第07章 耶罗波安
§1
第07章 耶罗波安Chap. 7 - Jeroboam
§2
所罗门从前的仆人耶罗波安，既被背叛犹大家的以色列十个支派拥立为王，他就有机会在政治和宗教方面发起明智的改革运动。他在所罗门作王的时候，曾显明自己有适当和稳健的判断力；他多年来忠诚的服务使他有资格贤明地治国。可惜耶罗波安没有以上帝为他的倚靠。[1]{PK 99.1}
§3
Placed on the throne by the ten tribes of Israel who had rebelled against the house of David, Jeroboam, the former servant of Solomon, was in a position to bring about wise reforms in both civil and religious affairs. Under the rulership of Solomon he had shown aptitude and sound judgment; and the knowledge he had gained during years of faithful service fitted him to rule with discretion. But Jeroboam failed to make God his trust.{PK 99.1}[1]
§4
耶罗波安最大的顾虑，就是恐怕他臣民的心将来有一天会归向坐在大卫宝座上的统治者。他认为如果让十个支派像所罗门在位的时候一样，时常到犹大国的古都去参赴圣殿中所举行的礼节，许多人可能要重新效忠那以耶路撒冷为中心的政权。所以耶罗波安在与他的顾问商议之后，就决定采取一种大胆的措施，想要尽量减少他治内叛乱的可能性。为实施这项计划起见，他在他新近建立的国境之内，设了两个敬拜的中心：一个在伯特利，一个在但。他请十个支派的人不要到耶路撒冷去，而在这两个地方敬拜上帝。[2]{PK 99.2}
§5
Jeroboams greatest fear was that at some future time the hearts of his subjects might be won over by the ruler occupying the throne of David. He reasoned that if the ten tribes should be permitted to visit often the ancient seat of the Jewish monarchy, where the services of the temple were still conducted as in the years of Solomons reign, many might feel inclined to renew their allegiance to the government centering at Jerusalem. Taking counsel with His advisers, Jeroboam determined by one bold stroke to lessen, so far as possible, the probability of a revolt from his rule. He would bring this about by creating within the borders of his newly formed kingdom two centers of worship, one at Bethel and the other at Dan. In these places the ten tribes should be invited to assemble, instead of at Jerusalem, to worship God.{PK 99.2}[2]
§6
耶罗波安为安排这一次的转移，便将一些看得见的东西放在以色列人面前来象征看不见的上帝，借以迎合他们的想象。因此，他就命人铸造两只金牛犊，安置在那两个指定的敬拜中心的神庙里。耶罗波安这种拿偶像来代替上帝的作为，直接违犯了耶和华的明令：“不可为自己雕刻偶像……不可跪拜那些像，也不可侍奉他。”（出20:4-5）[3]{PK 100.1}
§7
In arranging this transfer, Jeroboam thought to appeal to the imagination of the Israelites by setting before them some visible representation to symbolize the presence of the invisible God. Accordingly he caused to be made two calves of gold, and these were placed within shrines at the appointed centers of worship. In this effort to represent the Deity, Jeroboam violated the plain command of Jehovah: Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image. . . . Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them. Exodus 20:4, 5.{PK 100.1}[3]
§8
耶罗波安极欲阻止十个支派的人到耶路撒冷去，甚至没有看出他这项计划的基本弱点。他没有考虑到：将以色列人的祖宗在埃及为奴几百年中、所熟悉代表神明的偶像放在他们面前，乃是极大的祸害。耶罗波安新近在埃及寄居，应该感觉到将异教的偶像放在百姓面前是多么愚妄。但他存心劝诱北部各支派不再每年到圣城去，致使他采取了这种最不智的手段。他强调说：“以色列人哪！你们上耶路撒冷去，实在是难；这就是领你们出埃及地的神。”（王上12:28）这样，他就劝服他们跪拜金像，并仿效外邦敬拜的方式。[4]{PK 100.2}
§9
So strong was Jeroboams desire to keep the ten tribes away from Jerusalem that he lost sight of the fundamental weakness of his plan. He failed to take into consideration the great peril to which he was exposing the Israelites by setting before them the idolatrous symbol of the deity with which their ancestors had been so familiar during the centuries of Egyptian bondage. Jeroboams recent residence in Egypt should have taught him the folly of placing before the people such heathen representations. But his set purpose of inducing the northern tribes to discontinue their annual visits to the Holy City led him to adopt the most imprudent of measures. It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem, he urged; behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. 1 Kings 12:28. Thus they were invited to bow down before the golden images and adopt strange forms of worship.{PK 100.2}[4]
