第25章 以赛亚蒙召
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第25章 以赛亚蒙召
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Chap. 25 - The Call of Isaiah
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在乌西雅（又名亚撒利雅）作犹大和便雅悯地的王的长时期间，国势昌隆，胜过自所罗门去世之后约二百年来任何其他的统治者。他多年励精图治。在上天赐福之下，他的军队收复了往年所丧失的一部分土地。许多城邑均经重修并巩固了，国际地位大为提高。商业也复兴了，列国的财宝涌流到耶路撒冷来。“乌西雅的名声传到远方；因为他得了非常的帮助，甚是强盛。”（代下26:15）[1]{PK 303.1}
§4
The long reign of Uzziah [also known as Azariah] in the land of Judah and Benjamin was characterized by a prosperity greater than that of any other ruler since the death of Solomon, nearly two centuries before. For many years the king ruled with discretion. Under the blessing of Heaven his armies regained some of the territory that had been lost in former years. Cities were rebuilt and fortified, and the position of the nation among the surrounding peoples was greatly strengthened. Commerce revived, and the riches of the nations flowed into Jerusalem. Uzziahs name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong. 2 Chronicles 26:15.{PK 303.1}[1]
§5
虽然如此，但这种外表的强盛，并没有伴随着相称的属灵力量的奋兴。圣殿中的崇事固然像往年一样的继续奉行，许多人也聚集敬拜永生的上帝；但骄傲和形式却逐渐取代了谦卑和真诚。《圣经》论到乌西雅说：“他既强盛，就心高气傲，以致行事邪僻，干犯耶和华他的上帝。”（代下26:16）[2]{PK 303.2}
§6
This outward prosperity, however, was not accompanied by a corresponding revival of spiritual power. The temple services were continued as in former years, and multitudes assembled to worship the living God; but pride and formality gradually took the place of humility and sincerity. Of Uzziah himself it is written: When he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the Lord his God. Verse 16.{PK 303.2}[2]
§7
那使乌西雅遭受十分悲惨结果的，乃是僭越的罪。王违犯了耶和华明确的命令，就是除了亚伦的子孙以外谁都不可执行祭司的职分，竟擅入圣所“要在香坛上烧香。”大祭司亚撒利雅和他的同人阻止他，劝他不要随意而行。他们诤谏说：“你犯了罪；你行这事耶和华上帝必不使你得荣耀。”（代下26:16,18）[3]{PK 304.1}
§8
The sin that resulted so disastrously to Uzziah was one of presumption. In violation of a plain command of Jehovah, that none but the descendants of Aaron should officiate as priests, the king entered the sanctuary to burn incense upon the altar. Azariah the high priest and his associates remonstrated, and pleaded with him to turn from his purpose. Thou hast trespassed, they urged; neither shall it be for thine honor. Verses 16, 18.{PK 304.1}[3]
§9
乌西雅想到自己身为国王，竟遭受这样的责备，便不禁满心恼怒。但他却未蒙允许反对那些有权威之人的联合抗议而亵渎圣所。正当他站在那里，愤然抗命时，突然被神圣的刑罚所击打了。他的额上发出大麻风。于是他狼狈地逃出去，再也不能进入圣殿的院子了。乌西雅直到几年之后死的日子，仍然是一个长大麻风的人成了一个活的殷鉴，表明背离“耶和华如此说”的明令是何等的愚妄。他崇高的地位或生平的劳绩，都不能作为他这项僭越自恃之罪的借口，而由于这罪毁损了自己统治的末叶，并招致了上天的惩罚。[4]{PK 304.2}
§10
Uzziah was filled with wrath that he, the king, should be thus rebuked. But he was not permitted to profane the sanctuary against the united protest of those in authority. While standing there, in wrathful rebellion, he was suddenly smitten with a divine judgment. Leprosy appeared on his forehead. In dismay he fled, never again to enter the temple courts. Unto the day of his death, some years later, Uzziah remained a leper--a living example of the folly of departing from a plain Thus saith the Lord. Neither his exalted position nor his long life of service could be pleaded as an excuse for the presumptuous sin by which he marred the closing years of his reign, and brought upon himself the judgment of Heaven.{PK 304.2}[4]
