第65章 所罗门生平的教训
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第65章 所罗门生平的教训
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Chap. 65 - Lessons from the Life of Solomon
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“与他们分别”
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所罗门为元首的国家原是上帝所立为列国之光的，他原能藉着顺从的生活使主大得荣耀。他原可鼓励上帝的子民避开周围列国惯行的邪恶。他原可使用上帝所赐给他的智慧和影响力来组织和指导一场伟大的传道运动，以光照那些不认识上帝和祂真理的人。这样，原能争取许多人效忠于万王之王。{FE 498.1}[1]
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【Be Ye Separate】
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Placed at the head of a nation that had been set as a light to the surrounding nations, Solomon might have brought great glory to the Lord of the universe by a life of obedience. He might have encouraged Gods people to shun the evils that were practiced in the surrounding nations. He might have used his God-given wisdom and power of influence in organizing and directing a great missionary movement for the enlightenment of those who were ignorant of God and of His truth. Thus multitudes might have been won to an allegiance to the King of kings. {FE 498.1}[1]
§7
撒但熟悉那随顺命而来的效果，因此就在所罗门作王的初期，——就是王因智慧、仁慈、与正直而大得光荣的时期，——力图阴险地引进种种影响，破坏所罗门对于原则的忠贞，并使他远离上帝。仇敌在这方面的努力取得了成功，我们从圣经的记载知道：“所罗门与埃及王法老结亲，娶了法老的女儿为妻，接她进入大卫城”（王上3:1）。{FE 498.2}[2]
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Satan well knew the results that would attend obedience, and during the earlier years of Solomons reign,--years glorious because of the wisdom, the beneficence, and the uprightness of the king,--he sought to bring in influences that would insidiously undermine Solomons loyalty to principle, and cause him to separate from God. And that the enemy was successful in this effort, we know from the record: Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaohs daughter, and brought her into the city of David. {FE 498.2}[2]
§9
所罗门既与一个信奉邪教的国家结盟，而且盟约又是以与拜偶像的公主联姻来订立的，他就轻率地将上帝为保持祂子民的纯洁所制定的贤明规例置于脑后。他对于他埃及妻子悔改的希望，不过是一个不值一驳的犯罪藉口而已。王既违背与别国保持分别的明确命令，便使自己的力量与人血肉的膀臂联合。{FE 498.3}[3]
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In forming an alliance with a heathen nation, and sealing the compact by marriage with an idolatrous princess, Solomon rashly disregarded the wise provisions that God had made for maintaining the purity of His people. The hope that this Egyptian wife might be converted, was but a feeble excuse for the sin. In violation of a direct command to remain separate from other nations, the king united his strength with the arm of flesh. {FE 498.3}[3]
§11
上帝本乎祂的大怜悯，一时补救了这个可怕的错误。所罗门的妻子改变了信仰；同时王至少还可以藉聪明的措施，大大遏止因他这不智的行为而产生的恶影响。可惜这时所罗门已经开始忘却他能力和尊荣的来源。当爱好占了上风而理智失势，自恃心加强的时候，他就企图用自己的方法来实现上帝的旨意。他推论，他与周围列国缔结政治和通商的盟约，可以使这些国家得到有关真神上帝的知识；因此他一而再、再而三地与这些国家订立不圣洁的盟约。这些盟约往往是藉着与信奉异教的公主联姻来坚定的。于是他就随从四围民族的风俗而不顾耶和华的命令了。{FE 498.4}[4]
§12
For a time, God in His compassionate mercy overruled this terrible mistake. Solomons wife was converted; and the king, by a wise course, might have done much to check the evil forces that his imprudence had set in operation. But Solomon began to lose sight of the Source of his power and glory. Inclination gained the ascendency over reason. As his self-confidence increased, he sought to carry out the Lords purpose in his own way. He reasoned that political and commercial alliances with the surrounding nations would bring them to a knowledge of the true God; and so he entered into unholy alliance with nation after nation. Often these alliances were sealed by marriage with heathen princesses. The commands of Jehovah were set aside for the customs of the surrounding nations. {FE 498.4}[4]
