第27章 亚哈斯
§1
第27章 亚哈斯Chap. 27 - Ahaz
§2
亚哈斯即位之后，以赛亚和他的同伴面临到犹大国从来没有见过的可怕形势。许多过去一直抗拒拜偶像恶行之迷人影响的人，现在都被劝诱而参与敬拜异邦的神明。以色列的许多首领都不忠于自己的职守，又有假先知兴起，宣讲诱惑人的信息；甚至有些祭司也是为财利而施教的。然而，那些领导背道的人还保持着敬拜真神的仪式，并自称是上帝子民的一份子。[1]{PK 322.1}
§3
The accession of Ahaz to the throne brought Isaiah and his associates face to face with conditions more appalling than any that had hitherto existed in the realm of Judah. Many who had formerly withstood the seductive influence of idolatrous practices were now being persuaded to take part in the worship of heathen deities. Princes in Israel were proving untrue to their trust; false prophets were arising with messages to lead astray; even some of the priests were teaching for hire. Yet the leaders in apostasy still kept up the forms of divine worship and claimed to be numbered among the people of God.{PK 322.1}[1]
§4
在这骚乱不安的时期中作见证的先知弥迦声称：锡安的罪人一面说自己“依赖耶和华，”以亵慢的口气夸耀说：“耶和华不是在我们中间吗？灾祸必不临到我们，”一面却继续“以人血建立锡安，以罪孽建造耶路撒冷。”（弥3:10-11）先知以赛亚对于这样的罪恶扬声作严正的责备，说“你们这所多玛的官长啊，要听耶和华的话；你们这蛾摩拉的百姓啊，要侧耳听我们上帝的训诲。耶和华说：你们所献的许多祭物，与我何益呢？……你们来朝见我，谁向你们讨这些，使你们践踏我的院宇呢？”（赛1:10-12）[2]{PK 322.2}
§5
The prophet Micah, who bore his testimony during those troublous times, declared that sinners in Zion, while claiming to lean upon the Lord, and blasphemously boasting, Is not the Lord among us? none evil can come upon us, continued to build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity. Micah 3:11, 10. Against these evils the prophet Isaiah lifted his voice in stern rebuke: Hear the word of the Lord, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah. To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto Me? saith the Lord. . . . When ye come to appear before Me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread My courts? Isaiah 1:10-12.{PK 322.2}[2]
§6
《圣经》宣称：“恶人的祭物是可憎的；何况他存恶意来献呢？”（箴21:27）天上的上帝“眼目清洁不看邪僻，不看奸恶。”（哈1:13）上帝之所以转离罪人，并不是因为他不愿赦免；而是因为他们不肯享用他所供备的丰富恩典，故此他也就不能救他们脱离罪恶了。“耶和华的膀臂并非缩短不能拯救；耳朵并非发沉不能听见；但你们的罪孽使你们与上帝隔绝，你们的罪恶使他掩面不听你们。”（赛59:1-2）[3]{PK 323.1}
§7
Inspiration declares, The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind? Proverbs 21:27. The God of heaven is of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on iniquity. Habakkuk 1:13. It is not because He is unwilling to forgive that He turns from the transgressor; it is because the sinner refuses to make use of the abundant provisions of grace, that God is unable to deliver from sin. The Lords hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear: but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear. Isaiah 59:1, 2.{PK 323.1}[3]
§8
所罗门王曾经写道：“邦国啊，你的王若是孩童，……你就有祸了！”（传10:16）犹大全地的情形就是如此。由于不住地犯罪，治理国家的人都变成像孩童一样的了。以赛亚唤起民众注意他们在地上列国中地位的衰落；他也说明这是因为居高位者的罪恶所致。他说：“主万军之耶和华，从耶路撒冷和犹大，除掉众人所倚靠的，所仗赖的，就是所倚靠的粮，所仗赖的水；除掉勇士和战士、审判官和先知、占卜的和长老、五十夫长和尊贵人、谋士和有巧艺的，以及妙行法术的。主说：我必使孩童作他们的首领，使婴孩辖管他们。”“耶路撒冷败落，犹大倾倒；因为他们的舌头和行为，与耶和华反对。”（赛3:1-4,8）[4]{PK 323.2}
§9
