第19章 和平的先知
§1
第19章 和平的先知
§2
Chap. 19 - A Prophet of Peace
§3
（本章根据：王下4:）
§4
以利沙身为先知所有的工作，在某些方面与以利亚的颇不相同。那曾经交给以利亚的乃是谴责和惩罚的信息，他所发表的乃是无畏的斥责，号召君王与民众转离邪恶的道路。以利沙的使命却是较为和平的，他的任务乃是要建立并巩固以利亚所创始的工作，将主的道路教导民众。《圣经》描述他亲自与民众结交，被先知的门徒环绕着，并借他所行的神迹与服务给人带来医治与喜乐。[1]{PK 235.1}
§5
The work of Elisha as a prophet was in some respects very different from that of Elijah. To Elijah had been committed messages of condemnation and judgment; his was the voice of fearless reproof, calling king and people to turn from their evil ways. Elishas was a more peaceful mission; his it was to build up and strengthen the work that Elijah had begun; to teach the people the way of the Lord. Inspiration pictures him as coming into personal touch with the people, surrounded by the sons of the prophets, bringing by his miracles and his ministry healing and rejoicing.{PK 235.1}[1]
§6
以利沙原是一个性情温和而慈祥的人；但他在往伯特利去的路上被从城里出来不敬虔的少年戏笑时，他所采取的行动显明他也可能是很严厉的。这些少年已经听说以利亚升天的经过，但他们却以这件严肃的事作为他们嘲笑的主题，对以利沙说：“秃头的上去吧，秃头的上去吧。”先知听到他们戏笑的话，便转过身来，在全能者的灵感之下，向他们宣布了咒诅。随之而来的可怕刑罚乃是出于上帝的。“有两个母熊从林中出来，撕裂他们中间四十二个”人。（王下2:23-24）[2]{PK 235.2}
§7
Elisha was a man of mild and kindly spirit; but that he could also be stern is shown by his course when, on the way to Bethel, he was mocked by ungodly youth who had come out of the city. These youth had heard of Elijahs ascension, and they made this solemn event the subject of their jeers, saying to Elisha, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head. At the sound of their mocking words the prophet turned back, and under the inspiration of the Almighty he pronounced a curse upon them. The awful judgment that followed was of God. There came forth two she-bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two of them. 2 Kings 2:23, 24.{PK 235.2}[2]
§8
以利沙若对这次戏弄置诸不理，他就会一直被一般不法之徒所讥笑辱骂，并且当国家遭遇严重危机之时，他那教导并救拔同胞的使命就难免因而失败。这次极严厉惩罚的事例足以使他毕生博得尊敬了。此后的五十年中，他出入伯特利的城门，并遍历诸城，往返各地，也常遇见成群闲懒、粗鲁，而放荡的青年；但没有一个敢于戏笑他，或轻看他为至高者先知的资格。[3]{PK 236.1}
§9
Had Elisha allowed the mockery to pass unnoticed, he would have continued to be ridiculed and reviled by the rabble, and his mission to instruct and save in a time of grave national peril might have been defeated. This one instance of terrible severity was sufficient to command respect throughout his life. For fifty years he went in and out of the gate of Bethel, and to and fro in the land, from city to city, passing through crowds of idle, rude, dissolute youth; but none mocked him or made light of his qualifications as the prophet of the Most High.{PK 236.1}[3]
§10
可见连仁慈也应有其限度。威信必须坚定地严予保持，否则许多人就必以嘲笑轻侮相待。父母及监护人对待青少年使用的所谓亲切温和，甘言哄动与纵容放任，也是可能临到他们身上的最大祸害之一。坚定、果断、而明确的必要条件，在每一个家庭之中都是不可或缺的。[4]{PK 236.2}
§11
Even kindness should have its limits. Authority must be maintained by a firm severity, or it will be received by many with mockery and contempt. The so-called tenderness, the coaxing and indulgence, used toward youth by parents and guardians, is one of the worst evils which can come upon them. In every family, firmness, decision, positive requirements, are essential.{PK 236.2}[4]
