第08章 举国背道
§1
第08章 举国背道
§2
Chap. 8 - National Apostasy
§3
从耶罗波安的死直到以利亚显现在亚哈王面前，以色列人属灵的情形每下愈况。他们的王都是一些不敬畏耶和华并倡导异教崇拜的人，所以大多数的民众迅即忽视他们侍奉永生上帝的本分，而染上了许多敬拜偶像的恶习。[1]{PK 109.1}
§4
From the time of Jeroboams death to Elijahs appearance before Ahab the people of Israel suffered a steady spiritual decline. Ruled by men who did not fear Jehovah and who encouraged strange forms of worship, the larger number of the people rapidly lost sight of their duty to serve the living God and adopted many of the practices of idolatry.{PK 109.1}[1]
§5
耶罗波安的儿子拿答登基作王只有数月。他的恶行忽然停止了，因为有他手下的一个将军巴沙为首谋叛，篡了他的位。拿答和他王室所有的亲族全都被杀了，“正应验耶和华借他仆人示罗人亚希雅所说的话。这是因为耶罗波安所犯的罪，使以色列人陷在罪里。”（王上15:29-30）[2]{PK 109.2}
§6
Nadab, the son of Jeroboam, occupied the throne of Israel for only a few months. His career of evil was suddenly stopped by a conspiracy headed by Baasha, one of his generals, to gain control of the government. Nadab was slain, with all his kindred in the line of succession, according unto the saying of the Lord, which He spake by His servant Ahijah the Shilonite: because of the sins of Jeroboam which he sinned, and which he made Israel sin. 1 Kings 15:29, 30.{PK 109.2}[2]
§7
耶罗波安的家就如此灭亡了。他所倡导的偶像敬拜已使所有犯这罪的人遭受天罚，然而那几个继承王位的人——巴沙、以拉、心利、暗利——在将近四十年之中，仍连续重蹈他的覆辙。[3]{PK 109.3}
§8
Thus perished the house of Jeroboam. The idolatrous worship introduced by him had brought upon the guilty offenders the retributive judgments of Heaven; and yet the rulers who followed--Baasha, Elah, Zimri, and Omri--during a period of nearly forty years, continued in the same fatal course of evil-doing.{PK 109.3}[3]
§9
在以色列背道的这段时期中，大部分时期是亚撒作犹大王。亚撒多年“行耶和华他上帝眼中看为善为正的事；除掉外邦神的坛和邱坛，打碎柱像，砍下木偶，吩咐犹大人寻求耶和华他们列祖的上帝，遵行他的律法、诫命；又在犹大各城邑除掉邱坛和日像；那时国享太平。”（代下14:2-5）[4]{PK 110.1}
§10
During the greater part of this time of apostasy in Israel, Asa was ruling in the kingdom of Judah. For many years Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God: for he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves: and commanded Judah to seek the Lord God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment. Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the sun [margin] images: and the kingdom was quiet before him. 2 Chronicles 14:2-5.{PK 110.1}[4]
§11
后来，“有古实王谢拉率领军兵一百万，战车三百辆”入侵（代下14:9），于是亚撒的信心受了一次严重的考验。亚撒在这危急之秋，并没有倚靠自己在犹大地所建造的“四围筑墙、盖楼、安门、作闩”的坚固城邑，也没有倚靠自己所精心训练的“大能的勇士。”（代下14:6-8）王却倚靠那为古以色列民施行奇妙拯救的万军之耶和华的圣名。他带领军兵出去迎敌，同时呼求上帝的帮助。[5]{PK 110.2}
§12
The faith of Asa was put to a severe test when Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots, invaded his kingdom. Verse 9. In this crisis Asa did not put his trust in the fenced cities in Judah that he had built, with walls, and towers, gates, and bars, nor in the mighty men of valor in his carefully trained army. Verses 6-8. The kings trust was in Jehovah of hosts, in whose name marvelous deliverances had been wrought in behalf of Israel of old. Setting his forces in battle array, he sought the help of God.{PK 110.2}[5]
§13
这时，两军列阵相对了。这正是那些侍奉主之人受考验和试炼的时候。每一件罪是否已经承认了呢？犹大人是否完全信赖上帝施行拯救的能力呢？在领袖们的心中，都存有这一类的思想。从人的眼光看来，那从埃及来的大军必然势如破竹，所向披靡。幸而亚撒在和平时期，他个人并没有追求宴游享乐；却随时准备应付危机。他有一支训练有素的军队；他曾尽力领导百姓与上帝和好。这时，他的军队与敌军在数量上比起来虽然众寡不敌，但他对于所依赖之主的信心却从未稍减。[6]{PK 110.3}