Solomon had written, Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child! Ecclesiastes 10:16. Thus it was with the land of Judah. Through continued transgression her rulers had become as children. Isaiah called the attention of the people to the weakness of their position among the nations of earth, and he showed that this was the result of wickedness in high places. Behold, he said, the Lord, the Lord of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water, the mighty man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet, and the prudent, and the ancient, the captain of fifty, and the honorable man, and the counselor, and the cunning artificer, and the eloquent orator. And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them. For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the Lord. Isaiah 3:1-4, 8.{PK 323.2}[4]
§10
先知继续说：“引导你的，使你走错，并毁坏你所行的道路。”（赛3:12）在亚哈斯作王的时候，这话句句都是真实的；因为经上有话论到他说：他“行以色列诸王的道，又铸造巴力的像，并且在欣嫩子谷烧香；”“又照着耶和华从以色列人面前赶出的外邦人所行可憎的事，使他的儿子经火。”（代下28:2-3,王下16:3）[5]{PK 324.1}
§11
They which lead thee, the prophet continued, cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths. Verse 12. During the reign of Ahaz this was literally true; for of him it is written: He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for Baalim. Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom; yea, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the heathen, whom the Lord cast out from before the children of Israel. 2 Chronicles 28:2, 3; 2 Kings 16:3.{PK 324.1}[5]
§12
这实在是这个蒙拣选的国家极度危险的时期。再过短短几年，以色列国的十个支派将要被分散在外邦各国之中。而犹大国的前途也非常黑暗。为善的力量很快地减退，而作恶的力量则有增无已。先知弥迦看到这种情形，不得不感叹说：“地上虔敬人灭尽；世间没有正直人。”“他们最好的，不过是蒺藜；最正直的，不过是荆棘篱笆。”（弥7:2,4）以赛亚声称：“若不是万军之耶和华给我们稍留余种，我们早已像所多玛、蛾摩拉的样子了。”（赛1:9）[6]{PK 324.2}
§13
This was indeed a time of great peril for the chosen nation. Only a few short years, and the ten tribes of the kingdom of Israel were to be scattered among the nations of heathendom. And in the kingdom of Judah also the outlook was dark. The forces for good were rapidly diminishing, the forces for evil multiplying. The prophet Micah, viewing the situation, was constrained to exclaim: The good man is perished out of the earth: and there is none upright among men. The best of them is as a brier: the most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge. Micah 7:2, 4. Except the Lord of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, declared Isaiah, we should have been as Sodom, and . . . Gomorrah. Isaiah 1:9.{PK 324.2}[6]
§14
在每一个世代，上帝常为那些保持忠贞之人的缘故，又因他对于行错之人怀有无限的慈爱，长久容忍悖逆之徒，并劝勉他们离弃恶道而归向他。他借着他所指派的人，“命上加命，令上加令，……这里一点，那里一点，”（赛28:10）教导那些犯罪的人行走义路。[7]{PK 324.3}
§15
In every age, for the sake of those who have remained true, as well as because of His infinite love for the erring, God has borne long with the rebellious, and has urged them to forsake their course of evil and return to Him. Precept upon precept; line upon line, . . . here a little, and there a little, through men of His appointment, He has taught transgressors the way of righteousness. Isaiah 28:10.{PK 324.3}[7]
§16
在亚哈斯作王的时候就是如此。屡次有邀请发出，要犯错的以色列人转回效忠耶和华。先知们的规劝是恳切的；当他们站在民众面前，苦口婆心地劝勉众人悔罪改过时，他们的话语终于结出果子来荣耀上帝了。[8]{PK 325.1}
§17
And thus it was during the reign of Ahaz. Invitation upon invitation was sent to erring Israel to return to their allegiance to Jehovah. Tender were the pleadings of the prophets; and as they stood before the people, earnestly exhorting to repentance and reformation, their words bore fruit to the glory of God.{PK 325.1}[8]
§18
有奇妙的劝告借着弥迦传出说：“以色列人哪，当听耶和华的话；要起来向山岭争辩，使岗陵听你的话。山岭和地永久的根基啊，要听耶和华争辩的话；因为耶和华要与他的百姓争辩，与以色列争论。[9]{PK 325.2}
§19
