第23章 亚述的掳掠
§1
第23章 亚述的掳掠
§2
Chap. 23 - The Assyrian Captivity
§3
在不幸的以色列国末后的几年，特别充满了暴行和流血的事，这种情形甚至在亚哈统治之下最纷乱不安的期间也未曾见过。二百余年以来，十个支派的诸统治者“所种的是风；”故此他们“所收的是暴风。”（何8:7）君王相继被弑，而为其他具有统治野心者所取代。主论到这些不敬虔的篡位者说：“他们立君王却不由我；他们立首领我却不认。”（何8:4）每一项公义的原则都被弃置一旁；那些应在世上万国面前作神恩之保管者的人，却“向耶和华行事诡诈，”（何5:7）彼此之间也是如此。[1]{PK 279.1}
§4
The closing years of the ill-fated kingdom of Israel were marked with violence and bloodshed such as had never been witnessed even in the worst periods of strife and unrest under the house of Ahab. For two centuries and more the rulers of the ten tribes had been sowing the wind; now they were reaping the whirlwind. King after king was assassinated to make way for others ambitious to rule. They have set up kings, the Lord declared of these godless usurpers, but not by Me: they have made princes, and I knew it not. Hosea 8:4. Every principle of justice was set aside; those who should have stood before the nations of earth as the depositaries of divine grace, dealt treacherously against the Lord and with one another. Hosea 5:7.{PK 279.1}[1]
§5
上帝设法用最严厉的责备，使这个怙恶不悛的国度，觉悟它即将遭受全然毁灭的危险。他借何西阿与阿摩司屡次传信息给这十个支派，劝勉他们彻底悔改，并声言如果继续犯罪，结果必罹大祸。何西阿说：“你们耕种的是奸恶，收割的是罪孽，吃的是谎话的果子；因你倚靠自己的行为，仰赖勇士众多。所以在这民中必有哄嚷之声，你一切的保障必被拆毁。……到了黎明，以色列的王必全然灭绝。”（何10:13-15）[2]{PK 279.2}
§6
With the severest reproofs, God sought to arouse the impenitent nation to a realization of its imminent danger of utter destruction. Through Hosea and Amos He sent the ten tribes message after message, urging full and complete repentance, and threatening disaster as the result of continued transgression. Ye have plowed wickedness, declared Hosea, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men. Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people, and all thy fortresses shall be spoiled. . . . In a morning shall the king of Israel utterly be cut off. Hosea 10:13-15.{PK 279.2}[2]
§7
先知论到以法莲（先知何西阿常用以法莲作为背道的以色列国的代表，因为他在各支派背道的事上居于领导的地位。）说：“外邦人吞吃他劳力得来的，他却不知道；头发斑白，他也不觉得。”“以色列丢弃良善。”这十个支派既“被审判压碎，”就不能认明自己恶行所有的不幸结果，所以不久就“飘流在列国中”了。（见何7:9；8:3；5:11；9:17）[3]{PK 280.1}
§8
Of Ephraim the prophet testified, Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth it not: yea, gray hairs are here and there upon him, yet he knoweth not. [The prophet Hosea often referred to Ephraim, a leader in apostasy among the tribes of Israel, as a symbol of the apostate nation.] Israel hath cast off the thing that is good. Broken in judgment, unable to discern the disastrous outcome of their evil course, the ten tribes were soon to be wanderers among the nations. Hosea 7:9; 8:3; Hosea 5:11; 9:17.{PK 280.1}[3]
§9
以色列的某些首领深深感觉到他们的声望已经低落，所以很想加以恢复。但他们不但不肯转离那些使国家衰落的行为，反而继续沉溺于罪恶之中，并自欺自慰地以为：他们在机会来到时，还可以同异教国家缔结盟约，借此获得政治上的权势。“以法莲见自己有病，犹大见自己有伤，他们就打发人往亚述去。”“以法莲好像鸽子愚蠢无知；他们求告埃及，投奔亚述。”“与亚述立约。”（何5:13；7:11；12:1）[4]{PK 280.2}
§10
