第28章 摩西和亚伦
§1
第28章 摩西和亚伦
§2
Chap. 28 - Moses and Aaron
§3
亚伦死在何珥山上并葬在那里。亚伦的弟弟摩西和儿子以利亚撒陪同他一起上山。痛苦的职责落在了摩西身上。他将亚伦身上大祭司的衣袍脱下，给亚伦的儿子以利亚撒披上，因为上帝已经吩咐，以利亚撒要继承亚伦大祭司的职分。摩西和以利亚撒目睹了亚伦的死，摩西将他的哥哥埋葬在了山上。何珥山上的这番情景使我们回想起亚伦一生中最为显著的几次事件。{3T 293.2}[1]
§4
Upon Mount Hor Aaron died and was buried. Moses, Aarons brother, and Eleazar, his son, accompanied him to the mount. The painful duty was laid upon Moses to remove from his brother Aaron the sacerdotal robes and place them upon Eleazar, for God had said that he should succeed Aaron in the priesthood. Moses and Eleazar witnessed the death of Aaron, and Moses buried him in the mount. This scene upon Mount Hor carries our minds back to some of the most striking events in the life of Aaron. {3T 293.2}[1]
§5
亚伦是一个性情和蔼的人，上帝拣选他与摩西共同行动，代表摩西讲话，简而言之，就是要他作摩西的代言人。上帝原可拣选亚伦作领袖，但洞悉人心的主了解亚伦的品格，知道他容易让步，缺乏道德勇气，不能在一切环境中坚持护卫正义而不顾后果如何。亚伦因想要博得众民的喜悦，有时就导致他犯下严重的错误。他常常屈从于百姓的恳求，因而羞辱了上帝。他在家中也同样缺乏维护正义的决心，因而导致了两个儿子的死亡。亚伦以他的虔诚和效能著称，然而，他却忽视了训练自己的家人。他不但没有完成自己的任务，要求儿子们尊重和敬畏他，反而任凭他们顺着自己的癖好而行。他没有训练他们学习克己，反而屈从了他们种种的愿望。他们没有受训尊重父母的权威。只要父亲一日活着，就是自己家人正当的管理者。他的权威不应该终止，即使他的子女长大成人且有了自己的家室。上帝才是以色列民族的君王，祂要求百姓顺从并荣耀祂。{3T 293.3}[2]
§6
Aaron was a man of amiable disposition, whom God selected to stand with Moses and speak for him; in short, to be mouthpiece for Moses. God might have chosen Aaron as leader; but He who is acquainted with hearts, who understands character, knew that Aaron was yielding and lacked moral courage to stand in defense of the right under all circumstances, irrespective of consequences. Aarons desire to have the good will of the people sometimes led him to commit great wrongs. He too frequently yielded to their entreaties, and in so doing dishonored God. The same lack of firmness for the right in his family resulted in the death of two of his sons. Aaron was eminent for piety and usefulness, but he neglected to discipline his family. Rather than perform the task of requiring respect and reverence of his sons, he allowed them to follow their inclinations. He did not discipline them in self-denial, but yielded to their wishes. They were not disciplined to respect and reverence parental authority. The father was the proper ruler of his own family as long as he lived. His authority was not to cease, even after his children were grown up and had families of their own. God Himself was the monarch of the nation, and from the people He claimed obedience and honor. {3T 293.3}[2]
§7
国家的秩序和繁荣取决于教会的井然有序。而教会的兴盛，和谐和秩序取决于井然有序和训练有素的家庭。上帝惩罚不忠心的父母。祂已托付他们维护父母管理原则的责任，这些原则是教会纪律和国家昌盛的基础。一个没有教养的孩子常常会破坏教会的安宁与和谐，煽动一个民族的抱怨和叛乱。上帝以最为严肃的方式命令，做儿女的义务是要亲切地尊重和尊荣他们的父母。另一方面，祂也要求父母充分训练自己的子女，殷勤不倦地教导他们上帝律法的要求，指导他们认识和敬畏上帝。上帝十分严肃地放在犹太人身上的这些命令，也以同样的分量放在基督徒父母的身上。那些忽视上帝在祂话语中赐下的关于训练子女和吩咐眷属效法他们之亮光和指示的人，必有可怕的账要清算。亚伦没有博得他的儿子们的尊重与敬畏，这种有罪的疏忽导致了他两个儿子的死亡。{3T 294.1}[3]
§8
The order and prosperity of the kingdom depended upon the good order of the church. And the prosperity, harmony, and order of the church depended upon the good order and thorough discipline of families. God punishes the unfaithfulness of parents, to whom He has entrusted the duty of maintaining the principles of parental government, which lie at the foundation of church discipline and the prosperity of the nation. One undisciplined child has frequently marred the peace and harmony of a church, and incited a nation to murmuring and rebellion. In a most solemn manner the Lord has enjoined upon children their duty to affectionately respect and honor their parents. And on the other hand He requires parents to train up their children and with unceasing diligence to educate them with regard to the claims of His law and to instruct them in the knowledge and fear of God. These injunctions which God laid upon the Jews with so much solemnity, rest with equal weight upon Christian parents. Those who neglect the light and instruction which God has given in His word in regard to training their children and commanding their households after them, will have a fearful account to settle. Aarons criminal neglect to command the respect and reverence of his sons resulted in their death. {3T 294.1}[3]
