都是上帝给世人的信息。我们应当把其中的训词，系在手上为记号，戴在额上为经文。上帝的子民若是研究并顺从《圣经》的话，这话就必像日间的云柱和夜间的火柱，领导他们，正如古时领导以色列人一样。[14]{PP 504.3}
§30
Every chapter and every verse of the Bible is a communication from God to men. We should bind its precepts as signs upon our hands and as frontlets between our eyes. If studied and obeyed, it would lead Gods people, as the Israelites were led, by the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night.{PP 504.3}[14]