第33章 约书亚
§1
第33章 约书亚Chap. 33—Joshua
§2
摩西死后，约书亚被指定为以色列人的领袖，引领他们进入应许之地。约书亚足以胜任这个重要的职责。以色列人在旷野漂流的大半时间，约书亚都是摩西的主要助手。他看见上帝藉摩西所行的奇妙作为，也很了解百姓的性情。他是摩西差遣前去侦察应许之地的十二名探子之一，也是对当地的富饶作出确实报告的两人之一，他更鼓励百姓们靠着上帝加给的力量上去占领那地。可见他颇有胜任这个重要职分的资格。主应许约书亚要与同在，正如祂曾与摩西同在一样，并使迦南地很容易地落到他手中，只要他忠心遵守祂一切的命令。他本来对于应当怎样执行率领民众进入迦南的使命颇有顾虑，但这种勉励的话解除了他的恐惧。{4aSG 58.3}[1]
§3
After the death of Moses, Joshua was to be the leader of Israel, to conduct them to the promised land. He had been prime minister to Moses during the greater part of the time the Israelites had wandered in the?wilderness. He had seen the wonderful works of God wrought by Moses, and well understood the disposition of the people. He was one of the twelve spies who were sent out to search the promised land, and one of the two who gave a faithful account of its richness, and who encouraged the people to go up and possess it in the strength of God. He was well qualified for this important office. The Lord promised Joshua to be with him as he had been with Moses, and he would make Canaan fall an easy conquest to him, provided he would be faithful to observe all his commandments. He was anxious how he should execute his commission in leading the people to the land of Canaan. But this encouragement removed his fears.?{4aSG 58.3}[1]
§4
约书亚吩咐以色列民要为一次三天的行程作准备，而且一切战士都要出去作战。“他们回答约书亚说：‘你所吩咐我们行的，我们都必行；你所差遣我们去的，我们都必去。我们从前在一切事怎样听从摩西，现在也必照样听从你；唯愿耶和华你的上帝与你同在，象与摩西同在一样。无论什么人违背你的命令，不听从你所吩咐他的一切话，就必治死他；你只要刚强壮胆’”（书1:16-18）！{4aSG 59.1}[2]
§5
Joshua commanded the children of Israel to prepare for a three-days’ journey, and that all the men of war should go out to battle. “And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go. According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee; only the Lord thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses. Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment, and will not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death; only be strong and of a good courage.”?{4aSG 59.1}[2]
§6
以色列民将要藉一个神迹过约旦河。“约书亚吩咐百姓说：‘你们要自洁；因为明天耶和华必在你们中间行奇事’。约书亚又吩咐祭司说：‘你们抬起约柜，在百姓前头过去。’于是他们抬起约柜，在百姓前头走。耶和华对约书亚说：‘从今日起，我必使你在以色列众人眼前尊大，使他们知道我怎样与摩西同在，也必照样与你同在’”（书3:5-7）。{4aSG 59.2}[3]
§7
The passage of the Israelites over Jordan was to be miraculous. “And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you. And Joshua spake unto the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people. And the Lord said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.”?{4aSG 59.2}[3]
§8
祭司要抬那贮存着上帝律法的约柜走在百姓前面。他们的脚一浸入约旦河边的水里，那从上往下流的水便断绝了，祭司们就抬着那象征上帝与他们同在的约柜前行，希伯来全军便跟在后面。及至祭司们走到河的半途中间，他们就奉命站定在河床当中，直到以色列全军都过去为止。当时生存的那一代以色列人，便从而确认约旦河的水乃是受他们的父老四十年前在红海所看到的同一能力所支配。这些人中有许多是在儿童时期走过红海的。如今他们走过约旦河，却已是武装齐备的战士了。以色列全军走过约旦河以后，约书亚便吩咐祭司们从河里上来。那抬着约柜的祭司刚从河中上来，一站在干地上，约旦河的水便立刻像先前一样滔滔滚流，仍旧漫过两岸。这个专为以色列人所施行的奇妙神迹，大大增强了他们的信心。主为使这次神迹永志不忘起见，就指示约书亚从每一支派各选一个有声望的人，从河床中希伯来全军走过时祭司脚站定的地方取出石头来，将它扛在肩上，在吉甲立一个纪念碑，记念以色列人走干地过约旦河的事。在祭司从河中上来之后，上帝便撤回祂大能的手，河水便像大洪流一般顺着河道涌流下去。{4aSG 59.3}[4]
§9
