挺進迦南三部曲
第三部 神克敵挺進迦南
(約書亞記)
前 言
民數記接續出埃及記, 詳述神救贖以色列人擺脫埃及為奴慘境, 親自帶領他們過紅海
出埃及地, 從蘭塞出發啓行, 浩浩蕩蕩, 歷盡艱辛, 曠野流浪, 歷時四十餘年, 走過四十七站
(第二部第16章III.出埃路線(圖一)), 終於進入摩押平原, 來到約但河耶利哥對岸的什亭, 安營
休整, 蓄勢待發, 預備渡河挺進迦南.
在這漫長艱辛的旅程中, 摩西姐弟米利喑和亞倫先後去世, 他自己領導會眾, 亦因環境
險惡艱困, 會眾不耐, 怨言迭起, 萬分困擾, 更因在尋的曠野加低斯, 會眾無水苦渴, 攻擊摩西,
他在盛怒之下 , 違背神命, 用杖猛擊磬石兩下, 以洩心中忿恨, 水雖湧出, 但干神怒, 受到嚴厲
斥責, 終生不得進迦南應許之地, 遺恨終身. 於是, 帶領以色列人進迦南的大責重任, 就落在
摩西得力的助手, 嫩之子約書亞身上. 約書亞早年名叫何西亞(Hoshea)(民13:8), 意即 "救恩;"
後摩西給他改名約書亞(Joshua)(民13:16), 意即 "耶和華拯救" 或 "靠耶和華得勝."
民數記只說到以色列人進入摩押平原後, 在約但河東安營休整, 作渡河進迦南之準備,
未述及領導權的交接, 及摩西的逝世, 二大重要事件, 故需以申命記31-34章作橋樑, 使民數記
與約書亞記, 兩相連接, 完成 "挺進迦南三部曲." 本篇將繼續述說約書亞在神保守之下, 成功
帶領以色列人進入迦南的精彩故事.
第一章 約書亞繼承領導
I. 宣示神旨(申31:1-8):
摩西向以色列人宣示, "我現已年逾一百二十歲, 不能再繼續領導你們了! 耶和華也曾
對我說, '你必不得過約但河.' 耶和華你們的神必定引導你們過去, 在你們的面前消滅列國,
讓你們得到他們的地土. 正如耶和華所說, 約書亞必帶領你們過去. 耶和華對待他們, 必如
從前待他滅絕的亞摩利二王西宏和噩, 以及他們的國一樣. 耶和華必將他們交在你們手中,
你們要遵我命令對待他們. 你們當剛強壯膽, 不要害怕, 更不要畏懼他們, 因為耶和華你們
的神必與你們同去; 衪必不撇下你們, 也不會丟棄你們."
接著, 摩西召約書亞前來, 在以色列人的面前指示他, "你當剛強壯膽, 因你要和百姓
一同進入耶和華向你們列祖起誓應許所賜之地; 你也要使他們承受應許之地為業. 耶和華
必在你前面帶領, 衪必與你同在, 必不撇下你, 也不會丟棄你. 不要懼怕, 更不要驚惶."
II. 頌讀律法(申31:9-13):
摩西將這律法寫下, 交給耶和華約櫃祭司利未子孫和以色列眾長老, 摩西指示他們說,
"每逢七年的最後一年, 就是在豁免年的期間, 守住棚節時, 以色列眾人來到耶和華你們的神
選好的地方朝見衪; 那時, 你要在以色列眾人的面前, 將這律法唸給他們聽, 也要集合他們的
男女孩童, 及城中寄居者, 照樣唸給他們聽, 使他們認真學習, 好敬畏耶和華你們的神, 謹守
遵行這律法規定; 更要讓他們不懂這律法的兒女聽見, 好學習敬畏耶和華你們的神. 在你們
過約但河去得地為業的日子, 你們要常常這樣行.
III. 最後訓示(申31:14-29):
(I) 預言悖逆(申31:14-18):
耶和華指示摩西, " 你的死期將至, 快召約書亞前來, 你們兩人站在會幕前, 我好
當面囑咐他." 於是, 摩西和約書亞遵示站在會幕前.
