第20章 以色列人的行程
§1
第20章 以色列人的行程
§2
Chap. 20—Their Journeyings
§3
以色列民在旷野走了三天，竟找不着可喝的水。他们因干渴而受苦了。“百姓就向摩西发怨言，说：我们喝什么呢？摩西呼求耶和华，耶和华指示他一棵树，他把树丢在水里，水就变甜了。耶和华在那里为他们定了律例、典章，在那里试验他们。又说：你若留意听耶和华你上帝的话，又行我眼中看为正的事，留心听我的诫命，守我一切的律例，我就不将所加于埃及人的疾病加在你身上，因为我耶和华是医治你的”（出15:24-26）。以色列民似乎具有不信的恶心。他们不愿忍受旷野中的艰苦。每当他们在途中遇到难处时，他们总认为那是不能克服的。他们对于上帝的信赖就消沉了，而且看见在他们前面只有死路一条。“以色列全会众在旷野向摩西亚伦发怨言，说：巴不得我们早死在埃及地耶和华的手下，那时我们坐在肉锅旁边，吃得饱足；你们将我们领出来，到这旷野，是要叫这全会众都饿死啊”（出16:2,3）。{3SG 248.1}[1]
§4
For three days the children of Israel traveled in the wilderness, and could find no good water to drink. They were suffering with thirst, and the people murmured against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink? And he cried unto the Lord; and the Lord shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet. There he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, and said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put?none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians; for I am the Lord that healeth thee.” The children of Israel seemed to possess an evil heart of unbelief. They were unwilling to endure hardships in the wilderness. When they met with difficulties in the way, they would regard them as impossibilities. Their confidence in God would fail, and they could see nothing before them but death. “And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots, and when we did eat bread to the full! For ye have brought us forth into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”?{3SG 248.1}[1]
§5
实际上他们并没有真正感受饥饿的痛苦。他们已拥有当前所需的食物，但他们却为将来担心。他们看不出这以色列大群民众怎能在走过旷野的漫长旅程中，仅靠当时他们手中所仅有的一点粮食维持生活，因此根据他们的不信看到自己的儿女捱饿了。主情愿让他们的粮食减少，使他们遇到难处，要他们的心转向那位直到如今仍然帮助他们的主，因而可以信靠祂。祂准备作他们随时的帮助。如果他们在需要时呼吁祂，祂就必向他们彰显祂的慈爱和不断的照顾。可惜他们若不能经常亲眼看到主能力的明证，就似乎不愿意信靠祂。如果他们具有真正的信心和对上帝的坚定依靠，那么在主曾经施用奇妙方法拯救他们脱离奴役之后，他们就必甘心乐意地忍受种种的不便、障碍，甚或真实的痛苦了。此外，何况主早已应许他们，如果他们肯听从祂的命令，他们必不致患病，因为祂说：“我耶和华是医治你的。” {3SG 249.1}[2]
§6
They had not really suffered the pangs of hunger. They had food for the present, but they feared for the future. They could not see how the host of Israel was to subsist, in their long travels through the wilderness, upon the simple food they then had, and in their unbelief they saw their children famishing. The Lord was willing that they should be brought short in their food, and that they should meet with difficulties, that their hearts should turn to Him who had hitherto helped them, that they might believe in him. He was ready to be to them a present help. If in their want they would call upon him, he would manifest to them tokens of his love, and?continual care. But they seemed to be unwilling to trust the Lord any farther than they could witness before their eyes the continual evidences of his power. If they had possessed true faith and a firm confidence in God, inconveniences and obstacles, or even real suffering, would have been cheerfully borne, after the Lord had wrought in such a wonderful manner for their deliverance from servitude. Moreover, the Lord promised them if they would obey his commandments, no disease should rest upon them; for he says, “I am the Lord that healeth thee.”?{3SG 249.1}[2]
§7
