第09章 提斯比人以利亚
§1
第09章 提斯比人以利亚
§2
Chap. 9 - Elijah the Tishbite
§3
（本章根据：王上17:1-7）
§4
当亚哈的日子，在约旦河东基列的群山之间，住着一个大有信心而勤于祈祷的人，他那无畏的服务已注定要遏制那在以色列中迅速蔓延的背道之风。提斯比人以利亚虽然远离任何名城，又未身居高位，但他开始他的使命时，就深信上帝的旨意乃要在他面前预备道路，并帮助他大获成功。他的口中发出具有信心和能力的话语，他也毕生从事于改革的工作。他就是那在旷野中喊着的人声，为要斥责罪恶，迫退那邪恶的狂澜。当他尚未以谴责罪恶者的身份来到民众面前时，他的信息对于凡渴望获得医治之患罪病的人就成了基列的乳香。[1]{PK 119.1}
§5
Among the mountains of Gilead, east of the Jordan, there dwelt in the days of Ahab a man of faith and prayer whose fearless ministry was destined to check the rapid spread of apostasy in Israel. Far removed from any city of renown, and occupying no high station in life, Elijah the Tishbite nevertheless entered upon his mission confident in Gods purpose to prepare the way before him and to give him abundant success. The word of faith and power was upon his lips, and his whole life was devoted to the work of reform. His was the voice of one crying in the wilderness to rebuke sin and press back the tide of evil. And while he came to the people as a reprover of sin, his message offered the balm of Gilead to the sin-sick souls of all who desired to be healed.{PK 119.1}[1]
§6
当以利亚看到以色列越来越深地陷入拜偶像的罪中时，他的心灵就因而悲痛，他的义愤也激发起来了。上帝已经为他的子民行了大事。他已拯救他们脱离奴役，并将“列国的地赐给他们，……好使他们遵他的律例，守他的律法。”（诗105:44-45）但如今耶和华慈悲的旨意几乎被遗忘了。不信快要使这被拣选的国民与他们能力的泉源断绝了。以利亚从他山间退隐之处看到这种背道的情形，便不胜忧伤。他心灵惨痛地恳求上帝阻止这一度蒙爱之子民的邪恶行径，如果必要的话，不妨降刑罚在他们身上，使他们可以看出自己逆天的真相。他渴望看到他们悔改，以免恶贯满盈，惹起主的怒气而将他们全然毁灭。[2]{PK 119.2}
§7
As Elijah saw Israel going deeper and deeper into idolatry, his soul was distressed and his indignation aroused. God had done great things for His people. He had delivered them from bondage and given them the lands of the heathen, . . . that they might observe His statutes, and keep His laws. Psalm 105:44, 45. But the beneficent designs of Jehovah were now well-nigh forgotten. Unbelief was fast separating the chosen nation from the Source of their strength. Viewing this apostasy from his mountain retreat, Elijah was overwhelmed with sorrow. In anguish of soul he besought God to arrest the once-favored people in their wicked course, to visit them with judgments, if need be, that they might be led to see in its true light their departure from Heaven. He longed to see them brought to repentance before they should go to such lengths in evil-doing as to provoke the Lord to destroy them utterly.{PK 119.2}[2]
§8
以利亚的祈祷蒙了应允。多次的恳劝、告诫和警告都未曾使以色列人悔改。时候已到，上帝必须借施降刑罚来向他们说话了。敬拜巴力的人既然声称上天的珍宝——雨露不是从耶和华而来，而是出于统治自然的能力，并声称地土之所以能肥沃，并生出富饶的产物，乃是由于太阳的创造之能，所以上帝的咒诅就重重地降在这被玷污的地上。这样，就可以向背道的以色列各支派显明；他们倚靠巴力的权能以求得属世的福惠是何等的愚妄。他们若不悔改归向上帝，并承认他为一切福惠之源，就不会有雨露降在地上。[3]{PK 120.1}
§9
Elijahs prayer was answered. Oft-repeated appeals, remonstrances, and warnings had failed to bring Israel to repentance. The time had come when God must speak to them by means of judgments. Inasmuch as the worshipers of Baal claimed that the treasures of heaven, the dew and the rain, came not from Jehovah, but from the ruling forces of nature, and that it was through the creative energy of the sun that the earth was enriched and made to bring forth abundantly, the curse of God was to rest heavily upon the polluted land. The apostate tribes of Israel were to be shown the folly of trusting to the power of Baal for temporal blessings. Until they should turn to God with repentance, and acknowledge Him as the source of all blessing, there should fall upon the land neither dew nor rain.{PK 120.1}[3]
§10
