第49章 在王后以斯帖的时代
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第49章 在王后以斯帖的时代
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Chap. 49 - In the Days of Queen Esther
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被掳之民在古列王所显示的恩待之下，将近有五万人利用了那准许他们回国的命令所给予的机会。虽然如此，但这些人若和那散布在玛代波斯各省的数十万同胞相比，只不过是“余数”而已。大多数的以色列人宁愿留在流亡之地，而不肯忍受长途跋涉和重建荒废城池与家园之苦。[1]{PK 598.1}
§4
Under the favor shown them by Cyrus, nearly fifty thousand of the children of the captivity had taken advantage of the decree permitting their return. These, however, in comparison with the hundreds of thousands scattered throughout the provinces of Medo-Persia, were but a mere remnant. The great majority of the Israelites had chosen to remain in the land of their exile rather than undergo the hardships of the return journey and the re-establishment of their desolated cities and homes.{PK 598.1}[1]
§5
过了二十余年之后，当时在位的大利乌……赫斯他笔王又颁布了一道御旨，与头一道一样的充满了善意。上帝如此本乎他的慈怜，为玛代波斯境内的犹大人预备了另一次归回列祖之地的机会。主预先展望到那在薛西，就是以斯帖记中的亚哈随鲁在位时所要来临的患难时期，因此他非但在当时掌权之人的心中改变了他们的情感，并且也感动了撒迦利亚去劝导那些流亡的人回国。[2]{PK 598.2}
§6
A score or more of years passed by, when a second decree, quite as favorable as the first, was issued by Darius Hystaspes, the monarch then ruling. Thus did God in mercy provide another opportunity for the Jews in the Medo-Persian realm to return to the land of their fathers. The Lord foresaw the troublous times that were to follow during the reign of Xerxes,--the Ahasuerus of the book of Esther,--and He not only wrought a change of feeling in the hearts of men in authority, but also inspired Zechariah to plead with the exiles to return.{PK 598.2}[2]
§7
那赐给远离故乡、散居各地的以色列各支派的信息乃是：“耶和华说，我从前分散你们在天的四方（原文作犹如天的四风），现在你们要从北方之地逃回，这是耶和华说的。与巴比伦人同往的锡安民哪，应当逃脱。万军之耶和华说，在显出荣耀之后，差遣我去惩罚那掳掠你们的列国。摸你们的就是摸他眼中的瞳人。看哪，我要向他们抡手，他们就必作服侍他们之人的掳物，你们便知道万军之耶和华差遣我了。”（亚2:6-9）[3]{PK 599.1}
§8
Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, was the message given the scattered tribes of Israel who had become settled in many lands far from their former home. I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the Lord. Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon. For thus saith the Lord of hosts; After the glory hath He sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of His eye. For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me. Zechariah 2:6-9.{PK 599.1}[3]
§9
主这时的旨意仍和起初一样，就是要他的子民在地上成为可赞美的，归荣耀与他的圣名。在他们流落异地的许多年间，他曾给他们不少机会，可以回头效忠于他。有些人甘愿听从并受教，有些人在苦难中找到了救恩。这些人中后来有许多都列在那回国的“余数”之中。《圣经》将他们比作“香柏树梢，”要“栽于极高的山上；在以色列高处的山”上（结17:22-23）。[4]{PK 599.2}
§10
It was still the Lords purpose, as it had been from the beginning, that His people should be a praise in the earth, to the glory of His name. During the long years of their exile He had given them many opportunities to return to their allegiance to Him. Some had chosen to listen and to learn; some had found salvation in the midst of affliction. Many of these were to be numbered among the remnant that should return. They were likened by Inspiration to the highest branch of the high cedar, which was to be planted upon an high mountain and eminent: in the mountain of the height of Israel. Ezekiel 17:22, 23.{PK 599.2}[4]