§14
The opposing armies now stood face to face. It was a time of test and trial to those who served the Lord. Had every sin been confessed? Had the men of Judah full confidence in Gods power to deliver? Such thoughts as these were in the minds of the leaders. From every human viewpoint the vast host from Egypt would sweep everything before it. But in time of peace Asa had not been giving himself to amusement and pleasure; he had been preparing for any emergency. He had an army trained for conflict; he had endeavored to lead his people to make their peace with God. And now, although his forces were fewer in number than the enemy, his faith in the One whom he had made his trust did not weaken.{PK 110.3}[6]
§15
王在兴盛的日子既常寻求主，就能在这困难的时候倚靠他了。他的恳求足以显明他对于上帝奇妙的能力并不是陌生的。他求告说：“耶和华啊，唯有你能帮助软弱的，胜过强盛的；耶和华我们的上帝啊，求你帮助我们；因为我们仰赖你，奉你的名来攻击这大军。耶和华啊，你是我们的上帝；不要容人胜过你。”（代下14:11）[7]{PK 111.1}
§16
Having sought the Lord in the days of prosperity, the king could now rely upon Him in the day of adversity. His petitions showed that he was not a stranger to Gods wonderful power. It is nothing with Thee to help, he pleaded, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O Lord our God; for we rest on Thee, and in Thy name we go against this multitude. O Lord, Thou art our God; let not man prevail against Thee. Verse 11.{PK 111.1}[7]
§17
亚撒的祷告乃是每一个基督信徒可以适合奉献的。我们也在从事战争，不是与属血气的争战，而是与那些执政的、掌权的、以及天空属灵的恶魔争战（见弗6:12）。在人生的争战中，我们必须应付那敌对正义的恶势力。我们的希望不在人，乃在永生的上帝。我们可以凭着充足的信心确据，希望上帝为要荣耀他的圣名，而将他的全能与人类的努力联合起来。我们可以穿戴他所赐公义的军装，以便得胜每一个仇敌。[8]{PK 111.2}
§18
The prayer of Asa is one that every Christian believer may fittingly offer. We fight in a warfare, not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, and against spiritual wickedness in high places. See Ephesians 6:12. In lifes conflict we must meet evil agencies that have arrayed themselves against the right. Our hope is not in man, but in the living God. With full assurance of faith we may expect that He will unite His omnipotence with the efforts of human instrumentalities, for the glory of His name. Clad with the armor of His righteousness, we may gain the victory over every foe.{PK 111.2}[8]
§19
亚撒王的信心得了明显的报赏。“于是耶和华使古实人败在亚撒和犹大人面前；古实人就逃跑了。亚撒和跟随他的军兵追赶他们，直到基拉耳；古实人被杀的甚多，不能再强盛，因为败在耶和华与他军兵面前。”（代下14:12-13）[9]{PK 111.3}
§20
King Asas faith was signally rewarded. The Lord smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled. And Asa and the people that were with him pursued them unto Gerar: and the Ethiopians were overthrown, that they could not recover themselves; for they were destroyed before the Lord, and before His host. 2 Chronicles 14:12, 13.{PK 111.3}[9]
§21
当犹大和便雅悯的军队奏捷凯旋耶路撒冷的时候，“上帝的灵感动俄德的儿子亚撒利亚；他出来迎接亚撒，对他说：亚撒和犹大、便雅悯众人哪，要听我说，你们若顺从耶和华，耶和华必与你们同在；你们若寻求他，就必寻见；你们若离弃他，他必离弃你们。”“现在你们要刚强，不要手软；因你们所行的，必得赏赐。”（代下15:1-2,7）[10]{PK 112.1}
§22
As the victorious armies of Judah and Benjamin were returning to Jerusalem, the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded: and he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The Lord is with you, while ye be with Him; and if ye seek Him, He will be found of you; but if ye forsake Him, He will forsake you. Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded. 2 Chronicles 15:1, 2, 7.{PK 112.1}[10]