§11
上帝原是不偏待人的。“那擅敢行事的，无论是本地人，是寄居的，他亵渎了耶和华，必从民中剪除。”（民15:30）[5]{PK 304.3}
§12
God is no respecter of persons. The soul that doeth aught presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the Lord; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Numbers 15:30. {PK 304.3}[5]
§13
那降在乌西雅身上的刑罚，似乎在他儿子的身上发生了抑制的影响。约坦在他父亲作王的晚年肩负了重大的责任，并在乌西雅死后接续登位作王。《圣经》论到约坦说：“约坦行耶和华眼中看为正的事，效法他的父亲乌西雅一切所行的。只是邱坛还没有废去；百姓仍在那里献祭烧香。”（王下15:34-35）[6]{PK 305.1}
§14
The judgment that befell Uzziah seemed to have a restraining influence on his son. Jotham bore heavy responsibilities during the later years of his fathers reign and succeeded to the throne after Uzziahs death. Of Jotham it is written: He did that which was right in the sight of the Lord: he did according to all that his father Uzziah had done. Howbeit the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burned incense still in the high places. 2 Kings 15:34, 35.{PK 305.1}[6]
§15
当乌西雅作王将近结束而约坦已肩荷国家许多重责的时候，以赛亚便蒙召负起先知的使命，他是王家的苗裔，当时年事尚轻。以赛亚开始作工时，适逢上帝的子民遭遇特别的危险。先知将要目击北国以色列和亚兰的联军来侵犯犹大；他也要眼见亚述的大军来围攻本国的主要城邑。在他的一生当中，撒玛利亚要沦陷，以色列的十个支派要分散到列国去。犹大要一再遭受亚述军队的侵犯，耶路撒冷要遭受围困，若非上帝神奇地干预，该城可能陷落了。那时南国的安全已遭受各种严重的危机所威胁。神圣的保护将要撤回，而亚述的兵力将要散布于犹大全地了。[7]{PK 305.2}
§16
The reign of Uzziah was drawing to a close, and Jotham was already bearing many of the burdens of state, when Isaiah, of the royal line, was called, while yet a young man, to the prophetic mission. The times in which Isaiah was to labor were fraught with peculiar peril to the people of God. The prophet was to witness the invasion of Judah by the combined armies of northern Israel and of Syria; he was to behold the Assyrian hosts encamped before the chief cities of the kingdom. During his lifetime, Samaria was to fall, and the ten tribes of Israel were to be scattered among the nations. Judah was again and again to be invaded by the Assyrian armies, and Jerusalem was to suffer a siege that would have resulted in her downfall had not God miraculously interposed. Already grave perils were threatening the peace of the southern kingdom. The divine protection was being removed, and the Assyrian forces were about to overspread the land of Judah.{PK 305.2}[7]
§17
但外来的危险虽然似乎难以抵挡，却还没有像内在的危险那么严重。那最使主的仆人感到困扰和气馁的，乃是他本国之民的刚愎顽梗。那些应在列国之中作擎光者的人，竟因背道和叛逆而招致上帝的刑罚。那促使北国遭受迅速灭亡的许多罪恶，就是不久之前为先知何西阿和阿摩司以确切的话语所斥责的罪恶，也很快地败坏了犹大国。[8]{PK 305.3}
§18
But the dangers from without, overwhelming though they seemed, were not so serious as the dangers from within. It was the perversity of his people that brought to the Lords servant the greatest perplexity and the deepest depression. By their apostasy and rebellion those who should have been standing as light bearers among the nations were inviting the judgments of God. Many of the evils which were hastening the swift destruction of the northern kingdom, and which had recently been denounced in unmistakable terms by Hosea and Amos, were fast corrupting the kingdom of Judah.{PK 305.3}[8]