§12
那些戏弄以利沙的少年所极为缺少的恭敬，乃是必须慎予培育的美德。每一个儿童都应受教而向上帝表露真正的敬畏。切不可轻率或漫不经心地提述他的圣名。天使提及这名时，都遮掩他们的脸面。我们这些堕落有罪的人，在讲说这名时，更当怀着何等的敬畏啊！[5]{PK 236.3}
§13
Reverence, in which the youth who mocked Elisha were so lacking, is a grace that should be carefully cherished. Every child should be taught to show true reverence for God. Never should His name be spoken lightly or thoughtlessly. Angels, as they speak it, veil their faces. With what reverence should we, who are fallen and sinful, take it upon our lips! {PK 236.3}[5]
§14
向上帝的代表，就是奉命替他说话行事的传道人、教师和父母，也当表示尊敬。向他们表示敬重，也就是尊荣上帝。[6]{PK 237.1}
§15
Reverence should be shown for Gods representatives--for ministers, teachers, and parents, who are called to speak and act in His stead. In the respect shown them, God is honored.{PK 237.1}[6]
§16
礼貌也是圣灵所结的美果之一，人人都当加以培养。它有柔化性情的功能，无此则人的性情就必变得刚硬而粗鲁了。那些自称为基督的信徒，而同时却粗野无礼、不近人情的人，实在并没有学过耶稣的样式。他们的诚实也许不容置疑，他们的正直也许毫无问题；但诚实和正直并不能弥补仁慈和礼貌方面的缺欠。[7]{PK 237.2}
§17
Courtesy, also, is one of the graces of the Spirit and should be cultivated by all. It has power to soften natures which without it would grow hard and rough. Those who profess to be followers of Christ, and are at the same time rough, unkind, and uncourteous, have not learned of Jesus. Their sincerity may not be doubted, their uprightness may not be questioned; but sincerity and uprightness will not atone for a lack of kindness and courtesy.{PK 237.2}[7]
§18
那使以利沙能在许多以色列人的生活中发挥有力感化的仁慈作风，可在他与书念城的一个家庭发生友谊的经历中看出来。以利沙常在国内各地往来奔波，“一日以利沙走到书念，在那里有一个大户的妇人，强留他吃饭。此后，以利沙每从那里经过，就进去吃饭。”这位主妇看出以利沙“是圣洁的神人，”因此就对她的丈夫说：“我们可以为他在墙上盖一间小楼；在其中要放床榻、桌子、椅子、灯台；他来到我们这里，就可以住在其间。”于是以利沙就常到这个隐居之所来，并因那里的恬静安宁而心存感激。上帝并不是不注意这个妇人所表现的仁爱。她的家庭原是没有子女的；这时主为嘉奖她的殷勤好客而赐予一个儿子。[8]{PK 237.3}
§19
The kindly spirit that enabled Elisha to exert a powerful influence over the lives of many in Israel, is revealed in the story of his friendly relations with a family dwelling at Shunem. In his journeyings to and fro throughout the kingdom it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread. The mistress of the house perceived that Elisha was an holy man of God, and she said to her husband: Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither. To this retreat Elisha often came, thankful for its quiet peace. Nor was God unmindful of the womans kindness. Her home had been childless; and now the Lord rewarded her hospitality by the gift of a son. {PK 237.3}[8]
§20
好几年过去了。那孩子已经长大，可以出外到田间去和收割的人在一起了。有一天他中暑了，“他对父亲说：我的头啊，我的头啊。”父亲就吩咐仆人把孩子抱到他的母亲那里；“仆人抱去，交给他母亲，孩子坐在母亲的膝上，到晌午就死了。他母亲抱他上了楼，将他放在神人的床上，关上门出来。”[9]{PK 238.1}
§21
Years passed. The child was old enough to be out in the field with the reapers. One day he was stricken down by the heat, and he said unto his father, My head, my head. The father bade a lad carry the child to his mother; and when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died. And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out.{PK 238.1}[9]
§22
这书念妇人在悲痛之中，决定去向以利沙求助。那时先知正在迦密山上；于是妇人就带着她的仆人立即出发。“神人远远的看见她，对仆人基哈西说：看哪，书念的妇人来了；你跑去迎接她，问她说：你平安吗？你丈夫平安吗？孩子平安吗？”仆人照着他的吩咐作了，但这伤心的母亲非到以利沙面前就不肯吐露她愁苦的原因。及至以利沙听到她的孩子死了，就吩咐基哈西说：“你束上腰，手拿我的杖前去；若遇见人，不要向他问安；人若向你问安，也不要回答；要把我的杖放在孩子脸上。”[10]{PK 238.2}
