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Manna issue 81 - The Dwelling Place Where God Has Chosen to Establish His Name (I) 神所選擇建立祂名的居所

Why God chose, and later forsook, Shiloh. 為何神選了示羅，但後來又拋棄了

KC Tsai—Toronto, Canada

加拿大多倫多 蔡恆忠執事

The Israelites reached the plains of
Moab, east of River Jordan, on the
first day of the eleventh month of the
fortieth year after they had departed
from Egypt (Deut 1:3). They had
arrived at the threshold of the
promised land. Around 70 days later,
on the tenth day of the first month,
they would cross the river to reach
Canaan (Josh 4:19). Moses knew
that he was nearing the end of his
life, and would not be able to cross
into the land with them (Deut 3:23–
27). The people would obtain the
promised land of God under the
leadership of Joshua.

以色列人離開埃及之後，
在第四十年又11個月的第一天，
走到約旦河東邊的摩押平原。
(申 1：3)
他們終於到達了應許之地的門口。
大約70天之後第一月的第10天，
他們會越過約旦河，進入迦南地。
(書 4：19)
摩西知道，他已經接近自已生命的終點了，
不能和他們一起越過河進入迦南地。
(申 3：23-27)
百姓會在約書亞的領導之下，得到神的應許之地。

Faced with a multitude—the
number of men alone was about
600,000 (Num 26:51)—who had
followed him on the long journey
through the wilderness, Moses
inevitably had many instructions for
them. But where was he to begin?
He was an old man of 120 years old.
What words should he leave this
young multitude at such a crucial
moment? Moses chose to reiterate
the laws of God (Deut 1:5), earnestly
and repeatedly exhorting God’s
people. After all, they were about to
enter a new land—a land in which
they would settle and leave behind
the tent-dwelling, nomadic life.

面對一群人 - 光是男人的數目就大約60萬人(民 26：51)-
他們跟著摩西在長久的旅程中，經過了曠野，
摩西無可避免地，要給他們很多命令。
但是他要從那裡開始著手呢？
他是一個120歲的老人。
在目前這樣嚴峻情況中，他到底要對這群年輕的百姓，留下什麼勸戒呢？
摩西選擇來重申神的律例，(申 1：5)
懇切又一再重申來勸告神的百姓。
畢竟，他們快要進去一片新的地土 - 
他們會在那裡定居，並且放棄過去住在帳篷過著遊放的日子。

The nations of Canaan had pagan
traditions and idol worshipping
practices that were worse—and more
evil—than those of Egypt (Deut
18:9–13). These were challenges to
the faith of the Israelites, who would
be allocated throughout the land of
Canaan, with two and half tribes
residing east of River Jordan. If they
were to live among these nations,
how would they avoid adopting and
assimilating pagan customs into their
own culture? Would they be able to
uphold their faith like they did in the
isolation of the wilderness? Naturally,
Moses was worried. Against the
backdrop of integration with the
Gentile nations, the passing down of
the Israelite faith from generation to
generation would have seemed like a
mammoth challenge.

迦南地的各國，有一些異教的傳統，並且實行偶像崇拜，
這些都很糟，而且也很邪惡-比埃及的情況更不好。
(申 18：9-13)
這些都是以色列人所要面對信仰的挑戰，
因為他們會分散在整個迦南地，而且也有二個半的支派住在約旦河東。
若他們要住在這些國家之中，要怎麼作才能避免吸收並而被異教風俗同化，影響到他們的文化呢？
他們到底可不可以堅守自已的信仰，就像他們過去在曠野與世隔離的日子一樣呢？
很自然地，摩西會感到憂慮。
要對抗外邦國家背景文化的同化，還要能把以色列的信仰一代一代的傳承下去，
看起來就會是一個非常巨大的挑戰。

For this reason, Moses reminded
the people of the laws and ordinances
that they were to observe in the land
God had given them, and he
instructed them of these:

因為這個理由，摩西提醒百姓在神給他們的應許之地時，
要記得典章和律例，他指教他們以下的內容：

1. “These are the statutes and
judgments which you shall be
careful to observe in the land which
the Lord God of your fathers is
giving you to possess, all the days
that you live on the earth. You shall
utterly destroy all the places where
the nations which you shall
dispossess served their gods, on the
high mountains and on the hills and
under every green tree. And you
shall destroy their altars, break their
sacred pillars, and burn their
wooden images with fire; you shall
cut down the carved images of their
gods and destroy their names from
that place. You shall not worship
the Lord your God with such
things.”
(Deut 12:1–4)

