第10章 严正的谴责
§1
第10章 严正的谴责
§2
Chap. 10 - The Voice of Stern Rebuke
§3
（本章根据：王上17:8-24；18:1-19）
§4
以利亚继续藏身在基立溪旁的山间一个时期。他在那里获得了神奇地食物供应，达数月之久。后来，当溪水因继续干旱而致涸竭时，上帝便吩咐他的仆人到异邦去寻求避难。他吩咐他说：“你起身往西顿的撒勒法去，住在那里；我已吩咐那里的一个寡妇供养你。”[1]{PK 129.1}
§5
For a time Elijah remained hidden in the mountains by the brook Cherith. There for many months he was miraculously provided with food. Later on, when, because of the continued drought, the brook became dry, God bade His servant find refuge in a heathen land. Arise, He bade him, get thee to Zarephath, [known in New Testament times as Sarepta], which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.{PK 129.1}[1]
§6
这个妇人不是以色列人。她从来没有得到上帝选民所享有的特权和福气；但她是相信真神的，并且已经遵循那照在她途程上的所有亮光行事为人。这时，以利亚在以色列地既无安全可言，上帝就差他到这个妇人那里去，在她家里获得安身之所。[2]{PK 129.2}
§7
This woman was not an Israelite. She had never had the privileges and blessings that the chosen people of God had enjoyed; but she was a believer in the true God and had walked in all the light that was shining on her pathway. And now, when there was no safety for Elijah in the land of Israel, God sent him to this woman to find an asylum in her home.{PK 129.2}[2]
§8
“以利亚就起身往撒勒法去。到了城门，见有一个寡妇在那里捡柴；以利亚呼叫她说：求你用器皿取点水来给我喝。她去取水的时候，以利亚又呼叫她，说：也求你拿点饼来给我。”[3]{PK 129.3}
§9
So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand.{PK 129.3}[3]
§10
当时这个穷苦的家庭深受饥荒的煎熬；而且仅存的一点粮食似亦即将告罄。正当这寡妇担心她必须放弃求生之挣扎的那一天，以利亚的到来竟使她仰赖永生上帝的能力以供给她需要的信心，受到一次严重的考验。然而即使处在极端困境之中，她仍依从这陌生人请她拿出最后一点食物来分给他吃的要求，借此表现了自己的信心。[4]{PK 130.1}
§11
In this poverty-stricken home the famine pressed sore, and the pitifully meager fare seemed about to fail. The coming of Elijah on the very day when the widow feared that she must give up the struggle to sustain life tested to the utmost her faith in the power of the living God to provide for her necessities. But even in her dire extremity she bore witness to her faith by a compliance with the request of the stranger who was asking her to share her last morsel with him.{PK 130.1}[4]
§12
寡妇回答以利亚对于饮食的要求，说：“我指着永生耶和华你的上帝起誓，我没有饼，坛内只有一把面，瓶里只有一点油；我现在找两根柴，回家要为我和我儿子作饼，我们吃了，死就死吧。”以利亚对她说：“不要惧怕，可以照你所说的去作吧，只要先为我作一个小饼，拿来给我，然后为你和你的儿子作饼。因为耶和华以色列的上帝如此说：坛内的面必不减少，瓶里的油必不缺短，直到耶和华使雨降在地上的日子。”[5]{PK 130.2}
§13
In response to Elijahs request for food and drink, the widow said, As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die. Elijah said to her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. For thus saith the Lord of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth.{PK 130.2}[5]
§14
信心的考验没有比这更大的了。这寡妇向来是以仁爱和慷慨款待客人的。现在她也就不考虑自己和孩子所可能遭受的痛苦，只是信赖以色列的上帝一定会供给她所有的需要，于是她便在这次好客之情的最大考验下，“照以利亚的话去行。”[6]{PK 130.3}
§15
No greater test of faith than this could have been required. The widow had hitherto treated all strangers with kindness and liberality. Now, regardless of the suffering that might result to herself and child, and trusting in the God of Israel to supply her every need, she met this supreme test of hospitality by doing according to the saying of Elijah.{PK 130.3}[6]
§16
这个腓尼基妇人向上帝的先知所表示的款待，真是令人感服，结果她的信心与慷慨也获得了奇妙的报赏。“她和她家中的人，并以利亚，吃了许多日子。坛内的面果不减少，瓶里的油也不缺短，正如耶和华借以利亚所说的话。”[7]{PK 131.1}
§17
Wonderful was the hospitality shown to Gods prophet by this Phoenician woman, and wonderfully were her faith and generosity rewarded. She, and he, and her house, did eat many days. And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which He spake by Elijah.{PK 131.1}[7]
§18