The priests were to go before the people and bear the ark containing the law of God. And as their feet were dipped in the brim of Jordan, and waters were cut off from above, and the priests passed on, bearing?the ark, which was a symbol of the Divine presence, and the Hebrew host followed. When the priests were half way over Jordan, they were commanded to stand in the bed of the river until all the host of Israel had passed over. Here the then existing generation of the Israelites were convinced that the waters of Jordan were subject to the same power that their fathers had seen displayed at the Red Sea, forty years before. Many of these passed through the Red Sea when they were children. Now they pass over Jordan, men of war, fully equipped for battle. After all the host of Israel had passed over Jordan, Joshua commanded the priests to come up out of the river. As soon as the priests, bearing the ark of the covenant, came up out of the river, and stood on dry land, Jordan rolled on as before, and overflowed all his banks. This wonderful miracle performed for the Israelites greatly increased their faith. That this wonderful miracle might never be forgotten, the Lord directed Joshua to command that men of note, one of each tribe, take up stones from the bed of the river, the place where the priests’ feet stood while the Hebrew host was passing over, and to bear them upon their shoulders, and erect a monument in Gilgal, to keep in remembrance the fact that Israel passed over Jordan on dry land. After the priests had come up from Jordan, God removed his mighty hand, and the waters rushed like a mighty cataract down their own channel.?{4aSG 59.3}[4]
§10
亚摩利人的诸王和迦南人的王，一听见耶和华曾在以色列民面前止住了约旦河的水，他们的心就因害怕而消化了。以色列人曾经杀过摩押的两个王，这次他们又神奇地走过了高涨而急流的约旦河，因此他们便恐怖万状了。于是约书亚就给一切生在旷野的人行了割礼。礼节既毕，他们便在耶利哥平原上守了逾越节。“耶和华对约书亚说：‘我今日将埃及的羞辱从你们身上辊去了’”（书5:9）。{4aSG 60.1}[5]
§11
When all the kings of the Amorites, and the kings of the Canaanites heard that the Lord had stayed the waters of Jordan before the children of Israel, their hearts melted with fear. The Israelites had slain two of the kings of Moab, and their miraculous passage over the swollen and impetuous Jordan filled them with the greatest terror. Joshua then circumcised all the people which had been born in the wilderness. After this ceremony, they kept the passover in the plains of Jericho. “And the Lord said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you.”?{4aSG 60.1}[5]
§12
异邦各国曾讥诮耶和华和祂的子民，因为希伯来人并没有占领迦南地，就是他们指望在离开埃及之后不久要占领的。他们的敌人曾夸胜，因为他们在旷野漂流了那么长久，因此敌人便骄傲地对抗上帝，说祂不能带领以色列人进入迦南地。如今以色列人竟能从干地上走约旦河，他们的敌人就再也不能讥诮他们了。{4aSG 61.1}[6]
§13
Heathen nations had reproached the Lord, and his people, because the Hebrews had not possessed the land of Canaan, which they expected to inherit soon after leaving Egypt. Their enemies had triumphed, because they had so long wandered in the wilderness, and they proudly lifted themselves up against God, declaring that he was not able to lead them into the land of Canaan. They had now passed over Jordan on dry land, and their enemies could no longer reproach them.?{4aSG 61.1}[6]
§14
直到此时，吗哪曾经继续供应，但如今以色列人既然即将占领迦南，吃那地的土产，他们就不再需要它，因此吗哪也就止住了。{4aSG 61.2}[7]
§15
The manna had continued up to this time. But now, as they were about to possess Canaan, and eat of the fruit of the land, the Israelites had no more need of it, and it ceased.?{4aSG 61.2}[7]
§16
约书亚暂时离开以色列军队，去默想，并祈求上帝特别与他同在；不料这时他竟看到一个身材高大，穿着武装，手中执刀的人。约书亚看祂既不象以色列军队中的人，却又不象是个敌人。他本着热情招呼祂，说：“祢是帮助我们呢，是帮助我们的敌人呢？祂回答说：‘不是的，我来是要作耶和华军队的元帅’。约书亚就俯伏在地下拜，说：‘我主有什么话吩咐仆人？’耶和华军队的元帅对约书亚说：‘把你脚上的鞋脱下来，因为你所站的地方是圣的。’约书亚就照着行了”（书5:13-15）。{4aSG 61.3}[8]
§17