以利亚奉命向亚哈王传达上天降罚的信息。他并没有寻求作耶和华的使者；而是耶和华的话临到他。他为上帝圣工的荣誉大发热心，因此毫不迟疑地顺从上帝的呼召，虽然顺从似乎是要在那恶王手中招致迅速的灭亡。先知立时遵命出发，昼夜行走，一直走到撒玛利亚。他到了王宫既不要求许可，也不等正式通知。他就穿着当时先知所惯穿的简朴衣服，经过那班似乎没有注意的卫士，片刻之间便站在惊愕的王面前了。[4]{PK 120.2}
§11
To Elijah was entrusted the mission of delivering to Ahab Heavens message of judgment. He did not seek to be the Lords messenger; the word of the Lord came to him. And jealous for the honor of Gods cause, he did not hesitate to obey the divine summons, though to obey seemed to invite swift destruction at the hand of the wicked king. The prophet set out at once and traveled night and day until he reached Samaria. At the palace he solicited no admission, nor waited to be formally announced. Clad in the coarse garments usually worn by the prophets of that time, he passed the guards, apparently unnoticed, and stood for a moment before the astonished king.{PK 120.2}[4]
§12
以利亚并没有为自己的突然出现向王道歉。因为有比以色列统治者更大的一位差他来说话；他向天举手，严肃地奉永生上帝的名断言：至高者的刑罚即将降在以色列的身上。他宣告说：“我指着所侍奉永生耶和华以色列的上帝起誓，这几年我若不祷告，必不降露不下雨。”[5]{PK 121.1}
§13
Elijah made no apology for his abrupt appearance. A Greater than the ruler of Israel had commissioned him to speak; and, lifting his hand toward heaven, he solemnly affirmed by the living God that the judgments of the Most High were about to fall upon Israel. As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, he declared, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.{PK 121.1}[5]
§14
以利亚之所以传达这信息，完全在于他运用坚强的信心，确信上帝圣言决不落空的权能。如果他没有绝对相信他所侍奉的上帝，他就绝不会出现在亚哈面前了。以利亚在他往撒玛利亚的途中，经过了川流不息的溪涧，覆盖着青翠草木的山岗，与似乎永不干旱的森茂的丛林。目光所接触的一切尽都美丽。先知很可能有所疑异，这些流水潺潺的溪涧怎能成为干涸枯竭，那些青山翠谷怎能成为赤地千里。但他并没有给不信留地步。他完全相信上帝必要使背道的以色列降卑，并借着刑罚使他们悔改。上天的谕旨已经发出，上帝的圣言决不落空；以利亚甘冒生命的危险，一无所惧地完成了他的使命。刑罚即将来到的信息像晴天霹雳般落到那恶王耳中；亚哈惊魂未定，不及答话，以利亚竟未等候要看他所传信息的反应，便像他来的时候一般突然不见了。主行在他的前面，指明他的道路。他嘱咐先知说：“你离开这里，往东去，藏在约旦河东边的基立溪旁。你要喝那溪里的水；我已吩咐乌鸦在那里供养你。”[6]{PK 121.2}
§15
It was only by the exercise of strong faith in the unfailing power of Gods word that Elijah delivered his message. Had he not possessed implicit confidence in the One whom he served, he would never have appeared before Ahab. On his way to Samaria, Elijah had passed by ever-flowing streams, hills covered with verdure, and stately forests that seemed beyond the reach of drought. Everything on which the eye rested was clothed with beauty. The prophet might have wondered how the streams that had never ceased their flow could become dry, or how those hills and valleys could be burned with drought. But he gave no place to unbelief. He fully believed that God would humble apostate Israel, and that through judgments they would be brought to repentance. The fiat of Heaven had gone forth; Gods word could not fail; and at the peril of his life Elijah fearlessly fulfilled his commission. Like a thunderbolt from a clear sky, the message of impending judgment fell upon the ears of the wicked king; but before Ahab could recover from his astonishment, or frame a reply, Elijah disappeared as abruptly as he had come, without waiting to witness the effect of his message. And the Lord went before him, making plain the way. Turn thee eastward, the prophet was bidden, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee.{PK 121.2}[6]
§16
王殷切地追寻这位先知，却找不到。王后耶洗别因那闭塞天上府库的信息而大为震怒，立时与巴力的祭司商议应付之策，他们和她一同咒诅以利亚并藐视耶和华的忿怒。不管他们怎样渴望找到那发表灾祸之话的人，但他们是注定要遭遇失望的。同时他们也无法把那论到因普遍背道而招致刑罚的信息向人隐瞒起来。以利亚斥责以色列人罪恶的消息，和他所说迅速来临之刑罚的预言，很快就传遍了全地。有一些人起了惧怕的心，但是一般人却轻蔑讥诮那从天而来的信息。[7]{PK 123.1}
§17