§23
亚撒听见这话就大大壮起胆来，不久他就领导第二次的改革工作。他“在犹大、便雅悯全地，并以法莲山地所夺的各城，将可憎之物，尽都除掉；又在耶和华殿的廊前，重新修筑耶和华的坛。”[11]{PK 112.2}
§24
Greatly encouraged by these words, Asa soon led out in a second reformation in Judah. He put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from Mount Ephraim, and renewed the altar of the Lord, that was before the porch of the Lord.{PK 112.2}[11]
§25
“又招聚犹大、便雅悯的众人，并他们中间寄居的以法莲人、玛拿西人、西缅人；有许多以色列人归降亚撒；因见耶和华他的上帝与他同在。亚撒十五年三月，他们都聚集在耶路撒冷。当日他们从所取的掳物中，将牛七百只，羊七千只，献给耶和华。他们就立约，要尽心尽性的寻求耶和华他们列祖的上帝。”“耶和华就被他们寻见，且赐他们四境平安。”（代下15:8-12,15）[12]{PK 112.3}
§26
And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and the strangers with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon: for they fell to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that the Lord his God was with him. So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa. And they offered unto the Lord the same time, of the spoil which they had brought, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep. And they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul. And He was found of them: and the Lord gave them rest round about. Verses 8-12, 15. {PK 112.3}[12]
§27
可惜亚撒长期忠心侍奉的记录，被他所犯的错误破坏了，他有好几次并没有完全倚靠上帝。有一次，以色列王上来攻击犹大国，夺取了离耶路撒冷只有十五里路的坚固城拉玛。亚撒便与亚兰王便哈达立约求救。亚撒这一次在危急的时候没有单靠上帝，所以受了先知哈拿尼严厉的责备。先知带着信息来见亚撒说：[13]{PK 113.1}
§28
Asas long record of faithful service was marred by some mistakes, made at times when he failed to put his trust fully in God. When, on one occasion, the king of Israel entered the kingdom of Judah and seized Ramah, a fortified city only five miles from Jerusalem, Asa sought deliverance by forming an alliance with Benhadad, king of Syria. This failure to trust God alone in time of need was sternly rebuked by Hanani the prophet, who appeared before Asa with the message:{PK 113.1}[13]
§29
“因你仰赖亚兰王，没有仰赖耶和华你的上帝，所以亚兰王的军兵脱离了你的手。古实人、路比人的军队不是甚大吗？战车、马兵不是极多吗？只因你仰赖耶和华，他便将他们交在你手里。耶和华的眼目遍察全地，要显大能帮助向他心存诚实的人。你这事行得愚昧；此后，你必有争战的事。”（代下16:7-9）[14]{PK 113.2}
§30
Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the Lord thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand. Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the Lord, He delivered them into thine hand. For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars. 2 Chronicles 16:7-9.{PK 113.2}[14]
§31
亚撒不但没有因他所犯的错误在上帝面前自卑，反而“因此恼恨先见，将他囚在监里。那时亚撒也虐待一些人民。”（代下16:10）[15]{PK 113.3}
§32
Instead of humbling himself before God because of his mistake, Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time. Verse 10.{PK 113.3}[15]
§33
“亚撒作王（第）三十九年，他脚上有病，而且甚重；病的时候没有求耶和华，只求医生。”（代下16:12）他作王四十一年而死，他儿子约沙法接续他作王。[16]{PK 113.4}
§34
In the thirty and ninth year of his reign, Asa was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians. Verse 12. The king died in the forty-first year of his reign and was succeeded by Jehoshaphat, his son. {PK 113.4}[16]
§35
亚撒去世之前二年，亚哈登基作以色列王。他一作王就以罕见而严重的背道著称。他的父亲，就是建造撒玛利亚的暗利，曾“行耶和华眼中看为恶的事，比他以前的列王作恶更甚。”（王上16:25）但亚哈的罪比他更大。他“所行的，惹耶和华以色列上帝的怒气，比他以前的以色列诸王更甚，”“犯了尼八的儿子耶罗波安所犯的罪；他还以为轻。”（王上16:33,31）他鼓励在伯特利和但所举行的宗教敬拜仪式，还不以为足，更大胆地引领众民陷入最卑劣的邪教，废弃耶和华的敬拜，而代之以巴力的敬拜。[17]{PK 114.1}
