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约书亚记生命读经 · 第7篇

耶利哥的毁灭

The Destruction of Jericho
1读经：约书亚记六章。约书亚六章记载以色列在迦南地的第一场争战和摧毁。以色列人要得著美地，就必须击败仇敌，赶出邪恶的权势。然而，以色列人实际上不需要争战。他们过约但河时，神作了一切。同样的原则，为著毁灭耶利哥，神的百姓不需要作任何事。他们只需要相信、信靠神，听从以色列军队元帅的指示，抬著约柜高举基督。由此我们看见，在属灵的争战中，我们所该作的第一件事，就是高举基督。
1Scripture Reading: Josh. 6 Joshua 6 is a record of the first warfare and destruction by Israel in the land of Canaan. In order for the children of Israel to gain the good land, they had to defeat the enemy and drive out the evil forces. Nevertheless, the children of Israel actually did not need to fight. When they crossed the Jordan, God did everything. In the same principle, God'sp eople did not need to do anything to destroy Jericho. They only needed to believe and trust in God, to listen to the instruction from the Captain of the army of Israel, and to exalt Christ by bearing the ark. From this we see that in the spiritual warfare the first thing we should do is exalt Christ
2耶利哥城非常坚固。但耶利哥王听见耶和华为祂百姓所作的，他的心就销化，失去胆气。他不知道怎么办，就关了城门，用城墙保护自己和他的百姓。没有交通，没有往来。这指明黑暗的权势受了捆绑，在诸天界里邪恶的属灵权势真正受到捆绑。王信靠城墙，他知道以色列人没有甚么武器来攻破城墙。即使以色列人过了约但河，他也不认为他们能越过城墙。他想不到神会作甚么事。神要毁坏城墙是件容易的事。在二节耶和华告诉约书亚，祂已经把耶利哥、牠的王、和大能的勇士，都交在约书亚手中了。然后神指示约书亚，叫一切兵丁同著抬约柜的祭司围绕这城，每日围绕一次。六日都要这样行。又嘱咐另外七个祭司，要拿七个羊角号走在约柜前。祭司不是照著自己的意思吹号，乃是等候元帅发命令。他们需要指示和引导，正如今天我们需要那灵的引导和带领。
2Jericho was strongly fortified. But when the king heard what Jehovah had done for His people, his heart melted and he lost his spirit, his boldness. Not knowing what to do, he shut the gates of the city and used the walls to protect himself and his people. There was no traffic, no coming in or going out. This indicates that the powers of darkness were bound, that there was a real binding of the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. The king trusted in the wall, knowing that the Israelites did not have any weapons to breach the wall. Even though the Israelites had crossed the Jordan, he did not think that they would be able to cross the wall. He did not have any thought concerning what God would do. It was an easy matter for God to destroy the wall. In verse 2 Jehovah told Joshua that He had given Jericho, its king, and the mighty men of war into Joshua's hand. Then God instructed Joshua to have the men of war with the priests bearing the ark circle the city, going around it one time. This they were to do for six days. Seven other priests were charged to carry seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of Jehovah. The priests did not blow their trumpets according to their own will. Instead, they waited for the captain to give the command. They needed instructions and leading, just as we today need the leading and guiding of the Spirit
3前六日，以色列军队只是同著约柜绕城；约柜豫表基督是神的具体化身。我信许多耶利哥人在城墙上观看，希奇以色列人所作的。第七日，就是安息日，情况就不同了。以色列人实际上不必争战，只要享受安息日，就是享受安息。他们绕城七次，然后那看得见的元帅发令：『呼喊罢！』于是祭司吹号，百姓呼喊，城墙就倒塌了。城被彻底毁坏，任何要兴起重修这城的人，必受咒诅。以色列人征服耶利哥的作法，有力的见证：以色列的神耶和华，是又真又活的神。
3For the first six days, the army of Israel just walked around the city with the ark, which typified Christ as the embodiment of God. I believe that many of the people of Jericho were on the wall watching, wondering what the people of Israel were doing. On the seventh day, the Sabbath day, the situation was different. Israel actually did not have to fight but enjoyed the Sabbath, that is, enjoyed the rest. They walked around the city seven times, and then the visible captain gave the command: “Shout!” The priests trumpeted, the people shouted, and the wall fell down. The city was utterly destroyed, and a curse was placed on anyone who would rise up and build it. The way that Israel conquered Jericho was a strong testimony that Israel's God, Jehovah, is a true and living God.