§9
上帝把亚伦分别出来，拣选他和他的子孙担任祭司的职分。他的儿子们是担任圣职的。拿答和亚比户没有尊崇上帝的命令，用圣火点燃香炉里的香献在祂面前。上帝曾禁止他们用凡火烧香献在祂面前，免受死亡之苦。{3T 295.1}[4]
§10
God distinguished Aaron by choosing him and his male posterity for the priesthood. His sons ministered in the sacred office. Nadab and Abihu failed to reverence the command of God to offer sacred fire upon their censers with the incense before Him. God had forbidden them, upon pain of death, to present the common fire before Him with the incense. {3T 295.1}[4]
§11
然而，我们在这里看到了疏于管教的可怕后果。由于亚伦的这两个儿子没有受教尊重并敬畏他们父亲的命令，因为他们无视父母的权威，所以就没有认识到明确顺从上帝要求的必要性。由于拿答和亚比户放纵他们饮酒的欲望，在酒令人兴奋的刺激之下，他们的理性被蒙蔽了，无法分辨圣与俗之间的区别。他们居然违背上帝明确的指示，献上凡火而非圣火，因而羞辱了上帝。于是上帝用祂的忿怒报应了他们，有火从耶和华面前发出，烧灭了他们。{3T 295.2}[5]
§12
But here is seen the result of loose discipline. As these sons of Aaron had not been educated to respect and reverence the commands of their father, as they disregarded parental authority, they did not realize the necessity of explicitly following the requirements of God. When indulging their appetite for wine and while under its exciting stimulus, their reason was clouded, and they could not discern the difference between the sacred and the common. Contrary to Gods express direction, they dishonored Him by offering common instead of sacred fire. God visited them with His wrath; fire went forth from His presence and destroyed them. {3T 295.2}[5]
§13
亚伦以忍耐与谦卑顺服忍受了他严重的苦难。忧愁和剧烈的痛苦使他的心如刀绞。他知道自己有疏忽职责的罪。他是至高上帝的祭司，要为民众赎罪。他也是自己家庭的祭司，可是他却有心放任儿女们的愚行。他已忽略自己训练和教导他们顺从，克己，和尊重父母权威的义务。由于误用溺爱的感情，他没有以尊崇永恒事物的心来陶冶他们的品格。亚伦也像现今许多基督徒父母们的看法一样，并没有认明他这种不适宜的溺爱和放任儿女的错行，乃是准备儿女必定遭受上帝的不悦，以致上帝的怒气降下消灭了他们。亚伦既忽视行使自己的权威，上帝的公正就被唤起，与他们作对。亚伦必须认识到，他那温和的规劝，他不坚决运用父母的禁制，以及他对待自己儿子们不慎的柔情，竟成了极端残忍的行为。上帝亲手伸张了正义，消灭了亚伦的两个儿子。{3T 295.3}[6]
§14
Aaron bore his severe affliction with patience and humble submission. Sorrow and keen agony wrung his soul. He was convicted of his neglect of duty. He was priest of the most high God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. He was priest of his household, yet he had been inclined to pass over the folly of his children. He had neglected his duty to train and educate them to obedience, self-denial, and reverence for parental authority. Through feelings of misplaced indulgence, he failed to mold their characters with high reverence for eternal things. Aaron did not see, any more than many Christian parents now see, that his misplaced love and the indulgence of his children in wrong was preparing them for the certain displeasure of God and for His wrath to break forth upon them to their destruction. While Aaron neglected to exercise his authority, the justice of God awakened against them. Aaron had to learn that his gentle remonstrance, without a firm exercise of parental restraint, and his imprudent tenderness toward his sons were cruelty in the extreme. God took the work of justice into His own hands and destroyed the sons of Aaron. {3T 295.3}[6]
§15
摩西蒙上帝呼召登上西奈山之后六天，被接进云中上帝面前。整个山顶因上帝的荣耀而发红。然而尽管这荣耀就在以色列人眼前，他们依然生出不信之心，开始因摩西不在而不满抱怨了。上帝的荣耀表明了祂神圣的临格就在山上，他们的领袖正与上帝亲密交谈，此时此刻他们本应该藉着严格省察己心，谦卑和虔诚的敬畏洁净自己。上帝曾留下亚伦和户珥代替摩西。摩西不在的时候，百姓要咨询请教上帝所指派的这二个人。{3T 296.1}[7]
§16