Some of the leaders in Israel felt keenly their loss of prestige and wished that this might be regained. But instead of turning away from those practices which had brought weakness to the kingdom, they continued in iniquity, flattering themselves that when occasion arose, they would attain to the political power they desired by allying themselves with the heathen. When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian. Ephraim also is like a silly dove without heart: they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria. They do make a covenant with the Assyrians. Hosea 5:13; 7:11; Hosea 12:1. {PK 280.2}[4]
§11
主曾借着那出现在伯特利祭坛前的神人，借着以利亚与以利沙，借着阿摩司与何西阿等，屡次向以色列的十个支派说明不顺从的恶果。可惜以色列竟不顾责备和劝告，而在离道反教之中越陷越深。主说：“以色列倔强，犹如倔强的母牛；”“我的民偏要背道离开我。”（何4:16；11:7）[5]{PK 281.1}
§12
Through the man of God that had appeared before the altar at Bethel, through Elijah and Elisha, through Amos and Hosea, the Lord had repeatedly set before the ten tribes the evils of disobedience. But notwithstanding reproof and entreaty, Israel had sunk lower and still lower in apostasy. Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer, the Lord declared; My people are bent to backsliding from Me. Hosea 4:16; 11:7.{PK 281.1}[5]
§13
有时上天的刑罚重重地降在这悖逆的子民身上。上帝说：“因此，我借先知砍伐他们，以我口中的话杀戮他们；我施行的审判如光发出。我喜爱良善，不喜爱祭祀；喜爱认识上帝，胜于燔祭。他们却如亚当背约，在境内向我行事诡诈。”（何6:5-7）[6]{PK 281.2}
§14
There were times when the judgments of Heaven fell very heavily on the rebellious people. I hewed them by the prophets, God declared; I have slain them by the words of My mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth. For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. But they like men have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against Me. Hosea 6:5-7.{PK 281.2}[6]
§15
最后所传给他们的信息乃是：“以色列人哪，你们当听耶和华的话：……你既忘了你上帝的律法，我也必忘记你的儿女。祭司越发增多，就越发得罪我；我必使他们的荣耀变为羞辱。……我必因他们所行的惩罚他们，照他们所作的报应他们。”（何4:1,6-9）[7]{PK 281.3}
§16
Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel, was the message that finally came to them: Seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. As they were increased, so they sinned against Me: therefore will I change their glory into shame. . . . I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings. Hosea 4:1, 6-9.{PK 281.3}[7]
§17
以色列在被掳到亚述之前五十年中的罪恶，与挪亚的日子中的一样，也与世人在拒绝上帝并任意作恶的其他各时代中的一样。世人高举自然过于自然界的上帝。敬拜被造之物代替创造主，结果往往造成最严重的罪恶。因此当以色列民敬拜巴力和亚斯他录，将最高的崇敬献与自然界的能力时，他们就与一切具有提拔超升之性质的事物绝缘，而轻易地成为试探的掠物了。这些迷途的敬拜者心灵的屏障既被破坏，他们就没有抵御罪恶的防壁，因而完全屈从于人心的邪情恶欲了。[8]{PK 281.4}
§18
The iniquity in Israel during the last half century before the Assyrian captivity was like that of the days of Noah, and of every other age when men have rejected God and have given themselves wholly to evil-doing. The exaltation of nature above the God of nature, the worship of the creature instead of the Creator, has always resulted in the grossest of evils. Thus when the people of Israel, in their worship of Baal and Ashtoreth, paid supreme homage to the forces of nature, they severed their connection with all that is uplifting and ennobling, and fell an easy prey to temptation. With the defenses of the soul broken down, the misguided worshipers had no barrier against sin and yielded themselves to the evil passions of the human heart.{PK 281.4}[8]
§19
众先知针对当时所流行公开的欺压，凶暴的不公，罕有的奢侈浪费，无耻的宴乐醉酒，和极度的荒淫纵欲而大声疾呼；但他们的抗议都归于徒然，他们对罪恶的责难也不起作用。阿摩司说：他们“怨恨那在城门口责备人的，憎恶那说正直话的。”他们“苦待义人，收受贿赂，在城门口屈枉穷乏人。”（摩5:10,12）[9]{PK 282.1}