The king made diligent inquiry, but the prophet was not to be found. Queen Jezebel, angered over the message that had locked up the treasures of heaven, lost no time in conferring with the priests of Baal, who united with her in cursing the prophet and in defying the wrath of Jehovah. But notwithstanding their desire to find him who had uttered the word of woe, they were destined to meet with disappointment. Nor could they conceal from others a knowledge of the judgment pronounced in consequence of the prevailing apostasy. Tidings of Elijahs denunciation of the sins of Israel, and of his prophecy of swift-coming punishment, quickly spread throughout the land. The fears of some were aroused, but in general the heavenly message was received with scorn and ridicule.{PK 123.1}[7]
§18
先知的话立时应验了。那些起先一听说这灾难就讥诮的人，不久便不能不加以认真的反省了；因为几个月之后，地土没有雨露的滋润就干旱了，蔬菜草木也都枯槁了。再过一些时候，那从不涸竭的河流开始减少了，溪涧也开始干涸了。然而国家的领导人物还是劝勉众民要信靠巴力的权能，而将以利亚的预言当作无稽之谈。祭司们依然坚持降雨乃是巴力的权能。他们强调不要怕以利亚的上帝，也不要因他的话而战栗；又说那使地土按时出产，供给人畜食粮的，乃是巴力。[8]{PK 123.2}
§19
The prophets words went into immediate effect. Those who were at first inclined to scoff at the thought of calamity, soon had occasion for serious reflection; for after a few months the earth, unrefreshed by dew or rain, became dry, and vegetation withered. As time passed, streams that had never been known to fail began to decrease, and brooks began to dry up. Yet the people were urged by their leaders to have confidence in the power of Baal and to set aside as idle words the prophecy of Elijah. The priests still insisted that it was through the power of Baal that the showers of rain fell. Fear not the God of Elijah, nor tremble at His word, they urged, it is Baal that brings forth the harvest in its season and provides for man and beast.{PK 123.2}[8]
§20
上帝传给亚哈的信息，使耶洗别和她的祭司以及一切随从巴力与亚斯他录的人，有机会试验他们所侍奉的神的能力，假若可能，还可证明以利亚的话是虚谎的。以利亚一个人的预言，面对着数以百计的拜偶像之祭司所作的保证。如果巴力能否定以利亚的预言而仍然降露下雨，使溪流继续灌溉，使草木仍旧繁茂，那么，就让以色列王敬拜他。让众民称他为上帝吧。[9]{PK 124.1}
§21
Gods message to Ahab gave Jezebel and her priests and all the followers of Baal and Ashtoreth opportunity to test the power of their gods, and, if possible, to prove the word of Elijah false. Against the assurances of hundreds of idolatrous priests, the prophecy of Elijah stood alone. If, notwithstanding the prophets declaration, Baal could still give dew and rain, causing the streams to continue to flow and vegetation to flourish, then let the king of Israel worship him and the people say that he is God.{PK 124.1}[9]
§22
巴力的祭司既然决心要使民众受骗，故此继续向自己的神奉献祭物，并昼夜呼求他们滋润地土。祭司们试图用贵重的祭物来平息他们神明的怒气；并以一种值得用在更佳事工上的热诚和恒心，逗留于他们异教的神坛四围恳切求雨。夜复一夜地，他们的喊叫和呼求响彻这厄运已经注定的全地。但是在白昼，天空中仍然没有云彩出现，来遮蔽太阳炽热的光线，没有雨露滋润干旱的土地。巴力的祭司所作的任何努力，都不足以改变耶和华的话。[10]{PK 124.2}
§23
Determined to keep the people in deception, the priests of Baal continue to offer sacrifices to their gods and to call upon them night and day to refresh the earth. With costly offerings the priests attempt to appease the anger of their gods; with a zeal and a perseverance worthy of a better cause they linger round their pagan altars and pray earnestly for rain. Night after night, throughout the doomed land, their cries and entreaties arise. But no clouds appear in the heavens by day to hide the burning rays of the sun. No dew or rain refreshes the thirsty earth. The word of Jehovah stands unchanged by anything the priests of Baal can do.{PK 124.2}[10]
§24
一年过去了，仍然没有下雨。地土干焦得像是被火烧过一般。太阳的灼热毁坏了残存的草木。溪流干涸了，牛呜羊叫，在痛苦中到处徘徊。那一度茂盛的田地，已变成了干旱荒芜的沙漠，荒凉的废墟。那奉献给敬拜偶像的树木已叶落枝枯；森林也残败凋萎，不足遮荫了。空气干燥窒闷；风沙障目，几至使人不能呼吸。过去繁荣的城市和乡村都变成了哀哭之地。饥渴带来了可怕的死亡，威胁着人类和牲畜。饥荒及其一切的恐怖越来越迫近了。[11]{PK 124.3}