§19
至于当时的社会状况尤其令人灰心。人们由于贪得无厌，以房接房，以地连地（见赛5:8）。正义已被曲解；穷人也得不到顾恤。上帝论到这些罪恶说：“向贫穷人所夺的，都在你们家中。”“你们……压制我的百姓，搓磨贫穷人的脸。”（赛3:14-15）甚至连那些身负保护无助之人职责的官长，竟也塞耳不听穷乏困苦之人和孤儿寡妇的呼求。”（见赛10:1-2）[9]{PK 306.1}
§20
The outlook was particularly discouraging as regards the social conditions of the people. In their desire for gain, men were adding house to house and field to field. See Isaiah 5:8. Justice was perverted, and no pity was shown the poor. Of these evils God declared, The spoil of the poor is in your houses. Ye beat My people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor. Isaiah 3:14, 15. Even the magistrates, whose duty it was to protect the helpless, turned a deaf ear to the cries of the poor and needy, the widows and the fatherless. See Isaiah 10:1, 2.{PK 306.1}[9]
§21
随着欺压和富足而来的，乃是骄傲与贪慕虚荣（见赛2:11-12,3:16,18-23）、醉酒和荒宴（见赛5:22,11-12）。在以赛亚的日子，敬拜偶像乃是司空见惯的事（见赛2:8-9）。罪孽的行为流行于各阶层之中，以致少数仍然效忠上帝的人常受试探而被迷惑，落到沮丧和绝望的地步。看来上帝对于以色列的旨意似将失败，而这悖逆的国度势将遭受所多玛和蛾摩拉的相同厄运了。[10]{PK 306.2}
§22
With oppression and wealth came pride and love of display, gross drunkenness, and a spirit of revelry. See Isaiah 2:11, 12;3:16, 18-23; Isaiah 5:22, 11, 12. And in Isaiahs day idolatry itself no longer provoked surprise. See Isaiah 2:8, 9. Iniquitous practices had become so prevalent among all classes that the few who remained true to God were often tempted to lose heart and to give way to discouragement and despair. It seemed as if Gods purpose for Israel were about to fail and that the rebellious nation was to suffer a fate similar to that of Sodom and Gomorrah.{PK 306.2}[10]
§23
以赛亚面临这样的情况，无怪乎他在乌西雅作王的末年，蒙召向犹大传达上帝的警告和责备的信息时，便畏缩而想逃避责任了。他深知自己必遭遇顽强的反抗。当他感觉到自己无力应付当时的情况，并想到他要为之操劳的人的刚愎和不信时，他的任务似乎显得毫无希望。他应否在绝望之中放弃他的使命，任凭犹大国沉迷于拜偶像之中而不加阻遏？难道尼尼微的神祗竟要管理全地而公然反抗天上的上帝吗？[11]{PK 306.3}
§24
In the face of such conditions it is not surprising that when, during the last year of Uzziahs reign, Isaiah was called to bear to Judah Gods messages of warning and reproof, he shrank from the responsibility. He well knew that he would encounter obstinate resistance. As he realized his own inability to meet the situation and thought of the stubbornness and unbelief of the people for whom he was to labor, his task seemed hopeless. Should he in despair relinquish his mission and leave Judah undisturbed to their idolatry? Were the gods of Nineveh to rule the earth in defiance of the God of heaven?{PK 306.3}[11]
§25
当以赛亚站在圣殿的廊下时，他的心中充满了这一类的思想。忽然殿门和内幔似乎都揭起或除去了，他得蒙准许见到里面的至圣所，而这里是连先知的脚也不可踏入的。那时在他面前显出异象：耶和华坐在高高的宝座上，他荣耀的衣裳遮满圣殿。在宝座的两旁有撒拉弗飞翔，他们恭敬地遮着脸，而当他们在创造主面前侍奉之时，便同声庄重地颂扬：“圣哉，圣哉，圣哉，万军之耶和华；他的荣光充满全地，”（赛6:3）直到圣殿的柱杆和香柏木的门都似乎因这声音震动，整个殿宇也洋溢着他们的颂赞之辞。[12]{PK 307.1}
§26