When God called for Moses to come up into the mount, it was six days before he was received into the cloud, into the immediate presence of God. The top of the mountain was all aglow with the glory of God. And yet even while the children of Israel had this glory in their very sight, unbelief was so natural to them that they began to murmur with discontent because Moses was absent. While the glory of God signified His sacred presence upon the mountain, and their leader was in close converse with God, they should have been sanctifying themselves by close searching of heart, humiliation, and godly fear. God had left Aaron and Hur to take the place of Moses. In his absence the people were to consult and advise with these men of Gods appointment. {3T 296.1}[7]
§17
这里我们看出了亚伦作以色列领袖的缺陷。以色列百姓烦扰他，要他给他们造神像，在他们前头带路，领他们回埃及去。这原是亚伦表现自己坚信上帝，毅然决然对付百姓所提建议的机会。然而，他生性喜欢取悦并屈从于人的愿望使得他牺牲了上帝的尊荣。他吩咐他们将自己的饰物都拿来给他，他就为他们制造了一个金牛犊，并在百姓面前宣告：以色列啊，这是领你出埃及地的神。”此外，他还为这毫无知觉的假神建了祭坛，宣称明日要向耶和华守节。百姓似乎消除了一切的约束。他们向这金牛犊献燔祭，轻浮的精神占据了他们。他们沉湎于可耻的狂欢与醉酒之中，他们坐下吃喝，起来玩耍。{3T 296.2}[8]
§18
Here Aarons deficiency as a leader or governor of Israel is seen. The people beset him to make them gods to go before them into Egypt. Here was an opportunity for Aaron to show his faith and unwavering confidence in God, and with firmness and decision to meet the proposition of the people. But his natural desire to please and to yield to the people led him to sacrifice the honor of God. He requested them to bring their ornaments to him, and he wrought out for them a golden calf and proclaimed before the people: These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And to this senseless god he made an altar and proclaimed on the morrow a feast to the Lord. All restraint seemed to be removed from the people. They offered burnt offerings to the golden calf, and a spirit of levity took possession of them. They indulged in shameful rioting and drunkenness; they ate, they drank, and rose up to play. {3T 296.2}[8]
§19
他们和上帝订立严肃的约要听从祂的话才不过几周的时间。他们已经听到了上帝律法的话，是在西奈山雷鸣、闪电和地震之中以庄严肃穆的声音颁布给他们的。他们听到上帝亲口说：“我是耶和华你的上帝，曾将你从埃及地为奴之家领出来。除了我以外，你不可有别的神。不可为自己雕刻偶像，也不可做什么形像仿佛上天、下地，和地底下、水中的百物。不可跪拜那些像，也不可事奉它，因为我耶和华你的上帝是忌邪的上帝。恨我的，我必追讨他的罪，自父及子，直到三四代；爱我、守我诫命的，我必向他们发慈爱，直到千代”（出20:2-6）。{3T 296.3}[9]
§20
A few weeks only had passed since they had made a solemn covenant with God to obey His voice. They had listened to the words of Gods law, spoken in awful grandeur from Sinais mount, amid thunderings and lightnings and earthquakes. They had heard the declaration from the lips of God Himself: I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before Me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me, and keep My commandments. {3T 296.3}[9]
§21
亚伦和他的儿子曾荣幸地蒙召上山瞻仰上帝的荣耀。“他们看见以色列的上帝，祂脚下仿佛有平铺的蓝宝石，如同天色明净”（出24:10）。{3T 297.1}[10]
§22
Aaron and also his sons had been exalted by being called into the mount to there witness the glory of God. And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under His feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in His clearness. {3T 297.1}[10]
§23
上帝曾指派拿答和亚比户担任最神圣的工作，因此，祂以最奇妙的方式尊荣了他们，使他们瞻仰到祂无比的荣耀，以便他们常住在山上所见的荣耀景象，更好地侍奉祂，使祂在百姓面前得到尊崇和敬畏，使百姓更加清晰地明白上帝的品格，觉悟到他们应当顺从并敬畏上帝一切的要求。{3T 297.2}[11]
§24
God had appointed Nadab and Abihu to a most sacred work, therefore He honored them in a most wonderful manner. He gave them a view of His excellent glory, that the scenes they should witness in the mount would abide with them and the better qualify them to minister in His service and render to Him that exalted honor and reverence before the people which would give them clearer conceptions of His character and awaken in them due obedience and reverence for all His requirements. {3T 297.2}[11]
§25
在摩西离开以色列百姓上山之前，他向众民宣读了上帝与他们所立之约的话，当时他们异口同声的说：“凡耶和华所吩咐的，我们都必遵行。”亚伦的罪恶必是多么严重啊，在上帝的眼里这是多么可恼之罪啊！ {3T 297.3}[12]