§20
Against the marked oppression, the flagrant injustice, the unwonted luxury and extravagance, the shameless feasting and drunkenness, the gross licentiousness and debauchery, of their age, the prophets lifted their voices; but in vain were their protests, in vain their denunciation of sin. Him that rebuketh in the gate, declared Amos, they hate, . . . and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly. They afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate from their right. Amos 5:10, 12.{PK 282.1}[9]
§21
这就是耶罗波安设置两只金牛犊的一些后果。这种偏离业已确立之敬拜仪式的初步导致了拜偶像的更恶劣的仪式，直到最后全地居民几乎都沉溺于敬拜自然的诱人行为中了。以色列既忘记自己的创造主，就“深深的败坏”了。（何9:9）[10]{PK 282.2}
§22
Such were some of the results that had followed the setting up of two calves of gold by Jeroboam. The first departure from established forms of worship had led to the introduction of grosser forms of idolatry, until finally nearly all the inhabitants of the land had given themselves over to the alluring practices of nature worship. Forgetting their Maker, Israel deeply corrupted themselves. Hosea 9:9.{PK 282.2}[10]
§23
众先知不断地向这些罪恶提出抗议，并恳劝众人行义。何西阿劝告说：“你们要为自己栽种公义，就能收割慈爱；……你们要开恳荒地，等他临到，使公义如雨降在你们身上。”“你当归向你的上帝，谨守仁爱、公平，常常等候你的上帝。”“以色列啊，你要归向耶和华你的上帝；你是因自己的罪孽跌倒了。……用言语祷告他说：求你除尽罪孽，悦纳善行。”（何10:12；12:6；14:1-2）[11]{PK 282.3}
§24
The prophets continued to protest against these evils and to plead for rightdoing. Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy, Hosea urged; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till He come and rain righteousness upon you. Turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually. O Israel, return unto the Lord thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity: . . . say unto Him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously. Hosea 10:12; 12:6; Hosea 14:1, 2.{PK 282.3}[11]
§25
那些犯罪的人曾蒙赐予多次悔改的机会。在他们背道情形最严重而最需要也最迫切的时候，上帝所传给他们的却是饶恕和希望的信息。他说：“以色列啊，你与我反对，就是反对帮助你的，自取败坏。……现在你的王在哪里呢？治理你的在哪里呢？让他在你所有的城中拯救你吧。”（何13:9-10）[12]{PK 283.1}
§26
The transgressors were given many opportunities to repent. In their hour of deepest apostasy and greatest need, Gods message to them was one of forgiveness and hope. O Israel, He declared, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in Me is thine help. I will be thy King: where is any other that may save thee? Hosea 13:9, 10.{PK 283.1}[12]
§27
先知劝告说：“来吧，我们归向耶和华；他撕裂我们，也必医治；他打伤我们，也必缠裹。过两天他必使我们苏醒，第三天他必使我们兴起，我们就在他面前得以存活。我们务要认识耶和华，竭力追求认识他；他出现确如晨光；他必临到我们像甘雨，像滋润田地的春雨。”（何6:1-3）[13]{PK 283.2}
§28
Come, and let us return unto the Lord, the prophet entreated; for He hath torn, and He will heal us; He hath smitten, and He will bind us up. After two days will He revive us: in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: His going forth is prepared as the morning; and He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. Hosea 6:1-3.{PK 283.2}[13]
§29
主向那些曾经忽略他历代以来用以拯救陷于撒但权势下罪人之计划的人，提供了复兴与平安。他说：我必医治他们背道的病，甘心爱他们；因为我的怒气向他们转消。我必向以色列如甘露；他必如百合花开放，如黎巴嫩的树木扎根；他的枝条必延长，他的荣华如橄榄树，他的香气如黎巴嫩的香柏树，曾住在他荫下的必归回，发旺如五谷，开花如葡萄树；他的香气如黎巴嫩的酒。以法莲必说：我与偶像还有什么关涉呢？我耶和华回答他，也必顾念他；我如青翠的松树。你的果子从我而得。“谁是智慧人，可以明白这些事；谁是通达人，可以知道这一切。因为耶和华的道是正直的，义人必在其中行走；罪人却在其上跌倒。”（何14:4-9）[14]{PK 283.3}