§36
Two years before the death of Asa, Ahab began to rule in the kingdom of Israel. From the beginning his reign was marked by a strange and terrible apostasy. His father, Omri, the founder of Samaria, had wrought evil in the eyes of the Lord, and did worse than all that were before him (1 Kings 16:25); but the sins of Ahab were even greater. He did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him, acting as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat. Verses 33, 31. Not content with encouraging the forms of religious service followed at Bethel and Dan, he boldly led the people into the grossest heathenism, by setting aside the worship of Jehovah for Baal worship.{PK 114.1}[17]
§37
亚哈娶了巴力的大祭司“西顿王谒巴力的女儿耶洗别为妻，去侍奉敬拜巴力；在撒玛利亚建造巴力的庙，在庙里为巴力作坛。”（王上16:31-32）[18]{PK 114.2}
§38
Taking to wife Jezebel, the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians and high priest of Baal, Ahab served Baal, and worshiped him. And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. Verses 31, 32.{PK 114.2}[18]
§39
亚哈不但在京城里倡导敬拜巴力，而且在耶洗别的领导之下，在许多“邱坛”上建立了邪教的神坛，于是祭司们和其他的人都在周围丛林的荫蔽之下，参加敬拜偶像的荒淫仪式，这些事发生了毒害的影响，直到全以色列人几乎都随从巴力了。“从来没有像亚哈的，因他自卖，行耶和华眼中看为恶的事，受了王后耶洗别的耸动；就照耶和华在以色列人面前所赶出的亚摩利人，行了最可憎恶的事，信从偶像。”（王上21:25-26）[19]{PK 114.3}
§40
Not only did Ahab introduce Baal worship at the capital city, but under the leadership of Jezebel he erected heathen altars in many high places, where in the shelter of surrounding groves the priests and others connected with this seductive form of idolatry exerted their baleful influence, until well-nigh all Israel were following after Baal. There was none like unto Ahab, who did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up. And he did very abominably in following idols, according to all things as did the Amorites, whom the Lord cast out before the children of Israel.1 Kings 21:25, 26.{PK 114.3}[19]
§41
亚哈在道德方面的力量是软弱的。他与一个个性倔强而脾气执拗的拜偶像的女子结婚，结果竟使他自己和他的国家都受到危害。亚哈的品性既无原则，又无行义的崇高标准，就易为耶洗别顽强的精神所左右。他那自私的癖性使他不能感佩上帝对以色列的慈怜，也不能珍重他自己作选民之监护人与领导人的本分。[20]{PK 115.1}
§42
Ahab was weak in moral power. His union by marriage with an idolatrous woman of decided character and positive temperament resulted disastrously both to himself and to the nation. Unprincipled, and with no high standard of rightdoing, his character was easily molded by the determined spirit of Jezebel. His selfish nature was incapable of appreciating the mercies of God to Israel and his own obligations as the guardian and leader of the chosen people.{PK 115.1}[20]
§43
以色列人在亚哈统治的毒害影响之下，既远离了永生的上帝，又在他面前败坏了德行。他们已经多年失去了尊崇并敬畏上帝的感觉；如今似乎没有人胆敢冒自己性命的危险，公开出来反对流行的亵渎行为。背道的黑影笼罩了全地。巴力和亚斯他录的神像到处可见。神像的庙宇和供奉的木偶大为增多，许多人在那里敬拜人手所造之物。献给假神的燔祭浓烟上升，连空气也污浊了。邪教的祭司向日月星辰献祭时的纵饮狂欢、高呼乱喊的声音响彻山谷之间。[21]{PK 115.2}
§44