As Joshua withdrew from the armies of Israel, to meditate and pray for God’s special presence to attend him, he saw a man of lofty stature, clad in warlike garments, with his sword drawn in his hand. Joshua did not recognize him as one of the armies of Israel, and yet he had no appearance of being an enemy. In his zeal he accosted him, and said, “Art thou for us, or for our adversaries. And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my Lord unto his servant? And the captain of the Lord’s host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.”?{4aSG 61.3}[8]
§18
这不是一位普通的天使，乃是主耶稣基督，就是引导希伯来人经过旷野，白日隐藏在云柱，夜间在火柱中的那一位。这地方已经因着祂的临格成为圣地，所以祂吩咐约书亚把脚上的鞋脱下来。{4aSG 61.4}[9]
§19
This was no common angel. It was the Lord Jesus Christ, he who had conducted the Hebrews through the wilderness, enshrouded in the pillar of fire by night, and a pillar of cloud by day. The place was made sacred by his presence, therefore Joshua was commanded to put off his shoes.?{4aSG 61.4}[9]
§20
摩西曾看到的燃烧着的荆棘也是上帝临格的一个记号，而当他走近去看那奇妙的景象时，在这里对约书亚讲话的同一个声音对摩西说：“不要近前来。当把你脚上的鞋脱下来，因为你所站之地是圣地”（出3:5）。{4aSG 61.5}[10]
§21
The burning bush seen by Moses was also a token of the divine presence, and as he drew nigh to behold the wonderful sight, the same voice which here speaks to Joshua, said to Moses, “Draw not nigh hither. Put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.”?{4aSG 61.5}[10]
§22
上帝的荣耀使圣所成圣，因此祭司们决不能穿着鞋进入因上帝临格而成圣的地方。他们的鞋子上可能沾有灰尘，会亵渎圣所；因此祭司在进入圣所之前要在院中脱下鞋子。在院中，会幕的门旁有铜盆，祭司在进入会幕之前要在那里洗手洗脚，好除掉一切污秽，“免得死亡”（出30:21）。上帝要求凡在圣所供职的人在进入显示祂荣耀的地方之前，都要做特别的预备工作。{4aSG 62.1}[11]
§23
The glory of God hallowed the sanctuary, and for this reason the priests never entered the place sanctified by God’s presence with shoes upon their feet. Particles of dust might cleave to their shoes, which would desecrate the sanctuary. Therefore, the priests were required to leave their shoes in the court, before entering the sanctuary. In the court, beside the door of the tabernacle, stood the brazen laver, wherein the priests washed their hands and their feet before entering the tabernacle, that all impurity might be removed, “that they die not.” All who officiated in the sanctuary were required of God to make special preparations before entering where God’s glory was revealed.?{4aSG 62.1}[11]
§24
为了使约书亚铭记祂就是尊贵的基督，祂说：“把你脚上的鞋脱下来。”于是主指示约书亚要采取什么方针去攻陷耶利哥城。全体战士要奉命每日围绕耶利哥城一次，共计六日之久，到第七日要绕城七次。{4aSG 62.2}[12]
§25
In order to convey to the mind of Joshua that he was no less than Christ, the Exalted One, he says, “Put off thy shoe from off thy foot.” The Lord then instructed Joshua what course to pursue in order to take Jericho. All the men of war should be commanded to compass the city once each day for six days, and on the seventh day they should go around Jericho seven times.?{4aSG 62.2}[12]
§26
“嫩的儿子约书亚召了祭司来，吩咐他们说：‘你们抬起约柜来，要有七个祭司拿七个羊角走在耶和华的约柜前。’又对百姓说：‘你们前去绕城，带兵器的要走在耶和华的约柜前。约书亚对百姓说完了话，七个祭司拿七个羊角走在耶和华面前吹角，耶和华的约柜在他们后面跟随。带兵器的走在吹角的祭司前面，后队随着约柜行，祭司一面走一面吹。约书亚吩咐百姓说：‘你们不可呼喊，不可出声，连一句话也不可出你们的口，等到我吩咐你们呼喊的日子；那时可以呼喊。’这样，他使耶和华的约柜绕城，把城绕了一次；众人回到营里，就在营里住宿”（书6:6-11）。{4aSG 62.3}[13]
§27