Through Micah came the wonderful appeal, Hear ye now what the Lord saith; Arise, contend thou before the mountains, and let the hills hear thy voice. Hear ye, O mountains, the Lords controversy, and ye strong foundations of the earth: for the Lord hath a controversy with His people, and He will plead with Israel.{PK 325.2}[9]
§20
“我的百姓啊，我向你作了什么呢？我在什么事上使你厌烦？你可以对我证明。我曾将你从埃及地领出来，从作奴仆之家救赎你；我也差遣摩西、亚伦和米利暗在你前面行。[10]{PK 325.3}
§21
O My people, what have I done unto thee? and wherein have I wearied thee? testify against Me. For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of servants; and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.{PK 325.3}[10]
§22
“我的百姓啊，你们当追念摩押王巴勒所设的谋，和比珥的儿子巴兰回答他的话，并你们从什亭到吉甲所遇见的事；好使你们知道耶和华公义的作为。”（弥6:1-5）[11]{PK 325.4}
§23
O My people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim unto Gilgal; that ye may know the righteousness of the Lord. Micah 6:1-5.{PK 325.4}[11]
§24
我们所侍奉的上帝是恒久忍耐的；“他的怜悯不至断绝。”（哀3:22）在这整个的宽容时期中，他的灵一直劝人接受生命的恩赐。“主耶和华说：我指着我的永生起誓，我断不喜悦恶人死亡；唯喜悦恶人转离所行的道而活；以色列家啊，你们转回，转回吧！离开恶道，何必死亡呢？”（结33:11）撒但的特别诡计就是先引诱人陷入罪中，然后将他撇弃在那里，毫无帮助，毫无希望，而不敢祈求赦免。但上帝却邀请说：“让他持住我的能力，使他与我和好；愿他与我和好。”（赛27:5）在基督里已作了一切的安排，并提供了一切的鼓励。[12]{PK 325.5}
§25
The God whom we serve is long-suffering; His compassions fail not. Lamentations 3:22. Throughout the period of probationary time His Spirit is entreating men to accept the gift of life. As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die? Ezekiel 33:11. It is Satans special device to lead man into sin and then leave him there, helpless and hopeless, fearing to seek for pardon. But God invites, Let him take hold of My strength, that he may make peace with Me; and he shall make peace with Me. Isaiah 27:5. In Christ every provision has been made, every encouragement offered.{PK 325.5}[12]
§26
在犹大和以色列背道的时期中，有许多人询问说：“我朝见耶和华，在至高上帝面前跪拜，当献上什么呢？岂可献一岁的牛犊为燔祭吗？耶和华岂喜悦千千的公羊，或是万万的油河吗？”回答是清楚而肯定的：“世人哪，耶和华已指示你何为善；他向你所要的是什么呢？只要你行公义，好怜悯，存谦卑的心，与你的上帝同行。”（弥6:6-8）[13]{PK 326.1}
§27
In the days of apostasy in Judah and Israel, many were inquiring: Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? The answer is plain and positive: He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:6-8.{PK 326.1}[13]
§28
先知在这里强调实际敬虔的价值，无非是重申数百年前所赐予以色列的训勉而已。当他们行将进入应许之地时，主曾借着摩西向他们说：“以色列啊，现在耶和华你上帝向你所要的是什么呢？只要你敬畏耶和华你的上帝，遵行他的道，爱他，尽心尽性侍奉他，遵守他的诫命、律例，就是我今日所吩咐你的，为要叫你得福。”（申10:12-13）世世代代都有耶和华的仆人，向那些有陷入形式主义、而忘记表露怜悯之心的人，再三提述这样的教训。当基督亲自在地上传道时，曾有一个律法师来问他说：“夫子，律法上的诫命，哪一条是最大的呢？”耶稣对他说：“你要尽心、尽性、尽意、爱主你的上帝。这是诫命中的第一，且是最大的；其次也相仿，就是要爱人如己。这两条诫命，是律法和先知一切道理的总纲。”（太22:36-40）[14]{PK 326.2}
§29
In urging the value of practical godliness, the prophet was only repeating the counsel given Israel centuries before. Through Moses, as they were about to enter the Promised Land, the word of the Lord had been: And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, to keep the commandments of the Lord, and His statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good? Deuteronomy 10:12, 13. From age to age these counsels were repeated by the servants of Jehovah to those who were in danger of falling into habits of formalism and of forgetting to show mercy. When Christ Himself, during His earthly ministry, was approached by a lawyer with the question, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said to him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Matthew 22:36-40.{PK 326.2}[14]