§13
在所罗门背道年间，以色列人的属灵状况迅速衰落了。当他们的王与撒但的爪牙工具结盟时，还能希望百姓的情形比这更好吗？仇敌利用这些爪牙混乱以色列人的心，使他们辨识不出真敬拜与假敬拜的分别；于是他们就成了容易被捕取的掠物。以色列人与异教的人通婚成了普遍的现象，他们很快就不再憎恨拜偶像的恶习了。异教的风俗传了进来。拜偶像的母亲教养孩子从小遵行异教的礼节。希伯来人的信仰正在迅速变成一团乱麻。以色列人既与列国通商，便与不爱上帝的人亲密来往，他们自己爱上帝的心就非常冷淡了。他们对于上帝崇高圣洁之品德的敏感也就麻木了。他们既不肯行在顺从上帝的路上，就转而效忠撒但了。仇敌欢喜快乐，因为他成功地在上帝拣选为祂代表之民的心中抹掉了神圣的形像。藉着使他们与拜偶像的人联姻和不断交往，撒但实现了他长期以来行事的目的——以色列人通国背道。{FE 499.1}[5]
§14
During the years of Solomons apostasy, the spiritual decline of Israel was rapid. How could it have been otherwise, when their king united with satanic agencies? Through these agencies the enemy worked to confuse the minds of the people in regard to true and false worship. They became an easy prey. It came to be a common practice to intermarry with the heathen. The Israelites rapidly lost their abhorrence of idolatry. Heathen customs were introduced. Idolatrous mothers brought their children up to observe heathen rites. The Hebrew faith was fast becoming a mixture of confused ideas. Commerce with other nations brought the Israelites into intimate contact with those who had no love for God, and their own love for Him was greatly lessened. Their keen sense of the high and holy character of God was deadened. Refusing to follow in the path of obedience, they transferred their allegiance to Satan. The enemy rejoiced in his success in effacing the divine image from the minds of the people that God has chosen as His representatives. Through inter-marriage with idolaters and constant association with them, Satan brought about that for which he had long been working,--a national apostasy. {FE 499.1}[5]
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不符合圣经的联盟
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主希望祂的仆人们保持圣洁独特的品格：“你们和不信的原不相配，不要同负一轭”乃是祂的命令；“义和不义有什么相交呢？光明和黑暗有什么相通呢？基督和彼列（彼列就是撒但的别名）有什么相和呢？信主的和不信主的有什么相干呢？上帝的殿和偶像有什么相同呢？因为我们是永生上帝的殿，就如上帝曾说：我要在他们中间居住，在他们中间来往；我要作他们的上帝；他们要作我的子民。又说：你们务要从他们中间出来，与他们分别；不要沾不洁净的物，我就收纳你们。我要作你们的父；你们要作我的儿女。这是全能的主说的”（林后6:14-18）。{FE 499.2}[6]
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【Unscriptural Alliances】
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The Lord desires His servants to preserve their holy and peculiar character. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers, is His command; for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? and what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? and what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. {FE 499.2}[6]
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在地上的历史中，再没有比现在更适合听到这个警告的时候了。许多自称基督徒的人象所罗门一样，以为自己可以与不敬虔的人联合，因为他们会对那些处在错误中的人发挥有益的影响；但他们自己往往被诱骗被战胜，放弃自己神圣的信仰，牺牲原则，使自己与上帝隔绝。错误的一步导致第二步，直到最终他们置身于无法挣脱那捆绑他们的锁链的地步。{FE 500.1}[7]
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Never was there a time in earths history when this warning was more appropriate than at the present time. Many professed Christians think, like Solomon, that they may unite with the ungodly, because their influence over those who are in the wrong will be beneficial; but too often they themselves, entrapped and overcome, yield their sacred faith, sacrifice principle, and separate themselves from God. One false step leads to another, till at last they place themselves where they cannot hope to break the chains that bind them. {FE 500.1}[7]