Under the blighting influence of Ahabs rule, Israel wandered far from the living God and corrupted their ways before Him. For many years they had been losing their sense of reverence and godly fear; and now it seemed as if there were none who dared expose their lives by openly standing forth in opposition to the prevailing blasphemy. The dark shadow of apostasy covered the whole land. Images of Baalim and Ashtoreth were everywhere to be seen. Idolatrous temples and consecrated groves, wherein were worshiped the works of mens hands, were multiplied. The air was polluted with the smoke of the sacrifices offered to false gods. Hill and vale resounded with the drunken cries of a heathen priesthood who sacrificed to the sun, moon, and stars.{PK 115.2}[21]
§45
耶洗别和她那些邪恶的祭司利用他们的影响教导百姓：他们所立的偶像乃是以神秘能力管理土地水火的神明。他们将上天一切的恩赐——川流潺潺的溪涧，活水滚滚的江河，滋润地土使之出产富饶的甘露和时雨——都归功于巴力和亚斯他录，而不归与那降下“各样美善的恩赐和各样全备的赏赐”的主。民众竟忘了山谷溪泉都掌握在永生上帝的手中；也忘了他是管理太阳、天云和一切自然能力的主宰。[22]{PK 115.3}
§46
Through the influence of Jezebel and her impious priests, the people were taught that the idol gods that had been set up were deities, ruling by their mystic power the elements of earth, fire, and water. All the bounties of heaven--the running brooks, the streams of living water, the gentle dew, the showers of rain which refreshed the earth and caused the fields to bring forth abundantly--were ascribed to the favor of Baal and Ashtoreth, instead of to the Giver of every good and perfect gift. The people forgot that the hills and valleys, the streams and fountains, were in the hand of the living God, that He controlled the sun, the clouds of heaven, and all the powers of nature.{PK 115.3}[22]
§47
主借着他忠心的使者，再三向背道的王和民众发出警告；但这些责备的话都归于徒然。这些受圣灵感动的使者维护耶和华为以色列唯一的上帝；并高举他所委托他们的律法，却都徒劳无功。百姓为拜偶像之壮丽，炫耀，而蛊惑的礼节所迷，就随从国王和宫廷的榜样，陷于荒淫祭祀的兴奋、败坏的宴乐之中，他们在盲目的愚妄之中，宁愿拒绝上帝和对他的敬拜。那非常慈怜地赐给他们的亮光，竟变成了黑暗。纯金竟褪色了。[23]{PK 116.1}
§48
Through faithful messengers the Lord sent repeated warnings to the apostate king and the people, but in vain were these words of reproof. In vain did the inspired messengers assert Jehovahs right to be the only God in Israel; in vain did they exalt the laws that He had entrusted to them. Captivated by the gorgeous display and the fascinating rites of idol worship, the people followed the example of the king and his court, and gave themselves up to the intoxicating, degrading pleasures of a sensual worship. In their blind folly they chose to reject God and His worship. The light so graciously given them had become darkness. The fine gold had become dim.{PK 116.1}[23]
§49
哀哉，以色列的威荣全都失去了！上帝的选民从来没有在背道中堕落到这么低下的地步。“侍奉巴力”的先知竟有四百五十人，还有“侍奉亚舍拉”的先知四百。（见王上18:19）除了上帝施行神迹的能力之外，没有什么事足以保全以色列国不致全然灭亡。以色列已经自愿与耶和华隔绝；然而主还是凭着他的怜悯，眷顾那些被导入罪孽的人，他正要派遣一位大有力量的先知到他们那里去，许多人借着他要被引领归回，效忠他们列祖的上帝。[24]{PK 116.2}
§50
Alas, how had the glory of Israel departed! Never before had the chosen people of God fallen so low in apostasy. Of the prophets of Baal there were four hundred and fifty, besides four hundred prophets of the groves. 1 Kings 18:19. Nothing short of the miracle-working power of God could preserve the nation from utter destruction. Israel had voluntarily separated herself from Jehovah, yet the Lord in compassion still yearned after those who had been led into sin, and He was about to send to them one of the mightiest of His prophets, through whom many were to be led back to allegiance to the God of their fathers.{PK 116.2}[24]