1你們存活於世的日子，在耶和華─你們列祖的神所賜你們為業的地上，要謹守遵行的律例典章乃是這些：
2你們要將所趕出的國民事奉神的各地方，無論是在高山，在小山，在各青翠樹下，都毀壞了；
3也要拆毀他們的祭壇，打碎他們的柱像，用火焚燒他們的木偶，砍下他們雕刻的神像，並將其名從那地方除滅。
4你們不可照他們那樣事奉耶和華─你們的神。
(申 12：1-4)

2. “You shall not at all do as we are
doing here today—every man doing
whatever is right in his own eyes…
Observe and obey all these words
which I [Moses] command you, that
it may go well with you and your
children after you forever, when you
do what is good and right in the
sight of the Lord your God.”
(Deut 12:8, 28)

8我們今日在這裡所行的是各人行自己眼中看為正的事，你們將來不可這樣行；
28你要謹守聽從我所吩咐的一切話，行耶和華─你神眼中看為善，看為正的事。這樣，你和你的子孫就可以永遠享福。
(申 12：8，28)

3. “But you shall seek the place
where the Lord your God chooses,
out of all your tribes, to put His
name for His dwelling place; and
there you shall go…Take heed to
yourself that you do not offer your
burnt offerings in every place that
you see; but in the place which the
Lord chooses, in one of your tribes,
there you shall offer your burnt
offerings, and there you shall do all
that I [Moses] command you.”
(Deut 12:5a, 13–14)

5但耶和華─你們的神從你們各支派中選擇何處為立他名的居所，你們就當往那裡去求問，
13你要謹慎，不可在你所看中的各處獻燔祭。
14惟獨耶和華從你那一支派中所選擇的地方，你就要在那裡獻燔祭，行我一切所吩咐你的。
(申 12：5a，13-14)

Unfortunately, after the people
entered Canaan, they did not obey
Moses’ commands to drive out all the
inhabitants (Judg 1:19–35). Hence,
the Canaanites, along with the way
they worshipped their gods, remained
in the land. These Canaanites and
their practices became the thorns
which hindered the Israelites from
keeping the pure faith, as Joshua
forewarned: “[T]hey shall be snares
and traps to you, and scourges on
your sides and thorns in your eyes,
until you perish from this good land
which the Lord your God has given
you” (Josh 23:13b). Sadly, not only
did they confuse the Israelites’ faith in
the one true God, they eventually
became the key cause for the fall of
the nation.

很不幸地，百姓進入迦南地之後，
他們並沒有遵守摩西的命令，把全部住在那地的居民趕出去。
(士 1：19-35)
因此，迦南人和他們以前拜他們神祇的方式，都一直存留在那地上。
這些迦南人和他們所實行的崇拜方式，
就變成了荊棘，會妨礙以色列人去保守他們純潔的信仰，
就如同約書亞所事先對他們的警告：
13他們卻要成為你們的網羅、機檻、肋上的鞭、眼中的刺，直到你們在耶和華─你們神所賜的這美地上滅亡。
(書 23：13b)
很另人悲傷的是，他們不只混亂了以色列信仰的獨一真神，
最後他們也變以這個國家殞落的主要原因。

Teaching 1: Doing What Is Right in Your Own Eyes 教訓1：各人任意而行

In the absence of God’s words, today’s moral standards promote the idea
of “every person doing what is right in their own eyes” as the pinnacle of
human society. The rationale is that if everyone acts according to their own
conscience, evil and anti-social acts will reduce. However, in the kingdom
of God—where we have God’s guidance—conduct based on one’s
conscience alone is insufficient. One needs to examine oneself according to
God’s yardstick. What man deems to be right may not necessarily fulfill the
moral requirements of God. For this reason, Moses warned the people not
to act according to what is right in their own eyes.