他们在从上帝得到如此可靠的应许之后，竟预料自己和自己的儿女会饿死，那就是存心犯罪的不信了。他们在埃及时常因劳动过度而大受苦难。他们的孩子曾被杀害，所以上帝垂听他们痛苦的祈祷而慈怜地拯救了他们。祂应许作他们的上帝，接受他们作祂自己的子民，并领他们到广大的美地去。可是他们竟因前往那地的路途中遭受一点困难，便立即灰心丧志。他们曾在埃及人的奴役之下忍受许多磨难，但如今却不能在服侍上帝的事上忍受一点痛苦。他们一旦受到考验，就立即悲观怀疑，陷于消极灰心。他们埋怨上帝忠实的仆人摩西，并将自己所有的苦难都归咎于他，甚至发表邪恶的心愿，巴不得曾留在埃及地，在那里他们可以坐在肉锅旁边，吃得饱足。{3SG 250.1}[3]
§8
After this sure promise from God, it was criminal unbelief in them to anticipate that themselves and children might die with hunger. They had suffered greatly in Egypt by being overtaxed in labor. Their children had been put to death, and in answer to their prayers of anguish, God had mercifully delivered them. He promised to be their God, and take them to himself as a people, and to lead them to a large and good land. But they were ready to faint at any suffering they should endure in the way to that land. They had endured much in the service of the Egyptians; but now could not endure suffering in the service of God. They were ready to give up to gloomy doubts, and sink in discouragement, when they were tried. They murmured against God’s devoted servant, Moses, and charged him with all their trials, and expressed a wicked wish that they had remained in Egypt, where they could sit?by the flesh-pots and eat bread to the full.?{3SG 250.1}[3]
§9
以色列民的不信和怨言，正是现今地上上帝子民的实例。许多人回顾到以色列民，并因他们的不信和不断发怨言而感到惊异，因为耶和华业已为他们行了那么多的奇事，又屡次给予他们祂慈爱和眷顾的明证。他们想以色列民总不应当显得如此忘恩负义。可惜有些存着这种想法的人，却因无关重要的小事而抱怨诉苦呢。他们还不认识自己。上帝时常考验他们，要在小事上试验他们的信心；然而他们并不比古代以色列人更能经得起考验。{3SG 251.1}[4]
§10
The unbelief and murmurings of the children of Israel illustrate the people of God now upon the earth. Many look back to them, and marvel at their unbelief and continual murmurings, after the Lord had done so much for them, in giving them repeated evidences of his love and care for them. They think that they should not have proved thus ungrateful. But some who thus think, murmur and repine at things of less consequence. They do not know themselves. God frequently proves them, and tries their faith in small things, and they do not endure the trial any better than did ancient Israel.?{3SG 251.1}[4]
§11
许多人当前的需要得到了供应；然而他们却不为将来而信靠主。他们因预料到将来的缺乏而表现出不信，并陷入灰心丧志之中。有一些人不住地担心，惟恐他们将要遭受缺乏，以致自己的儿女受苦。一旦困难发生，或是他们陷于窘迫的境地——一旦他们对上帝的信心和爱心受到考验——他们便要在考验上畏缩，而埋怨上帝特意借以炼净他们的过程了。他们的爱心显明并不是纯洁、完全而凡事包容的。天上上帝子民的信心应当是坚强、活泼、而持久的——是所盼望之事的实底。然后这样的人所讲的话就必是：“我的心哪，你要称颂耶和华；凡在我里面的，也要称颂祂的圣名”（诗103:1）因为祂已经丰厚地恩待我。有一些人认为克己乃是真正的痛苦。败坏的食欲已被放纵惯了。对于抑制不健康的食欲，甚至连许多自命为基督徒的人也要闻风退避，好像简单的饮食会造成饥饿似的。而且他们正象以色列民一样，宁愿遭受奴役，身患疾病，甚至于死亡，也不愿丧失肉锅的享受。须知在大艰难时期，上帝所应许余民的，只是粮与水（参赛33:16）。{3SG 251.2}[5]
§12
Many have their present wants supplied, yet they will not trust the Lord for the future. They manifest unbelief, and sink into despondency and gloom at anticipated want. Some are in continual trouble lest they shall come to want, and their children suffer. When difficulties arise, or when they are brought into strait places—when their faith and love to God is tested, they shrink from the trial, and murmur at the process by which God has chosen to purify them. Their love does not prove pure and perfect, to bear all things. The faith of the people of the God of Heaven should be strong, active, and enduring—the substance of things hoped for. Then the language of such will be, Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name; for