§26
Before Moses left his people for the mount, he read to them the words of the covenant that God had made with them, and they with one voice answered: All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient. How great must have been the sin of Aaron, how aggravated in the sight of God! {3T 297.3}[12]
§27
当摩西在山上领受上帝的律法之时，主告诉他悖逆的以色列犯了罪，要他放手，祂好灭绝他们。但摩西在上帝面前为百姓恳求。摩西虽是世上最谦和的人，可是当上帝派他领导之百姓的利益岌岌可危时，他便放下自己本性的怯懦，以非凡的坚韧和惊人的勇敢为以色列人恳求上帝。他不赞成上帝毁灭祂的百姓，尽管上帝应许灭绝百姓后要高举摩西，兴起他的后裔成为比以色列更好的民。{3T 297.4}[13]
§28
While Moses was receiving the law of God in the mount, the Lord informed him of the sin of rebellious Israel and requested him to let them go, that He might destroy them. But Moses pleaded before God for the people. Although Moses was the meekest man that lived, yet when the interests of the people over whom God had appointed him as leader were at stake, he lost his natural timidity and with singular persistency and wonderful boldness pleaded with God for Israel. He would not consent that God should destroy His people, although God promised that in their destruction He would exalt Moses and raise up a better people than Israel. {3T 297.4}[13]
§29
摩西成功了。上帝允准了他的恳求，答应不除灭祂的百姓。摩西拿着两块约版，就是十诫的律法下山了。他在离以色列营还甚远的地方就听到了狂欢醉酒的以色列人的声音。他看到他们在敬拜偶像，他们以极其显著的方式违背了约上的话，摩西便因他们卑劣的拜偶像行为而不胜忧伤，义愤填膺。他因百姓的行为而感到愤怒和羞耻，便将法版扔在那里摔碎了。以色列人既已违背了与上帝所立的约，摩西就藉着摔碎法版向他们表明上帝也废弃了与他们所立的约。因此，写有上帝律法的石版被摔碎了。{3T 298.1}[14]
§30
Moses prevailed. God granted his earnest petition not to blot out His people. Moses took the tables of the covenant, the law of Ten Commandments, and descended from the mount. The boisterous, drunken revelry of the children of Israel reached his ears long before he came to the camp. When he saw their idolatry, and that they had broken in a most marked manner the words of the covenant, he became overwhelmed with grief and indignation at their base idolatry. Confusion and shame on their account took possession of him, and he there threw down the tables and broke them. As they had broken their covenant with God, Moses, in breaking the tables, signified to them that so also God had broken His covenant with them. The tables whereupon was written the law of God were broken. {3T 298.1}[14]
§31
亚伦以其非常柔和悦人的和善性情，设法说服摩西，仿佛百姓所犯的罪不是很严重，不必痛彻心扉。摩西愤怒地问道：“这百姓向你做了什么？你竟使他们陷在大罪里！”亚伦说：“求我主不要发烈怒。这百姓专于作恶，是你知道的。他们对我说：‘你为我们做神像，可以在我们前面引路；因为领我们出埃及地的那个摩西，我们不知道他遭了什么事。’我对他们说：‘凡有金环的可以摘下来’，他们就给了我。我把金环扔在火中，这牛犊便出来了”（出32:21-24）。亚伦企图让摩西认为发生了奇妙的神迹，将他们的金饰变成了牛犊的形状。他并没有告诉摩西是他和其他的工匠制作了这个偶像。{3T 298.2}[15]
§32
Aaron, with his amiable disposition, so very mild and pleasing, sought to conciliate Moses, as though no very great sin had been committed by the people, over which he should feel thus deeply. Moses asked in anger: What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them? And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief. For they said unto me, Make us gods, which shall go before us: for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. And I said unto them, Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it me: then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf. Aaron would have Moses think that some wonderful miracle had transformed their golden ornaments into the shape of a calf. He did not relate to Moses that he, with other workmen, had wrought out this image. {3T 298.2}[15]
§33
亚伦曾认为摩西太固执了，不肯听从百姓的愿望。他认为如果摩西有时不那么固执坚持，对百姓有所妥协，满足他们的心愿，他的麻烦原会少一些，以色列营中原会更加安宁和谐。因此，他一直尝试这种新的策略。亚伦随从自己的本性屈从百姓的愿望。他想打消百姓的不满，维持他们的好感，从而防止叛乱。他认为若不屈从百姓的愿望，叛乱是在所难免的。然而，要是亚伦坚定地忠于上帝；要是他对百姓要他制造神像在他们前头领路返回埃及的提议表现出应有的义怒和惊骇；要是他向他们说到西奈山，就是上帝曾经在非常的荣耀和威严中颁布其律法之处的可怖景象；要是他提醒百姓与上帝所立严肃的约说要遵行上帝一切的吩咐；要是他告诉这些百姓，他即使牺牲自己的性命也不愿屈从他们的恳求，他原会影响百姓，阻止一场可怕的背道。而当摩西不在时，亚伦本该施以正确的影响，本该像摩西一样坚定不屈，阻止百姓陷入罪中，但亚伦却发挥了错误的影响。他无力影响百姓意识到要藉着遵守上帝神圣的律法来维护祂的荣耀，却发挥了强大的负面影响。他发出指示，百姓听从了。 {3T 298.3}[16]