在神言語沉默的年代，今日的道德標準，提倡"各人可以照已意任意而行"的想去，
把這種想法當成人類社會的原則。
主要的根據就是，若每個人會根據自已的良心來行動，
邪惡及反社會的行為將會減少。
然而，在神的國中，因為我們有神的帶領-
而行為若是只根據自已良心，很明顯是不夠的。
人人應該根據神所立下的標準，來衡量自已的行為。
人們認為是正確的事情，可能不一定能達成神對道德的要求。
就因為這個原因，摩西警告百姓，不可以根據他們各人眼中看為正的事情，任意而為。

Teaching 2: In the World, But Not Of the World 教訓2：身處世上，但不屬於世界

Entering the world and living with its people will, more often than not,
weaken one’s determination to uphold the words of God, leading one to
assimilate and adopt worldly practices. However, the true church of
salvation is not isolated from the world. Rather, she participates in society
as the light and salt of the world, acting out of love to care for the souls of
the world, and guiding them to receive grace.

進入這個世界，和其中的人們住在一起，"這種情況已經屢見不鮮"，
會弱化我們決心要堅守神的話，會讓我們被同化，採用世上行事的方法。
然而，得救的真教會，並不是獨立於這個世界，
反而是以愛為出發點而發出行為，來關心世上其他人的靈魂，
要指引他們得到恩典。

After they entered Canaan, the
Israelites did not act as Moses
instructed—instead of wholeheartedly
learning and practising what was right
in the eyes of God, every man did
whatever was right in his own eyes.
They forsook God’s principles,
established in accordance with the
law. This affected the substance of
their faith, their attitude in service, as
well as the relationship between the
tribes.

在他們進入迦南地之後，以色列人並沒有照摩西所說的去行 - 
相反地，不但沒有全心去學習在神眼中看為正的事，並且好好的實行，
每個人只照著自已眼中看為正的事，而任意而行。
他自拋棄了神的法則，而這些法則都是根據律法而設立的。
這影響到他們信仰的本質，他們服事神的態度，
並且也影響到眾支派之間，彼此的關係。

The Book of Judges records the
history of the twelve judges
established by God for His people, in
the generations following Joshua’s
death. It also recounts how the
people’s faith fluctuated over a 400-
year timespan (Acts 13:20), and how
they were almost blind in their
knowledge of God. God was their
King (1 Sam 12:12), but the Bible
repeatedly states, “In those days there
was no king in Israel…”1 By
establishing His tabernacle at Shiloh,
God wanted them to come before
Him and be subject to His sovereignty,
but they did not do so. Since they
were unable to acknowledge God as
their King, they judged and made
decisions based on their own standard,
and the Book of Judges concludes
with the phrase: “everyone did what
was right in his own eyes” (Judg
21:25). This is exactly what Moses
had warned them against before his
passing.

士師記記載了神為了百姓設立12個士師的歷吏，
他們都是在約書亞死後的世代。
這也記載了，百姓的信仰是在這400年的時間之中，如何上上下下起起伏伏，(徒 13：20)
並且也讓我們知道他們對神的認識上，是如何變成像盲人一樣。
神就是他們的王(撒上 12：12)
但是聖經裡面重覆說到，
"25那時，以色列中沒有王"。
藉由在示羅設立會幕，神要他們來到祂面前，
屈服在他的主權之下，但他們並沒有這麼作。
因為他們沒有承認神就是他們的王，
他們依照自已的標準來判斷事情，作決定，
而士師記最後用以下的句子下了結論：
"25各人任意而行。"
(士 21：25)
這正是摩西在他去逝之前，警告他們要避免的事。

It is no easy task for the church to
uphold the principles of biblical truth
amidst a sea of diverse philosophies
and declining moral values. This is
why the church needs to cleanse
herself continuously with the word of
God and be sanctified by the truth
(Eph 5:26; Jn 17:14–19). Then, she
will be able to view worldly
conventions in accordance with
biblical truths. When it comes to
evangelism and pastoral work, the
church should not rely on worldly
wisdom, in thoughts, words, or
actions (1 Cor 2:6). Instead, she is to
adopt spiritual foresight, and with her
consecrated believers, strive after
heavenly wisdom in one accord (Jas
3:17–18). Only then can the church
overcome the corruptions of the
world, belong to the Lord Jesus and
become His glorious true church.

