第47章 与基遍人立约
§1
第47章 与基遍人立约
§2
Chap. 47 - League With the Gibeonites
§3
以色列人从示剑回到吉甲的营里。不久有一个奇特的使节来见他们，要和他们立约。这些使者们自称他们是从远方来的，他们的外表似乎也证实了这一点。他们的衣服是破旧的，鞋子是补过的，所带的食物是长了霉的，装酒的皮袋是破裂过而又缝好了，好像是在路上随便修补过似的。[1]{PP 505.1}
§4
From Shechem the Israelites returned to their encampment at Gilgal. Here they were soon after visited by a strange deputation, who desired to enter into treaty with them. The ambassadors represented that they had come from a distant country, and this seemed to be confirmed by their appearance. Their clothing was old and worn, their sandals were patched, their provisions moldy, and the skins that served them for wine bottles were rent and bound up, as if hastily repaired on the journey.{PP 505.1}[1]
§5
他们说，在他们极遥远的家乡里，据说是远在巴勒斯坦境界以外，他们的同胞曾听说上帝为他子民所行的奇事，所以打发他们来与以色列人立约。上帝曾特别警告希伯来人，叫他们不可与迦南地拜偶像的人立约，所以以色列的领袖们不敢相信这些陌生人所说的话。他们说：“只怕你们是住在我们中间的。”对于这话，使者回答说：“我们是你的仆人。”（书9:8）及至约书亚亲自问他们说：“你们是什么人，是从哪里来的？”他们就重述以前所说的话。并为证实他们的诚意起见，又说：“我们出来要往你们这里来的日子，从家里带出来的这饼还是热的；看哪，现在都干了，长了霉了。这皮酒袋，我们盛酒的时候，还是新的，看哪，现在已经破裂；我们这衣服和鞋，因为道路甚远，也都穿旧了。”[2]{PP 505.2}
§6
In their far-off home--professedly beyond the limits of Palestine--their fellow countrymen, they said, had heard of the wonders which God had wrought for His people, and had sent them to make a league with Israel. The Hebrews had been specially warned against entering into any league with the idolaters of Canaan, and a doubt as to the truth of the strangers words arose in the minds of the leaders. Peradventure ye dwell among us, they said. To this the ambassadors only replied, We are thy servants. But when Joshua directly demanded of them, Who are ye? and from whence come ye? they reiterated their former statement, and added, in proof of their sincerity, This our bread we took hot for our provision out of our houses on the day we came forth to go unto you; but now, behold, it is dry, and it is moldy: and these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey.{PP 505.2}[2]
§7
这些话发生了效力。希伯来人“并没有求问耶和华。于是约书亚与他们讲和，与他们立约，容他们活着；会众的首领，也向他们起誓。”和约就这样订立了。可是过了三天，真相大白。他们“听见他们是近邻，住在以色列人中间的。”原来基遍人知道自己无法抵抗希伯来人，所以用权谋的手段来保全自己的性命。[3]{PP 505.3}
§8
These representations prevailed. The Hebrews asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord. And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them. Thus the treaty was entered into. Three days afterward the truth was discovered. They heard that they were their neighbors, and that they dwelt among them. Knowing that it was impossible to resist the Hebrews, the Gibeonites had resorted to stratagem to preserve their lives.{PP 505.3}[3]
§9
以色列人见自己受了他们欺骗，不禁极其愤慨。及至他们行了三天的路程，到了基遍人的城邑，发现这些城邑正在那地的中心，他们就越发忿怒。“全会众就向首领发怨言；”但是这约虽然是基遍人用欺诈的手段订立的，首领却不肯背约，因为他们“已经指着耶和华以色列的上帝向他们起誓，所以以色列人不击杀他们。”基遍人已经立约放弃他们拜偶像的习惯，并愿意敬拜耶和华，所以保存他们的生命，并不算是违犯上帝吩咐他们毁灭拜偶像之迦南人的命令。可见希伯来人并没有因所立的约而使自己犯罪。而且这誓约虽然是用欺骗的方法订立的，他们仍不能轻易背弃。人因所起的誓而有应尽的本分，若不是使他行错事的话，是必须视为神圣的。得利，报仇，或私人的利害问题，都不足以影响一个誓约或诺言的神圣性质。“说谎言的嘴，为耶和华所憎恶。”那“能登耶和华的山，”并“能站在他的圣所”的人，就是“发了誓，虽然自己吃亏，也不更改”的人。（箴12:22；诗24:3；15:4）[4]{PP 506.1}
§10
Great was the indignation of the Israelites as they learned the deception that had been practiced upon them. And this was heightened when, after three days journey, they reached the cities of the Gibeonites, near the center of the land. All the congregation murmured against the princes; but the latter refused to break the treaty, though secured by fraud, because they had sworn unto them by the Lord God of Israel. And the children of Israel smote them not. The Gibeonites had pledged themselves to renounce idolatry, and accept the worship of Jehovah; and the preservation of their lives was not a violation of Gods command to destroy the idolatrous Canaanites. Hence