Such thoughts as these were crowding through Isaiahs mind as he stood under the portico of the temple. Suddenly the gate and the inner veil of the temple seemed to be uplifted or withdrawn, and he was permitted to gaze within, upon the holy of holies, where even the prophets feet might not enter. There rose up before him a vision of Jehovah sitting upon a throne high and lifted up, while the train of His glory filled the temple. On each side of the throne hovered the seraphim, their faces veiled in adoration, as they ministered before their Maker and united in the solemn invocation, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory, until post and pillar and cedar gate seemed shaken with the sound, and the house was filled with their tribute of praise. Isaiah 6:3.{PK 307.1}[12]
§27
当以赛亚见到他的主的荣耀和威严显示时，他便因上帝的纯洁和圣善而感到无地自容。他的创造主的无比完全，与那些久已列于以色列和犹大选民中的人，包括他自己在内的罪恶行为对比，该有着何等明显的差别啊！他呼喊说：“祸哉！我灭亡了；因为我是嘴唇不洁的人，又住在嘴唇不洁的民中；又因我眼见大君王万军之耶和华。”（赛6:5）他站在充满上帝临格之荣光的内殿前，感到如果凭他自己的这种多有缺点与软弱无能，他就根本不可能完成他所蒙召担负的使命。但是有一位撒拉弗奉命来解除他的困难，使他有资格负起他的伟大使命。有从坛上拿来的一块红炭沾他的口，并有话说：“看哪，这炭沾了你的嘴；你的罪孽便除掉，你的罪恶就赦免了。”当时以赛亚又听见上帝的声音说：“我可以差遣谁呢？谁肯为我们去呢？”他回答说：“我在这里，请差遣我。”（赛6:7-8）[13]{PK 307.2}
§28
As Isaiah beheld this revelation of the glory and majesty of his Lord, he was overwhelmed with a sense of the purity and holiness of God. How sharp the contrast between the matchless perfection of his Creator, and the sinful course of those who, with himself, had long been numbered among the chosen people of Israel and Judah! Woe is me! he cried; for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. Verse 5. Standing, as it were, in the full light of the divine presence within the inner sanctuary, he realized that if left to his own imperfection and inefficiency, he would be utterly unable to accomplish the mission to which he had been called. But a seraph was sent to relieve him of his distress and to fit him for his great mission. A living coal from the altar was laid upon his lips, with the words, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. Then the voice of God was heard saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us? and Isaiah responded, Here am I; send me. Verses 7, 8.{PK 307.2}[13]
§29
天来的访客吩咐这个等候命令的信使说：“你去告诉这百姓说：你们听是要听见，却不明白；看是要看见，却不晓得。要使这百姓心蒙脂油，耳朵发沉，眼睛昏迷；恐怕眼睛看见，耳朵听见，心里明白，回转过来，便得医治。”（赛6:9-10）[14]{PK 308.1}
§30
The heavenly visitant bade the waiting messenger, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; And see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, And make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And convert, and be healed. Verses 9, 10.{PK 308.1}[14]
§31
先知的本分是明显的；他必须扬声斥责那流行的各种罪恶。但他如果没有希望的保证，就不敢担任这项工作。他问道：“主啊，这到几时为止呢？”难道你的选民中永远没有人明白、悔改，而得蒙医治吗？[15]{PK 308.2}
§32
The prophets duty was plain; he was to lift his voice in protest against the prevailing evils. But he dreaded to undertake the work without some assurance of hope. Lord, how long? he inquired. Verse 11. Are none of Thy chosen people ever to understand and repent and be healed?{PK 308.2}[15]
§33
他为犯错的犹大人所背负的心灵重担并不至归于徒然。他的使命并不是完全没有效果的。然而那许多世代所累积的罪恶还不能在他的时日里被清除。他必须终生作忍耐勇敢的教师，一个宣布厄运而又发出希望的先知。神的旨意终于成全了，他的努力和上帝一切忠心信使辛劳工作的丰满果效必要显现。必有“余数”要得救。为了使此事实现起见，这个警告和恳劝的信息必要传给悖逆的国家，主宣告说：“直到城邑荒凉，无人居住，房屋空闲无人，地土极其荒凉。并且耶和华将人迁到远方，在这境内撇下的地土很多。”（赛6:11-12）[16]{PK 308.3}
§34