對教會而言，身處在像海一般有各種不同的世上哲學思想，
及不斷往下沉淪的道德標準，要持守聖經真理的法則，是不容易的。
這就是為什麼，教會要用神的話語不斷的清潔自已，
用真理使自已成聖的原因。
(弗 5：26；約17：14-19)
然後，教會才能依照聖經的真理，來看待世上的法則。
由其是當談到傳福音和牧養信徒的工作時，
教會不可依賴世上的智慧，不論在思想言行那一方面。
(林前 2：6)
相反地，教會要能採取屬靈的智慧，
和屬她成聖的信徒，同心努力追求天國的智慧。
(雅 3：17-18)
只有這樣，教會才能克服來自世上的敗壞，
屬於主耶穌，成為祂榮耀的真教會。

I do not pray that You should take
them out of the world, but that You
should keep them from the evil one.
They are not of the world, just as I
am not of the world. Sanctify them
by Your truth. Your word is truth.
(Jn 17:15–17)

15我不求你叫他們離開世界，只求你保守他們脫離那惡者（或作：脫離罪惡）。
16他們不屬世界，正如我不屬世界一樣。
17求你用真理使他們成聖；你的道就是真理。
(約 17：15-17)

Here, the Lord Jesus said that His
disciples—and by extension, His
church—are not of the world, just as
He is not. The Lord does not take
them out of the world, but He
promises that He will protect them
from evil. If the church wishes to
preserve the believers from evil,
sermons spoken on the pulpit should
not only focus on affectionate love
(Greek, phileo), and in the process,
compromising the truth with worldly
values. On the contrary, she should
emphasize the upholding and
teaching of the truth, so as to guide
people on the correct path of
salvation. She should all the more
abide by the new commandment of
the Lord—to love others out of
concern for the salvation of their souls
(Greek, agape). This is a higher level
of love, for it bears responsibility for
the salvation of man, according to the
truth.

這裡主耶穌告訴祂的門徒 - 引申來說，
祂的教會，並不是屬於世界，就如同祂也不屬於世界。
神並沒有把他們從世上隔絕開來，
但祂應許，祂會救他們脫離世上的邪惡。
若是教會想要保守信徒，免於各種的邪惡，
講台上所說的道理，不應該只限於說到愛的道理，(希臘文 phileo 友愛) 
而在這樣的過程中，因世上的價值觀，而妥協了真理。
相反地，教會要持守真理，教導別人真理，
為的就是能夠指引別人走上得救正確的道路上。
教會應該與神的新命令更加緊守在一起 -
因為關心別人靈魂的得救，而去愛人。(希臘文，agape 神對人的深愛)
這是一種有深度的愛，因為這是依照真理，帶著人類得救的責任。

Only when the church can practise
this higher level of love—bearing
responsibility for the salvation of
man—can she truly become the true
church described in the Bible. Believers
will not lead their own lives of faith as
they deem fit, neither will they make
decisions based on personal
sentiments and preferences. Rather,
they will seek to do what is good and
right in the sight of God, striving to
abide by His words.

只有當教會可以施行這種有深度的愛心之時-
負起人們得救的責任-
她才能成為聖經裡面，所描寫的真教會。
信徒才不會因為以自已認為好的標準，來走自已的信仰生活，
他們也不會因著自已個人的情感，或是喜好，而作任何決定。
反過來，他們會尋求在神眼中看為正，看為美善的事，
努力親近神的話語。

The Choice is God’s 這是神的選擇

“But you shall seek the place where
the Lord your God chooses, out of
all your tribes, to put His name for
His dwelling place; and there you
shall go…Take heed to yourself that
you do not offer your burnt offerings
in every place that you see; but in
the place which the Lord chooses, in
one of your tribes, there you shall
offer your burnt offerings, and there
you shall do all that I command
you.” (Deut 12:5, 13–14)

5但耶和華─你們的神從你們各支派中選擇何處為立他名的居所，你們就當往那裡去求問，
13你要謹慎，不可在你所看中的各處獻燔祭。
14惟獨耶和華從你那一支派中所選擇的地方，你就要在那裡獻燔祭，行我一切所吩咐你的。
(申 12：5，13-14)

Through His laws, God not only
taught the people how to worship
and serve Him, He also specified
where they were to do so. They did
not have the freedom to choose
where to offer sacrifices to Him—it
was God’s choice. He chose a place in
which to establish His name, a place
where He would dwell with His
people.