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青年基督徒在择友和选择伴侣的问题上应当十分谨慎。要小心,免得你以为是纯金的东西,结果竟是劣质的金属。世俗的交往会在你事奉上帝的道路上设置障碍。许多人因为在事业或婚姻上与决不能高尚的人结合而致败亡。上帝的子民决不可擅入禁地。信主的人和不信主的人结婚，乃是上帝所禁止的。可惜未曾更新的心往往要遂行所欲，结成上帝所不认可的婚姻。许多人因此在这世上没有盼望也没有上帝。在撒但的网罗所造成的一系列环境中，他们高尚的志向消失了。那些受情欲和冲动控制的人，会在今生收获苦果，他们的行为可能会导致自己灵魂的失丧。{FE 500.2}[8]
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Great care should be taken by Christian youth in the formation of friendships and in the choice of companions. Take heed, lest what you now think to be pure gold turns out to be base metal. Worldly associations tend to place obstructions in the way of your service to God, and many souls are ruined by unhappy unions, either business or matrimonial, with those who can never elevate or ennoble. Never should Gods people venture upon forbidden ground. Marriage between believers and unbelievers is forbidden by God. But too often the unconverted heart follows its own desires, and marriages unsanctioned by God are formed. Because of this many men and women are without hope and without God in the world. Their noble aspirations are dead; by a chain of circumstances they are held in Satans net. Those who are ruled by passion and impulse will have a bitter harvest to reap in this life, and their course may result in the loss of their souls. {FE 500.2}[8]
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那些在主的机构中负责的人，需要多多得到上帝的力量恩典和保守之能，才能行事不与真理的神圣原则相反。许许多多的人迟于领悟自己有义务保持真理的纯洁，不使其沾染一点错误。他们的危险是轻待真理，因而给人留下的印象是我们信什么并不重要，只要我们能藉着执行人所发明的计划，在世人面前高抬自己，身居高位要职。{FE 501.1}[9]
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【Institutional Work】
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Those who are placed in charge of the Lords institutions are in need of much of the strength and grace and keeping power of God, that they shall not walk contrary to the sacred principles of the truth. Many, many are very dull of comprehension in regard to their obligation to preserve the truth in its purity, uncontaminated by one vestige of error. Their danger is in holding the truth in light esteem, thus leaving upon minds the impression that it is of little consequence what we believe, if, by carrying out plans of human devising, we can exalt ourselves before the world as holding a superior position, as occupying the highest seat. {FE 501.1}[9]
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上帝需要内心绝对可靠的、会坚定地持守纯正、不因环境而气馁的人。祂需要愿意与真理的敌人们保持分离的人。祂需要不敢倚靠人血肉膀臂的人，这样的人即使为了建造机构也不愿与俗人合伙得钱推进祂的圣工。所罗门藉着与不信的人结盟获得了大量金银，但他的兴旺却证明了他的毁灭。今日的人并不比他聪明，他们也容易屈服于使他堕落的种种影响。几年千来，撒但一直在获得学习如何欺骗人的经验；并且带着几乎无法抵抗的能力来到今人面前。我们惟一的保障在于顺从上帝的话，我们蒙赐予圣经是要我们以它为可靠的向导和顾问。上帝今日的子民要保守自己为独特的人，与世人分别，脱离其精神和影响。{FE 501.2}[10]
§27
God calls for men whose hearts are as true as steel, and who will stand steadfast in integrity, undaunted by circumstances. He calls for men who will remain separate from the enemies of the truth. He calls for men who will not dare to resort to the arm of flesh by entering into partnership with worldlings in order to secure means for advancing His work--even for the building of institutions. Solomon, by his alliances with unbelievers, secured an abundance of gold and silver, but his prosperity proved his ruin. Men today are no wiser than he, and they are as prone to yield to the influences that caused his downfall. For thousands of years Satan has been gaining an experience in learning how to deceive; and to those who live in this age he comes with almost overwhelming power. Our only safety is found in obedience to Gods word, which has been given us as a sure guide and counselor. Gods people today are to keep themselves distinct and separate from the world, its spirit, and its influences. {FE 501.2}[10]