耶和華在會幕前雲柱中顯現, 雲柱停在會幕門上頭. 耶和華又指示摩西, "你快與
你的列祖長眠. 這些百姓將在他們進入之地, 隨從外邦別神, 敗壞自己離棄我, 違背我與他們
所立的約. 那時, 我的怒氣必向他們發作, 離棄他們, 掩面不顧他們, 讓他們自生自滅, 並且使
災禍不斷地臨到他們. 到那日, 他們會說, '這些災禍降在我們身上, 豈非我們的神不再與我們
同在嗎?' 那時, 我必掩面不顧他們, 因他們轉向別神, 盡行邪惡."
(II) 作歌訓世(申31:19-22):
耶和華又指示摩西, "現在你要寫下這首詩歌, 用以教導以色列人, 並讓他們高唱,
使這首歌為我見證他們的悖逆, 因為我將他們領進我向他們列祖起誓應許的流奶與蜜之地.
當他們在那裏吃飽喝足, 腦滿腸肥時, 他們就轉向別神, 事奉邪惡藐視我, 違背我的約. 那時,
必有災禍不斷臨到他們, 這詩歌就可在他們面前作見證, 讓他們的子孫口中誦唱不忘, 在我
未領他們到我起誓應許之地前, 他們心中意念我都洞悉無遺." 當日, 摩西遵示寫了一首詩歌,
教導以色列人.
(III) 囑約書亞(申31:23):
最後, 耶和華囑咐嫩之子約書亞, "你當剛強壯膽, 因你必領以色列人進入我起誓
應許他們的地, 我必與你同在."
(IV) 寫律法書(申31:24-29):
於是, 摩西將律法的條文, 寫在書上, 寫完之後, 立即指示抬耶和華約櫃的利未人,
"將這律法書放在耶和華你們的神的約櫃旁, 以見證以色列人的敗壞, 因我知道你們悖逆硬頸.
我今日還活著與你們同在, 你們尚且悖逆耶和華, 何況我死後呢? 你們要召你們支派眾長老
和首領前來, 我好將這些話親自說給他們聽, 同時, 呼天喚地指證他們的悖逆. 我深知我死後,
你們必全然敗壞, 偏離我教導你們的道, 行耶和華眼中看為惡的事, 日後必有災禍臨到你們,
因你們在耶和華眼前作惡, 惹祂發怒.
IV. 摩西之歌(申31:30-32:43):
摩西作歌, 並親自吟唱給以色列全體會眾聽:
新 譯 英 文
1 天哪! 請傾聽, 我要說話; Listen, O heavess, and I wil lspeak;
地哪! 請細聽, 我口中言話; hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.
2 我的教訓下降如雨, Let my teaching fall like rain,
我的言語滴落如露, and my words descend like dew,
如細雨澆嫩草, like showers on new grass,
若甘霖降蔬果. like abundant rain on tender plants.
3 我要宣告耶和華的名, I will proclaim the name of the Lord;
讚美我們神的偉大! Oh, praise the greatness of our God!
4 衪是磬石, 所作盡都完全, He is the Rock, his works are perfect,
所行盡都公平; and all his ways are just;
衪是信實的神, A faithful God who does no wrong,
完美無瑕, 公義正直. upright and just is he.
5 他們對衪悖逆敗壞, They have acted corruptly toward him;
他們蒙羞, 不再是衪的兒女, to their shame they are no longer his children.
只是乖謬不正的世代. but a warped and crooked generation.
6 愚昧無知的民啊! Is this the way you repay the Lord,
你們這樣報答耶和華嗎? O foolish and unwise people?
難道祂不是你們的父嗎? Is he not your father, your Creator,
不是創製塑造你們的創造主嗎? who made you and formed you?
7 你們要回想往昔的日子, Remember the days of old;
追念逝去的世代. consider the generations of past.
你們問父親, 他會告訴你; Ask your father and he will tell you;
問長者, 他會開示你. your elders, and they explain to you.
8 至高者將地業 When the Most High
賜給列國, gave the nations their inheritance,
將世人分開時, when He divided all mankind,
依以色列眾數目 he set up boundaries for the peoples
為百姓劃定彊界. according to the number of the sons of Isreal.
9 耶和華的份就是衪的子民, For the Lord's portion is His people,
衪的產業就是雅各. Jacob His allotted inheritance.