§23
In her distress, the Shunammite determined to go to Elisha for help. The prophet was then at Mount Carmel, and the woman, accompanied by her servant, set forth immediately. And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunammite: run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? The servant did as he was bidden, but not till she had reached Elisha did the stricken mother reveal the cause of her sorrow. Upon hearing of her loss, Elisha bade Gehazi: Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the child.{PK 238.2}[10]
§24
但这个母亲一定要以利沙亲自与她同去，方才心满意足。她说：“我指着永生的耶和华，又敢在你面前起誓，我必不离开你。”“于是以利沙起身，随着她去了。基哈西先去，把杖放在孩子脸上；却没有声音，也没有动静。基哈西就迎着以利沙回来，告诉他说：孩子还没有醒过来。”[11]{PK 238.3}
§25
But the mother would not be satisfied till Elisha himself came with her. As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee, she declared. And he arose, and followed her. And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked. {PK 238.3}[11]
§26
他们到了家，以利沙就进到那死孩子躺卧的屋子里，“关上门，只有自己和孩子在里面，他便祈祷耶和华；上床伏在孩子身上，口对口，眼对眼，手对手；既伏在孩子身上，孩子的身体就渐渐温和了。然后他下来，在屋里来往走了一趟；又上去伏在孩子身上；孩子打了七个喷嚏，就睁开眼睛了。”[12]{PK 239.1}
§27
When they reached the house, Elisha went into the room where the dead child lay, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the Lord. And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm. Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.{PK 239.1}[12]
§28
以利沙吩咐基哈西去把这位母亲请来。“于是叫了她来，以利沙说：将你儿子抱起来。妇人就进来，在以利沙脚前俯伏于地，抱起她儿子出去了。”[13]{PK 239.2}
§29
Calling Gehazi, Elisha bade him send the mother to him. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son. Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out.{PK 239.2}[13]
§30
这妇人的信心就这样得到了报赏。那位伟大的赐生命者基督将她的儿子交还给她。将来在他降临之时，死亡必丧失它的毒钩，坟墓必被夺去其得胜的权势，而他的一切忠实信徒都必照样得到报赏。那时，他必将他众仆人的被死亡所夺去的儿女归还他们。“耶和华如此说：在拉玛听见号啕痛哭的声音，是拉结哭她儿女不肯受安慰；因为他们都不在了。耶和华如此说：你禁止声音不要哀哭，禁止眼目不要流泪；因你所作之工必有赏赐，他们必从敌国归回。耶和华说：你末后必有指望，你的儿女必回到自己的境界。”（耶31:15-17）[14]{PK 239.3}
§31
So was the faith of this woman rewarded. Christ, the great Life-giver, restored her son to her. In like manner will His faithful ones be rewarded, when, at His coming, death loses its sting and the grave is robbed of the victory it has claimed. Then will He restore to His servants the children that have been taken from them by death. Thus saith the Lord; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rachel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not. Thus saith the Lord; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, . . . and they shall come again from the land of the enemy. And there is hope in thine end, saith the Lord, that thy children shall come again to their own border. Jeremiah 31:15-17. {PK 239.3}[14]
§32
耶稣以一项充满无限希望的信息，来安慰我们为死者而哀悼的心情说：“我必救赎他们脱离阴间，救赎他们脱离死亡；死亡啊，你的灾害在哪里呢？阴间哪，你的毁灭在哪里呢？”我“是那存活的；我曾死过，现在又活了，直活到永永远远；并且拿着死亡和阴间的钥匙。”“主必亲自从天降临，有呼叫的声音，和天使长的声音，又有上帝的号吹响；那在基督里死了的人必先复活。以后我们这活着还存留的人，必和他们一同被提到云里，在空中与主相遇；这样，我们就要和主永远同在。”（何13:14；启1:18；帖前4:16-17）[15]{PK 240.1}