“这事以后，作那家主母的妇人，她儿子病了；病得甚重，以致身无气息。妇人对以利亚说：神人哪，我与你何干？你竟到我这里来，使上帝想念我的罪，以致我的儿子死呢？”[8]{PK 131.2}
§19
And it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him. And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son?{PK 131.2}[8]
§20
“以利亚对她说：把你儿子交给我。以利亚就从妇人怀中将孩子接过来，抱到他所住的楼中，放在自己的床上。……以利亚三次伏在孩子的身上，求告耶和华，……耶和华应允以利亚的话；孩子的灵魂仍入他的身体，他就活了。”[9]{PK 131.3}
§21
And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into a loft, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed. . . . And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the Lord. . . . And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived.{PK 131.3}[9]
§22
“以利亚将孩子从楼上抱下来，进屋子，交给他母亲，说：看哪，你的儿子活了。妇人对以利亚说：现在我知道你是神人，耶和华借你口所说的话是真的。”[10]{PK 131.4}
§23
And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth. And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in thy mouth is truth.{PK 131.4}[10]
§24
撒勒法的寡妇把她仅存的少许粮食分给以利亚；所获的报答乃是她自己和她儿子的生命都得蒙保全了。照样，上帝也应许要大大赐福给凡在患难与缺乏时期中，还能同情并帮助其他需要更大者的人。他并没有改变。他的能力现今并不比以利亚的日子为小。救主说：“人因为先知的名接待先知，必得先知所得的赏赐。”（太10:41）现今这应许仍与发表时一样的可靠。[11]{PK 131.5}
§25
The widow of Zarephath shared her morsel with Elijah, and in return her life and that of her son were preserved. And to all who, in time of trial and want, give sympathy and assistance to others more needy, God has promised great blessing. He has not changed. His power is no less now than in the days of Elijah. No less sure now than when spoken by our Saviour is the promise, He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophets reward. Matthew 10:41.{PK 131.5}[11]
§26
“不可忘记用爱心接待客旅；因为曾有接待客旅的，不知不觉就接待了天使。”（来13:2）这句话并未因时间的过去而失去它的力量。现今我们的天父仍然将隐藏着福分的机会放在他儿女的路上；凡善用这些机会的人必大得喜乐。“你心若向饥饿的人发怜悯，使困苦的人得满足；你的光就必在黑暗中发现，你的幽暗必变如正午；耶和华也必时常引导你，在干旱之地，使你心满意足，骨头强壮；你必像浇灌的园子，又像水流不绝的泉源。”（赛58:10-11）[12]{PK 132.1}
§27
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Hebrews 13:2. These words have lost none of their force through the lapse of time. Our heavenly Father still continues to place in the pathway of His children opportunities that are blessings in disguise; and those who improve these opportunities find great joy. If thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: and the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. Isaiah 58:10, 11.{PK 132.1}[12]
§28
基督对他今日的忠仆说：“人接待你们，就是接待我；接待我，就是接待那差我来的。”（太10:40）没有一件奉他名而表现的仁爱行为会被忽略而不予以报偿的。况且在这种亲切的认可中，基督甚至将上帝家中最软弱、最卑微的分子也包括在内了。他说：“无论何人，因为门徒的名，只把一杯凉水给这小子，”就是那些在信心和对基督的认识上像小孩子一般的人“里的一个喝，我实在告诉你们，这人不能不得赏赐。”（太10:42）[13]{PK 132.2}
§29
To His faithful servants today Christ says, He that receiveth you receiveth Me, and he that receiveth Me receiveth Him that sent Me. No act of kindness shown in His name will fail to be recognized and rewarded. And in the same tender recognition Christ includes even the feeblest and lowliest of the family of God. Whosoever shall give to drink, He says, unto one of these little ones--those who are as children in their faith and their knowledge of Christ--a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. Matthew 10:40, 42. {PK 132.2}[13]
§30
经过长年的干旱与饥荒，以利亚恳切地祈求，希望以色列人的心意转离偶像，效忠上帝。当主的圣手重重地打击全地的时候，先知在忍耐地等候着。及至他看到处处呈现着日益加剧的痛苦与缺乏时，他的心因忧患而伤痛了，他渴望能获得力量，以迅速地促成一番改革工作。但这时上帝正在亲自实施他的计划，因此他的仆人所能作的，只是凭着信心继续祈祷，静待时机，以便采取决断性的行动。[14]{PK 133.1}
§31