經由神的律法，神不只教百姓如何來敬拜和服事祂，
祂也特別指定某些地方，要他們在那裡來服事。
他們並沒有選擇在那裡來獻祭給祂的自由-這是神的選擇。
祂選了一個地方，在那裡建立祂的名，
祂會在那裡和百姓同在。

Teaching 3: Finding the One Church Where God’s Spirit Abides 教訓3：找到聖靈同在的教會

There is a plethora of churches and denominations in the world today.
Many Christians believe that it does not matter which church they
attend, since all churches preach Jesus. Hence, they tend to choose a
church close to home, or where the members are warm and friendly. But
when one is seeking Jesus, the key consideration should be whether
that church is the dwelling place of God—where He abides through the
Holy Spirit, and has chosen to establish His name. This is what God
clearly stated in the Book of Deuteronomy—that His people were to
offer burnt offerings only in the place He has chosen, where His name
is, where His Spirit abides.

今日在世界上，有許許多多的教會和教派。
許多基督徒認為，無論參加那個教會是不重要的，因為所有的教會都在傳揚耶穌。
因此，他們會容易選離家比較近的教會，在其中大家都很感到很溫暖，並且很友善。
但若是一個人想要尋找那穌的時候，
最主要的考量是，那間教會是不是神同在的地方 -
祂透過聖靈與教會同在，祂選了那個地方要建立祂的名。
這就是神很清楚在申命記裡面所表明的-
祂的百性只能在祂所選的地方來獻祭，
那裡是以祂的名而立之地，那裡就有聖靈同在。

After the Israelites entered Canaan, they were distributed throughout
the land. It became necessary for the teaching of the faith to be
centralized, and consistent in content, so that the knowledge of God
would not decline. Hence, God chose a place in which to establish His
name, where the people would gather during festivals to offer sacrifices
and learn to always fear the Lord God (Deut 14:23).

以色列人進入迦南地之後，他們分散在各地。
為了教導百姓信仰的教訓，就有必要把大家集中起來，可以使內容有一致性，
因為這樣對神的認識才不會有任何的減損。
因此神選了一個地方，在那裡建立祂的名，
在節期的時候，百姓可以集合起來獻祭，學習一直來敬畏神。
(申 14：23)

Teaching 4: The Common Faith 教訓4：共信之道

The true church today, although scattered across the surface of the earth, should share in the same faith.
When the faith is passed down, all instructions must adhere completely and consistently to the truth. We
should not select the substance and method of our worship according to personal preference. Even though the
church of God is located in many countries, the believers must serve God with a common faith (Tit 1:4).

今日的真教會，雖然分散在各各地表之上，
但大家該有共同的信仰。
當信仰被傳承下來的時候，所有神的命令應該被完全遵守，並且與神理有所一致。
我們不可根據個人的喜好，來選擇自已所要崇拜的內容與方式。
即使神的教會分佈在許多國家，信徒一定要以共信之道來服事神。
(多 1：4)

The instructions on offerings and worship that Moses delivered to the people before they crossed River
Jordan offer us direction for our own service to God. There are many Christian faiths throughout the world
which preach Jesus, but they differ in their beliefs. For instance, some view the observing of the Sabbath as
part of Mosaic Law, and thus unnecessary to keep under the new covenant. But, in fact, the Sabbath was
established before God’s proclamation of the Ten Commandments through Moses, and even before His
covenant with Abraham (Gen 2:1–3). The Lord Jesus Himself said that the Sabbath was made for man (Mk
2:27). Since it was made for man, how can man ignore the Sabbath? As the consequence of Adam’s sin, the
ground was cursed. God said: “Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your
life…In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread.” Man was doomed to toil all the days of his life. However,
God had established the Sabbath on every seventh day before man had sinned, so that man could enjoy a day
of rest on every seventh day (Gen 3:17–19). Hence, the Sabbath was made for man. Before the Old Testament
laws, God had already commanded and disciplined His people to observe and enjoy the Sabbath Day, through
the matter of manna collection (Ex 16:23–30). This was a perpetual covenant and everlasting sign between
God and His people (Ex 31:12–17), and also the prophecy of Prophet Isaiah. According to Isaiah, this was a
covenant that the true church in the last days, comprising many Gentiles who would come to believe in the
Lord, must abide by (Isa 56:6–8).