§11
那些在古列降旨后回国的人，乃是“被上帝激动他心的人。”（拉1:5）但上帝也不住地恳劝那些自愿留在流落之地的人，并借着种种方法使他们也能回国。可惜那为数众多而并未响应古列谕旨的人，一直不为后来的劝告所动，甚至到撒迦利亚警告他们要尽速逃离巴比伦而不可迟疑的时候，他们仍不肯听从召邀。[5]{PK 599.3}
§12
It was those whose spirit God had raised (Ezra 1:5) who had returned under the decree of Cyrus. But God ceased not to plead with those who voluntarily remained in the land of their exile, and through manifold agencies He made it possible for them also to return. The large number, however, of those who failed to respond to the decree of Cyrus, remained unimpressible to later influences; and even when Zechariah warned them to flee from Babylon without further delay, they did not heed the invitation.{PK 599.3}[5]
§13
这时玛代波斯国内的形势变化迅速。那在执政时特别恩待犹大人的大利乌·赫斯特比，已为薛西斯大帝所接替。当他在位时，那些不肯听从逃命信息的犹大人，终于面临可怕的危机了。他们既拒绝利用上帝为他们所预备的逃生机会，这时他们就面临死亡的威胁了。[6]{PK 600.1}
§14
Meanwhile conditions in the Medo-Persian realm were rapidly changing. Darius Hystaspes, under whose reign the Jews had been shown marked favor, was succeeded by Xerxes the Great. It was during his reign that those of the Jews who had failed of heeding the message to flee were called upon to face a terrible crisis. Having refused to take advantage of the way of escape God had provided, now they were brought face to face with death.{PK 600.1}[6]
§15
撒但这时利用一个在玛代波斯掌握大权的恶人，亚甲族的哈曼来进行破坏上帝的旨意。哈曼痛恨一个名叫末底改的犹大人。末底改并没有危害过哈曼，只不过是不肯向他跪拜表示敬意。哈曼不屑“下手害末底改一人，”乃要设谋“灭绝亚哈随鲁王通国所有的犹大人，就是末底改的本族。”（斯3:6）[7]{PK 600.2}
§16
Through Haman the Agagite, an unscrupulous man high in authority in Medo-Persia, Satan worked at this time to counterwork the purposes of God. Haman cherished bitter malice against Mordecai, a Jew. Mordecai had done Haman no harm, but had simply refused to show him worshipful reverence. Scorning to lay hands on Mordecai alone, Haman plotted to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai. Esther 3:6.{PK 600.2}[7]
§17
亚哈随鲁王受惑误信哈曼的诬告，同意降旨屠杀所有“散居在王国各省的民中”的犹大人。日期已经择定了。要灭绝这些犹大人并没收他们的财产。王并没有想到彻底执行这道谕旨时，会有何等深远的后果随之发生。那幕后的煽动者撒但，正亲自试图借此将凡保存有关真神上帝之知识的人从地上灭尽。[8]{PK 600.3}
§18
Misled by the false statements of Haman, Xerxes was induced to issue a decree providing for the massacre of all the Jews scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of the Medo-Persian kingdom. Verse 8. A certain day was appointed on which the Jews were to be destroyed and their property confiscated. Little did the king realize the far-reaching results that would have accompanied the complete carrying out of this decree. Satan himself, the hidden instigator of the scheme, was trying to rid the earth of those who preserved the knowledge of the true God.{PK 600.3}[8]
§19
“王的谕旨所到的各省各处，犹大人大大悲哀，禁食哭泣哀号，穿麻衣躺在灰中的甚多。”（斯4:3）玛代波斯人的命令不能撤销，显然没有希望，全以色列人注定要惨遭毁灭了。[9]{PK 601.1}
§20
In every province, whithersoever the kings commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. Esther 4:3. The decree of the Medes and Persians could not be revoked; apparently there was no hope; all the Israelites were doomed to destruction.{PK 601.1}[9]
§21
但仇敌的阴谋终于被那在人间执掌一切的“权能”所挫败了。由于上帝的安排，一个敬畏至高者的犹大女子以斯帖作了玛代波斯国的王后。末底改是她的近亲。所以他们在走投无路的时候，就决定要为本国民族而向薛西王请愿。以斯帖要以代求者的身分冒险觐见国王。末底改说：“焉知你得了王后的位分，不是为现今的机会吗？”(斯4:14)[10]{PK 601.2}