Through the long years of drought and famine, Elijah prayed earnestly that the hearts of Israel might be turned from idolatry to allegiance to God. Patiently the prophet waited, while the hand of the Lord rested heavily on the stricken land. As he saw evidences of suffering and want multiplying on every side, his heart was wrung with sorrow, and he longed for power to bring about a reformation quickly. But God Himself was working out His plan, and all that His servant could do was to pray on in faith and await the time for decided action.{PK 133.1}[14]
§32
亚哈王在位时所流行的背道现象，乃是以色列人多年犯罪作恶的结果。年复一年，以色列一步一步地在偏离正路。他们一代又一代地不肯为自己的脚把道路修直，终至大多数人都屈从了黑暗权势的领导。[15]{PK 133.2}
§33
The apostasy prevailing in Ahabs day was the result of many years of evil-doing. Step by step, year after year, Israel had been departing from the right way. For generation after generation they had refused to make straight paths for their feet, and at last the great majority of the people had yielded themselves to the leadership of the powers of darkness.{PK 133.2}[15]
§34
约在一百年前，以色列在大卫王的统治之下，曾经快乐地同声歌唱赞美至高者的圣诗，来承认他们完全倚靠他供给每日的恩惠。且听他们当年颂赞的声音：“拯救我们的上帝啊，……你使日出日落之地都欢呼。你眷顾地，降下透雨，使地大得肥美。上帝的河满了水；你这样浇灌了地，好为人预备五谷。你浇透地的犁沟，润平犁脊，降甘霖使地软和；其中发长的，蒙你赐福。你以恩典为年岁的冠冕，你的路径都滴下脂油，滴在旷野的草场上。小山以欢乐束腰，草场以羊群为衣，谷中也长满了五谷。这一切都欢呼歌唱。”（诗65:5,8-13）[16]{PK 133.3}
§35
About a century had passed since, under the rulership of King David, Israel had joyfully united in chanting hymns of praise to the Most High, in recognition of their entire dependence on Him for daily mercies. Listen to their words of adoration as then they sang: O God of our salvation, . . . Thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice. Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: Thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: Thou preparest them corn, when Thou hast so provided for it. Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly: Thou causest rain to descend into the furrows thereof: Thou makest it soft with showers: Thou blessest the springing thereof. Thou crownest the year with Thy goodness; And Thy paths drop fatness. They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: And the little hills rejoice on every side. The pastures are clothed with flocks; The valleys also are covered over with corn; They shout for joy, they also sing. Psalm 65:5, 8-13, margin.{PK 133.3}[16]
§36
那时以色列承认上帝为“将地立在根基上”的主。他们曾经这样地歌唱以表示他们的信心：“你用深水遮盖地面，犹如衣裳，诸水高过山岭。你的斥责一发，水便奔逃；你的雷声一发，水便奔流。诸山升上，诸谷沉下，归你为他所安定之地。你定了界限，使水不能过去，不再转回遮盖地面。”（诗104:6-9）[17]{PK 134.1}
§37
Israel had then recognized God as the One who laid the foundations of the earth. In expression of their faith they had sung: Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: The waters stood above the mountains. At Thy rebuke they fled; At the voice of Thy thunder they hasted away. They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys Unto the place which Thou hast founded for them. Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; That they turn not again to cover the earth. Psalm 104:5-9.{PK 134.1}[17]
§38
天上、地下和海里的自然物质之所以受到一定的限制，乃是由于那位无穷之主的大能大力。他用这些物质来促进他所造众生的幸福。他白白地打开“天上的府库，按时降雨，”在人“手里所办的一切事上赐福与”人。（申28:12）“耶和华使泉涌在山谷，流在山间，使野地的走兽有水喝，野驴得解其渴。天上的飞鸟在水旁住宿，在树枝上啼叫。……他使草生长，给六畜吃，使菜蔬发长，供给人用，使人从地里能得食物，又得酒能悦人心，得油能润人面，得粮能养人心。……耶和华啊，你所造的何其多，都是你用智慧造成的，遍地满了你的丰富。那里有海，又大又广，其中有无数的动物，大小活物都有。……这都仰望你按时给他食物。你给他们，他们便拾起来；你张手，他们饱得美食。”（诗104:10-15,24-28）[18]{PK 134.2}
§39