the Hebrews had not by their oath pledged themselves to commit sin. And though the oath had been secured by deception, it was not to be disregarded. The obligation to which ones word is pledged--if it do not bind him to perform a wrong act--should be held sacred. No consideration of gain, of revenge, or of self-interest can in any way affect the inviolability of an oath or pledge. Lying lips are abomination to the Lord. Proverbs 12:22. He that shall ascend into the hill of the Lord, and stand in His holy place, is he that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. Psalm 24:3; 15:4.{PP 506.1}[4]
§11
因此，基遍人得蒙容许存活，但他们必须为圣殿服役，从事所有劳力的工作。“当日约书亚使他们……为会众，和耶和华的坛，作劈柴挑水的人。”他们千恩万谢地接受了这个条件，因为他们知道自己有错，所以愿意以任何代价换得自己的性命。他们对约书亚说：“现在我们在你手中，你以怎样待我们为善为正，就怎样作吧。”因此千百年之后，基遍人的后裔一直是在圣所任劳役的。[5]{PP 506.2}
§12
The Gibeonites were permitted to live, but were attached as bondmen to the sanctuary, to perform all menial services. Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of the Lord. These conditions they gratefully accepted, conscious that they had been at fault, and glad to purchase life on any terms. Behold, we are in thine hand, they said to Joshua; as it seemeth good and right unto thee to do unto us, do. For centuries their descendants were connected with the service of the sanctuary.{PP 506.2}[5]
§13
基遍人的领土包括四座城。那里的居民并没有王统治他们，乃是由长老或议员管理的。基遍是这些城中主要的城邑，“是一座大城，如都城一般，”“并且城内的人都是勇士。”这样的城和这样的居民，尚且要用那么屈辱的手段来救自己的性命，可见以色列人在迦南居民中引起了何等的恐慌。[6]{PP 506.3}
§14
The territory of the Gibeonites comprised four cities. The people were not under the rule of a king, but were governed by elders, or senators. Gibeon, the most important of their towns, was a great city, as one of the royal cities, and all the men thereof were mighty. It is a striking evidence of the terror with which the Israelites had inspired the inhabitants of Canaan, that the people of such a city should have resorted to so humiliating an expedient to save their lives. {PP 506.3}[6]
§15
如果基遍人能诚诚实实地与以色列人交涉，他们原可以得到更好的结果。他们固然因顺服耶和华而得以保全性命，但他们的欺骗，只有使他们落到羞辱和奴役的地步。上帝曾经规定，凡放弃异教而与以色列联合的外邦人，都可以共享圣约的福分。他们都包括:“寄居在你们中间的外人”之内,除了少数的例外，这一等人是可以与以色列人享受同等的恩眷和特权的。耶和华的指示是这样的：[7]{PP 507.1}
§16
But it would have fared better with the Gibeonites had they dealt honestly with Israel. While their submission to Jehovah secured the preservation of their lives, their deception brought them only disgrace and servitude. God had made provision that all who would renounce heathenism, and connect themselves with Israel, should share the blessings of the covenant. They were included under the term, the stranger that sojourneth among you, and with few exceptions this class were to enjoy equal favors and privileges with Israel. The Lords direction was--{PP 507.1}[7]
§17
“若有外人在你们国中和你同居,就不可欺负他。和你们同居的外人，你们要看他如本地人一样，并要爱他如己。”（利19:33-34）关于逾越节和所奉献的祭物，上帝吩咐说：“至于会众，你们和同居的外人都归一例，……在耶和华面前你们怎样，寄居的也要怎样。”（民15:15）[8]{PP 507.2}
§18
If a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him. But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself. Leviticus 19:33, 34. Concerning the Passover and the offering of sacrifices it was commanded, One ordinance shall be both for you of the congregation, and also for the stranger that sojourneth with you: . . . as ye are, so shall the stranger be before the Lord. Numbers 15:15.{PP 507.2}[8]
§19
基遍人尽可以根据以上的条件被以色列人收容，可惜他们采用了欺骗的手段。他们世世代代成了劈柴挑水的人，这对于那住在“如都城”一般的城里，“并且……都是勇士”的基遍族，确是莫大的耻辱。如今，他们既然为达到欺骗的目的而化装为穷人，所以上帝就让他们穿上穷人的衣服，作为永远服役的标记。这样，从他们世世代代为奴的情况上，可以看出上帝是多么憎恶虚谎的。[9]{PP 507.3}
§20