§33
Jesus comforts our sorrow for the dead with a message of infinite hope: I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction. Hosea 13:14. I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, . . . and have the keys of hell and of death. Revelation 1:18. The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17.{PK 240.1}[15]
§34
以利沙乃是全人类救主的预表，所以他也像他一样，在人间传道服务时，常将医病和教训的工作连结起来。以利沙通过多年有效的工作，忠心耿耿、不息不倦地、竭力促成并推进各地先知学校所实施的重要教育工作。由于上帝的护佑，他对各处集合的热诚青年的集团所施之训勉，常为圣灵深深的感动所印证，并且往往还有其他确切的凭据，显明他为耶和华之仆人的威权。[16]{PK 240.2}
§35
Like the Saviour of mankind, of whom he was a type, Elisha in his ministry among men combined the work of healing with that of teaching. Faithfully, untiringly, throughout his long and effective labors, Elisha endeavored to foster and advance the important educational work carried on by the schools of the prophets. In the providence of God his words of instruction to the earnest groups of young men assembled were confirmed by the deep movings of the Holy Spirit, and at times by other unmistakable evidences of his authority as a servant of Jehovah.{PK 240.2}[16]
§36
有一次他在访问那所设于吉甲的学校时，治好了一锅有毒的汤。“那地正有饥荒；先知门徒坐在他面前；他吩咐仆人说：你将大锅放在火上，给先知门徒熬汤。有一个人去到田野掐菜，遇见一棵野瓜藤，就摘了一兜野瓜，回来切了，搁在熬汤的锅中；因为他们不知道是什么东西。倒出来给众人吃。吃的时候，都喊叫说：神人哪，锅中有致死的毒物。所以众人不能吃了。以利沙说：拿点面来。就把面撒在锅中，说：倒出来，给众人吃吧。锅中就没有毒了。”[17]{PK 240.3}
§37
It was on the occasion of one of his visits to the school established at Gilgal that he healed the poisoned pottage. There was a dearth in the land; and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him: and he said unto his servant, Set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets. And one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered thereof wild gourds his lap full, and came and shred them into the pot of pottage: for they knew them not. So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O thou man of God, there is death in the pot. And they could not eat thereof. But he said, Then bring meal. And he cast it into the pot; and he said, Pour out for the people, that they may eat. And there was no harm in the pot.{PK 240.3}[17]
§38
当吉甲遍地仍陷于饥荒中时，以利沙也曾以一个“从巴力沙利沙来”的人所送给他的“初熟大麦作的饼二十个，并新穗子，”给一百个人吃饱。那时，与他在一起的人极其需要食物；所以当这批礼物送来时，“他对仆人说：把这些给众人吃。仆人说：这一点岂可摆给一百人吃呢？以利沙说：你只管给众人吃吧；因为耶和华如此说：众人必吃了，还剩下。仆人就摆在众人面前，他们吃了，果然还剩下，正如耶和华所说的。”[18]{PK 241.1}
§39
At Gilgal, also, while the dearth was still in the land, Elisha fed one hundred men with the present brought to him by a man from Baalshalisha, bread of the first fruits, twenty loaves of barley, and full ears of corn in the husk thereof. There were those with him who were sorely in need of food. When the offering came, he said to his servant, Give unto the people, that they may eat. And his servitor said, What, should I set this before an hundred men? He said again, Give the people, that they may eat: for thus saith the Lord, They shall eat, and shall leave thereof. So he set it before them, and they did eat, and left thereof, according to the word of the Lord.{PK 241.1}[18]
§40