It is by the mighty power of the Infinite One that the elements of nature in earth and sea and sky are kept within bounds. And these elements He uses for the happiness of His creatures. His good treasure is freely expended to give the rain . . . in his season, and to bless all the work of mans hands. Deuteronomy 28:12. He sendeth the springs into the valleys, Which run among the hills. They give drink to every beast of the field: The wild asses quench their thirst. By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, Which sing among the branches. . . . He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, And herb for the service of man: That He may bring forth food out of the earth; And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, And oil to make his face to shine, And bread which strengtheneth mans heart. . . . O Lord, how manifold are Thy works! In wisdom has Thou made them all: The earth is full of Thy riches. So is this great and wide sea, Wherein are things creeping innumerable, Both small and great beasts. . . . These wait all upon Thee; That Thou mayest give them their meat in due season. That Thou givest them they gather: Thou openest Thine hand, They are filled with good. Psalm 104:10-15, 24-28.{PK 134.2}[18]
§40
以色列有充分的理由可以欢喜。主所引领他们到达的地方乃是流奶与蜜之地。他们在旷野飘流的时期中，上帝曾经向他们保证：他所带他们去的地方是不会缺少雨水的。他告诉他们说：“你要进去得为业的那地，本不像你出来的埃及地，你在那里撒种，用脚浇灌，像浇灌菜园一样；你们要过去得为业的那地乃是有山、有谷、雨水滋润之地；是耶和华你上帝所眷顾的，从岁首到年终，耶和华你上帝的眼目时常看顾那地。”[19]{PK 135.1}
§41
Israel had had abundant occasion for rejoicing. The land to which the Lord had brought them was a land flowing with milk and honey. During the wilderness wandering, God had assured them that He was guiding them to a country where they need never suffer for lack of rain. The land, whither thou goest in to possess it, He had told them, is not as the land of Egypt, from whence ye came out, where thou sowedst thy seed, and wateredst it with thy foot, as a garden of herbs: but the land, whither ye go to possess it, is a land of hills and valleys, and drinketh water of the rain of heaven: a land which the Lord thy God careth for: the eyes of the Lord thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.{PK 135.1}[19]
§42
那赐下丰盛雨水的应许，乃是以顺从为条件的。主曾宣告说：“你们若留意听从我今日所吩咐的诫命，爱耶和华你们的上帝，尽心、尽性侍奉他，他必按时降秋雨、春雨在你们的地上，使你们可以收藏五谷、新酒和油。也必使你吃得饱足，并使田野为你的牲畜长草。”[20]{PK 135.2}
§43
The promise of abundance of rain had been given on condition of obedience. It shall come to pass, the Lord had declared, if ye shall hearken diligently unto My commandments which I command you this day, to love the Lord your God, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul, that I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil. And I will send grass in thy fields for thy cattle, that thou mayest eat and be full.{PK 135.2}[20]
§44
主曾劝告他的子民说：“你们要谨慎，免得心中受迷惑，就偏离正路，去侍奉敬拜别神；耶和华的怒气向你们发作，就使天闭塞不下雨，地也不出产；使你们在耶和华所赐给你们的美地上，速速灭亡。”（申11:10-17）[21]{PK 136.1}
§45
Take heed to yourselves, the Lord had admonished His people, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them; and then the Lords wrath be kindled against you, and He shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land which the Lord giveth you. Deuteronomy 11:10-17.{PK 136.1}[21]
§46
以色列也曾得到警告：“你若不听从耶和华你上帝的话，不谨守遵行他的一切诫命律例，”“你头上的天，要变为铜，脚下的地，要变为铁。耶和华要使那降在你地上的雨，变为尘沙；从天临到你身上，直到你灭亡。”（申28:15,23-24）[22]{PK 136.2}
§47
If thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all His commandments and His statutes, the Israelites had been warned, thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee shall be iron. The Lord shall make the rain of thy land powder and dust: from heaven shall it come down upon thee, until thou be destroyed. Deuteronomy 28:15, 23, 24.{PK 136.2}[22]