His burden of soul in behalf of erring Judah was not to be borne in vain. His mission was not to be wholly fruitless. Yet the evils that had been multiplying for many generations could not be removed in his day. Throughout his lifetime he must be a patient, courageous teacher--a prophet of hope as well as of doom. The divine purpose finally accomplished, the full fruitage of his efforts, and of the labors of all Gods faithful messengers, would appear. A remnant should be saved. That this might be brought about, the messages of warning and entreaty were to be delivered to the rebellious nation, the Lord declared: Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, And the houses without man, And the land be utterly desolate, And the Lord have removed men far away, And there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land. Verses 11, 12.{PK 308.3}[16]
§35
那将降于怙恶不悛之人身上的沉重刑罚，战争、流亡、压迫、在列国中丧失势力和威望，这一切都必临到，为要使凡从其中看出一位被冒犯之上帝的手段的人，都可因此受引领而悔改。再过不久，北国的十个支派将要分散在列国之中，他们的城邑要归于荒废；敌国行毁坏的军队必一再扫荡他们的地土；甚至连耶路撒冷也终必倾覆，犹大要被掳为奴；然而应许之地却不致永远被弃。天来的访客对以赛亚的应许是：“境内剩下的人若还有十分之一，也必被吞灭，像栗树、橡树，虽被砍伐，树墩子却仍存留；这圣洁的种类在国中也是如此。”（赛6:13）[17]{PK 309.1}
§36
The heavy judgments that were to befall the impenitent,--war, exile, oppression, the loss of power and prestige among the nations,--all these were to come in order that those who would recognize in them the hand of an offended God might be led to repent. The ten tribes of the northern kingdom were soon to be scattered among the nations and their cities left desolate; the destroying armies of hostile nations were to sweep over their land again and again; even Jerusalem was finally to fall, and Judah was to be carried away captive; yet the Promised Land was not to remain wholly forsaken forever. The assurance of the heavenly visitant to Isaiah was: In it shall be a tenth, And it shall return, and shall be eaten: As a teil tree, and as an oak, Whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves: So the holy seed shall be the substance thereof. Verse 13.{PK 309.1}[17]
§37
这个提到上帝旨意最后终必实现的保证，给以赛亚的心中带来了勇气。纵使世上一切权势都联合起来反对犹大，那又算得什么？纵使主的信使遭遇反对和抗拒，那又算得什么？以赛亚已经见过大君，万军之耶和华；他已经听过撒拉弗的诗歌：“他的荣光充满全地；”（赛6:3）他已经得了应许，知道耶和华传给背道之犹大的信息，必伴随着圣灵感化人的能力；于是先知得着鼓舞而去从事当前的工作。他在一生漫长而艰苦的使命中，始终记着这一次的异象。六十多年以来，他都站在犹大子民面前作“希望的先知，”越来越勇敢地预言教会将来的胜利。[18]{PK 310.1}
§38
This assurance of the final fulfillment of Gods purpose brought courage to the heart of Isaiah. What though earthly powers array themselves against Judah? What though the Lords messenger meet with opposition and resistance? Isaiah had seen the King, the Lord of hosts; he had heard the song of the seraphim, The whole earth is full of His glory; he had the promise that the messages of Jehovah to backsliding Judah would be accompanied by the convicting power of the Holy Spirit; and the prophet was nerved for the work before him. Verse 3. Throughout his long and arduous mission he carried with him the memory of this vision. For sixty years or more he stood before the children of Judah as a prophet of hope, waxing bolder and still bolder in his predictions of the future triumph of the church.{PK 310.1}[18]