he hath dealt bountifully with?me. Self-denial is considered by some to be real suffering. Depraved appetites are indulged. And a restraint upon the unhealthy appetite would lead even many professed Christians to now start back, as though actual starvation would be the consequence of a plain diet. And, like the children of Israel, they would prefer slavery, diseased bodies, and even death, rather than to be deprived of the flesh-pots. Bread and water is all that is promised to the remnant in the time of trouble.?{3SG 251.2}[5]
§13
“早晨在营四围的地上有露水，露水上升之后，不料，野地面上有如白霜的小圆物。以色列人看见，不知道是什么，就彼此对问说：这是什么呢？摩西对他们说：这就是耶和华给你们吃的食物。耶和华所吩咐的是这样：你们要按着各人的饭量，为帐棚里的人按着人数收起来，各拿一俄梅珥。{3SG 252.1}[6]
§14
“And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoarfrost, on the ground. And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna; for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, this is the bread which the Lord hath given you to eat. This is the thing which the Lord hath commanded, Gather of it every man according to his eating, an omer for every man according to the number of your persons; take ye every man for them which are in his tents.?{3SG 252.1}[6]
§15
“以色列人就这样行，有多收的，有少收的。及至用俄梅珥量一量，多收的也没有余，少收的也没有缺，各人按自己饭量收取。摩西对他们说：所收的不许什么人留到早晨。然而他们不听摩西的话，内中有留到早晨的，就生虫变臭了；摩西便向他们发怒。他们每日早晨，按着各人的饭量收取，日头一发热，就消化了。{3SG 252.2}[7]
§16
“And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less. And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack. They gathered every man according to his eating. And Moses said, Let no man leave of it till the morning. Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the?morning, and it bred worms and stank. And Moses was wroth with them. And they gathered it every morning, every man according to his eating, and when the sun waxed hot, it melted.?{3SG 252.2}[7]
§17
“到第六天，他们收了双倍的食物，每人两俄梅珥；会众的长官来告诉摩西。摩西对他们说：耶和华这样说：明天是圣安息日，是向耶和华守的圣安息日，你们要烤的就烤了，要煮的就煮了；所剩下的都留到早晨。他们就照摩西的吩咐留到早晨，也不臭，里头也没有虫子。摩西说：你们今天吃这个吧，因为今天是向耶和华守的安息日；你们在田野必找不着了”（出16:13-25）。{3SG 253.1}[8]
§18
“And it came to pass, that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one man. And all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. And he said unto them, This is that which the Lord hath said, Tomorrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath unto the Lord. Bake that which ye will bake today, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over, lay up for you, to be kept until the morning. And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade, and it did not stink, neither was there any worm therein. And Moses said, Eat that today; for today is a Sabbath unto the Lord. Today ye shall not find it in the field. Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh-day, which is the Sabbath, in it there shall be none.”?{3SG 253.1}[8]
§19
主现今并不比祂向以色列民作以上特殊指示时更少注意祂的安息日。祂吩咐他们在第六天将所要烤的就烤了，所要煮的就煮了，以便准备在安息日安息。那些疏忽在第六日为安息日预备食物，却在安息日烹饪食物的，违背了第四诫，是违犯上帝律法的人。凡真正渴望按照诫命遵守安息日的人，不会在安息日烹饪任何食物。他们会本着敬畏那在西奈山颁赐祂律法的上帝的心克制自己，吃在第六日预备的食物，即使并不可口。上帝禁止以色列人在安息日烤煮食物。每一个守安息日的人都应当视那条禁令为耶和华给他们的一个严肃指令。主希望防止祂的子民在安息日放纵饕餮的食欲，祂已将安息日分别出来，专供神圣的默想和敬拜之用。{3SG 253.2}[9]
§20