§48
这就是耶和华所赐给古以色列的一些明智的勉言。他曾吩咐他的选民说：“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，无论坐在家里，行在路上，躺下，起来，都要谈论。”（申11:18-19）这些命令虽是明确的；但随着时光的消逝，一代又一代的人却忘记了那为他们属灵福利所作的一切安排，结果背道的败坏影响险些将上帝恩典的每一屏障扫除净尽了。[23]{PK 136.3}
§49
These were among the wise counsels of Jehovah to ancient Israel. Lay up these My words in your heart and in your soul, He had commanded His chosen people, 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, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. Deuteronomy 11:18, 19. Plain were these commands, yet as the centuries passed, and generation after generation lost sight of the provision made for their spiritual welfare, the ruinous influences of apostasy threatened to sweep aside every barrier of divine grace.{PK 136.3}[23]
§50
事情既然如此发展，这时上帝就不得不以最严重的刑罚降在他子民身上。以利亚的预言正在可怕地应验着。三年来，这位灾祸的传信人被人从这城到那城，从这国到那国地搜寻着。在亚哈王的谕旨之下，许多君王已经起誓声明他们境内找不到这位奇特的先知。但搜查依然继续；因为耶洗别和巴力的先知痛恨以利亚，所以不遗余力地要把他置于自己的权势之下。然而雨仍旧不见降下。[24]{PK 137.1}
§51
Thus it had come to pass that God was now visiting His people with the severest of His judgments. The prediction of Elijah was meeting with terrible fulfillment. For three years the messenger of woe was sought for in city after city and nation after nation. At the mandate of Ahab, many rulers had given their oath of honor that the strange prophet could not be found in their dominions. Yet the search was continued, for Jezebel and the prophets of Baal hated Elijah with a deadly hatred, and they spared no effort to bring him within reach of their power. And still there was no rain.{PK 137.1}[24]
§52
最后，“过了许久，……耶和华的话临到以利亚，说：你去，使亚哈得见你；我要降雨在地上。”[25]{PK 137.2}
§53
At last, after many days, the word of the Lord came to Elijah, Go, show thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.{PK 137.2}[25]
§54
以利亚遵照这命令，“就去，要使亚哈得见他。”约在以利亚出发走向撒玛利亚的同时，亚哈曾向他的家宰俄巴底建议：他们出去仔细地寻找水泉和溪水，希望能为他们缺粮的牲畜找到一块牧场。这时连王宫里也备受这长期干旱的影响。亚哈王深为自己的朝廷担心，所以决定亲自同他的臣仆出去，寻找一些可能有牧草的好场地。“于是二人分地游行：亚哈独走一路，俄巴底独走一路。”[26]{PK 137.3}
§55
In obedience to the command, Elijah went to show himself unto Ahab. About the time that the prophet set forth on his journey to Samaria, Ahab had proposed to Obadiah, the governor of his household, that they make thorough search for springs and brooks of water, in the hope of finding pasture for their starving flocks and herds. Even in the royal court the effect of the long-continued drought was keenly felt. The king, deeply concerned over the outlook for his household, decided to unite personally with his servant in a search for some favored spots where pasture might be had. So they divided the land between them to pass throughout it: Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself.{PK 137.3}[26]
§56
“俄巴底在路上恰与以利亚相遇，俄巴底认出他来，就俯伏在地，说：你是我主以利亚不是？”[27]{PK 138.1}
§57
As Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, Art thou that my lord Elijah?{PK 138.1}[27]
§58
在以色列背道期间，俄巴底一直保持忠贞。他的主人亚哈王未能使他转离永生的上帝。所以这时以利亚给予他一个光荣的使命，说：“你去告诉你主人，说：以利亚在这里。”[28]{PK 138.2}
§59
During the apostasy of Israel, Obadiah had remained faithful. His master, the king, had been unable to turn him from his allegiance to the living God. Now he was honored with a commission from Elijah, who said, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here.{PK 138.2}[28]
§60