10 耶和華在曠野發現他, In a desert land He found him,
曠野荒涼, 猛獸吼叫; in a barren and howling waste.
乃護衛他, 看顧他, He shielded him and cared for him;
保護他, 如保護眼中瞳人. He guarded him as the apple of His eye,
11 又如鷹攪巢, like an eagle that stirs up its nest
盤旋雛鷹之上, and hoves over its young,
展翅接住雛鷹, that spreads its wings to catch them
背在兩翼之上. and carries them on the pinions.
12 耶和華單獨帶領他, The Lord alone led him,
沒外邦神與他攪和. no foreign god was with him.
13 耶和華使他在高處馳騁, He made him ride on the heiights of the land
讓他享用田野蔬果; and fed him with the fruit of the fields;
又以岩石流蜜, He nourished him with honey from the rock,
石縫清油, and with oil from the flinty crag.
14 牛羊乳酪, with curds and milk from herd and flock
山羊油脂, and with fattened lambs and goats,
巴珊精選公羊, with choice rams of Bashan
及上好麥子滋養他; and the finest kernels of wheat.
也喝葡萄釀造美酒. You drank the foaming blood of the grape.
15 約書崙(以色列)長得壯碩活潑, Jeshurun grew fat and kicked;
飽享美食變得肥白光鮮. filled with food, he became heavy and sleek.
然而, 他卻離棄造他的神, He abandoned the God who made him
抗拒救他的磬石. and rejected the Rock his Savior.
16 他們以外邦別神激衪忿恨, They made him jealous with foreign gods
以可憎偶像惹他發怒. and angered him with their detestable idols.
17 他們向非神的魔鬼獻祭 - They sacrificed to demons which are not God -
那是他們不識之神, gods they had not known,
新近出現之神, gods that recently appeared,
和他們列祖不畏之神. gods your fathers did not fear.
18 你們背棄生你們的磬石, You deserted the Rock who fathered you;
忘記造你們的神. you forgot the God who gave you birth.
19 耶和華見此傷心而拋棄他們, The Lord saw this and rejected them
因祂的兒女觸怒衪. 乃曰: because he was angered by his sons and daughters.
20 "我要掩面不理他們, "I will hide my face from them,
看他們的下場如何; and see what their end will be;
因他們是邪惡乖僻的一代, for they are a perverse generation,
不信不實的兒女. children who are unfaiithful.
21 他們以非神之神令我忿恨, They made me jealous by what is no god
以虛無偶像惹我發怒; and angered me with their worthless idols.
我也要以非民之民令他們忿恨, I will made them envious by those who are not a people;
以無知之國惹他們發怒. I will made them angry by a nation that has no understanding.
22 我的烈怒點燃大火, For a fire has been kindled by my wrath,
燒到陰間深處; one that burns to the realm of death below.
焚燬大地與產物, It will devour the earth and its harvests
燃燒山嶺的根基. and set afire the foundations of the mountains.
23 我要把災禍堆在他們身上, I will heap calamities upon them
向他們射盡我的箭. and spend my arrows against them.
24 我要使他們因饑荒消瘦, I will send wasting famine against them,
因瘟疫死亡; consuming pestilence and deadly plague;
我也要放出野獸牙咬他們, I will send against them the fangs of wild beasts,
爬行大蛇毒液毒死他們. the vernom of vipers that glide in the dust.
25 在大街, 刀劍殺盡他們兒女, In the street the sword will make them childless,
在家中, 恐懼充滿他們四周; in their homes terror will reign;
青年男女和嬰孩老翁 Young men and young women will perish,
盡都喪亡. infants and gray-haired men.
26 我說過, 我要把他們分散四方, I said I would scatter them
讓對他們的記憶從人間消失; and blot out their memory from mankind;
27 惟恐仇敵嘲笑, but I dreaded the taunt of the enemy,
誤會大言: lest the adversary misunderstand
都是我們雙手得勝, and say, 'Our hand has triumphed;
一切都不是耶和華做的.'" the Lord has not done all this.'"
28 因他們是無知之國, They are the nation without sense,
心無見識. there is no discernment in them.
29 除非他們明智豁達, If only they were wise and would understand this
認清他們末來結局. and discern what their end will be!