The Lord is no less particular now in regard to his Sabbath than when he gave the foregoing special directions to the children of Israel. He required them to bake that which they would bake, and seethe (that is, boil,) that which they would seethe on the sixth day, preparatory to the rest of the Sabbath. Those who neglect to prepare for the Sabbath on the sixth day, and who cook food upon the Sabbath, violate the fourth commandment, and are transgressors of God’s?law. All who are really anxious to observe the Sabbath according to the commandment, will not cook any food upon the Sabbath. They will, in the fear of that God who gave his law from Sinai, deny themselves, and eat food prepared upon the sixth day, even if it is not as palatable. God forbade the children of Israel baking and boiling upon the Sabbath. That prohibition should be regarded by every Sabbath-keeper, as a solemn injunction from Jehovah to them. The Lord would guard his people from indulging in gluttony upon the Sabbath, which he has set apart for sacred meditation and worship.?{3SG 253.2}[9]
§21
主的安息日是停工休息的日子，这日的饮食应当比六个工作日的饮食简单、量少，因为他们不必在安息日象一周的其它日子那样操心费力。许多人犯了错误，因为没有在安息日实行克己自制。他们在这日因象在六个工作日一样吃得饱足而心思混乱糊涂。他们反应迟钝，常常昏昏欲睡。有些人还会头痛。这些人在安息日不会有真实的献身情怀，留给安息日的福气也不会临到他们身上。病人和受苦的人在安息日需要得到关心和照顾，象在一周的其它日子一样。或许有必要为了他们的舒适而在安息日预备温热的饮食。在这种情况下，尽可能使他们舒适不是违背第四诫。伟大的立法者既是一位公义的上帝也是一位慈怜的上帝。{3SG 254.1}[10]
§22
The Sabbath of the Lord is a day of rest from labor, and the diet upon that day should be more simple, and partaken of in less quantities, than upon the six laboring days, because they do not have that exercise upon the Sabbath that they have upon the other days of the week. Many have erred in not practicing self-denial upon the Sabbath. By partaking full meals, as on the six laboring days, their minds are beclouded. They are stupid, and often drowsy. Some suffer with headache. Such have no truly devotional feelings upon the Sabbath, and the blessing resting upon the Sabbath does not prove a blessing to them. The sick and suffering require care and attention upon the Sabbath, as well as upon the other six days of the week. And it may be necessary for their comfort to prepare warm food and drinks upon the Sabbath. In such?instances, it is no violation of the fourth commandment to make them as comfortable as possible. The great Lawgiver is a God of compassion as well as of justice.?{3SG 254.1}[10]
§23
上帝从天上降下食物给祂的子民，藉此向他们表现祂对他们的照顾和慈爱。“人竟吃了天使的食物”（诗78:25钦定本）。这话说明这食物乃是天使为他们所预备的。降吗哪的三重神迹——第六日降双分，第七日不降，以及吗哪在安息日仍然保持新鲜，而其他日子却变成不能食用的了——这都是用以使他们对安息日的神圣性留下深刻的印象。他们在得供应丰富的食物之后，便因自己的不信和埋怨而感到羞愧，并应许今后必要信靠主，但他们很快就忘记了自己的诺言，并在第一次受到信心的考验时就失败了。他们从汛的旷野往前行，在利非订安营，在那里民众没有水喝。“所以与摩西争闹，说：给我们水喝吧。摩西对他们说：你们为什么与我争闹？为什么试探耶和华呢？百姓在那里甚渴，要喝水，就向摩西发怨言，说：你为什么将我们从埃及领出来，使我们和我们的儿女并牲畜，都渴死呢？摩西就呼求耶和华说：我向这百姓怎样行呢？他们几乎要拿石头打死我。耶和华对摩西说：你手里拿着你先前击打河水的杖，带领以色列的几个长老从百姓面前走过去。我必在何烈的磐石那里站在你面前；你要击打磐石，从磐石里必有水流出来，使百姓可以喝。摩西就在以色列的长老眼前这样行了。他给那地方起名叫玛撒，又叫米利巴，因以色列人争闹，又因他们试探耶和华说：耶和华是在我们中间不是”（出17:2-7）。{3SG 255.1}[11]
§24