§30
To those who had lost sight of the plan of the ages for the deliverance of sinners ensnared by the power of Satan, the Lord offered restoration and peace. I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, He declared: for Mine anger is turned away from him. I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon. They that dwell under His shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon. Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From Me is thy fruit found. Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? Prudent, and he shall know them? For the ways of the Lord are right, And the just shall walk in them: But the transgressors shall fall therein. Hosea 14:4-9.{PK 283.3}[14]
§31
寻求上帝所有的利益，曾被有力地加以强调。主邀请说：“你们要寻求我，就必存活。不要往伯特利寻求，不要进入吉甲，不要过到别是巴；因为吉甲必被掳掠，伯特利也必归于无有。”[15]{PK 284.1}
§32
The benefits of seeking God were strongly urged. Seek ye Me, the Lord invited, and ye shall live: but seek not Bethel, nor enter into Gilgal, and pass not to Beersheba: for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, and Bethel shall come to nought.{PK 284.1}[15]
§33
“你们要求善，不要求恶，就必存活；这样，耶和华万军之上帝必照你们所说的，与你们同在。要恶恶好善，在城门口秉公行义；或者耶和华万军之上帝，向约瑟的余民施恩。”（摩5:4-5,14-15）[16]{PK 284.2}
§34
Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the Lord, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken. Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the Lord God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph. Amos 5:4, 5, 14, 15.{PK 284.2}[16]
§35
听到这些邀请的人多数不肯加以接受而借此得益。上帝的信使所讲的话，与怙恶不悛之人的邪情私欲是完全相反的，甚至在伯特利拜偶像的祭司也打发人到以色列王那里去，说：“阿摩司在以色列家中图谋背叛你；他所说的一切话，这国担当不起。”（摩7:10）[17]{PK 284.3}
§36
By far the greater number of those who heard these invitations refused to profit by them. So contrary to the evil desires of the impenitent were the words of Gods messengers, that the idolatrous priest at Bethel sent to the ruler in Israel, saying, Amos hath conspired against thee in the midst of the house of Israel: the land is not able to bear all his words. Amos 7:10.{PK 284.3}[17]
§37
主借着何西阿说：“我想医治以色列的时候，以法莲的罪孽和撒玛利亚的罪恶，就显露出来。”“以色列的骄傲当面见证自己；虽遭遇这一切，他们仍不归向耶和华他们的上帝，也不寻求他。”（何7:1,10）[18]{PK 284.4}
§38
Through Hosea the Lord declared, When I would have healed Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim was discovered, and the wickedness of Samaria. The pride of Israel testifieth to his face: and they do not return to the Lord their God, nor seek Him for all this. Hosea 7:1, 10. {PK 284.4}[18]
§39
主世世代代都曾容忍他悖逆的儿女；就是现在，正当他们大胆背叛的时候，他仍然切望向他们显示自己为乐意拯救的主。他呼喊说：“以法莲哪，我可向你怎样行呢？犹大啊，我可向你怎样作呢？因为你们的善良如同早晨的云雾，又如速散的甘露。”（何6:4）[19]{PK 285.1}
§40
From generation to generation the Lord had borne with His wayward children, and even now, in the face of defiant rebellion, He still longed to reveal Himself to them as willing to save. O Ephraim, He cried, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away. Hosea 6:4.{PK 285.1}[19]
§41
蔓延全地的罪恶，终于到了不可救药的地步；于是就有可怕的判决向以色列宣布，说：“以法莲亲近偶像；任凭他吧。”“以色列人必知道降罚的日子临近，报应的时候来到。”（何4:17；9:7）[20]{PK 285.2}
§42