Such was the footing on which the Gibeonites might have been received, but for the deception to which they had resorted. It was no light humiliation to those citizens of a royal city, all the men whereof were mighty, to be made hewers of wood and drawers of water throughout their generations. But they had adopted the garb of poverty for the purpose of deception, and it was fastened upon them as a badge of perpetual servitude. Thus through all their generations their servile condition would testify to Gods hatred of falsehood.{PP 507.3}[9]
§21
这次基遍人投降以色列人，使迦南的诸王恐惧震惊。于是诸王立时下手向那些与入侵者订立和约的人进行报复。在耶路撒冷王亚多尼洗德的领导之下，迦南的五个王结了同盟去攻打基遍。他们的行动非常迅速，以至基遍人未能及时准备抵御。于是他们打发人往吉甲去见约书亚，说：“你不要袖手不顾你的仆人；求你速速上来拯救我们，帮助我们；因为住山地的亚摩利人的诸王都聚集攻击我们。”这个危险不但威胁了基遍人，而且也威胁了以色列人。因为基遍城控制着巴勒斯坦中部和南部的要道，所以如要征服全地，就必须防守此城。[10]{PP 507.4}
§22
The submission of Gibeon to the Israelites filled the kings of Canaan with dismay. Steps were at once taken for revenge upon those who had made peace with the invaders. Under the leadership of Adonizedek, king of Jerusalem, five of the Canaanite kings entered into a confederacy against Gibeon. Their movements were rapid. The Gibeonites were unprepared for defense, and they sent a message to Joshua at Gilgal: Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us. The danger threatened not the people of Gibeon alone, but also Israel. This city commanded the passes to central and southern Palestine, and it must be held if the country was to be conquered.{PP 507.4}[10]
§23
约书亚立时准备去援救基遍。被围困的基遍人，深恐怕约书亚因为他们过去曾使用诈术而拒绝他们的请求；可是他们既然归降以色列人，而且接受了真神的敬拜，他就认为自己有责任去保护他们。他这次行动并非没有求问上帝的指示，耶和华也鼓励他去作战。上帝对约书亚说：“不要怕他们，因为我已将他们交在你手里；他们无一人能在你面前站立得住。”“于是约书亚，和他一切兵丁，并大能的勇士，都从吉甲上去。”[11]{PP 507.5}
§24
Joshua prepared to go at once to the relief of Gibeon. The inhabitants of the besieged city had feared that he would reject their appeal, because of the fraud which they had practiced; but since they had submitted to the control of Israel, and had accepted the worship of God, he felt himself under obligation to protect them. He did not this time move without divine counsel, and the Lord encouraged him in the undertaking. Fear them not, was the divine message; for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee. So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he, and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valor.{PP 507.5}[11]
§25
约书亚整夜行军，第二天清早他的军队就到了基遍。所以联盟诸王的军队刚围上城，约书亚便攻上来了。这猛烈的袭击，使前来侵犯的敌人全然溃乱。众军尽在约书亚面前逃跑，直到伯和仑的坡上；他们一上山顶，就顺那边的斜坡直奔下去。他们在这里遇到一阵厉害的冰雹。“耶和华从天上降大冰雹在他们身上。……被冰雹打死的，比以色列人用刀杀死的还多。”[12]{PP 508.1}
§26
By marching all night he brought his forces before Gibeon in the morning. Scarcely had the confederate princes mustered their armies about the city when Joshua was upon them. The attack resulted in the utter discomfiture of the assailants. The immense host fled before Joshua up the mountain pass to Beth-horon; and having gained the height, they rushed down the precipitous descent upon the other side. Here a fierce hailstorm burst upon them. The Lord cast down great stones from heaven: . . . they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.{PP 508.1}[12]
§27
当亚摩利人继续急急的逃跑，打算逃到山里堡垒躲避的时候，约书亚从山岭上观看，就看出那一天的光阴不足以完成他的工作。但如果不彻底击溃敌人，他们势必再度集合，卷土重来。“约书亚就祷告耶和华，在以色列人眼前说：日头啊，你要停在基遍；月亮啊，你要止在亚雅仑谷。于是日头停留，月亮止住，直等国民向敌人报仇；……日头在天当中停住，不急速下落，约有一日之久。”（书10:12-13）[13]{PP 508.2}
§28
While the Amorites were continuing their headlong flight, intent on finding refuge in the mountain strongholds, Joshua, looking down from the ridge above, saw that the day would be too short for the accomplishment of his work. If not fully routed, their enemies would again rally, and renew the struggle. Then spake Joshua to the Lord, . . . and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. . . . The sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.{PP 508.2}[13]
§29