§30
我们应该领受众先知以及主所亲口讲的这些明确话语，视为上帝对每一个人所发的言辞。我们不应错过向身负重担与遭受压迫之人行善，或表露亲切关怀和基督化礼貌的机会。如果我们不能作什么别的事，总可以向那些不认识上帝的人讲些鼓舞而有希望的话，因为借着同情与仁爱的门路，这等人就能极容易地接近了。[15]{PK 327.1}
§31
These plain utterances of the prophets and of the Master Himself, should be received by us as the voice of God to every soul. We should lose no opportunity of performing deeds of mercy, of tender forethought and Christian courtesy, for the burdened and the oppressed. If we can do no more, we may speak words of courage and hope to those who are unacquainted with God, and who can be approached most easily by the avenue of sympathy and love.{PK 327.1}[15]
§32
那赐给凡寻找机会为他人生活谋福乐之人的应许，乃是丰满的。“你心若向饥饿的人发怜悯，使困惑的人得满足；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）[16]{PK 327.2}
§33
Rich and abundant are the promises made to those who are watchful of opportunities to bring joy and blessing into the lives of others. 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 327.2}[16]
§34
亚哈斯不顾众先知诚恳的劝告而依然敬拜偶像的作风，只可能有一个结果。“耶和华的忿怒临到犹大和耶路撒冷，将其中的人抛来抛去，令人惊骇、嗤笑。”(代下29:8)国势每下愈况，不久连它的存在也因来侵的敌军而陷于危殆了。“亚兰王利汛和以色列王利玛利的儿子比加，上来攻打耶路撒冷，围困亚哈斯。”（王下16:5）[17]{PK 327.3}
§35
The idolatrous course of Ahaz, in the face of the earnest appeals of the prophets, could have but one result. The wrath of the Lord was upon Judah and Jerusalem, and He . . . delivered them to trouble, to astonishment, and to hissing. 2 Chronicles 29:8. The kingdom suffered a rapid decline, and its very existence was soon imperiled by invading armies. Rezin king of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to war: and they besieged Ahaz. 2 Kings 16:5.{PK 327.3}[17]
§36
如果亚哈斯和国内的主要人物都是至高者的忠仆，他们就不必惧怕这种攻击他们的十分不近人情的联盟了。但屡次的犯罪已经削弱了他们的力量。由于对触犯上帝所降报应的刑罚生出莫可名状的恐惧，以致“王的心和百姓的心就都跳动，好像林中的树被风吹动一样。”（赛7:2）正在这次危机之中，主的话临到以赛亚，吩咐他去见那胆战心惊的王，说：[18]{PK 328.1}
§37
Had Ahaz and the chief men of his realm been true servants of the Most High, they would have had no fear of so unnatural an alliance as had been formed against them. But repeated transgression had shorn them of strength. Stricken with a nameless dread of the retributive judgments of an offended God, the heart of the king was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind. Isaiah 7:2. In this crisis the word of the Lord came to Isaiah, bidding him meet the trembling king and say:{PK 328.1}[18]
§38
“你要谨慎安静；……也不要心里胆怯。因为亚兰，和以法莲，并利玛利的儿子设恶谋害你，说：我们可以上去，攻击犹大，扰乱他，攻破他，在其中立……王；所以主耶和华如此说：这所谋的必立不住，也不得成就。”先知宣称以色列和亚兰国不久都必灭亡。他最后说：“你们若是不信，定然不得立稳。”（赛7:4-7,9）[19]{PK 329.1}
§39
Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither be fainthearted . . . . Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have taken evil counsel against thee, saying, Let us go up against Judah, and vex it, and let us make a breach therein for us, and set a king in the midst of it: . . . thus saith the Lord God, It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass. The prophet declared that the kingdom of Israel, and Syria as well, would soon come to an end. If ye will not believe, he concluded, surely ye shall not be established. Verses 4-7, 9.{PK 329.1}[19]
§40