The evils that had overspread the land had become incurable; and upon Israel was pronounced the dread sentence: Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone. The days of visitation are come, the days of recompense are come; Israel shall know it. Hosea 4:17; 9:7.{PK 285.2}[20]
§43
现在以色列的十个支派就要收获那因在伯特利和但设立外邦祭坛而形成的背道后果了。上帝传给他们的信息乃是：“撒玛利亚啊，耶和华已经丢弃你的牛犊；我的怒气向拜牛犊的人发作；他们到几时方能无罪呢？这牛犊出于以色列，是匠人所造的，并不是神；撒玛利亚的牛犊，必被打碎。”“撒玛利亚的居民，必因伯亚文的牛犊惊恐；崇拜牛犊的民，和喜爱牛犊的祭司，都必……为它悲哀。人必将牛犊带到亚述，当作礼物，献给耶雷布王。”（何8:5-6；10:5-6）[21]{PK 285.3}
§44
The ten tribes of Israel were now to reap the fruitage of the apostasy that had taken form with the setting up of the strange altars at Bethel and at Dan. Gods message to them was: Thy calf, O Samaria, hath cast thee off; Mine anger is kindled against them: how long will it be ere they attain to innocency? For from Israel was it also: the workman made it; therefore it is not God: but the calf of Samaria shall be broken in pieces. The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of the calves of Beth-aven: for the people thereof shall mourn over it, and the priests thereof that rejoiced on it. . . . It shall be also carried unto Assyria for a present to King Jareb (Sennacherib). Hosea 8:5, 6; 10:5, 6.{PK 285.3}[21]
§45
“主耶和华的眼目察看这有罪的国，必将这国从地上灭绝；却不将雅各家灭绝净尽，这是耶和华说的。我必出令，将以色列家分散在列国中，好像用筛子筛谷，连一粒也不落在地上。我民中的一切罪人说：灾祸必追不上我们，也迎不着我们；他们必死在刀下。”[22]{PK 285.4}
§46
Behold, the eyes of the Lord God are upon the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from off the face of the earth; saying that I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob, saith the Lord. For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth. All the sinners of My people shall die by the sword, which say, The evil shall not overtake nor prevent us.{PK 285.4}[22]
§47
“象牙的房屋，也必毁灭；高大的房屋，都归无有；这是耶和华说的。”“主万军之耶和华摸地，地就消化，凡住在地上的，都必悲哀。”“你的儿女必倒在刀下，你的地必有人用绳子量了分取；你自己必死在污秽之地，以色列民定被掳去离开本地。”“以色列啊，我既这样行，你当预备迎见你的上帝。”（摩9:8-10；3:15；9:5；7:17；4:12）[23]{PK 286.1}
§48
The houses of ivory shall perish, and the great houses shall have an end, saith the Lord. The Lord God of hosts is He that toucheth the land, and it shall melt, and all that dwell therein shall mourn. Thy sons and thy daughters shall fall by the sword, and thy land shall be divided by line; and thou shalt die in a polluted land: and Israel shall surely go into captivity forth of his land. Because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel. Amos 9:8-10; 3:15; Amos 9:5; 7:17; Amos 4:12.{PK 286.1}[23]
§49
这些预言的刑罚迟延了一段时期，而且在耶罗波安第二的长久统治之下，以色列的军队还得过几次显著的胜利；但这段外表昌盛的时期在怙恶不悛之人的心中并没有起什么作用，于是最后便宣判：“耶罗波安必被刀杀，以色列民定被掳去离开本地。”（摩7:11）[24]{PK 286.2}
§50
For a season these predicted judgments were stayed, and during the long reign of Jeroboam II the armies of Israel gained signal victories; but this time of apparent prosperity wrought no change in the hearts of the impenitent, and it was finally decreed, Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel shall surely be led away captive out of their own land. Amos 7:11.{PK 286.2}[24]
§51
这句勇敢率直的话，对于长期怙恶不悛以至于极的国王与民众并无效用。那在伯特利拜偶像的祭司中为首领的亚玛谢，因先知谴责全国和国王的直言而激怒，便对阿摩司说：“你这先见哪，要逃往犹大地去，在那里糊口，在那里说预言；却不要在伯特利再说预言；因为这里有王的圣所，有王的宫殿。”（摩7:12-13）[25]{PK 286.3}