俄巴底大为惊慌，说：“仆人有什么罪，你竟要将我交在亚哈手里，使他杀我呢？”将这样的信息传给亚哈，无异是故意求死。因此他向先知解释说：“我指着永生耶和华你的上帝起誓，无论哪一邦，哪一国，我主都打发人去找你；若说，你没有在那里；就必使那邦那国的人起誓，说，实在是找不着你。现在你说，要去告诉你主人，说，以利亚在这里。恐怕我一离开你，耶和华的灵就提你到我所不知道的地方去；这样我去告诉亚哈，他若找不着你，就必杀我。”[29]{PK 138.3}
§61
Greatly terrified, Obadiah exclaimed, What have I sinned, that thou wouldest deliver thy servant into the hand of Ahab, to slay me? To take such a message as this to Ahab was to court certain death. As the Lord thy God liveth, he explained to the prophet, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee: and when they said, He is not there; he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found thee not. And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here. And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from thee, that the Spirit of the Lord shall carry thee whither I know not; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he shall slay me.{PK 138.3}[29]
§62
俄巴底恳切地请求以利亚不要勉强他。他迫切地陈说：“仆人却是自幼敬畏耶和华的。耶洗别杀耶和华众先知的时候，我将耶和华的一百个先知藏了，每五十人藏在一个洞里，拿饼和水供养他们，岂没有人将这事告诉我主吗？现在你说，要去告诉你主人，说，以利亚在这里；他必杀我。”[30]{PK 138.4}
§63
Earnestly Obadiah pleaded with the prophet not to urge him. I thy servant, he urged, fear the Lord from my youth. Was it not told my lord what I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of the Lord, how I hid an hundred men of the Lords prophets by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water? And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here: and he shall slay me.{PK 138.4}[30]
§64
以利亚郑重地起誓应许俄巴底；这个差使决不致落空。他说：“我指着所侍奉永生的万军之耶和华起誓，我今日必使亚哈得见我。”既有这样的保证，“于是俄巴底去迎着亚哈告诉他。”[31]{PK 139.1}
§65
With a solemn oath Elijah promised Obadiah that the errand should not be in vain. As the Lord of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, he declared, I will surely show myself unto him today. Thus assured, Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him.{PK 139.1}[31]
§66
王胆战心惊地听到了他所惧怕，所恨恶，而又竭力寻找的人所传来的这个消息。他深知以利亚如此冒性命的危险，决不是仅仅为要见他一面。先知会不会再向以色列宣布一次灾祸呢？王的心中不禁疑惧横生。他想起了耶罗波安枯干的手。亚哈既不得不听从召唤，也不敢伸手伤害上帝的先知。于是这个疑惧交加的君王就带着一队卫兵前往迎见先知。[32]{PK 139.2}
§67
In astonishment mingled with terror the king listened to the message from the man whom he feared and hated, and for whom he had sought so untiringly. Well he knew that Elijah would not endanger his life merely for the sake of meeting him. Could it be possible that the prophet was about to utter another woe against Israel? The kings heart was seized with dread. He remembered the withered arm of Jeroboam. Ahab could not avoid obeying the summons, neither dared he lift up his hand against the messenger of God. And so, accompanied by a bodyguard of soldiers, the trembling monarch went to meet the prophet.{PK 139.2}[32]
§68
王和先知面面相对了。亚哈虽然满心愤恨，但他一来到以利亚面前，就似乎失去勇气，软弱无力了。在他所讲“使以色列遭灾的就是你吗？”这头一句期期艾艾的话中，他无意地显明了他内心的感想。亚哈明知他“头上的天”之所以“变为铜”，乃是由于上帝的吩咐，但他还想把全地遭受严重刑罚的责任推在先知头上。[33]{PK 139.3}
§69
The king and the prophet stand face to face. Though Ahab is filled with passionate hatred, yet in the presence of Elijah he seems unmanned, powerless. In his first faltering words, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? he unconsciously reveals the inmost feelings of his heart. Ahab knew that it was by the word of God that the heavens had become as brass, yet he sought to cast upon the prophet the blame for the heavy judgments resting on the land.{PK 139.3}[33]
§70
作恶的人将他们偏离义路所必然招致灾祸的责任归咎于上帝的使者，这乃是很自然的。那些自行置身于撒但权下的人不能以上帝的观点来看事情。每当真理的明镜展露在他们面前时，他们就因想到要受责备而致恼羞成怒。他们已经被自己的罪所蒙蔽了，所以不肯悔改；他们认为上帝的仆人故意与他们为难，所以应受严厉的谴责。[34]{PK 139.4}