§22
But the plots of the enemy were defeated by a Power that reigns among the children of men. In the providence of God, Esther, a Jewess who feared the Most High, had been made queen of the Medo-Persian kingdom. Mordecai was a near relative of hers. In their extremity they decided to appeal to Xerxes in behalf of their people. Esther was to venture into his presence as an intercessor. Who knoweth, said Mordecai, whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Verse 14.{PK 601.2}[10]
§23
以斯帖必须以迅速而认真的行动，去应付她所面临的危机。但她和末底改都认明，若非上帝为他们施行大能，他们自己的努力必归于徒然。因此以斯帖先用时间与她能力的来源，上帝交通。她指示末底改说：“你当去招集书珊城所有的犹大人。为我禁食三昼三夜，不吃不喝，我和我的宫女也要这样禁食，然后我违例进去见王，我若死就死吧。”（斯4:16）[11]{PK 601.3}
§24
The crisis that Esther faced demanded quick, earnest action; but both she and Mordecai realized that unless God should work mightily in their behalf, their own efforts would be unavailing. So Esther took time for communion with God, the source of her strength. Go, she directed Mordecai, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish. Verse 16. {PK 601.3}[11]
§25
随后相继发生的各项事件，以斯帖觐见国王，王向她特别施恩，王与王后以哈曼为唯一贵宾的筵席，王的失眠，末底改所公开受到的尊荣，以及哈曼毒计被揭穿后的羞辱与挫败，这些都是众所熟知故事中的各部分。上帝为他悔改的子民施行奇事，结果由王颁布了另一道相反的谕旨，准许他们为自己的生存作战，这道谕旨由那些“被王命催促、急忙起行”的驿卒迅速传遍全国各处。“王的谕旨所到的各省各城，犹大人都欢喜快乐，设摆筵宴，以那日为吉日。那国的人民有许多因惧怕犹大人，就入了犹大籍。”（斯8:14,17）[12]{PK 602.1}
§26
The events that followed in rapid succession,--the appearance of Esther before the king, the marked favor shown her, the banquets of the king and queen with Haman as the only guest, the troubled sleep of the king, the public honor shown Mordecai, and the humiliation and fall of Haman upon the discovery of his wicked plot,--all these are parts of a familiar story. God wrought marvelously for His penitent people; and a counter decree issued by the king, allowing them to fight for their lives, was rapidly communicated to every part of the realm by mounted couriers, who were hastened and pressed on by the kings commandment. And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the kings commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them. Esther 8:14, 17.{PK 602.1}[12]
§27
及至那所指定毁灭他们的日期来到，“犹大人在亚哈随鲁王各省的城里聚集，下手击杀那要害他们的人，无人能敌挡他们，因为各族都惧怕他们。”当他们“聚集保护性命”的时候，有大能的天使奉上帝的差遣来保护他的子民。（斯9:2,16）[13]{PK 602.2}
§28
On the day appointed for their destruction, the Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt: and no man could withstand them; for the fear of them fell upon all people. Angels that excel in strength had been commissioned by God to protect His people while they stood for their lives. Esther 9:2, 16.{PK 602.2}[13]
§29
末底改得到了以前为哈曼所占有的尊贵地位。他“作亚哈随鲁王的宰相，在犹大人中为大，得他众弟兄的喜悦。”（斯10:3）他也致力于促进以色列的福利。如此，上帝使他的选民再度受玛代波斯朝廷的优待，使他要他们归回故土的旨意可以实现。但一直等到数年之后，在继承薛西大帝作王的亚达薛西一世第七年，才有为数甚多的犹大人在以斯拉的领导下回耶路撒冷去。[14]{PK 602.3}
§30
Mordecai was given the position of honor formerly occupied by Haman. He was next unto King Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren (Esther 10:3); and he sought to promote the welfare of Israel. Thus did God bring His chosen people once more into favor at the Medo-Persian court, making possible the carrying out of His purpose to restore them to their own land. But it was not until several years later, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes I, the successor of Xerxes the Great, that any considerable number returned to Jerusalem, under Ezra.{PK 602.3}[14]