摩西在百姓越過約旦河之前，吩咐他們要如何獻祭及敬拜神，
這也提我們如何服事神的方向。
在這世上有許多的基督教信仰都在傳揚耶穌，但是他們信仰的內容卻是有所不同。
例如，有些人認為遵守安息日，是摩西律法的一部份，
所以在新約的時候，就沒有必要繼續遵守了。
但事實上，安息日設立的時候，是在神向摩西宣佈十誡之前，
甚至是比神與亞伯拉罕立約的時間更早。(創 2：1-3)
主耶穌自已說，安息日是為人設立的。
(可 2：27)
因為安息日是為人設立的，人怎麼可以忽略安息日呢？
因為亞當犯罪的原故，土地受到了詛咒。
神說，
17地必為你的緣故受咒詛；你必終身勞苦才能從地裡得吃的。
19你必汗流滿面才得糊口，
(創 3：17，19)
人們被註定終其一生勞苦。
然而，在人犯罪之前，神設立每七天有一個安息日，
所以人們每七天才能享受一天的休息。
(創 3：17-19)
因此，安息日是為人設立的。
在舊約律法之前，神已經頒佈命令，透過揀拾嗎哪的工作，訓練百姓要遵守且享受安息日。
(出 16：23-30)
這是永恆的約定，是神與百姓之間永遠的記號，
(出 31：12-17)
而這也是以賽亞先知的預言。
根據以賽亞先知的預言，這是一個會實現的約定，
在末日的教會，會由許多會來信主的外邦人而組成。
(賽 56，6-8)

Another example is baptism. Many Christian denominations baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and
the Holy Spirit, as Jesus stated to His disciples before His ascension. However, the disciples knew that the name
of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is “Jesus.” Hence, the Acts of the Apostles records how they were
sent forth by the Holy Spirit to baptize men, and each baptism was carried out in the name of Jesus.2 Man can
only receive forgiveness and salvation under the name of Jesus.3 Therefore, the true church of salvation must
carry out baptism in Jesus’ name, just like the apostolic church.

另一個例子就是洗禮。
許多基督教派以父，子，聖靈的名義來施行洗禮，
就如耶穌升天之前對門徒所說的話。
然而門徒知道，父，子，聖靈的名字，就是"耶穌"。
因此，使徒行傳記載了，他們是如何被聖靈差派出去，為人洗禮， 
每一次的洗禮都是奉主耶穌的名來施行的。
人們只有以耶穌的名義之下，才能得到赦罪和救贖。
所以，救贖的真教會一定要奉耶穌的名來洗禮，
就如同使徒教會一樣。

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith,
one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (Eph 4:4–6)

4身體只有一個，聖靈只有一個，正如你們蒙召同有一個指望。
5一主，一信，一洗，
6一神，就是眾人的父，超乎眾人之上，貫乎眾人之中，也住在眾人之內。
(弗 4：4-6)

The church is Christ’s body (Eph 1:23), of which there is only one—the saved true church, chosen by God.
This is the place that God establishes His name, where His Spirit dwells. The members of this church share a
common faith (Tit 1:4), which includes one type of baptism, in accordance with the Bible.

教會是基督的身體。(弗 1：23)
在基督身體之中，只有唯一可以得救的真教會，是被神的揀選的。
這是神建立祂名所設立的地方，並且有聖靈在其中居住。
教會的信徒會彼此有共信之道，(多 1：4)
包括了根據聖經，唯一一種方式的洗禮。

Shiloh Chosen 神選中示羅

Under God’s guidance, Joshua led the
people to capture the cities of Canaan,
bringing the land under subjugation.
After this, the entire congregation
gathered at Shiloh, where the
tabernacle of meeting was erected
(Josh 18:1). It was here, before the
ark of covenant, that God met with
and spoke to His servants (Ex 29:42;
Num 17:4). At this time, God had
chosen Shiloh to be the center of
worship for His people—the dwelling
place God had chosen to bear His
name. It was also the nation’s
administrative center, where people
cast lots for their inheritance (Josh
19:51). This was where the festivals
of God would be observed annually
(Judg 21:19), and where sacrifices
would be offered.