30 若非他們的磬石出賣他們, How could one man chase a thousand,
耶和華交出他們. or two put ten thousand to flight,
一人怎能追趕千人, unless their Rock had sold them,
二人怎能趕走萬人? unless the Lord had given them up?
31 即使我們的仇敵也承認, For their rock is not like our Rock,
因他們的磬石不如我們的磬石, as even our enemies concede.
32 他們的葡萄樹來自所多瑪的葡萄園, Their vine comes from the vine of Sodom
來自蛾摩拉的田野. and from the field of Gomorrah.
他們的葡萄都是毒葡萄, Their grapes are filled with poison,
整掛葡萄既苦且澀. and their clusters with bitterness.
33 他們的酒全是巨蟒毒汁, There wine is the venom of serpents,
毒蛇死亡之液. the deadly poison of cobras.
34 這不是都保留在我這裏, Have I not kept this in reserve
封存在我庫中嗎? and sealed it in my vaults?
35 在他們失足之時, It is mine to avenge; I will repay.
我為他們報復申冤; In due time their foot will slip;
他們受難的日子近了, their day of disaster is near
他們的末日將臨. and their doom rushes upon them.
36 耶和華審判衪的子民, The Lord will judge his people
憐憫衪的僕人. and have compassion on his servants;
當衪目睹他們的力量消失, when he sees their strength is gone,
為奴或自由的, 無一存留時; and no one is left , slave or free.
37 祂會說, "他們的神 He will say, "Now where are their gods,
他們避難的磬石, the rock they took refuge in.
38 吃他們祭牲脂油, the gods who ate the fat of their sacrifices
和喝他們獻祭奠酒的神, 在那裏? and drank the wine of their drink offerings?
何不讓那些神起來幫你們! Let them rise up to help you!
讓那些神保護你們! Let them give you shelter!
39 看哪, 我就是耶和華! See now that I myself am He!
除我以外別無他神; There is no god besides me;
我能使人死, 也能使人活, I put to death and I bring to life,
我能傷人, 也能治人. I have wounded and Iwill heal,
無人能從我手中救出. and no one can deliver out of my hand.
40 我向天舉手宣示: I lift my hand to heaven and declare:
"我是永生的神, "As sure as I live forever,
41 當我磨利我閃亮的劍, when I shapen my flashing sword
手持利劍審判時, and my hand grasps it in judgement,
就必向我的仇敵報復, I will take vengeance on my adversaries
向恨我的人討債. and repay those who hate me.
42 我要使我的箭暢飲鮮血, I will make my arrows drunk with blood,
我的劍飽餐上肉: while my sword devours flesh:
那就是刀殺及俘虜的血, the blood of the slain and the captives,
和仇敵首領的頭." the heads of the enemy leaders."
43 列國啊, 當與衪的子民齊聲歡呼! Rejoice, O nations, with his people,
因祂要為衪僕人流的血申冤, for he will avenge the blood of his servants;
向衪的敵人報復, he will take vengeance on his enemies
及救贖祂的地土和子民. and make atonement for his land and people
[註] 原譯有誤譯欠通之處, 不揣冒昧, 大膽改譯, 請比較指正, 榮耀歸主.
V. 摩西遺言(申32:44-47):
摩西和嫩之子約書亞將這首詩歌的歌詞唸給百姓聽, 摩西向他們唸完這首詩歌, 就對
他們宣示, "我今日警告你們的話, 你們要牢記心頭, 更要囑咐你們的子孫, 謹守遵行律法上
的話, 因這不是空話, 與你們無關緊要的事, 而是你們真實生命, 藉我所說的這些話, 你們過
約但河得地為業, 才可長可久."
VI. 預言死地(申32:48-52):
就在同一天, 耶和華指示摩西, "你上摩押耶利哥對面亞巴琳山脈的尼波山去, 從山頂
俯瞰我要賜給以色列人為業的迦南地, 你必死在你登上的山中, 與列祖同眠, 正如你兄亞倫
死在何珥山上, 歸他列祖一樣; 因你們二人在尋的曠野, 加低斯的米利巴水邊, 在以色列人中,
違背我命, 沒尊我為聖, 得罪了我, 故我賜給以色列人的地, 你只可遠眺, 不得進入."