“And Joshua, the son of Nun, called the priests, and said unto them, Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the Lord. And he said unto the people, Pass on, and compass the city, and let him that is armed pass on before the ark of the Lord. And it came to pass, when Joshua had spoken unto the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams’ horns passed on before the Lord, and blew with the trumpets, and the ark of the covenant of the Lord followed them. And the armed men went before the priests that blew with the trumpets, and the rearward came after the ark, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets. And Joshua had commanded the people, saying, Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then shall ye shout. So the ark of the Lord compassed the city, going about it once; and?they came into the camp, and lodged in the camp.”?{4aSG 62.3}[13]
§28
希伯来大军在进军时保持着完善的秩序。先行的是一队全副武装的精兵，但他们这次却不运用兵器方面的技术，而只要相信并顺从所给予他们的指示。后面跟着手拿号角的七个祭司。随后便是上帝的约柜，金光闪烁，上面萦绕着荣耀的光圈，由几个穿着代表他们圣职的华美特殊制服的祭司抬着。以色列大军后队随着各支派行在各自的旗帜之下，保持着完善的秩序。他们使上帝的约柜绕城。除了进军的步伐声，以及那由山谷反应，并响彻耶利哥全城的严肃号角声之外，再也听不到别的声音。那厄运业已注定之城的哨兵，以惊奇而恐慌的心情注意到每一行动，并呈报给当局。他并不了解这一切表演有何意义。有人讥笑竟用这种方式来攻取那城，其他的人看到约柜的华美光彩，以及祭司们的严肃姿态，和由约书亚所率领的以色列军全跟随着，就望而生畏了。他们记得四十年前红海曾在他们面前分开，而且新近也曾有一条路打开，使他们走过约旦河，他们实在太害怕，无法在开玩笑。他们严格看守城的各门，将之紧紧关闭，并分派英勇的战士驻防谨守。以色列全军实行绕城达六日之久。他们在第七日围绕耶利哥七次。百姓奉命照平常一样，不可出声。当时只听见号角声响。百姓要注意，何时吹号角的人吹出一次特别长的角声，众人就要大声呼喊，因为上帝已经将那城交给他们了。“第七日清早，黎明的时候，他们起来，照样绕城七次；惟独这日把城绕了七次。到了第七次，祭司吹角的时候，约书亚吩咐百姓说：‘呼喊吧；因为耶和华已经把城交给你们了。’”“于是百姓呼喊，祭司也吹角；百姓听见角声，便大声呼喊，城墙就塌陷，百姓便上去进城，各人往前直上，将城夺取”（书6:15,16,20）。{4aSG 63.1}[14]
§29
The Hebrew host marched in perfect order. First went a select body of armed men, clad in their warlike dress, but not now to exercise their skill in arms, but only to believe, and obey the directions given them. Next followed seven priests with trumpets. Then came the ark of God, glittering with gold, a halo of glory hovering over it, borne by priests in their rich and peculiar dress, denoting their sacred office. The vast army of Israel followed in perfect order, each tribe under its respective standard. Thus they compassed the city with the ark of God. No sound was heard but the tread of that mighty host, and the solemn voice of the trumpets, echoed by the hills, and resounding through the city of Jericho. With wonder and alarm the watchmen of that doomed city marked every move, and reported to those in authority. They cannot tell what all this display means. Some ridiculed the idea of that city being taken in this manner, while others are awed as they behold the splendor of the ark, and the solemn and dignified appearance of the priests, and the host of Israel following, with Joshua at their head. They remember that the Red Sea, forty years before, parted before them, and that a passage had just been prepared for them through the river Jordan. They are too much terrified to sport. They are strict to keep the gates of the city closely shut, and mighty warriors to guard each gate. For six days the armies of Israel perform their circuit around the city. On the seventh day they compassed Jericho seven times. The people were commanded, as usual, to be silent. The trumpets’ voice alone was to be heard. The people were to observe, and when the trumpeters should make a longer blast than usual, then all were to shout with a loud voice, for God had given them the city. “And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early, about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times; only on that day they compassed the city seven times. And it came to pass at the seventh time,?when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the Lord hath given you the city. So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets. And it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.”?{4aSG 63.1}[14]