§34
Aaron had thought that Moses had been too unyielding to the wishes of the people. He thought that if Moses had been less firm, less decided at times, and that if he had made a compromise with the people and gratified their wishes, he would have had less trouble, and there would have been more peace and harmony in the camp of Israel. He, therefore, had been trying this new policy. He carried out his natural temperament by yielding to the wishes of the people, to save dissatisfaction and preserve their good will, and thereby prevent a rebellion, which he thought would certainly come if he did not yield to their wishes. But had Aaron stood unwaveringly for God; had he met the intimation of the people for him to make them gods to go before them to Egypt with the just indignation and horror that their proposition deserved; had he cited them to the terrors of Sinai, where God had spoken His law in such glory and majesty; had he reminded them of their solemn covenant with God to obey all that He should command them; had he told them that he would not, at the sacrifice of his life, yield to their entreaties, he would have had influence with the people to prevent a terrible apostasy. But when, in the absence of Moses, his influence was required to be used in the right direction, when he should have stood as firm and unyielding as did Moses, to prevent the people from pursuing a course of sin, his influence was exerted on the wrong side. He was powerless to make his influence felt in vindication of Gods honor in keeping His holy law. But on the wrong side he swayed a powerful influence. He directed, and the people obeyed. {3T 298.3}[16]
§35
当亚伦向错误的方向迈出第一步时，操纵以色列百姓的精神也感染了他，他带了头，并象将军一样发号施令，百姓则表现出异常的顺从。亚伦此时明确认可了极其严重的罪恶，因为这样做比维护正义要更加容易。当亚伦偏离了自己的正直，同意百姓犯罪时，他似乎是被自己所陌生的一种决心和热心所激励。他的怯懦似乎突然消失了。他以一种从未在维护上帝尊荣和反对错行的事上所表现过的热心，拿起工具把金子造成了牛犊的像。他还下令建造一座祭坛，并以应该用在更佳事业上的信心，向百姓宣称明日要向耶和华守节。号兵听了从亚伦口中所出的言语，便吹出守节的号声，一队一队地传遍了整个以色列营。{3T 299.1}[17]
§36
When Aaron took the first step in the wrong direction, the spirit which had actuated the people imbued him, and he took the lead and directed as a general, and the people were singularly obedient. Here Aaron gave decided sanction to the most aggravated sins, because it was less difficult than to stand in vindication of the right. When he swerved from his integrity in giving sanction to the people in their sins he seemed inspired with a decision, earnestness, and zeal new to him. His timidity seemed suddenly to disappear. With a zeal that he had never manifested in standing in defense of the honor of God against wrong he seized the instruments to work out the gold into the image of a calf. He ordered an altar to be built, and, with assurance worthy of a better cause, he proclaimed to the people that on the morrow there would be a feast to the Lord. The trumpeters took the word from the mouth of Aaron and sounded the proclamation from company to company of the armies of Israel. {3T 299.1}[17]
§37
亚伦在错误方向的镇定保证使他在百姓身上发挥了强有力的影响，甚至超过了摩西在正确的方向领导他们，制止他们背叛所发挥的影响力。亚伦属灵的盲目是多么可怕啊！他竟然视光为暗，视暗为光！他竟然胆敢吩咐以色列人藉着敬拜金牛犊而向耶和华守节！在此我们看到了撒但对于未被圣灵完全控制之心所能实施的力量。撒但在以色列营中树立起了他的旗帜，这旗帜竟然被尊崇为上帝的旗帜。{3T 300.1}[18]
§38
Aarons calm assurance in a wrong course gave him greater influence with the people than Moses could have had in leading them in a right course and in subduing their rebellion. What terrible spiritual blindness had come upon Aaron that he should put light for darkness and darkness for light! What presumption in him to proclaim a feast to the Lord over their idolatrous worship of a golden image! Here is seen the power that Satan has over minds that are not fully controlled by the Spirit of God. Satan had set up his banner in the midst of Israel, and it was exalted as the banner of God. {3T 300.1}[18]