VII. 摩西祝福(申33:1-29):
以下是神人摩西在死前, 為以色列人所作的祝福:
新 譯 英 文
2. 耶和華從西乃來, The Lord came from Sinai
從西珥露出曙光, and dawned over them from Seir;
從巴蘭山發出光輝. he shone forth from Mount Paran.
衪與萬聖從南方 He came with myraids of holy ones
從山麓同來, from the south, from his mountain slopes.
3 你的確疼愛百姓; Surely it is you who love the people;
萬聖都掌握在你手中, all the holy ones are in your hand.
他們俯伏在你腳前, At your feet they all bow down,
領受你的訓示. and from you receive instruction,
4 摩西傳給我們律法, the law that Moses gave us,
作為雅各會眾的產業. the possession of the assembly of Jacob.
5 會眾首領 He was king over Jeshurun
與以色列支派聚集時, when the leaders of the people assembled,
耶和華在耶書崙中作王. along with the tribes of Isreal.
以下是摩西給以色列各支派的祝福:
6 為流便祝福:
"願流便長存不死, "Let Reuben live and not die,
子孫不至稀少." nor his men be few."
7 為猶大祝福:
"耶和華啊! 求你傾聽猶大的呼求, "Hear, O Lord, the cry of Judah;
領他回歸自己本族. bring him to his people.
讓他用手為自己奮鬬, with his own hands he defends his cause.
主啊, 求你助他對抗仇敵." Oh, be his help against his foes!"
8 為利未祝福:
"願你的土明和烏陵 "Your Thummim and Urim belong
屬於你喜悅的人. to the man you favored.
你在瑪撒試驗過他, You tested him at Massah;
他在米利巴水邊與你爭論. you contended with him at the waters of Meribah.
9 利未人談到自己父母則說: He said of his father and mother:
"我與他們無關." "I have no regards for them."
他不認他的兄弟, He did not recognize his brothers
也不識他的兒女; or acknowledged his own children;
但他恪遵你的話, but he watched over your word
謹守你的約. and guarded your covenant.
10 他把你的典章教導雅各, He teaches your precepts to Jacob
把你的律法教導以色列. and your law to Isreal.
他在你面前上香, He offers incense before you
在你壇上獻全牲燔祭. and whole burnt offerings on your altar.
11 耶和華啊! 求你祝福他的專業, Bless all his skills, O Lord,
悅納他手作的工. and be pleased with the work of his hands.
求求打擊起來危害他的人, Smite the loins of those who rise up against him;
擊倒他的仇敵, 永不翻身." Strike his foes till they rise no more."
12 為便雅憫祝福:
"願耶和華喜愛的, 主內安然居住, "Let the beloved of Lord rest secure in him,
終日庇護他, for he shields him all day long,
讓他安居主的兩肩間." and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders."
13 為約瑟祝福:
"願耶和華賜福給他的地, "May the Lord bless his land
得到天降甘露, with the precious dew from heaven above
地湧泉水; and with the deep waters that lie below;
14 吸取太陽最佳陽光, with the best the sun brings forth
月亮柔美陰潤; and the finest the moon can yield;
15 得到太古山崗精選上品, with choicest gifts of the ancient mountains
永恆邱陵豐碩果實; and the fruitfulness of the everlasting hills;
16 也得到地和地中的至寶, with the best gifts of the earth and its fullness
蒙主喜悅, 居住火中荊棘上. and the favor of him who dwelt in the burning bush.
願諸福落在約瑟頭上, Let all these rest on the head of Jooseph,
17 和他作首領的弟兄額頭. on the brow of the prince among his brothers.
又願他如頭生公牛, 大有威嚴; In majesty he is like a firstborn bull;
他的兩角壯如野牛的角, his horns are the horns of a wid ox.
雙角牴觸萬邦, With them he will gore the nations,
直到地極. even those at the ends of the earth.
這角就是萬萬以法蓮 Such are the ten thousands of Ephraim;
和千千瑪拿西." such are the thousands of Manasseh."
18 為西布倫祝福:
"西布倫啊! 出外要歡樂; "Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going out,
以薩迦啊! 住棚要喜樂. and you, Issachar, in your tents.