§30
上帝定意要向以色列人显明：征服迦南不可归功于他们。那攻陷耶利哥的乃是耶和华军队的元帅。祂和祂的使者都参加了这次战役。基督曾吩咐天上众军推翻耶利哥的城墙，并为约书亚和以色列大军预备道路。上帝在这次奇妙的神迹上，不但加强了祂子民对于祂以能力制服他们敌人的信心，也责备了他们先前的不信。{4aSG 64.1}[15]
§31
God intended to show the Israelites that the conquest of Canaan was not to be ascribed to them. The Captain of the Lord’s host overcame Jericho. He and his angels were engaged in the conquest. Christ commanded the armies of Heaven to throw down the walls of Jericho, and prepare an entrance for Joshua and the armies of Israel. God, in this wonderful miracle, not only strengthened the faith of his people in his power to subdue their enemies, but rebuked their former unbelief.?{4aSG 64.1}[15]
§32
耶利哥曾公然抗拒以色列的众军和天上的真神。而且他们在看到以色列大军逐日绕城行走时，固然感到惊慌；但他们又看到自己强大的防御工事，和那坚固高大的墙垣，便自觉他们确能抵抗任何攻势。然而在他们坚固的墙垣忽然动摇起来，并像最猛烈的雷霆轰隆一声坍倒下来时，他们便因极度恐怖而致瘫痪，无力抵抗了。{4aSG 64.2}[16]
§33
Jericho had defied the armies of Israel, and the God of Heaven. And as they beheld the host of Israel marching around their city once each day, they were alarmed; but they looked at their strong defenses, their firm and high walls, and felt sure, that they could resist any attack. But when of a sudden their firm walls tottered and fell, with a stunning crash, like peals of loudest thunder, they were paralyzed with terror, and could offer no resistance.?{4aSG 64.2}[16]
§34
约书亚的圣洁品格上毫无污点。他乃是一个英明的领袖。他的一生乃是完全献给上帝的。他在去世之前，招集了希伯来全军，并效法摩西的榜样，简述他们在旷野的旅程，以及上帝向他们所表现的怜爱，然后向他们动人地致词。他向他们提说摩押王如何与他们作战，并叫巴兰来诅咒他们；但上帝“不肯听巴兰的话，所以他倒为你们连连祝福。”于是约书亚对他们说：“若是你们以侍奉耶和华为不好，今日就可以选择所要侍奉的，是你们列祖在大河那边所侍奉的神呢？是你们所住这地的亚摩利人的神呢？至于我和我家，我们必定侍奉耶和华。” “百姓回答说：‘我们断不敢离耶和华去侍奉别神；因为耶和华我们的上帝，曾将我们和我们列祖从埃及地为奴之家领出来，在我们眼前行了那些大神迹，在我们所行的道上，所经过的诸国，都保护了我们”（书24:10,15-17）。{4aSG 64.3}[17]
§35
No stain rested upon the holy character of Joshua. He was a wise leader. His life was wholly devoted to God. Before he died he assembled the Hebrew host, and, following the example of Moses, he recapitulated their travels in the wilderness, and also the merciful dealings of God with them. He then eloquently addressed them. He related to them that the king of Moab warred against them, and called Balaam to curse them; but God “would not hearken unto Balaam, therefore he blessed you still”. He then said to them, “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served, that were on the other?side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the Lord, to serve other gods; for the Lord our God, he it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the people through whom we passed.”?{4aSG 64.3}[17]
§36
百姓和约书亚重新立约，他们对他说：“我们必侍奉耶和华我们的上帝，听从祂的话”（书24:24）。约书亚把他们立约的话都写在那载有传给摩西之律例典章的书上。约书亚为全以色列人所爱戴尊敬；他去世之后，他们为他沉痛哀悼。{4aSG 65.1}[18]
§37
The people renewed their covenant with Joshua. They said unto him, “The Lord our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey.” Joshua wrote the words of their covenant in the book containing the laws and statutes given to Moses. Joshua was loved and respected by all Israel, and his death was much lamented by them.?{4aSG 65.1}[18]