§10
耶罗波安王也设法劝诱有些住在他境内的利未人，充当新近设置在但和伯特利神庙的祭司；但是他在这件事上却没有成功。于是他不得不“将那不属利未人的凡民立为祭司。”（王上12:31）许多忠心的人，包括大多数利未人在内，警觉到形势可危，就逃往耶路撒冷去，在那里他们可以按照神圣的律例敬拜。[5]{PK 101.1}
§11
The king tried to persuade the Levites, some of whom were living within his realm, to serve as priests in the newly erected shrines at Bethel and Dan; but in this effort he met with failure. He was therefore compelled to elevate to the priesthood men from the lowest of the people. Verse 31. Alarmed over the prospect, many of the faithful, including a great number of the Levites, fled to Jerusalem, where they might worship in harmony with the divine requirements.{PK 101.1}[5]
§12
“耶罗波安定八月十五日为节期，像在犹大的节期一样，自己上坛献祭；他在伯特利也这样向他所铸的牛犊献祭，又将立为邱坛的祭司安置在伯特利。”（王上12:32）[6]{PK 101.2}
§13
Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that is in Judah, and he offered upon the altar. So did he in Bethel, sacrificing unto the calves that he had made: and he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places which he had made. Verse 32.{PK 101.2}[6]
§14
耶罗波安这样大胆废弃上帝所指定的制度，而公然反抗上帝，是决不容轻易放过不予谴责的。正当他在伯特利所设置的异邦邱坛前献祭烧香的时候，有一个神人从犹大国来到他面前，奉命谴责他擅敢倡导新的敬拜仪式。先知“向坛呼叫，说：坛哪！坛哪！耶和华如此说：大卫家里必生一个儿子，名叫约西亚；他必将邱坛的祭司，就是在你上面烧香的，杀在你上面，人的骨头也必烧在你上面。”[7]{PK 101.3}
§15
The kings bold defiance of God in thus setting aside divinely appointed institutions was not allowed to pass unrebuked. Even while he was officiating and burning incense during the dedication of the strange altar he had set up at Bethel, there appeared before him a man of God from the kingdom of Judah, sent to denounce him for presuming to introduce new forms of worship. The prophet cried against the altar, . . . and said, O altar, altar, thus saith the Lord; Behold, a child shall be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name; and upon thee shall he offer the priests of the high places that burn incense upon thee, and mens bones shall be burnt upon thee.{PK 101.3}[7]
§16
“当日神人设个预兆，说：这坛必破裂，坛上的灰必倾撒；这是耶和华说的预兆。”立时“坛也破裂了，坛上的灰倾撒了，正如神人奉耶和华的命所设的预兆。”（王上13:2-3,5）[8]{PK 101.4}
§17
And he gave a sign the same day, saying, This is the sign which the Lord hath spoken; Behold, the altar shall be rent, and the ashes that are upon it shall be poured out. Immediately the altar was rent, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of the Lord. 1 Kings 13:2, 3, 5.{PK 101.4}[8]
§18
耶罗波安看见这事，心中就充满了反抗上帝的意念，想要制止那传达信息的人。他大为震怒，“就从坛上伸手，”呼叫说：“拿住他吧！”可是他那暴躁的举动却受到迅速的惩罚。他向耶和华使者伸出的手忽然变成枯干无力，不能弯回了。[9]{PK 102.1}
§19
On seeing this, Jeroboam was filled with a spirit of defiance against God and attempted to restrain the one who had delivered the message. In wrath he put forth his hand from the altar and cried out, Lay hold on him. His impetuous act met with swift rebuke. The hand outstretched against the messenger of Jehovah suddenly became powerless and withered, and could not be withdrawn.{PK 102.1}[9]
§20
王惊恐万状，于是恳请先知为他向上帝代求。他恳求说：“请你为我祷告，求耶和华你上帝的恩典，使我的手复原。于是神人祈祷耶和华，王的手就复了原，仍如寻常一样。”（王上13:4-6）[10]{PK 102.2}