God manifested his great care and love for his people in sending them bread from Heaven. “Man did eat angels’ food.” That is, food provided for them by the angels. In the three-fold miracle of the manna, a double quantity on the sixth day, and none upon the seventh, and its keeping fresh through the Sabbath, while upon other days it would become unfit for use, was designed to impress them with the sacredness of the Sabbath. After they were abundantly supplied with food, they were ashamed of their unbelief and murmurings, and promised to trust the Lord for the future. But they soon forgot their promise, and failed at the first trial of their faith. They journeyed from the wilderness of Sin and pitched in Rephidim, and there was no water for the people to drink. “Wherefore, the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? Wherefore do ye tempt the Lord? And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst? And Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, What shall I do unto this people? They be almost ready to stone me. And?the Lord said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel, and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go. Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb, and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the Lord, saying, Is the Lord among us, or not?”?{3SG 255.1}[11]
§25
上帝指示以色列民在那没有水的地方安营，为要试验他们，看他们是否在急难中仰望祂，或仍照过去的所作一样发怨言。他们鉴于得蒙奇妙的拯救时，上帝为他们所行的一切，理应在这次的急难中信靠祂。他们理应明白：祂既已应许接收他们为祂自己的子民，总不会让他们渴死的。可惜他们不但没有虚心求主供给他们的需要，反而埋怨摩西，向他要水喝。上帝曾用奇妙的方式不断地向他们彰显祂的大能，为要使他们明白：凡他们所领受的福惠都是从祂而来的；祂既可以随意赐给，也能随意收回。他们有时也充分认识到这一点，并在主面前深深地自卑；但他们一旦遭受饥渴，便完全归罪摩西，好像他们离开埃及乃取悦于他似的。摩西因他们无情的怨言而感到悲伤。他求问主应当怎样行，因为民众准备用石头打死他。主吩咐他用上帝的杖击打磐石。上帝荣耀的云柱当时正停在那磐石前面。“祂在旷野分裂磐石，多多的给他们水喝，如从深渊而出。祂使水从磐石涌出，叫水如江河下流”（诗78:15-16）。摩西固然击打了磐石，但那使水从磐石里流出来的乃是那站在摩西身旁的基督。民众在干渴时试探主说：若真是上帝领我们到这里来的，祂为什么不象给粮食一样给我们水喝呢？话中的“若”字显明了他们罪恶的不信，也使摩西担心，惟恐上帝要因他们恶毒的怨言而刑罚他们。主试验了祂子民的信心，但他们经不起考验。他们竟为粮食和水发怨言，抱怨摩西。上帝因为他们的不信，就容许他们的敌人来与他们作战，以便祂向祂的子民显明他们的力量从何而来。{3SG 256.1}[12]
§26
God directed the children of Israel to encamp in that place, where there was no water, to prove them, to see if they would look to him in their distress, or murmur, as they had previously done. In view of what God had done for them in their wonderful deliverance, they should have believed in him in their distress. They should have known that he would not permit them to perish with thirst, whom he had promised to take unto himself as his people. But instead of entreating the Lord in humility to provide for their necessity, they murmured against Moses, and demanded of him, water. God had been continually manifesting his power in a wonderful manner before them to make them understand that all the benefits which they should receive, came from him; that he could give them, or remove them, according to his own will. At times they had a full sense of this, and humbled?themselves greatly before the Lord. But when thirsty, or when hungry, they charged it all upon Moses, as though they had left Egypt to please him. Moses was grieved with their cruel murmurings. He inquired of the Lord what he should do, for the people were ready to stone him. The Lord bade him go smite the rock with the rod of God. The cloud of his glory rested directly before the rock. “He clave the rock in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths. He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.” Moses smote the rock, but it was Christ who stood by him, and caused the water