§39
亚伦毫不犹豫，恬不知耻地说：以色列啊，这是领你出埃及地的神。” 以色列人早就想拜偶像，现在亚伦的影响使他们更加放肆了。他们本来惟恐山上火焰似的荣耀已将他们的领袖烧死，现在不必再担忧了。他们认为如今已有了一个正合他们心意的将领，他们也甘愿听从遵行他的任何指示。于是他们就向他们的金神像献祭；他们献上平安祭，然后起来吃喝玩乐，放纵酗酒。此时，他们心里断定，他们之所以在旷野里遇到如此多的困难，并不是因为他们错了，而终究是因为他们的领袖。他不是作领袖的正确人选。他太固执了，总把他们的罪恶摆在他们面前，警告、谴责、并以上帝的不悦威胁他们。如今新的秩序诞生了，他们喜欢亚伦，也对自己的状况感到满意。他们认为：只要摩西也像亚伦一样柔和亲切，以色列人营中原会充满何等的安宁与和谐啊！他们如今不在乎摩西会不会从西奈山上下来了。{3T 300.2}[19]
§40
These, said Aaron without hesitation or shame, be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. Aaron influenced the children of Israel to go to greater lengths in idolatry than had entered their minds. They were no longer troubled lest the burning glory like flaming fire upon the mount had consumed their leader. They thought they had a general who just suited them, and they were ready to do anything that he suggested. They sacrificed to their golden god; they offered peace offerings, and gave themselves up to pleasure, rioting, and drunkenness. They were then decided in their own minds that it was not because they were wrong that they had so much trouble in the wilderness; but the difficulty, after all, was with their leader. He was not the right kind of man. He was too unyielding and kept their sins continually before them, warning, reproving, and threatening them with Gods displeasure. A new order of things had come, and they were pleased with Aaron and pleased with themselves. They thought: If Moses had only been as amiable and mild as Aaron, what peace and harmony would have prevailed in the camp of Israel! They cared not now whether Moses ever came down from the mount or not. {3T 300.2}[19]
§41
摩西看到以色列人拜偶像，便义愤填膺，因为他们无耻地忘记了上帝。他把石版扔在地上摔碎了。亚伦温顺地站在旁边，以极大的忍耐承受了摩西的谴责。以色列百姓被亚伦的好脾气迷住了，并十分厌恶摩西的粗鲁。但上帝看人不象人看人。祂并不指责摩西反对以色列人卑劣背道的热忱和愤慨。{3T 300.3}[20]
§42
When Moses saw the idolatry of Israel and his indignation was so aroused at their shameful forgetfulness of God that he threw down the tables of stone and broke them, Aaron stood meekly by, bearing the censure of Moses with commendable patience. The people were charmed with Aarons lovely spirit and were disgusted with the rashness of Moses. But God seeth not as man sees. He condemned not the ardor and indignation of Moses against the base apostasy of Israel. {3T 300.3}[20]
§43
于是这位真正的将领采取了维护上帝的立场。他是直接从上帝面前来的。他曾恳求上帝的怒气转离祂犯罪的百姓。如今，他有另一番工作要做。作为上帝的执事，他要在百姓面前捍卫上帝的尊荣，并让他们看出罪之为罪，义之为义。他有一项工作要做，就是消除亚伦所发挥的可怕影响。“摩西就站在营门中，说：‘凡属耶和华的，都要到我这里来！’于是利未的子孙都到他那里聚集。他对他们说：‘耶和华以色列的上帝这样说：你们各人把刀跨在腰间，在营中往来，从这门到那门，各人杀他的弟兄与同伴并邻舍。’利未的子孙照摩西的话行了。那一天百姓中被杀的约有三千。摩西说：‘今天你们要自洁，归耶和华为圣，各人攻击他的儿子和弟兄，使耶和华赐福与你们’”（出32:26-29）。{3T 301.1}[21]
§44
The true general then takes his position for God. He has come direct from the presence of the Lord, where he pleaded with Him to turn away His wrath from His erring people. Now he has another work to do, as Gods minister, to vindicate His honor before the people, and let them see that sin is sin, and righteousness is righteousness. He has a work to do to counteract the terrible influence of Aaron. Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the Lords side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him. And he said unto them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbor. And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men. For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves today to the Lord, even every man upon his son, and upon his brother, that He may bestow upon you a blessing this day. {3T 301.1}[21]
§45
