11月12日基甸领军三百战胜众敌
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十一月十二日基甸领军三百战胜众敌
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Gideon Leads Three Hundred Men to Victory, November 12
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“耶和华观看基甸，说：‘你靠着你这能力去从米甸人手里拯救以色列人，不是我差遣你去的吗？’”（士6:14）{RC330.1}
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And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee? Judges 6:14. {RC 330.1}
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基甸是玛拿西支派约阿施的儿子。他们这一族人并没有什么领导的地位，但约阿施的一家却以勇敢和正直著称。……有一天，基甸正在打麦的时候，上帝的呼召临到他，要他去拯救祂的百姓。……{RC330.2}
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Gideon was the son of Joash, of the tribe of Manasseh. The division to which this family belonged held no leading position, but the household of Joash was distinguished for courage and integrity.... To Gideon came the divine call to deliver his people.... {RC 330.2}
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忽然，“耶和华的使者”向基甸显现，用以下的话对他说：“大能的勇士啊，耶和华与你同在。”{RC330.3}
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Suddenly the “angel of the Lord” appeared and addressed him with the words, “Jehovah is with thee, thou mighty man of valor.” {RC 330.3}
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基甸回答说：“主啊，耶和华若与我们同在，我们何至遭遇这一切事呢？……”{RC330.4}
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“Oh my Lord,” was his answer, “if the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us?” ... {RC 330.4}
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天上的使者回答说：“你靠着你这能力去从米甸人手里拯救以色列人，不是我差遣你去的吗？”{RC330.5}
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The Messenger of heaven replied, “Go in this thy might and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites; have not I sent thee?” {RC 330.5}
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基甸所带领的全军只有三万二千人；但正当他面临强大的敌军时，耶和华的话临到他说：“跟随你的人过多，我不能将米甸人交在他们手中，免得以色列人向我夸大，说，是我们自己的手救了我们。现在你要向这些人宣告说，凡惧怕胆怯的，可以离开基列山回去。”……{RC330.6}
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The entire force under Gideon’s command numbered only thirty-two thousand men; but with the vast host of the enemy spread out before him, the word of the Lord came to him: “The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against Me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me. Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead.” ... {RC 330.6}
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基甸听从了耶和华的指示。他以沉重忧郁的心情看着二万二千人，就是他全军的三分之二以上的人回家去了。耶和华的话又临到他说：“人还是过多你要带他们下到水旁，我好在那里为你试试他们。”……有少数的人匆匆忙忙地捧一点水在手中，边走边舔；但几乎全数的人都不慌不忙地跪下喝水。一万人之中只有三百人是用手捧水的；而且只有这三百人蒙选，其余的人则被遣散回家去了。人的品格往往是在最简单的事情上受到试验的。……{RC330.7}
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Gideon obeyed the Lord’s direction, and with a heavy heart he saw twenty-two thousand, or more than two thirds of his entire force, depart for their homes. Again the word of the Lord came to him: “The people are yet too many; bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee.” ... A few hastily took a little water in the hand and sucked it up as they went on; but nearly all bowed upon their knees, and leisurely drank from the surface of the stream. Those who took the water in their hands were but three hundred out of ten thousand; yet these were selected; all the rest were permitted to return to their homes. By the simplest means character is often tested.... {RC 330.7}
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这三百个人不但具有勇敢和自制的精神，同时也是大有信心的。他们没有因拜偶像而污秽自己。上帝能指引这样的人，并用他们去成就拯救以色列人的工作。……
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The three hundred chosen men not only possessed courage and self-control, but they were men of faith.... God could direct them.... {RC 330.8}
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在万籁无声的深夜，基甸的战号一发声，那三百人就都吹起号角来；于是大家打开空瓶，火把光如白昼，他们一齐冲向仇敌，大声喊叫说：“耶和华和基甸的刀。”……{RC330.8}侵略军在这一次大败中被杀的至少有十二万人。……当周围的列国听见上帝用何等简易的方法制胜了那勇敢好战的民族时，他们的惊惶惧怕的确是言语所不能形容的。（PP.546-553）{RC330.9}
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In the dead of the night, at a signal from Gideon’s war horn, the three companies sounded their trumpets; then, breaking their pitchers and displaying the blazing torches, they rushed upon the enemy with the terrible war cry, “The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon!” ... One hundred and twenty thousand of the invaders perished.... No words can describe the terror of the surrounding nations when they learned what simple means had prevailed against the power of a bold, warlike people.—Patriarchs and Prophets, 546-553. {RC 330.9}