§71
It is natural for the wrongdoer to hold the messengers of God responsible for the calamities that come as the sure result of a departure from the way of righteousness. Those who place themselves in Satans power are unable to see things as God sees them. When the mirror of truth is held up before them, they become indignant at the thought of receiving reproof. Blinded by sin, they refuse to repent; they feel that Gods servants have turned against them and are worthy of severest censure.{PK 139.4}[34]
§72
以利亚问心无愧地站立在亚哈面前，他既不打算为自己请求原谅，也不打算来谄媚王。他不想用旱灾即将过去的好消息来规避王的愤怒。他也没有提出辩解道歉。他满怀义怒，并为上帝的荣耀大发热心，随即将亚哈王的控告反过来控告他，坦然无惧地向王声明：那使以色列遭受这次可怕灾祸的，乃是他的罪，和他祖先的罪。以利亚勇敢地断言：“使以色列遭灾的不是我，乃是你，和你父家，因为你们离弃耶和华的诫命，去随从巴力。”[35]{PK 140.1}
§73
Standing in conscious innocence before Ahab, Elijah makes no attempt to excuse himself or to flatter the king. Nor does he seek to evade the kings wrath by the good news that the drought is almost over. He has no apology to offer. Indignant, and jealous for the honor of God, he casts back the imputation of Ahab, fearlessly declaring to the king that it is his sins, and the sins of his fathers, that have brought upon Israel this terrible calamity. I have not troubled Israel, Elijah boldly asserts, but thou, and thy fathers house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baalim.{PK 140.1}[35]
§74
今日正需要严正的责备之声；因为叛逆的罪已将民众和上帝隔开了。不信上帝的风气正迅速地趋于流行。“我们不愿意这个人作我们的王，”（路19:14）已成了千万人所惯用的话语。那经常传讲的无关痛痒的道理，不能造成持久的印象；号筒吹出来的乃是无定的号声。所以人们也就没有因上帝圣言坦白而锐利的真理感到扎心。[36]{PK 140.2}
§75
Today there is need of the voice of stern rebuke; for grievous sins have separated the people from God. Infidelity is fast becoming fashionable. We will not have this man to reign over us, is the language of thousands. Luke 19:14. The smooth sermons so often preached make no lasting impression; the trumpet does not give a certain sound. Men are not cut to the heart by the plain, sharp truths of Gods word.{PK 140.2}[36]
§76
现今有许多自命为基督徒的人，如果他们发表自己实在的心意，他们就必说：何必这么率直地讲说呢？他们也可以问：施洗约翰何必对法利赛人说：“毒蛇的种类，谁指示你们逃避将来的忿怒呢？”（路3:7）他又何必告诉希律，说他和自己兄弟的妻子同居是不合法的，因而触怒希罗底呢？这位基督的先锋竟因自己的直言无讳而致丧失性命。他为什么不能谨慎从事，避免招惹那些生活在罪恶中之人的厌恨呢？[37]{PK 140.3}
§77
There are many professed Christians who, if they should express their real feelings, would say, What need is there of speaking so plainly? They might as well ask, Why need John the Baptist have said to the Pharisees, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Luke 3:7. Why need he have provoked the anger of Herodias by telling Herod that it was unlawful for him to live with his brothers wife? The forerunner of Christ lost his life by his plain speaking. Why could he not have moved along without incurring the displeasure of those who were living in sin?{PK 140.3}[37]
§78
许多应作上帝律法之忠实护卫者的人就这样为自己辩解，以致权谋代替了忠信，而罪恶也就被容许活动，不再受到谴责了。唉，何时能在教会中再度听到忠实谴责罪恶的声音呢？[38]{PK 141.1}
§79
So men who should be standing as faithful guardians of Gods law have argued, till policy has taken the place of faithfulness, and sin is allowed to go unreproved. When will the voice of faithful rebuke be heard once more in the church?{PK 141.1}[38]
§80
先知拿单对大卫说：“你就是那人。”（撒下12:7）像这样明白无误的坦率的话，今日很少在讲坛上听到，也很少在出版物中看到了。如果不是这样稀少的话，我们就必看到更多上帝的能力彰显在人间了。为主传递信息的人，非等到懊悔他们自己的喜爱称赞，以及取悦于人，因而隐蔽真理的作风，就不应抱怨他们的努力没有效果。[39]{PK 141.2}
§81