在神的帶領之下，約書亞領導百姓奪取迦南地的城市，征服這地。
在這之後，全部的會眾集合在示羅，那是會幕設立的地方。
(書 18：1)
就是在那裡，在約櫃之前，神和他的僕人見面，並且和他們說話。
(出 29：42；民 17：4)
在這時，神已經選了示羅要成為百姓崇拜的中心-
神所選擇要成為祂名居所的地方。
這也是整個國家的行政中心，在那裡百姓抽籤得到分配之地。
(書 19：51)
這也是每年，大家要遵行神節期的地方，(士 21：19)
而大家要在此獻祭。

Following the death of Joshua,
throughout the 400-plus-year period
of the Judges (Acts 13:20), until the
era of Eli the priest, the people
continued to journey to Shiloh each
year to offer sacrifices to the Lord of
Hosts. This was where Samuel’s father
travelled to annually to offer sacrifices,
and where his mother made a vow to
offer her son to God to become a
Nazirite all his life (1 Sam 1:3, 11).

隨著約書亞的過逝，經過了四百多年的士師時代，(徒 13：20)
直到祭司以利的時代，百姓仍然每天旅行到示羅來獻祭給萬君之耶和華。
這裡也是撒母耳的父親，每年到此旅行獻祭的地方，
而在這裡他的母親向神許願，要把兒子獻給神，成為一個終生的拿細耳人。
(撒上 1：3，11)

Although Shiloh was the center of
Israelite faith, it did not play a leading
role in the spiritual life of the people.
During the period of the Judges, the
people were influenced by pagan
practices and customs, causing their
faith to go through cycles of corruption
and revival. When Eli became high
priest, and his two sons Hophni and
Phinehas served as priests in the
tabernacle of meeting, the people
faced an even greater crisis of faith.
Instead of serving in purity, Eli’s sons
became corrupt—they did not know
God and carried out deeds of
blasphemy before the altar (1 Sam
2:12–22).

雖然示羅是百姓信仰的中心，
但是百姓的屬靈生活上，並沒有扮演好帶領的角色。
在士師時代，百姓受到異教風俗和習慣所影響，
讓他們的信仰不斷重覆著墮落和復興的循環。
當以利成為大祭司的時候，他的兒子何弗尼，非尼哈，
也在會幕中成為祭司在服事，百姓甚至面對了一個更大的信仰危機。
不但沒有用純正的方式在事奉，以利的兒子變壞了 - 
他們不認識神，在祭壇之前，作出了一些褻瀆神的行為。
(撒下 2：12-22)

Shiloh Forsaken 示羅荒廢了

The servants of God did not have God
in their hearts, so Shiloh lost its
spiritual and symbolic significance. It
was a spiritual center in name only, for
God was no longer willing to abide
there. As stated in the psalm of Asaph:

神的僕人並沒有神在他們的心中，
所以示羅已經失去了它屬靈和象徵性的重要性。
它只是名義上的屬靈中心，
因為神已經不再願意住在那裡。
就如詩人亞薩所言，

“He forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh,
the tent He had placed among men,
and delivered His strength into
captivity, and His glory into the
enemy’s hand” (Ps 78:60–61). This
refers to the time when the Israelites
took the ark of God into battle with
the Philistines, where they were
defeated, and the ark captured. At
the same time, Hophni and Phinehas
died on the battlefield. When their
father heard that the ark of God had
been captured by the Philistines, he
fell backward off his chair—
symbolically falling from his position
as high priest—and died (1 Sam 4:11,
18). With these events, God drew a
line—He had completely forsaken His
dwelling place in Shiloh (Jer 7:12–15).

60甚至他離棄示羅的帳幕，就是他在人間所搭的帳棚；
61又將他的約櫃（原文是能力）交與人擄去，將他的榮耀交在敵人手中；
(詩 78：60-61)
這指的是以色列人有一段時間，抬著神的約櫃和腓利士人戰鬥，
那時他們被打敗了，而約櫃被敵人虜走了。
同時何弗尼和非尼哈在戰場上被殺了。
當他們的父親聽到，神的約櫃被腓利士人虜去的時候，
他從自已的椅子上向後倒 - 象微他從自已大祭司的位置上掉下來 - 並且死去。
(撒上 4：11，18)
因為這些事件的關係，神就劃了一條界線 -
他要完全放棄自已在示羅的居所。
(耶 7：12-15)

When the Philistines possessed the
ark of God, many calamities fell on
them; they had no choice but to send
it back to Israel. The people of Kirjath
Jearim took the ark and placed it in
the house of Abinadab on the hill, and
consecrated his son Eleazar to keep it
(1 Sam 7:1). It was here that the ark
remained quietly throughout the era
of Samuel and Saul. After forty years,
when David ascended the throne to
become the king of Israel and Judah,
he remembered the ark of God. But it
was after many setbacks that David
finally managed to bring the ark into
the city of David, the stronghold of
Zion.