4我们可将耶利哥遭摧毁的记载应用于传福音。我们接受负担探访罪人时，需要领悟每个罪人都是受咒诅的『坚固之城』。要对付这样一座坚固的城，我们必须有耐心，考虑我们何时该安静，何时该说话。这就是说，我们该跟随主的引导。在适当的时候，正确的宣告会非常有效。会有一个『安息日』，我们能在其中呼喊：『赞美主！耶稣是主！基督得胜！』『城墙』会倒塌，我们要击败一切的鬼，并为基督得著罪人。现在让我们看约书亚六章里所描述各种与耶利哥遭毁灭有关的事。
4We may apply this account of the destruction of Jericho to the matter of preaching the gospel. As we take up the burden to visit sinners, we need to realize that every sinner is a “fortified city” that has been cursed. In dealing with such a fortified city, we must exercise patience, considering when we should be silent and when we should speak. This means that we should follow the Lord's leading. At the right time, the proper declaration will be very effective, and there will be a Sabbath day in which we can shout, “Praise the Lord! Jesus is Lord! Christ is Victor!” The “wall” will fall, and we will be able to defeat all the demons and possess that sinner for Christ. Let us now look at the various matters involved in the destruction of Jericho as described in Joshua 6
壹 耶利哥对以色列的反应
I. THE REACTION OF JERICHO TO ISRAEL
5在一节我们看见耶利哥对以色列的反应。耶利哥城因以色列人就关得严紧，无人出入。耶利哥人被限制，无法作甚么。这指明甚至在以色列上去攻取那城以前，耶利哥已经被击败了。
5In verse 1 we see the reaction of Jericho to Israel. Jericho was shut up tight because of the children of Israel. No one went out and no one went in. The people of Jericho were limited, unable to do anything. This indicates that even before Israel went up to take the city, Jericho was already defeated
贰 耶和华对约书亚的应许
II. JEHOVAH'S PROMISE TO JOSHUA
6照著二节，耶和华应许约书亚，祂已经把耶利哥和牠的王，并大能的勇士，都交在他手中了。
6According to verse 2 Jehovah promised Joshua that He had given Jericho and its king and its mighty men of war into his hand
参 耶和华，祂军队的元帅，
III. THE INSTRUCTION OF JEHOVAH
给约书亚的指示
THE CAPTAIN OF HIS ARMY, TO JOSHUA
7三至五节记载耶和华，祂军队的元帅，给约书亚的指示。
7Verses 3 through 5 are a record of the instruction of Jehovah, the Captain of His army, to Joshua
一一 切兵丁要围绕这城
A. To Circle the City by All the Men of War
8首先，耶和华嘱咐约书亚，叫一切兵丁围绕这城。（3上。）二六日每日绕城一次耶和华指示约书亚，兵丁要六日每日绕城一次。（3下。）
8First, Jehovah charged Joshua to have all the men of war circle the city (v. 3a). B. Going around the City Once a Day for Six Days Jehovah instructed Joshua that the men of war were to go around the city once a day for six days (v. 3b).