§28
“你们务要从他们中间出来，与他们分别”（林后6:17）。我们是要听见和顺从上帝的声音呢，还是要半途而废，试图又侍奉上帝又侍奉玛门呢？我们每一个人面前都有认真的工作。正确的思想、纯净圣洁的目的，不是自然地临到我们的，而是我们必须争取的。在我们一切的机构，我们的出版社、学院和疗养院中，纯净圣洁的原则必须扎根。我们的机构若是上帝计划应有的样式，那些在其中工作的人就不会效法属世机构的样式了。他们就会屹然而立，成为独特的、受圣经原则管理和支配的机构。他们不会为了获得顾客而与世界的原则取得一致。没有什么动机会有足够的力量促使他们偏离本分的直路。那些在上帝之灵支配之下的人，不会寻求自己的喜悦或娱乐。基督若是在祂教会成员的心中作主，他们就会响应这个呼召：“你要务要从他们中间出来，与他们分别。”“免得与她一同有罪”（林后6:17；启18:4）。{FE 501.3}[11]
§29
Come out from among them, and be ye separate. Shall we hear the voice of God and obey, or shall we make halfway work of the matter, and try to serve God and Mammon? There is earnest work before each one of us. Right thoughts, pure and holy purposes, do not come to us naturally. We shall have to strive for them. In all our institutions, our publishing houses and colleges and sanitariums, pure and holy principles must take root. If our institutions are what God designs they should be, those connected with them will not pattern after worldly institutions. They will stand as peculiar, governed and controlled by the Bible standard. They will not come into harmony with the principles of the world in order to gain patronage. No motives will have sufficient force to move them from the straight line of duty. Those who are under the control of the Spirit of God will not seek their own pleasure or amusement. If Christ presides in the hearts of the members of His church, they will answer to the call, Come out from among them, and be ye separate. Be not partakers of her sins. {FE 501.3}[11]
§30
上帝希望我们认识到的严肃教训是：我们正在决定着自己的命运。我们在今生形成的品格决定我们是否适合生活在永恒的岁月。没有人能安全地试图又侍奉上帝又侍奉玛门。上帝完全有能力保守我们在世界却不属于世界。祂的爱不是摇摆不定的。祂总是以一种无限无量永远长存的关怀看顾着祂的儿女。但祂要求我们向祂献上专心的效忠。“一个人不能事奉两个主；不是恶这个，爱那个，就是重这个，轻那个。你们不能又事奉上帝，又事奉玛门”（太6:24）。{FE 502.1}[12]
§31
God would have us learn the solemn lesson that we are working out our own destiny. The characters we form in this life decide whether or not we are fitted to live through the eternal ages. No man can with safety attempt to serve both God and Mammon. God is fully able to keep us in the world, but not of the world. His love is not uncertain and fluctuating. Ever He watches over His children with a care that is measureless and everlasting. But He requires us to give Him our undivided allegiance. No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon. {FE 502.1}[12]
§32
所罗门曾蒙赋予惊人的智慧；但世界却吸引他远离了上帝。我们需要切切保守己心，免得世上的挂虑和魅力占用了本应用在永恒事物上的光阴。上帝警告过所罗门他的危险，今日祂也警告我们不要因倾向世界而危害我们的心灵。祂恳劝我们说：“你们务要从他们中间出来，与他们分别；不要沾不洁净的物，我就收纳你们。 我要作你们的父；你们要作我的儿女。这是全能的主说的”（林后6:18）。——《评论与通讯》1906年2月1日。{FE 502.2}[13]
§33
Solomon was endowed with wonderful wisdom; but the world drew him away from God. We need to guard our souls with all diligence, lest the cares and the attractions of the world absorb the time that should be given to eternal things. God warned Solomon of his danger, and today He warns us not to imperil our souls by affinity with the world. Come out from among them, He pleads, and be ye separate, . . . and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord God Almighty.--Review and Herald, February 1, 1906. {FE 502.2}[13]