Thou art the man. 2 Samuel 12:7. Words as unmistakably plain as these spoken by Nathan to David are seldom heard in the pulpits of today, seldom seen in the public press. If they were not so rare, we should see more of the power of God revealed among men. The Lords messengers should not complain that their efforts are without fruit until they repent of their own love of approbation and their desire to please men, which leads them to suppress truth.{PK 141.2}[39]
§82
凡讨人喜欢而在上帝未曾说平安的时候，却喊说“平安了，平安了”的传道人，最好在上帝面前谦卑己心，要求宽恕他们的无诚意与缺少道德方面的勇气。他们所以冲淡所委托给他们的信息，并不是出于爱人的心，乃是因为他们任性放纵，贪图安逸。真实的爱心必先求上帝的荣耀和灵命的得救。凡具有这种爱心的人，决不会避讳真理，以免自己遭受讲实话的不愉快后果。当人灵命遇见危险时，上帝的仆人决不会顾惜自己，却要讲说所交给他传讲的话，而不肯原谅或文饰罪恶。[40]{PK 141.3}
§83
Those ministers who are men pleasers, who cry, Peace, peace, when God has not spoken peace, might well humble their hearts before God, asking pardon for their insincerity and their lack of moral courage. It is not from love for their neighbor that they smooth down the message entrusted to them, but because they are self-indulgent and ease-loving. True love seeks first the honor of God and the salvation of souls. Those who have this love will not evade the truth to save themselves from the unpleasant results of plain speaking. When souls are in peril, Gods ministers will not consider self, but will speak the word given them to speak, refusing to excuse or palliate evil.{PK 141.3}[40]
§84
唯愿每一个传道人都能体会到自己职分的神圣和工作的圣洁，并表现出以利亚所表现的勇敢来！传道人既是上帝所委派的使者，就负有严重的责任。他们须“用百般的忍耐，……责备人、警戒人、劝勉人。”（提后4:2）他们必须代基督作天国奥秘事的管家，勉励顺服的人，并警告悖逆的人。在他们，世俗化的权谋应无足轻重。他们绝不可偏离耶稣所吩咐他们行走的道路。他们须凭信心向前迈进，并记得自己是有许多见证人如同云彩围着的。他们不可传讲自己的话，乃要传讲那位较比地上一切有权能者更伟大的主所吩咐他们传讲的话。他们的信息应当是：“耶和华如此说。”上帝呼召一班像以利亚、拿单和施洗约翰的人，就是一班忠心传讲他的信息，而不顾后果的人；虽须牺牲自己所有的一切，而仍勇敢传讲真理的人。[41]{PK 142.1}
§85
Would that every minister might realize the sacredness of his office and the holiness of his work, and show the courage that Elijah showed! As divinely appointed messengers, ministers are in a position of awful responsibility. They are to reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering. 2 Timothy 4:2. In Christs stead they are to labor as stewards of the mysteries of heaven, encouraging the obedient and warning the disobedient. With them worldly policy is to have no weight. Never are they to swerve from the path in which Jesus has bidden them walk. They are to go forward in faith, remembering that they are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses. They are not to speak their own words, but words which One greater than the potentates of earth has bidden them speak. Their message is to be, Thus saith the Lord. God calls for men like Elijah, Nathan, and John the Baptist--men who will bear His message with faithfulness, regardless of the consequences; men who will speak the truth bravely, though it call for the sacrifice of all they have.{PK 142.1}[41]
§86
上帝不能使用那些置身危险之中，而在需要众人发挥力量、勇敢和影响的时候，竟不敢坚持正义的人。他所呼召的，乃是一班愿意忠心与邪恶争斗，与那些执政的、掌权的、管辖这幽暗世界的，以及天空属灵气的恶魔争战的人。对于这一等人，他将有这样的话说：“好，你这又良善又忠心的仆人；……可以进来享受你主人的快乐。”（太25:23）[42]{PK 142.2}
§87
God cannot use men who, in time of peril, when the strength, courage, and influence of all are needed, are afraid to take a firm stand for the right. He calls for men who will do faithful battle against wrong, warring against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. It is to such as these that He will speak the words: Well done, good and faithful servant; . . . enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. Matthew 25:23.{PK 142.2}[42]