摩西在这里说明了真献身乃是顺从上帝，维护正义并且显明随时准备实行上帝的旨意，哪怕是最令人不愉快的职责也在所不惜，说明上帝的要求高过朋友们的要求，甚至至近亲属们的性命。利未的子孙将自己献给上帝，执行了上帝对于罪恶公正的审判。{3T 301.2}[22]
§46
Here Moses defines genuine consecration as obedience to God, to stand in vindication of the right and to show a readiness to carry out the purpose of God in the most unpleasant duties, showing that the claims of God are higher than the claims of friends or the lives of the nearest relatives. The sons of Levi consecrated themselves to God to execute His justice against crime and sin. {3T 301.2}[22]
§47
在米利巴水，亚伦和摩西都犯了罪，没有将荣耀和尊荣归给上帝。他们两个都被以色列人不断的抱怨惹厌激怒了，此时上帝本来是要本着怜悯向百姓彰显祂的荣耀，软化折服他们的心，引导他们悔改，但摩西和亚伦自称了为他们开启这磐石的能力。“你们这些背叛的人听我说：我为你们使水从这磐石中流出来吗”（民20:10）？此时乃是在他们中间尊崇上帝的绝好机会，向以色列百姓显明上帝对他们的恒久忍耐和慈怜。他们抱怨摩西和亚伦，因为他们找不到水。摩西和亚伦将这些抱怨视为极大的磨练和对自己的羞辱，忘记了这些百姓乃是在使上帝的心忧伤。他们乃是在得罪和羞辱上帝，而不是上帝所任命执行祂旨意的仆人。他们因自己眼前所遭遇的苦难就指责摩西和亚伦，这样行乃是在侮辱他们最好的朋友；他们是在抱怨上帝的天意。{3T 301.3}[23]
§48
Aaron and Moses both sinned in not giving glory and honor to God at the waters of Meribah. They were both wearied and provoked with the continual complaining of Israel, and, at a time when God was to mercifully display His glory to the people, to soften and subdue their hearts and lead them to repentance, Moses and Aaron claimed the power of opening the rock for them. Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock? Here was a golden opportunity to sanctify the Lord in the midst of them, to show them the long-suffering of God and His tender pity for them. They had murmured against Moses and Aaron because they could not find water. Moses and Aaron took these murmurings as a great trial and dishonor to themselves, forgetting that it was God whom the people were grieving. It was God whom they were sinning against and dishonoring, not those who were appointed of God to carry out His purpose. They were insulting their best Friend in charging their calamities upon Moses and Aaron; they were murmuring at Gods providence. {3T 301.3}[23]
§49
这些重要领袖的罪是非常严重的。他们的一生本可以辉煌地走到尽头。他们曾大蒙高举和尊荣。然而上帝并不原谅罪，无论是在高位的人犯的罪还是在低位的人犯的罪。许多自称为基督徒的人，认为那些不谴责罪恶的人是敬虔的人，是真正的基督徒，同时认为那些勇敢维护正义，绝不会为了不圣洁的影响而牺牲正直的人缺乏虔诚和基督的精神。{3T 302.1}[24]
§50
This sin of these noble leaders was great. Their lives might have been illustrious to the close. They had been greatly exalted and honored; yet God does not excuse sin in those in exalted positions any sooner than He does in those in more humble positions. Many professed Christians look upon men who do not reprove and condemn wrong, as men of piety and Christians indeed, while they think that those who stand boldly in defense of the right, and will not yield their integrity to unconsecrated influences, lack piety and a Christian spirit. {3T 302.1}[24]
§51
那些不惜一切代价维护上帝的尊荣和保持真理之纯正的人，要经历百般的磨练，正如我们的救主在旷野受试探时一样。而那些有易于屈服之性情的人，他们没有勇气谴责错行，在需要他们顶着压力发挥影响维护正义之时，他们却保持沉默，这些人或许会避免许多心痛和困惑，但是即或他们没有失丧自己的灵魂，也会失去非常丰厚的奖赏。那些与上帝和谐一致，凭着信心从上帝领受力量抵挡错行并维护正义的人，总是会有严峻的斗争，且要时常独自站立。然而，他们若依靠上帝，宝贵的胜利必将属于他们。上帝的恩典要成为他们的力量。他们道德感将会十分敏锐清晰，他们的道德力也能抵御错误的影响。他们的正直就如摩西一样，要成为最纯洁的品格。 {3T 302.2}[25]
§52
Those who stand in defense of the honor of God and maintain the purity of truth at any cost will have manifold trials, as did our Saviour in the wilderness of temptation. While those who have yielding temperaments, who have not courage to condemn wrong, but keep silent when their influence is needed to stand in defense of the right against any pressure, may avoid many heartaches and escape many perplexities, they will also lose a very rich reward, if not their own souls. Those who are in harmony with God, and who through faith in Him receive strength to resist wrong and stand in defense of the right, will always have severe conflicts and will frequently have to stand almost alone. But precious victories will be theirs while they make God their dependence. His grace will be their strength. Their moral sensibility will be keen and clear, and their moral powers will be able to withstand wrong influences. Their integrity, like that of Moses, will be of the purest character. {3T 302.2}[25]