如果亚哈斯视这信息为自天而来的而加以领受，那么犹大国就必安稳无虞了。但他宁愿倚靠血肉的膀臂，竟去寻求外邦人的帮助。他在绝望之中送信给亚述王提革拉毗列色，说：“我是你的仆人，你的儿子；现在亚兰王和以色列王攻击我；求你来救我脱离他们的手。”（王下16:7）此外还从王的银库和圣殿的府库内取出丰富的贡物，连同这个请求一并送去。[20]{PK 329.2}
§41
Well would it have been for the kingdom of Judah had Ahaz received this message as from heaven. But choosing to lean on the arm of flesh, he sought help from the heathen. In desperation he sent word to Tiglath-pileser, king of Assyria: I am thy servant and thy son: come up, and save me out of the hand of the king of Syria, and out of the hand of the king of Israel, which rise up against me. 2 Kings 16:7. The request was accompanied by a rich present from the kings treasure and from the temple storehouse.{PK 329.2}[20]
§42
所请求的帮助果然来了，亚哈斯王果然也得到了一时的解救，但犹大所付出的代价是多么重大呀！所送去的贡物引起了亚述的贪心，结果那狡诈善变的国家很快就想来蹂躏并掠夺犹大了。亚哈斯和他不幸的臣民现在却心慌意乱，唯恐完全落在残酷的亚述人手中。[21]{PK 329.3}
§43
The help asked for was sent, and King Ahaz was given temporary relief, but at what a cost to Judah! The tribute offered aroused the cupidity of Assyria, and that treacherous nation soon threatened to overflow and spoil Judah. Ahaz and his unhappy subjects were now harassed by the fear of falling completely into the hands of the cruel Assyrians. {PK 329.3}[21]
§44
由于不住地犯罪，“所以耶和华使犹大卑微。”亚哈斯在这受管教的时期中，非但没有悔改，反而“越发得罪耶和华。他祭祀……大马士革之神，说：因为亚兰王的神帮助他们，我也献祭与他，他好帮助我。”（代下28:19,22-23）[22]{PK 330.1}
§45
The Lord brought Judah low because of continued transgression. In this time of chastisement Ahaz, instead of repenting, trespassed yet more against the Lord: . . . for he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus. Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, he said, therefore will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me. 2 Chronicles 28:19, 22, 23.{PK 330.1}[22]
§46
在这背道之王统治的末叶，他竟封锁了圣殿的门。神圣的崇事因而中止了。香坛之前的灯台也熄灭了。再没有祭物为众民的罪而献上了。也再没有馨香的烟云在早晚献祭时升上高天了。这不敬虔城邑中的居民，竟废弃上帝圣殿的院宇，封锁院门，而大胆地在耶路撒冷各路口上建立许多祭坛来敬拜异邦的神明。邪教似乎已经得胜了；黑暗的权势几乎已占尽优势了。[23]{PK 330.2}
§47
As the apostate king neared the end of his reign, he caused the doors of the temple to be closed. The sacred services were interrupted. No longer were the candlesticks kept burning before the altar. No longer were offerings made for the sins of the people. No longer did sweet incense ascend on high at the time of the morning and the evening sacrifice. Deserting the courts of the house of God and locking fast its doors, the inhabitants of the godless city boldly set up altars for the worship of heathen deities on the street corners throughout Jerusalem. Heathenism had seemingly triumphed; the powers of darkness had well-nigh prevailed.{PK 330.2}[23]
§48
但在犹大还住着一些始终效忠耶和华，屹然不肯受诱而敬拜偶像的人。当以赛亚、弥迦和他们的同人看到亚哈斯晚年所施的毁损时，他们就把希望寄托在这些人身上。他们的圣所固然被封闭了，但这班忠心的人却得到保证说：“上帝与我们同在。”“但要尊万军之耶和华为圣；以他为你们所当怕的，所当畏惧的。他必作为圣所。”（赛8:10,13-14）[24]{PK 330.3}
§49
But in Judah there dwelt some who maintained their allegiance to Jehovah, steadfastly refusing to be led into idolatry. It was to these that Isaiah and Micah and their associates looked in hope as they surveyed the ruin wrought during the last years of Ahaz. Their sanctuary was closed, but the faithful ones were assured: God is with us. Sanctify the Lord of hosts Himself; and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread. And He shall be for a sanctuary. Isaiah 8:10, 13, 14.{PK 330.3}[24]