§31
那在以斯帖时代临到上帝子民的苦难经验，决不是只限于那个时代的。启示录的著者展望直到末日的各时代，曾宣称：“龙向妇人发怒，去与她其余的儿女争战，这儿女就是那守上帝诫命，为耶稣作见证的。”（启12:17）有一些今日仍存活在世上的人，必亲眼看到这番话的应验。那在古时怂恿人去逼迫真教会的同一精神，将要导致人对于坚持效忠上帝的人采取同样的手段。甚至现今就在为这最后的大争斗从事准备了。[15]{PK 605.1}
§32
The trying experiences that came to Gods people in the days of Esther were not peculiar to that age alone. The revelator, looking down the ages to the close of time, has declared, The dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Revelation 12:17. Some who today are living on the earth will see these words fulfilled. The same spirit that in ages past led men to persecute the true church, will in the future lead to the pursuance of a similar course toward those who maintain their loyalty to God. Even now preparations are being made for this last great conflict.{PK 605.1}[15]
§33
那终必颁布出来攻击上帝余民的命令，必和亚哈随鲁王所颁布攻击犹大人的十分相似。今日真教会的仇敌，将一小群守安息日诫命的人视为坐在朝门口的末底改。上帝的子民对于他律法的尊重，对于那些已经放弃敬畏主而正在践踏他的安息日之人，乃是一种经常的谴责。[16]{PK 605.2}
§34
The decree that will finally go forth against the remnant people of God will be very similar to that issued by Ahasuerus against the Jews. Today the enemies of the true church see in the little company keeping the Sabbath commandment, a Mordecai at the gate. The reverence of Gods people for His law is a constant rebuke to those who have cast off the fear of the Lord and are trampling on His Sabbath.{PK 605.2}[16]
§35
撒但要激起公愤来攻击那少数不肯接受流行习俗与遗传的人。有权势有声望的人将与作奸犯科的人联合，共同策谋陷害上帝的子民。财富、才能和学识都要联合用来向他们横加诬蔑。施行逼迫的执政者、教牧人员和普通教友都要一致地反对他们，这班人要设法用言语和文字，借着夸张、恫吓与讥讽，力图推翻他们的信仰。人们要利用虚伪的叙述和愤怒的控诉，煽动群众的情绪。他们既没有“经上记着说”作为根据、来反对那些维护《圣经》中安息日的人，就要利用强迫性的法令来弥补这个缺欠。立法者为要博得众望与拥护起见，就必屈从而制定星期日律法的要求。但那些敬畏上帝的人，决不能接受一种违犯十诫中之一条的制度。真理与谬论之争的最后大争斗，将以此为交锋的战场。我们对于这场争斗的结果毋须怀疑。今日正如以斯帖和末底改的日子一样，主必维护他的真理和他的子民。[17]{PK 605.3}
§36
Satan will arouse indignation against the minority who refuse to accept popular customs and traditions. Men of position and reputation will join with the lawless and the vile to take counsel against the people of God. Wealth, genius, education, will combine to cover them with contempt. Persecuting rulers, ministers, and church members will conspire against them. With voice and pen, by boasts, threats, and ridicule, they will seek to overthrow their faith. By false representations and angry appeals, men will stir up the passions of the people. Not having a Thus saith the Scriptures to bring against the advocates of the Bible Sabbath, they will resort to oppressive enactments to supply the lack. To secure popularity and patronage, legislators will yield to the demand for Sunday laws. But those who fear God, cannot accept an institution that violates a precept of the Decalogue. On this battlefield will be fought the last great conflict in the controversy between truth and error. And we are not left in doubt as to the issue. Today, as in the days of Esther and Mordecai, the Lord will vindicate His truth and His people.{PK 605.3}[17]