§21
Terror-stricken, the king appealed to the prophet to intercede with God in his behalf. Entreat now the face of the Lord thy God, he pleaded, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again, And the man of God besought the Lord, and the kings hand was restored him again, and became as it was before. Verses 4, 6.{PK 102.2}[10]
§22
耶罗波安妄想借着奉献外邦的邱坛而为之加上一点神圣的色彩，俾使人尊崇这坛，以致轻看在耶路撒冷圣殿中对耶和华的敬拜；但结果却是徒然。以色列王原应因先知的信息而悔罪改过，放弃那使众民偏离真正敬拜上帝的恶行。但他硬着心肠，坚决随从自己所选择的道路。[11]{PK 102.3}
§23
Vain had been Jeroboams effort to invest with solemnity the dedication of a strange altar, respect for which would have led to disrespect for the worship of Jehovah in the temple at Jerusalem. By the message of the prophet, the king of Israel should have been led to repent and to renounce his wicked purposes, which were turning the people away from the true worship of God. But he hardened his heart and determined to follow a way of his own choosing.{PK 102.3}[11]
§24
在伯特利举行这节期的时候，以色列人的心还没有全然刚硬。许多人还可接受圣灵的感动。主定意要趁那些骤然背道的人入迷途其未远之时，纠正他们的错误。他差遣他的使者阻止拜偶像的节目，向王和民众显明他们背道所必有的后果。坛的破裂乃是一项征兆，说明上帝并不喜悦这种在以色列中所行的可憎之事。[12]{PK 102.4}
§25
At the time of the feast at Bethel the hearts of the Israelites were not fully hardened. Many were susceptible to the influence of the Holy Spirit. The Lord designed that those who were taking rapid steps in apostasy should be checked in their course before it should be too late. He sent His messenger to interrupt the idolatrous proceedings and to reveal to king and people what the outworking of this apostasy would be. The rending of the altar was a sign of Gods displeasure at the abomination that was being wrought in Israel.{PK 102.4}[12]
§26
主愿施拯救，不行毁灭。他喜爱拯救罪人。“主耶和华说：我指着我的永生起誓，我断不喜悦恶人死亡。”（结33:11）他用警告和恳劝呼召不顺从的人停止他们的恶行，归回他而得生。他赐给他所拣选的使者以神圣的勇敢，俾使凡听他信息的人感到惧怕，因而悔改。神人谴责王的时候是何等地刚毅！这种刚毅的气概乃是必要的，因为没有其他方法足以谴责流行的邪恶。主赐给他仆人勇敢的心，使听见的人得到持久的印象。主的使者切莫怕人，务要为正义而毫不畏缩地屹立。只要他们倚靠上帝，他们就不必惧怕；因为那赋予他们使命的主也给予他们保证要保护看顾他们。[13]{PK 105.1}
§27
The Lord seeks to save, not to destroy. He delights in the rescue of sinners. As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked. Ezekiel 33:11. By warnings and entreaties He calls the wayward to cease from their evil-doing and to turn to Him and live. He gives His chosen messengers a holy boldness, that those who hear may fear and be brought to repentance. How firmly the man of God rebuked the king! And this firmness was essential; in no other way could the existing evils have been rebuked. The Lord gave His servant boldness, that an abiding impression might be made on those who heard. The messengers of the Lord are never to fear the face of man, but are to stand unflinchingly for the right. So long as they put their trust in God, they need not fear; for He who gives them their commission gives them also the assurance of His protecting care.{PK 105.1}[13]
§28
先知传达了他的信息正要回去的时候，耶罗波安对他说：“请你同我回去吃饭，加添心力，我也必给你赏赐。”先知回答说：“你就是把你的宫一半给我，我也不同你进去，也不在这地方吃饭喝水，因为有耶和华的话嘱咐我，说：不可在伯特利吃饭喝水，也不可从你去的原路回来。”（王上13:7-9）[14]{PK 105.2}
§29