to flow from the flinty rock. The people tempted the Lord in their thirst, and said, If God has brought us out here, why does he not give us water as well as bread. That?if?showed criminal unbelief, and made Moses afraid that God would punish them for their wicked murmurings. The Lord tested the faith of his people, but they did not endure the trial. They murmured for food, and for water, and complained of Moses. Because of their unbelief, God suffered their enemies to make war with them, that he might manifest to his people from whence cometh their strength.?{3SG 256.1}[12]
§27
“那时亚玛力人来在利非订，和以色列人争战。摩西对约书亚说：你为我们选出人来，出去和亚玛力人争战；明天我手里要拿着上帝的杖，站在山顶上。于是约书亚照着摩西对他所说的话行，和亚玛力人争战；摩西、亚伦、与户珥都上了山顶。摩西何时举手，以色列人就得胜；何时垂手，亚玛力人就得胜。但摩西的手发沉；他们就搬石头来，放在他以下，他就坐在上面。亚伦与户珥扶着他的手，一个在这边，一个在那边，他的手就稳住，直到日落的时候”（出17:8-12）。{3SG 257.1}[13]
§28
“Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.?So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur, went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur staid up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.”?{3SG 257.1}[13]
§29
摩西向天举起双手，右手拿着上帝的杖，向上帝求助，于是以色列得了胜，把敌人击退。摩西何时垂手，就看到以色列即刻失去一切优势而被敌人所胜了。摩西得到扶助再向天举手，以色列便又得胜，敌人又被击退了。{3SG 258.1}[14]
§30
Moses held up his hands toward Heaven, with the rod of God in his right hand, entreating help from God. Then Israel prevailed, and drove back their enemies. When Moses let down his hands it was seen that Israel soon lost all that they had gained, and were being overcome by their enemies. Moses again held up his hands toward Heaven, and Israel prevailed, and the enemy was driven back.?{3SG 258.1}[14]
§31
摩西向上帝举手这一件事，乃是要教训以色列，当他们以上帝为他们的依靠，而握住祂的能力，并高举祂的宝座时，祂就必为他们作战，并制服他们的敌人，但何时他们放松那握住祂能力的手而靠自己的能力，他们就必甚至较比不认识上帝的敌人更为软弱，他们的敌人也必胜过他们。于是“约书亚用刀杀了亚玛力王和他的百姓。耶和华对摩西说：我要将亚玛力的名号，从天下全然涂抹了，你要将这话写在书上作记念，又念给约书亚听，摩西筑了一座坛，起名叫耶和华尼西。（就是耶和华是我旌旗的意思。）又说：耶和华已经起了誓，必世世代代和亚玛力人争战”（出17:13-16）。如果以色列民没有向主发怨言，祂就不会容让他们的敌人和他们作战了。{3SG 258.2}[15]
§32
This act of Moses, reaching up his hands toward God, was to teach Israel that while they made God their trust, and laid hold upon his strength, and exalted his throne, he would fight for them, and subdue their enemies. But when they should let go their hold upon his strength, and should trust to their own power, they would be even weaker than their enemies, who had not the knowledge of God, and their enemies would prevail over them. Then Joshua “discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. And the?Lord said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua; for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah-nissi, for he said, Because the Lord hath sworn that the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.” If the children of Israel had not murmured against the Lord, he would not have suffered their enemies to make war with them.?{3SG 258.2}[15]
§33
摩西在离开埃及之前，曾将妻子和孩子送回他岳父那里去。叶忒罗在听说以色列人得蒙奇妙拯救出离埃及之后，便到旷野去探访摩西，并把他的妻子和孩子们带给他。“摩西迎接他的岳父，向他下拜，与他亲嘴，彼此问安，都进了帐棚。摩西将耶和华为以色列的缘故向法老和埃及人所行的一切事，以及路上所遭遇的一切艰难，并耶和华怎样搭救他们，都述说与他岳父听。叶忒罗因耶和华待以色列的一切好处，就是拯救他们脱离埃及人的手，便甚欢喜。叶忒罗说：耶和华是应当称颂的，祂救了你们脱离埃及人和法老的手，将这百姓从埃及人的手下救出来。我现今在埃及人向这百姓发狂傲的事上，得知耶和华比万神都大。摩西的岳父叶忒罗把燔祭和平安祭献给上帝；亚伦和以色列的众长老都来了，与摩西的岳父在上帝面前吃饭”（出18:7-12）。{3SG 259.1}[16]
§34