基督借着他的信使施行这件神迹，使饥饿的人得到饱足，这表明他是何等的垂怜世人啊！自从那时以来，主耶稣曾经一再地施行奇事来供应世人的需要，可是他所用的方式并不常是如此地彰明昭著。如果我们具有更清晰的属灵辨别力，就必能更容易地认明上帝对待人类的慈怜作为了。[19]{PK 241.2}
§41
What condescension it was on the part of Christ, through His messenger, to work this miracle to satisfy hunger! Again and again since that time, though not always in so marked and perceptible a manner, has the Lord Jesus worked to supply human need. If we had clearer spiritual discernment we would recognize more readily than we do Gods compassionate dealing with the children of men.{PK 241.2}[19]
§42
那使区区之数满足众人需要的，乃是上帝的恩典。上帝的手能使之增多百倍。他的资源足供在旷野摆设筵席。他只要用圣手一摸，就能使极少的食物增多，足供众人的需要。那使麦饼和穗子在先知门徒手中增多的，乃是他的能力。[20]{PK 241.3}
§43
It is the grace of God on the small portion that makes it all-sufficient. Gods hand can multiply it a hundredfold. From His resources He can spread a table in the wilderness. By the touch of His hand He can increase the scanty provision and make it sufficient for all. It was His power that increased the loaves and corn in the hands of the sons of the prophets.{PK 241.3}[20]
§44
基督在地上传道的时候，也曾行过同样的神迹给众人吃饱，当时也有人像昔日先知的仆人那样表示怀疑。以利沙的仆人说：“这一点岂可摆给一百人吃呢？”当耶稣吩咐门徒给众人吃的时候，他们回答说：“我们不过有五个饼，两条鱼；若不去为这许多人买食物就不够。”（路9:13）这一点分给这许多人还算什么呢？[21]{PK 242.1}
§45
In the days of Christs earthly ministry, when He performed a similar miracle in feeding the multitudes, the same unbelief was manifested as was shown by those associated with the prophet of old. What! said Elishas servant; should I set this before an hundred men? And when Jesus bade His disciples give the multitude to eat, they answered, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people. Luke 9:13. What is that among so many?{PK 242.1}[21]
§46
这个教训是给各世代之上帝儿女的。每当主派给一项工作去从事时，但愿人不要询问这命令是否合理，或自己努力顺从的可能结果如何。那在他们手中的一点食物，看上去似乎与满足需要相差甚远；但若在主的手中，就必显得充分有余了。“仆人就摆在众人面前，他们吃了，果然还剩下，正如耶和华所说的。”[22]{PK 243.1}
§47
The lesson is for Gods children in every age. When the Lord gives a work to be done, let not men stop to inquire into the reasonableness of the command or the probable result of their efforts to obey. The supply in their hands may seem to fall short of the need to be filled; but in the hands of the Lord it will prove more than sufficient. The servitor set it before them, and they did eat, and left thereof, according to the word of the Lord.{PK 243.1}[22]
§48
今日教会最大的需要，乃是更充分地体会到上帝与凡是他曾以恩赐他爱子而买来之人的关系，并且更深切地相信他在地上的圣工必向前进展无已。但愿人勿因眼前的资源不足而徒自悲叹，虚耗光阴。外表的情形也许看来毫无希望；但奋发努力与信靠上帝必能开发各种资源。凡带着感谢和祈求他赐福的心情而奉献给他的礼物，他必使之增多，正如他使那送给先知门徒和困乏的群众之食物增多一样。[23]{PK 243.2}
§49
A fuller sense of Gods relationship to those whom He has purchased with the gift of His Son, a greater faith in the onward progress of His cause in the earth--this is the great need of the church today. Let none waste time in deploring the scantiness of their visible resources. The outward appearance may be unpromising, but energy and trust in God will develop resources. The gift brought to Him with thanksgiving and with prayer for His blessing, He will multiply as He multiplied the food given to the sons of the prophets and to the weary multitude.{PK 243.2}[23]