當腓利士人佔據了約櫃的時候，他們遇到了許多災難；
他們沒有其他選擇了，只能送回以色列地去。
基列耶琳的人接受了約櫃，並且把它放在山上亞比拿達的家中，
分派他的兒子以利亞撒來看守。
在那裡，約櫃靜靜的被放置，經過了整個撒母耳和掃羅的時代。
四十年之後，當大衛坐上寶座，升為以色列和猶大王的時候，
他想起了神的約櫃。
但經過了幾番挫折之後，大衛最後設法把約櫃帶回大衛之城，鍚安的堡壘。

Comparisons with the Apostolic Church 與使徒教會的比較

After the ascent of the Lord Jesus, the
Holy Spirit descended to establish the
apostolic church. While the apostles
were still on earth, the church was
continuously cleansed by the salvation
truth, as taught by the Lord Jesus, and
the guidance of the Holy Spirit. As
such, she remained holy and dwelled
under the loving grace of God. And,
just as the Lord promised, she
preached the truth throughout the
Gentile lands (Acts 1:8).

主耶穌升天之後，聖靈降臨建立了使徒時期的教會。
雖然使徒還在地上，教會一直有得救的真理來潔淨，
就如同主耶穌的教導，以及聖靈的帶領。
因為這樣，她仍是聖潔的，攏罩在神的慈愛的恩典之下。
而且就如神所應許的，她把真理傳揚到外邦之地。
(徒 1：8)

However, from the apostolic
epistles, we see that in the latter
stages of the apostolic era, towards
the end of the first century, heresies
began to erode the church’s
foundation of the truth.4 The church
also became increasingly secularized
(2 Tim 4:3–4). Following the passing
of the apostles, at the beginning of
the second century, the Holy Spirit
gradually departed from the church.
The church began to compromise on
the salvation truth and to concede to
heresies; she no longer upheld the
pattern of sound words which she
had received from the beginning (2
Tim 1:13–14). After the middle of the
second century, records of praying for
the Holy Spirit, and the downpour of
the Holy Spirit, became rare. God
eventually left the tabernacle that He
established among man, just as He
once departed from Shiloh.

然而，從使徒書信中，我們看到使徒時代的後期，直到第一世紀末，
各種異端開始侵蝕教會真理的根基。
教會也變得逐漸世俗化。
(提後 4：3-4)
在第二世紀的一開始，隨著各各使徒逐一去逝，
聖靈漸漸地離開了教會。
教會開始在得救的真理上妥協，開始妥協給異端；
她不再持守一開始所領受的純正話語的規模。
(提後 1：13-14)
第二世紀中期以後，禱告祈求聖靈，及聖靈降臨的記載，變得很稀少。
神最後離開了祂在人間所建立的會幕，
就像以前祂曾經離開了示羅。

During the period after the apostolic
church and before the revival of the
true church in the last days, the Holy
Spirit might have come upon men as
He did during the Old Testament
period, moving men to serve God.5
But He did not abide with men, until
God poured down His Holy Spirit
once again to establish the true church
in the last days (Isa 2:2–3; Hos
6:1–3).

在使徒教會之後和末日真教會再復興的這段期間之中，
聖靈或許有臨到人，就如祂過去在舊約時期的作為一樣，
感動人來服事神。
但祂並沒有與人同在，直到神再一次把聖靈澆灌下來，在末日來建立真教會。
(賽 2：2-3；何 6：1-3)

To be continued… 待續

4 1 Timothy 1:3; 4:1; 6:3; 2 Timothy 3:8; Titus 1:10–14; 2
John 7–11.

4 
提前 1：3；4：1；6：3
提後 3：8
多 1：10-14；
約二 7-11

5 Numbers 24:2; Judges 3:10; 6:34; 11:29; 14:19; 1 Samuel
10:10; 16:13; 1 Chronicles 12:18; Luke 1:67.

5
民 24：2
士 3：10；6：34；11：29；14：19；
撒上 10：10；16：13；
代上 12：18；
路 1：67

小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com

歡迎主內同靈來信加入翻譯