Having delivered his message, the prophet was about to return, when Jeroboam said to him, Come home with me, and refresh thyself, and I will give thee a reward. If thou wilt give me half thine house, the prophet replied, I will not go in with thee, neither will I eat bread nor drink water in this place: for so was it charged me by the word of the Lord, saying, Eat no bread, nor drink water, nor turn again by the same way that thou camest. 1 Kings 13:7-9.{PK 105.2}[14]
§30
先知若坚守他的宗旨，毫不迟延地回到犹大去，那就好了。但当他从别的路回家去的时候，他被一个自称为先知的老人追上了，这人诓哄神人说：“我也是先知，和你一样；有天使奉耶和华的命，对我说：你去把他带回你的家，叫他吃饭喝水。”这人再三述说这段谎言，恳切敦劝，直到神人被他劝服，同他回去。[15]{PK 106.1}
§31
Well would it have been for the prophet had he adhered to his purpose to return to Judea without delay. While traveling homeward by another route, he was overtaken by an aged man who claimed to be a prophet and who made false representations to the man of God, declaring, I am a prophet also as thou art; and an angel spake unto me by the word of the Lord, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water. Again and again the lie was repeated and the invitation urged until the man of God was persuaded to return.{PK 106.1}[15]
§32
因为真先知作了一件与他本分相背的事，所以上帝让他遭受违命的刑罚。当他正与那请他回伯特利的老人一同坐席的时候，全能者的灵降在那先知身上，“他就对那从犹大来的神人说：耶和华如此说，你既违背耶和华的话，不遵守耶和华你上帝的命令……因此你的尸身不得入你列祖的坟墓。”（王上13:18-22）[16]{PK 106.2}
§33
Because the true prophet allowed himself to take a course contrary to the line of duty, God permitted him to suffer the penalty of transgression. While he and the one who had invited him to return to Bethel were sitting together at the table, the inspiration of the Almighty came upon the false prophet, and he cried unto the man of God that came from Judah, saying, Thus saith the Lord, Forasmuch as thou hast disobeyed the mouth of the Lord, and hast not kept the commandment which the Lord thy God commanded thee, . . . thy carcass shall not come unto the sepulcher of thy fathers. Verses 18-22.{PK 106.2}[16]
§34
这个宣布厄运的预言，不久就正确地应验了。“吃喝完了，老先知为所带回来的先知备驴。他就去了；在路上有个狮子遇见他，将他咬死，尸身倒在路上，驴站在尸身旁边，狮子也站在尸身旁边。有人从那里经过，看见尸身倒在路上，……就来到老先知所住的城里述说这事。那带神人回来的先知听见这事，就说：这是那违背了耶和华命令的神人。”（王上13:23-26）[17]{PK 106.3}
§35
This prophecy of doom was soon literally fulfilled. It came to pass, after he had eaten bread, and after he had drunk, that he saddled for him the ass. . . . And when he was gone, a lion met him by the way, and slew him: and his carcass was cast in the way, and the ass stood by it, the lion also stood by the carcass. And, behold, men passed by, and saw the carcass cast in the way, . . . and they came and told it in the city where the old prophet dwelt. And when the prophet that brought him back from the way heard thereof, he said, It is the man of God, who was disobedient unto the word of the Lord. Verses 23-26.{PK 106.3}[17]
§36
那不忠心的使者所遭受的刑罚，更加证明他向伯特利的邱坛所发的预言是确实的。如果先知在违背主的命令之后，仍得以平安回去，王就要拿这事作为他自己不顺从的借口。在破裂的坛、枯干的手和那胆敢违背耶和华明令之人所遭受可怕的厄运上，耶罗波安理应看出一位被触犯之上帝的不悦，而且他理应从这些刑罚中得到警告，不致在他的恶行上顽梗不化。可是耶罗波安非但没有悔改，反而“将凡民立为邱坛的祭司；凡愿意的，他都分别为圣，立为邱坛的祭司。”这样，他不但自己大大犯罪，更“使以色列人陷在罪里；”并且“这事叫耶罗波安的家陷在罪里，甚至他的家从地上除灭了。”（王上13:13-34；14:16）[18]{PK 107.1}
§37