§52
The boldness of this utterance was lost on king and people, so far had they gone in impenitence. Amaziah, a leader among the idolatrous priests at Bethel, stirred by the plain words spoken by the prophet against the nation and their king, said to Amos, O thou seer, go, flee thee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there: but prophesy not again any more at Bethel: for it is the kings chapel, and it is the kings court. Verses 12, 13.{PK 286.3}[25]
§53
先知对于这番话却坚定地回答说：“耶和华如此说：……以色列民定被掳去离开本地。”（摩7:17）[26]{PK 286.4}
§54
To this the prophet firmly responded: Thus saith the Lord, . . . Israel shall surely go into captivity. Verse 17. {PK 286.4}[26]
§55
对于背道的那些支派所宣布的话果然句句应验了；但国家的毁灭是逐步临到的。主在发怒的时候还“以怜悯为念，”（哈3:2）所以最先当“亚述王普勒来攻击以色列国”的时候，以色列王米拿现还没有被掳，仍被容许保留王位，作亚述国的臣仆。“米拿现给他一千他连得银子，请普勒帮助他坚定国位。米拿现向以色列一切大富户索要银子，使他们各出五十舍客勒，就给了亚述王。”（王下15:19-20）亚述人既将这十个支派贬降，便暂时回到本国去了。[27]{PK 287.1}
§56
The words spoken against the apostate tribes were literally fulfilled; yet the destruction of the kingdom came gradually. In judgment the Lord remembered mercy, and at first, when Pul the king of Assyria came against the land, Menahem, then king of Israel, was not taken captive, but was permitted to remain on the throne as a vassal of the Assyrian realm. Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand. And Menahem exacted the money of Israel, even of all the mighty men of wealth, of each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria. 2 Kings 15:19, 20. The Assyrians, having humbled the ten tribes, returned for a season to their own land.{PK 287.1}[27]
§57
米拿现非但没有悔改那令他国度败坏的邪恶，反而“终身不离开尼八的儿子耶罗波安使以色列人陷在罪里的那罪。”他的继承人比加辖和比加，也“行耶和华眼中看为恶的事。”（王下15:18,24,28）在比加作以色列王的二十年间，亚述王提革拉毗列色侵犯以色列，并从位在加利利和约旦河东岸的支派中掳去了一大群俘虏。“流便人、迦得人、玛拿西半支派的人”以及其他住在“基列、加利利和拿弗他利全地”的人（代上5:26；王下15:29），都分散到远离巴勒斯坦的外邦地方去了。[28]{PK 287.2}
§58
Menahem, far from repenting of the evil that had wrought ruin in his kingdom, continued in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. Pekahiah and Pekah, his successors, also did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord. Verses 18, 24, 28. In the days of Pekah, who reigned twenty years, Tiglath-pileser, king of Assyria, invaded Israel and carried away with him a multitude of captives from among the tribes living in Galilee and east of the Jordan. The Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, with others of the inhabitants of Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali (1 Chronicles 5:26; 2 Kings 15:29), were scattered among the heathen in lands far removed from Palestine.{PK 287.2}[28]
§59
自从这次可怕的打击之后，北方的以色列国始终没有复兴起来。那剩下衰弱的“余数”虽然仍保持着政府的形式，但已不再拥有权柄。在比加之后，只有一个王何细亚即位。不久这个国度便永远覆亡了。但在那忧伤和患难的时期，上帝仍“以怜悯为念，”给予众民另一次转离偶像的机会。何细亚在位的第三年，善良的希西家王开始在犹大作王，迅即在耶路撒冷的圣殿崇事上进行重要的改革。他计划守一次逾越节，不但邀请他所治理的犹大和便雅悯支派，并且邀请了北方的各支派来参加。有布告发出，传遍以色列，从别是巴直到但，使他们都来，在耶路撒冷向耶和华以色列的上帝守逾越节；因为民许久没有照所写的例守节了。[29]{PK 287.3}
§60