§25
A year passes, and yet there is no rain. The earth is parched as if with fire. The scorching heat of the sun destroys what little vegetation has survived. Streams dry up, and lowing herds and bleating flocks wander hither and thither in distress. Once-flourishing fields have become like burning desert sands, a desolate waste. The groves dedicated to idol worship are leafless; the forest trees, gaunt skeletons of nature, afford no shade. The air is dry and suffocating; dust storms blind the eyes and nearly stop the breath. Once-prosperous cities and villages have become places of mourning. Hunger and thirst are telling upon man and beast with fearful mortality. Famine, with all its horror, comes closer and still closer.{PK 124.3}[11]
§26
然而以色列却不顾这许多上帝权能的明证，既不悔改，也没有学得上帝所要给他们学习的教训。他们未曾看出创造自然的主控制着自然界的定律，能使之成为赐福或降祸的工具。他们心骄气傲，又迷于虚伪的敬拜，所以不肯自卑，服在上帝大能的手下，于是他们开始将他们所受的痛苦归咎于其他的原因。[12]{PK 125.1}
§27
Yet notwithstanding these evidences of Gods power, Israel repented not, nor learned the lesson that God would have them learn. They did not see that He who created nature controls her laws, and can make of them instruments of blessing or of destruction. Proudhearted, enamored of their false worship, they were unwilling to humble themselves under the mighty hand of God, and they began to cast about for some other cause to which to attribute their sufferings.{PK 125.1}[12]
§28
耶洗别完全不肯承认这次旱灾是耶和华所降的刑罚。她在公然反抗天上上帝的决心方面毫不屈服，竟与几乎全以色列人联合起来，指摘以利亚为使他们遭受一切不幸的祸首。他岂没有作见证反对他们敬拜的仪式吗？她声辩：只要能拔出他这个眼中钉，他们神明的怒气就可以平息，他们的灾难就可以终止了。[13]{PK 126.1}
§29
Jezebel utterly refused to recognize the drought as a judgment from Jehovah. Unyielding in her determination to defy the God of heaven, she, with nearly the whole of Israel, united in denouncing Elijah as the cause of all their misery. Had he not borne testimony against their forms of worship? If only he could be put out of the way, she argued, the anger of their gods would be appeased, and their troubles would end.{PK 126.1}[13]
§30
亚哈受王后的怂恿，便着手仔细搜寻先知藏匿的所在。他差遣使者到四周远近的列国去，访寻他所憎恨而又惧怕的人；他焦急地尽量彻底搜查，并要这些邻邦起誓表明他们对先知的下落毫无所悉。但这种查寻毫无效果。先知安然无恙地脱离了王的毒手，而王的罪却正是招致被触犯之上帝的忿怒降于全地的。[14]{PK 126.2}
§31
Urged on by the queen, Ahab instituted a most diligent search for the hiding place of the prophet. To the surrounding nations, far and near, he sent messengers to seek for the man whom he hated, yet feared; and in his anxiety to make the search as thorough as possible, he required of these kingdoms and nations an oath that they knew nothing of the whereabouts of the prophet. But the search was in vain. The prophet was safe from the malice of the king whose sins had brought upon the land the denunciation of an offended God.{PK 126.2}[14]
§32
耶洗别反对以利亚的努力既已失败，就决定要杀害以色列中一切耶和华的先知，以泄她心头之愤。决不容一人存活。这个狂怒的妇人实行她的心意，屠杀了许多上帝的仆人。虽然如此，但终未完全杀尽。因为亚哈的家宰俄巴底仍然效忠上帝，他冒着生命的危险，“将一百个先知藏了，每五十人藏在一个洞里，拿饼和水供养他们。”（王上18:4）[15]{PK 126.3}
§33
Failing in her efforts against Elijah, Jezebel determined to avenge herself by slaying all the prophets of Jehovah in Israel. Not one should be left alive. The infuriated woman carried out her purpose in the massacre of many of Gods servants. Not all, however, perished. Obadiah, the governor of Ahabs house, yet faithful to God, took an hundred prophets, and at the risk of his own life, hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water. 1 Kings 18:4. {PK 126.3}[15]
§34