19 他們要召萬民上高山, They will summon people to the mountain
共獻公義之祭; and there offer sacrifices of righteousness;
他們也要共享海產盛宴, they will feast on abundance of the seas,
同嚐藏沙珍品." on the treasures hidden in the sand."
20 為迦得祝福:
"願擴張迦得領土的得福! "Bless is he who enlarges Gad's domain!
迦得如猛獅, Gad lives there like a lion,
撕裂獵物臂與頭. tearing at arm or head.
21 他為自己選到最佳地土, He chose the best land for himself;
; 為他保留首領應得的份. the leader's portion was kept for him.
百姓首領聚集時, When the heads of the people assembled,
他執行耶和華公義意旨, he carried out the Lord's righteous will,
及對以色列的審判. and his judgements concerning Isreal."
22 為但祝福:
"但是隻幼獅, "Dan is a lion's cub,
從巴珊跳出." springing out of Bashan."
23 為拿弗他利祝福:
"拿弗他利飽享恩寵, "Naphtali is abounding with the favor of the Lord
滿有耶和華祝福; and is full of blessing;
他將得湖南地業." he will inherit southward to the lake."
24 為亞設祝福:
"亞設在兄弟中最是蒙福, "Most blessed of sons is Asher;
兄弟寵愛他, let him be favored by his brothers,
雙足浴膏油. and let him bathe his feet in oil."
25 你們的門以銅鐵作閂, The bolts of your gates will be iron and bronze,
你們的力量終生不衰." and your strength will equal your days."
26 無神像耶書崙的神; There is no one like the God of Jeshurun,
衪乘駕諸天幫助你, who rides on the heavens to help you
行走雲上顯威嚴. and on the clouds in his majesty.
27 永生神是你的避難所, The eternal God is your refuge,
永壯膀臂托住你, and underneath are the everlasting arms.
衪在你面前逐出仇敵, He will drive out your enemy before you,
高呼, '毀滅他!' saying, 'Destroy him!'
28 使以色列得以安居, So Isreal will live in safety alone;
雅各後裔 Jacob's spring is secure
安然於五穀新酒之地, in a land of grain and new wine,
蒙受天降甘露. where the heavens drop dew.
29 以色列啊! 願你蒙福, Blessed are you, O Isreal!
誰能像你, Who is like you.
得作耶和華拯救的子民? a people saved by the Lord?
衪是你的盾牌和幫手 He is your shield and helper
以及榮光閃耀的寶劍. and your glorious sword.
你的仇敵將在你面前戰抖, Your enemies will cower before you,
你必踏平他們的高地." and you will trample down their high places."
[註] 原譯有誤譯欠通之處, 不揣冒昧, 大膽改譯, 請比較指正, 榮耀歸主.
VIII. 摩西逝世(申34:1-12):
摩西從摩押平原登尼波山, 登上耶利哥相對的毘斯迦山頂. 耶和華把基列全地直至但;
拿弗他利全地 以法蓮和瑪拿西之地; 猶大全地直至西海; 南地和棕樹城耶利哥平原; 一直至
瑣珥, 都指給他看. 然後, 耶和華再對他說, "這就是我向亞伯拉罕、以撒和雅各起誓應許之地,
說, '我必將這地賜給你的後裔.' 現我讓你親眼看見, 但你卻不得過到那邊去."
結果, 耶和華的僕人摩西果然死在摩押地, 正如耶和華所說的. 死後耶和華將他埋葬在
摩押地, 伯毘珥對面的山谷中, 可是一直至今日, 沒有人知道他的墳墓在何方? 摩西逝世時,
享年一百二十歲, 眼目不昏花, 精神沒衰敗. 摩西歸天以後, 以色列人在摩押平原為他舉喪,
全民哀哭了三十天.
摩西逝世後, 以色列人遵耶和華之命, 由嫩之子約書亞繼承領導, 因摩西曾按手約書亞
頭上, 就被智慧的靈充滿, 大有能力, 以色列人都服從他的領導.
以後, 以色列中再沒興起像摩西的先知, 他是耶和華面對面親自教導的. 耶和華差遣
他在埃及向法老和其所有臣僕百姓, 以及他的全地, 施行各樣神蹟奇事, 並在以色列人眾人
眼前彰顯大能, 行一切大而可畏的大事.