在黄昏之前，上帝向约书亚所发的应许就已经实现了。敌人的全军都已交在他手中。那一天的大事，是以色列人永远不会忘记的。“在这日以前，这日以后，耶和华听人的祷告，没有像这日的；是因耶和华为以色列争战。”“因你的箭射出发光，你的枪闪出光耀，日月都在本宫停住。你发忿恨通行大地，发怒气责打列国，如同打粮。你出来要拯救你的百姓。”（哈3:11-13）[14]{PP 508.3}
§30
Before the evening fell, Gods promise to Joshua had been fulfilled. The entire host of the enemy had been given into his hand. Long were the events of that day to remain in the memory of Israel. There was no day like that before it or after it, that Jehovah hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the Lord fought for Israel. The sun and moon stood still in their habitation: at the light of Thine arrows they went, and at the shining of Thy glittering spear. Thou didst march through the land in indignation, Thou didst thresh the heathen in anger. Thou wentest forth for the salvation of Thy people. Habakkuk 3:11-13. {PP 508.3}[14]
§31
上帝的灵感动约书亚作的祷告，以便再一次显出以色列上帝能力的凭据。所以这位伟大领袖约书亚的要求，并不是出于他自己的僭妄。约书亚已经得到应许，知道上帝必要倾覆这些以色列人的仇敌，然而他还是尽他一切的努力，好像是胜利全在乎以色列的军队似的。他先尽到一切的人力，然后才凭信心呼求上帝的帮助。成功的秘诀乃在乎神的能力与人的努力相配合。凡成大功立大业的人，都是最能信靠全能之膀臂的人。那“吩咐日头啊，你要停在基遍，月亮啊，你要止在亚雅仑谷”的人，就是那在吉甲营中俯伏在地祷告好几小时的人。凡恒切祷告的人都是大有能力的人。[15]{PP 509.1}
§32
The Spirit of God inspired Joshuas prayer, that evidence might again be given of the power of Israels God. Hence the request did not show presumption on the part of the great leader. Joshua had received the promise that God would surely overthrow these enemies of Israel, yet he put forth as earnest effort as though success depended upon the armies of Israel alone. He did all that human energy could do, and then he cried in faith for divine aid. The secret of success is the union of divine power with human effort. Those who achieve the greatest results are those who rely most implicitly upon the Almighty Arm. The man who commanded, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon, is the man who for hours lay prostrate upon the earth in prayer in the camp of Gilgal. The men of prayer are the men of power.{PP 509.1}[15]
§33
这个伟大的神迹，证明受造之物全在创造主的控制之下。撒但总想欺骗世人，使他们看不出有上帝的能力运行在自然界之中，使他们不注意造物主不倦不息的工作。但这个神迹直接斥责了一切抬举自然高过自然界之主的人。[16]{PP 509.2}
§34
This mighty miracle testifies that the creation is under the control of the Creator. Satan seeks to conceal from men the divine agency in the physical world--to keep out of sight the unwearied working of the first great cause. In this miracle all who exalt nature above the God of nature stand rebuked.{PP 509.2}[16]
§35
上帝常随自己的旨意，借自然的力量来摧毁他仇敌的权能，“火与冰雹，雪和雾气，成就他命的狂风。”（诗148:8）当信奉异教的亚摩利人抗拒上帝旨意的时候，他就“从天上降大冰雹”在以色列人的仇敌身上。我们知道在世界历史将要结束之前，必要发生一次更大的战争。那时“耶和华已经开了武库，拿出他恼恨的兵器。”（耶50:25）他发问说：“你曾进入雪库，或见过雹仓吗？这雪雹乃是我为降灾，并打仗和争战的日子所预备的。”（伯38:22-23）[17]{PP 509.3}
§36
At His own will God summons the forces of nature to overthrow the might of His enemies--fire, and hail; snow, and vapor; stormy wind fulfilling His word. Psalm 148:8. When the heathen Amorites had set themselves to resist His purposes, God interposed, casting down great stones from heaven upon the enemies of Israel. We are told of a greater battle to take place in the closing scenes of earths history, when Jehovah hath opened His armory, and hath brought forth the weapons of His indignation. Jeremiah 50:25. Hast thou, he inquires, entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail, which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war? Job 38:22, 23.{PP 509.3}[17]
§37
那位蒙启示者描写在将来“有大声音从殿中的宝座上出来，说，成了”的时候所发生的毁灭。他说：“有大雹子从天落在人身上，每一个约重一他连得。（一他连得约有九十斤）”（启16:17；21）[18]{PP 509.4}
§38
The revelator describes the destruction that is to take place when the great voice out of the temple of heaven announces, It is done. He says, There fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent. Revelation 16:17, 21.{PP 509.4}[18]