From this terrible blow the northern kingdom never recovered. The feeble remnant continued the forms of government, though no longer possessed of power. Only one more ruler, Hoshea, was to follow Pekah. Soon the kingdom was to be swept away forever. But in that time of sorrow and distress God still remembered mercy, and gave the people another opportunity to turn from idolatry. In the third year of Hosheas reign, good King Hezekiah began to rule in Judah and as speedily as possible instituted important reforms in the temple service at Jerusalem. A Passover celebration was arranged for, and to this feast were invited not only the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, over which Hezekiah had been anointed king, but all the northern tribes as well. A proclamation was sounded throughout all Israel, from Beersheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the Passover unto the Lord God of Israel at Jerusalem: for they had not done it of a long time in such sort as it was written.{PK 287.3}[29]
§61
“驿卒就把王和众首领的信，遵着王命传遍以色列和犹大，”信内发出紧急的邀请说：“以色列人哪，你们当转向耶和华，亚伯拉罕、以撒、以色列的上帝，好叫他转向你们这脱离亚述王手的余民。……现在不要像你们列祖硬着颈项，只要归顺耶和华，进入他的圣所，就是永远成圣的居所；又要侍奉耶和华你们的上帝，好使他的烈怒转离你们。你们若转向耶和华，你们的弟兄和儿女必在掳掠他们的人面前蒙怜恤，得以归回这地；因为耶和华你们的上帝有恩典，施怜悯，你们若转向他，他必不转脸不顾你们。”（代下30:5-9）[30]{PK 288.1}
§62
So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, with the pressing invitation, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and He will return to the remnant of you, that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria. . . . Be ye not stiff-necked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the Lord, and enter into His sanctuary, which He hath sanctified forever: and serve the Lord your God, that the fierceness of His wrath may turn away from you. For if ye turn again unto the Lord, your brethren and your children shall find compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the Lord your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away His face from you; if ye return unto Him. 2 Chronicles 30:5-9. {PK 288.1}[30]
§63
希西家所差遣的驿卒将信息“由这城跑到那城，传遍了以法莲、玛拿西，直到西布伦。”以色列人应当认清这是一个恳劝他们悔改归向上帝的邀请。但那些居留在这一度极其昌盛的北国疆域之内十个支派的余民，却以冷漠，甚至以侮辱来对待那些来自犹大的王家使者。“那里的人却戏笑他们，讥诮他们。”但也有少数的人欣然应邀前往。“亚设、玛拿西、西布伦中，也有人自卑，来到耶路撒冷，……要守除酵节。”（代下30:10-13）[31]{PK 291.1}
§64
From city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh even unto Zebulun, the couriers sent out by Hezekiah carried the message. Israel should have recognized in this invitation an appeal to repent and turn to God. But the remnant of the ten tribes still dwelling within the territory of the once-flourishing northern kingdom treated the royal messengers from Judah with indifference and even with contempt. They laughed them to scorn, and mocked them. There were a few, however, who gladly responded. Divers of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem, . . . to keep the feast of unleavened bread. Verses 10-13.{PK 291.1}[31]
§65
约二年之后，撒玛利亚又被撒缦以色王率领的亚述军所侵犯；在随后的围困之中，成群的人都惨死于饥饿、瘟疫和刀剑之下。撒玛利亚城和以色列国同时沦陷了，而十个支派所余下的人全数被掳，并分散在亚述国的各省中。[32]{PK 291.2}
§66
About two years later, Samaria was invested by the hosts of Assyria under Shalmaneser; and in the siege that followed, multitudes perished miserably of hunger and disease as well as by the sword. The city and nation fell, and the broken remnant of the ten tribes were carried away captive and scattered in the provinces of the Assyrian realm.{PK 291.2}[32]