Before Moses had left Egypt he sent back his wife and children to his father-in-law. And after Jethro heard of the wonderful deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt, he visited Moses in the wilderness, and brought his wife and children to him. “And Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, and did obeisance, and kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare, and they came into the tent. And Moses told his father-in-law all that the Lord had done unto Pharaoh, and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, and all the travail that had come upon them by the way, and how the Lord delivered them. And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the Lord had done to Israel, whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians. And Jethro said, Blessed be the Lord, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh, who hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. Now I know that the Lord is?greater than all gods; for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly, he was above them. And Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took a burnt-offering and sacrifices for God. And Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law, before God.”?{3SG 259.1}[16]
§35
叶忒罗的慧眼很快就看出摩西的负担非常重大，因民众将他们一切的难处都向他陈说，他便教导他们有关上帝的律法和典章。叶忒罗对摩西说：“现在你要听我的话，我为你出个主意，愿上帝与你同在；你要替百姓到上帝面前，将案件奏告上帝；又要将律例和法度教训他们，指示他们当行的道，当作的事。并要从百姓中拣选有才能的人，就是敬畏上帝，诚实无妄，恨不义之财的人，派他们作千夫长、百夫长、五十夫长、十夫长管理百姓；叫他们随时审判百姓，大事都要呈到你这里，小事他们自己可以审判；这样，你就轻省些，他们也可以同当此任。你若这样行，上帝也这样吩咐你，你就能受得住，这百姓也都平平安安归回他们的住处。于是摩西听从他岳父的话，按着他所说的去行。摩西从以色列人中拣选了有才能的人，立他们为百姓的首领，作千夫长、百夫长、五十夫长，十夫长。他们随时审判百姓，有难断的案件，就呈到摩西那里，但各样小事他们自己审判。此后，摩西让他的岳父去，他就往本地去了”（出18:19-27）。{3SG 260.1}[17]
§36
Jethro’s discerning eye soon saw that the burdens upon Moses were very great, as the people brought all their matters of difficulty to him, and he instructed them in regard to the statutes and law of God. He said to Moses, “Hearken now unto my voice. I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee. Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God. And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt show them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do. Moreover, thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness, and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, and rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. And let them judge the people at all seasons. And it shall be that every great matter they shall bring unto thee; but every small matter they shall judge. So shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee. If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace. So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father-in-law, and did all that he had said.[17]
§37
摩西并没有不屑于领受他岳父的指教。上帝固然已经大大地高举了他，并借他的手行了许多神迹。然而摩西并没有认为上帝既拣选了他来教导别人，并借着他的手行了许多奇事，因此他就不需要向人领教了。他甘心乐意地听从了他岳父的建议，并采纳了他的计划为明智的办法。{3SG 261.1}[18]
§38
And Moses chose able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. And they judged the people at all seasons. The hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves. And Moses let his father-in-law depart; and he went his way into his own land.”?{3SG 260.1}[18]