The penalty that overtook the unfaithful messenger was a still further evidence of the truth of the prophecy uttered over the altar. If, after disobeying the word of the Lord, the prophet had been permitted to go on in safety, the king would have used this fact in an attempt to vindicate his own disobedience. In the rent altar, in the palsied arm, and in the terrible fate of the one who dared disobey an express command of Jehovah, Jeroboam should have discerned the swift displeasure of an offended God, and these judgments should have warned him not to persist in wrongdoing. But, far from repenting, Jeroboam made again of the lowest of the people priests of the high places: whosoever would, he consecrated him, and he became one of the priests of the high places. Thus he not only sinned greatly himself, but made Israel to sin; and this thing became sin unto the house of Jeroboam, even to cut it off, and to destroy it from off the face of the earth. Verses 33, 34; 14:16.{PK 107.1}[18]
§38
在耶罗波安作王二十二年动荡不安的时期即将结束之际，他与接续罗波安作犹大王的亚比雅争战，结果遭到一次惨败。“亚比雅在世的时候，耶罗波安不能再强盛；耶和华攻击他，他就死了。”（代下13:20）[19]{PK 107.2}
§39
Toward the close of a troubled reign of twenty-two years, Jeroboam met with a disastrous defeat in a war with Abijah, the successor of Rehoboam. Neither did Jeroboam recover strength again in the days of Abijah: and the Lord struck him, and he died. 2 Chronicles 13:20.{PK 107.2}[19]
§40
在耶罗波安作王时所开始的背道，越来越变本加厉了，结果使以色列国全然败亡。就在耶罗波安去世之先，那位住在示罗的、曾于多年前预言耶罗波安作王的老先知亚希雅宣称：“耶和华必击打以色列人，使他们摇动，像水中的芦苇一般；又将他们从耶和华赐给他们列祖的美地上拔出来，分散在大河那边，因为他们作木偶，惹耶和华发怒。因耶罗波安所犯的罪，又使以色列人陷在罪里，耶和华必将以色列人交给仇敌。”（王上14:15-16）[20]{PK 107.3}
§41
The apostasy introduced during Jeroboams reign became more and more marked, until finally it resulted in the utter ruin of the kingdom of Israel. Even before the death of Jeroboam, Ahijah, the aged prophet at Shiloh who many years before had predicted the elevation of Jeroboam to the throne, declared: The Lord shall smite Israel, as a reed is shaken in the water, and He shall root up Israel out of this good land, which He gave to their fathers, and shall scatter them beyond the river, because they have made their groves, provoking the Lord to anger. And He shall give Israel up because of the sins of Jeroboam, who did sin, and who made Israel to sin. 1 Kings 14:15, 16.{PK 107.3}[20]
§42
然而主在尚未尽可能引领以色列回头效忠他之前，他决不丢弃他们。但经过漫长的黑暗年日，当一个王接着一个王起来公然反抗上天，引领以色列一步深似一步地陷入拜偶像的恶习之中时，上帝曾三番五次地向他背道的子民发出警告。他借着他的先知给他们各样的机会，去遏制背道的狂澜而归回他。在国家分裂之后的年日中，有以利亚和以利沙为以色列人作工，又有何西阿、阿摩司和俄巴底亚在国内发出温慈的劝告。以色列国不断有高尚的人，为上帝救人脱离罪恶的大能作见证。就连最黑暗的时辰，也有一些人仍然效忠神圣的统治者，而且在偶像崇拜之中，他们在圣洁的上帝面前却度着无瑕疵的生活。这些忠心的人乃是列在“余民”之中的，耶和华的永恒旨意终必借着他们完全实现。[21]{PK 108.1}
§43
Yet the Lord did not give Israel up without first doing all that could be done to lead them back to their allegiance to Him. Through long, dark years when ruler after ruler stood up in bold defiance of Heaven and led Israel deeper and still deeper into idolatry, God sent message after message to His backslidden people. Through His prophets He gave them every opportunity to stay the tide of apostasy and to return to Him. During the years that were to follow the rending of the kingdom, Elijah and Elisha were to live and labor, and the tender appeals of Hosea and Amos and Obadiah were to be heard in the land. Never was the kingdom of Israel to be left without noble witnesses to the mighty power of God to save from sin. Even in the darkest hours some would remain true to their divine Ruler and in the midst of idolatry would live blameless in the sight of a holy God. These faithful ones were numbered among the goodly remnant through whom the eternal purpose of Jehovah was finally to be fulfilled.{PK 108.1}[21]