§67
这北国所遭受的毁灭，乃是上天的直接刑罚。亚述人不过是上帝用来实现他旨意的工具而已。在撒玛利亚陷落之前不久，主曾借以赛亚开始说预言，提到亚述军队为“我怒气的棍”他说：他们“手中拿我恼恨的杖。”（赛10:5）[33]{PK 291.3}
§68
The destruction that befell the northern kingdom was a direct judgment from Heaven. The Assyrians were merely the instruments that God used to carry out His purpose. Through Isaiah, who began to prophesy shortly before the fall of Samaria, the Lord referred to the Assyrian hosts as the rod of Mine anger. The staff in their hand, He said, is Mine indignation. Isaiah 10:5.{PK 291.3}[33]
§69
以色列民已经严重地“得罪……耶和华他们的上帝，……又行恶事。”“他们……不听从，竟……厌弃他的律例，和他与他们列祖所立的约，并劝诫他们的话。”因为他们已经“离弃耶和华他们上帝的一切诫命，为自己铸了两个牛犊的像，立了亚舍拉，敬拜天上的万像，侍奉巴力，”并定意不肯悔改，所以主照他“借他仆人众先知”所传给他们明确的警告，“使他们受苦，把他们交在抢夺他们的人手中，以致赶出他们离开自己面前。”[34]{PK 291.4}
§70
Grievously had the children of Israel sinned against the Lord their God, . . . and wrought wicked things. They would not hear, but . . . rejected His statutes, and His covenant that He made with their fathers, and His testimonies which He testified against them. It was because they had left all the commandments of the Lord their God, and made them molten images, even two calves, and made a grove, and worshiped all the host of heaven, and served Baal, and refused steadfastly to repent, that the Lord afflicted them, and delivered them into the hand of spoilers, until He had cast them out of His sight, in harmony with the plain warnings He had sent them by all His servants the prophets.{PK 291.4}[34]
§71
“这样，以色列人从本地被掳到亚述，”“都因他们不听从耶和华他们上帝的话，违背他的约，就是耶和华仆人摩西吩咐他们所当守的。”（王下17:7,11,14-16,20,23,18:12）[35]{PK 292.1}
§72
So was Israel carried away out of their own land to Assyria, because they obeyed not the voice of the Lord their God, but transgressed His covenant, and all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded. 2 Kings 17:7, 11, 14-16, 20, 23; 18:12.{PK 292.1}[35]
§73
主在降可怕的刑罚于十个支派的事上，定有智慧和慈悲的旨意。他借着他们在他们列祖之地所不能进行的工作，还设法要借着使他们分散在异邦人之间来完成。他原来拯救一切自愿靠赖人类的救主而蒙赦罪之人的计划，终必付诸实现；所以在他加于以色列人身上的诸般苦难中，他正是在预备道路，使他的荣耀得以向地上的万国彰显。被掳的人并不都是怙恶不悛的。其中有一些是始终效忠上帝的，还有一些是在他面前自卑的。他将要借这些“永生上帝的儿子，”（何1:10）使亚述国内的许多人得以认识他圣德的特征和他律法的仁慈。[36]{PK 292.2}
§74
In the terrible judgments brought upon the ten tribes the Lord had a wise and merciful purpose. That which He could no longer do through them in the land of their fathers He would seek to accomplish by scattering them among the heathen. His plan for the salvation of all who should choose to avail themselves of pardon through the Saviour of the human race must yet be fulfilled; and in the afflictions brought upon Israel, He was preparing the way for His glory to be revealed to the nations of earth. Not all who were carried captive were impenitent. Among them were some who had remained true to God, and others who had humbled themselves before Him. Through these, the sons of the living God (Hosea 1:10), He would bring multitudes in the Assyrian realm to a knowledge of the attributes of His character and the beneficence of His law.{PK 292.2}[36]