第二个荒年又过去了，而无情的天空仍然没有下雨的迹象。干旱和饥荒继续蹂躏全国。作父母的既无力解救儿女的痛苦，只好眼睁睁地看着他们死去。然而背道的以色列仍旧不肯在上帝面前自卑，并继续埋怨那位因他的话而使这些可怕的刑罚临到他们身上的人。他们似乎不能从自己所受的痛苦和患难中看出悔改的呼召，上帝的干预，俾保守他们不至走到越过上天容忍之限度的致命地步。[16]{PK 127.1}
§35
The second year of famine passed, and still the pitiless heavens gave no sign of rain. Drought and famine continued their devastation throughout the kingdom. Fathers and mothers, powerless to relieve the sufferings of their children, were forced to see them die. Yet still apostate Israel refused to humble their hearts before God and continued to murmur against the man by whose word these terrible judgments had been brought upon them. They seemed unable to discern in their suffering and distress a call to repentance, a divine interposition to save them from taking the fatal step beyond the boundary of Heavens forgiveness.{PK 127.1}[16]
§36
以色列的背道乃是较比所有饥荒的种种恐怖更为可怕的一项恶行。上帝正在设法使民众摆脱欺骗，并导使他们明白他们对自己生命和一切所有均须仰赖之主的责任。他正试图帮助他们恢复所丧失了的信心，因此他必须降大灾难在他们身上。[17]{PK 127.2}
§37
The apostasy of Israel was an evil more dreadful than all the multiplied horrors of famine. God was seeking to free the people from their delusion and lead them to understand their accountability to the One to whom they owed their life and all things. He was trying to help them to recover their lost faith, and He must needs bring upon them great affliction.{PK 127.2}[17]
§38
“主耶和华说：恶人死亡岂是我喜悦的吗？不是喜悦他回头离开所行的道存活吗？”“你们要将所犯的一切罪过，尽行抛弃；自作一个新心和新灵。以色列家啊，你们何必死亡呢？主耶和华说：我不喜悦那死人之死，所以你们当回头而存活。”“以色列家啊，你们转回，转回吧，离开恶道；何必死亡呢？”（结18:23,31-32；33:11）[18]{PK 127.3}
§39
Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye. Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? Ezekiel 18:23, 31, 32;33:11.{PK 127.3}[18]
§40
上帝已经差遣使者到以色列那里去，恳劝他们转回效忠于他。如果他们听从这些劝告，如果他们离弃巴力而归向永生的上帝，那么，以利亚降罚的信息也就决不会向他们发出了。但那原可作为活的香气叫他们活的警告，却成了死的香气叫他们死。他们的自尊心既受了伤害；他们的怒气就向上帝的使者发作了；这时他们对于先知以利亚非常恨恶。只要他落在他们手中，他们就必欣然地将他交给耶洗别，妄想止息他的声音就能使他所说的话不致应验。他们虽面临灾祸，竟然在拜偶像的事上怙恶不悛。这样，他们就在那招致上天降灾与全地的罪上加罪了。[19]{PK 127.4}
§41
God had sent messengers to Israel, with appeals to return to their allegiance. Had they heeded these appeals, had they turned from Baal to the living God, Elijahs message of judgment would never have been given. But the warnings that might have been a savor of life unto life had proved to them a savor of death unto death. Their pride had been wounded, their anger had been aroused against the messengers, and now they regarded with intense hatred the prophet Elijah. If only he should fall into their hands, gladly they would deliver him to Jezebel--as if by silencing his voice they could stay the fulfillment of his words! In the face of calamity they continued to stand firm in their idolatry. Thus they were adding to the guilt that had brought the judgments of Heaven upon the land.{PK 127.4}[19]
§42
被击打的以色列有一个唯一的救法，转离那招致全能者惩罚之手的罪恶，并全心全意地归向耶和华。上帝早已有保证赐与他们：“我若使天闭塞不下雨，或使蝗虫吃这地的出产，或使瘟疫流行在我民中；这称为我名下的子民若是自卑，祷告，寻求我的面，转离他们的恶行；我必从天上垂听，赦免他们的罪，医治他们的地。”（代下7:13-14）上帝之所以在发起决定性的改革之前不降雨露，就是为了要实现这种良好的结果。[20]{PK 128.1}
§43
For stricken Israel there was but one remedy--a turning away from the sins that had brought upon them the chastening hand of the Almighty, and a turning to the Lord with full purpose of heart. To them had been given the assurance, If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people; if My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:13, 14. It was to bring to pass this blessed result that God continued to withhold from them the dew and the rain until a decided reformation should take place.{PK 128.1}[20]