§53
亚伦温柔且易于屈服的精神，和他喜欢取悦于人的愿望，弄瞎了他的眼睛，使他看不到他们的罪恶，也看不出他所认可之罪行的巨大。他助长错误与罪恶的行为使得三千名以色列人付上了生命的代价。亚伦的行为与摩西形成了何等鲜明的对照啊！摩西向百姓证明轻慢上帝必不得逃罪之后，在他藉着可怕的命令——杀戮那些坚持背道的朋友和亲属——向以色列人显明由于他们的罪而导致上帝的不悦之后，在进行了这番消除上帝忿怒，不顾他们对那些顽固不化、执意反叛之爱友和亲属的同情心的公正措施之后，摩西准备要进行另一项工作。他证明了谁是上帝的真朋友，谁是百姓的朋友。 {3T 303.1}[26]
§54
The mild and yielding spirit of Aaron, and his desire to please the people, blinded his eyes to their sins and to the enormity of the crime that he was sanctioning. His course in giving influence to wrong and sin in Israel cost the lives of three thousand men. In what contrast with this is the course of Moses. After he had evidenced to the people that they could not trifle with God with impunity; after he had shown them the just displeasure of God because of their sins, by giving the terrible decree to slay friends or relatives who persisted in their apostasy; after the work of justice to turn away the wrath of God, irrespective of their feelings of sympathy for loved friends and relatives who continued obstinate in their rebellion--after this, Moses was prepared for another work. He proved who was the true friend of God and the friend of the people. {3T 303.1}[26]
§55
“到了第二天，摩西对百姓说：‘你们犯了大罪。我如今要上耶和华那里去，或者可以为你们赎罪。’摩西回到耶和华那里，说：‘唉！这百姓犯了大罪，为自己做了金像。倘或祢肯赦免他们的罪，……不然，求祢从祢所写的册上涂抹我的名。’耶和华对摩西说：‘谁得罪我，我就从我的册上涂抹谁的名。现在你去领这百姓，往我所告诉你的地方去，我的使者必在你前面引路；只是到我追讨的日子，我必追讨他们的罪。’耶和华杀百姓的缘故是因他们同亚伦做了牛犊”（出32:30-35）。{3T 303.2}[27]
§56
And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the Lord; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin. And Moses returned unto the Lord, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet now, if Thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray Thee, out of Thy book which Thou has written. And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against Me, him will I blot out of My book. Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, Mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them. And the Lord plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made. {3T 303.2}[27]
§57
摩西为这些犯罪的以色列人哀求上帝。他并没有试图在上帝面前减轻他们的罪，也没有为他们的罪找任何借口。他坦白承认他们犯了大罪，用金子制造了假神。然后他抛弃了自己本性中的怯懦，以色列人的利益与他的生命紧密交织在一起，以致他大胆地来到上帝面前，求祂赦免祂的百姓。他恳求说：倘若百姓的罪过于严重，以致达到了上帝无法赦免的程度，倘若百姓的名字必须要从生命册上涂抹，求耶和华也涂抹他的名字。当耶和华对摩西重申祂的应许——上帝的使者要在他前面引导以色列百姓到达应许之地——时，摩西便知道他的恳求得蒙了上帝的允准。但耶和华对摩西保证，倘若以色列人再次得罪上帝，激怒祂，祂便定然要刑罚他们这次严重的罪行。但他们今后若保持顺从，祂就会在祂的册子上把这项大罪涂抹掉。{3T 303.3}[28]
§58
Moses supplicated God in behalf of sinning Israel. He did not try to lessen their sin before God; he did not excuse them in their sin. He frankly acknowledged that they had sinned a great sin and had made them gods of gold. Then he loses his timidity, and the interest of Israel is so closely interwoven with his life that he comes with boldness to God and prays for Him to forgive His people. If their sin, he pleads, is so great that God cannot forgive them, if their names must be blotted from His book, he prays the Lord to blot out his name also. When the Lord renewed His promise to Moses, that His Angel should go before him in leading the people to the Promised Land, Moses knew that his request was granted. But the Lord assured Moses that if He was provoked to visit the people for their transgressions, He would surely punish them for this grievous sin also. But if they were henceforth obedient, He would blot this great sin out of His book. - {3T 303.3}[28]