三七 个祭司拿七个羊角号走在约柜前
C. Seven Priests Carrying Seven Trumpets of Rams' Horns before the Ark
9耶和华进一步指示约书亚，七个祭司要拿七个羊角号走在约柜前。（4上。）四在第七日要绕城七次，
9Jehovah further instructed Joshua that seven priests were to carry seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark (v. 4a). D. On the Seventh Day Circling the City Seven Times
祭司也要吹号
and the Priests Blowing the Trumpets
10在第七日所有的兵丁要绕城七次，祭司也要吹号。（4下。）这表征宣告、宣扬基督。
10On the seventh day all the men of war were to circle the city seven times, and all the priests were to blow the trumpets (v. 4b). This signifies the declaring, the proclaiming, of Christ
五 众百姓听见号声的时候，要大声呼喊
E. At the Hearing of the Trumpet Sound, All the People Shouting with a Great Shout
11照著五节上半，祭司吹羊角，众百姓听见号声的时候，要大声呼喊。
11According to verse 5a, when the priests gave off the blast of the ram'shorn and the people heard the trumpet sound, all the people were to shout with a great shout
六 城墙就必倒塌，各人要往前直上
F. The Wall of the City Falling Down Flat, and the People Going Up
12耶和华继续指示约书亚，百姓大声呼喊，城墙就必倒塌，然后各人都要往前直上。（5下。）肆约书亚照著耶和华的指示吩咐百姓，百姓就照著约书亚的吩咐行其次，本章给我们看见，约书亚照著耶和华的指示吩咐百姓，百姓就照著约书亚的吩咐行。（6～17上，18～21，24。）
12Jehovah went on to instruct Joshua that when the people shouted with a great shout, the wall of the city would fall down flat. Then they were to go up, each straight ahead (v. 5b). IV. JOSHUA'S CHARGE TO THE PEOPLE ACCORDING TO JEHOVAH'S INSTRUCTION AND THE PEOPLE'S ACTION ACCORDING TO JEHOVAH'S CHARGE Next, this chapter shows us Joshua's charge to the people according to Jehovah's instruction and the people's action according to Jehovah's charge (vv. 6-17a, 18-21, 24
一 绕城
A. In Circling the City
13绕城的时候，带兵器的人走在耶和华的约柜前。七个祭司走在耶和华面前吹号，耶和华的约柜在他们后面跟随。带兵器的人走在吹号的祭司前面；后队随著约柜而行，号角不住的吹响。（6～9。）
13In circling the city, the armed men passed on before the ark of Jehovah. The seven priests passed on before Jehovah and blew the trumpets, and the ark of Jehovah went after them. The armed men went before the priests who blew the trumpets, and the rear guard went after the ark, the trumpets continually blowing (vv. 6-9
二 百姓不可呼喊，等到约书亚叫他们呼喊的那日
B. The People Not Shouting until the Day Joshua Told Them to Shout
14约书亚吩咐百姓，不可呼喊，不可出声，连一句话也不可出他们的口，等到他对他们说，『呼喊！』的那日，他们才可以呼喊。（10。）有安静的时候，也有呼喊的时候。这里安静的意思，乃是与主是一，以主的方式完成事情，而不表达任何思想、意见或感觉。
14Joshua commanded the people not to shout, nor to let their voice be heard, nor to let a word go forth from their mouth until the day he would say to them, “Shout!” Then they would shout (v. 10). There was a time to be silent, and there was a time to shout. Here, to be silent means to be one with the Lord to carry out the matter in the Lord'sway without the expression of any thought, opinion, or feeling.
三 耶和华的约柜
C. The Ark of Jehovah Circling the City
六日每日绕城一次，第七日绕城七次
Once a Day for Six Days and Seven Times on the Seventh Day
15耶和华的约柜绕城，把城绕了一次。次日又照样行，绕城一次。六日都是这样行。到第七日他们照样绕城七次。（11～15。）
15The ark of Jehovah circled the city, going around it one time, and did the same on the second day, circling the city one time. This they did for six days. Then on the seventh day they circled the city in the same manner seven times (vv. 11-15
四 百姓大声呼喊，城墙就倒塌
D. The People Shouting with a Great Shout, and the Wall Falling Down Flat
16第七日，他们绕城第七次。祭司吹号的时候，约书亚对百姓说，『呼喊罢！』百姓便大声呼喊，城墙就倒塌。百姓便上去进城，各人往前直上，将城夺取，将城中所有的，都用刀杀尽，并放火烧城。（16，20～21，24上。）
16The seventh time they circled the city on the seventh day, the priests blew the trumpets, and Joshua said to the people, “Shout!” The people shouted with a great shout, and the wall fell down flat. Then the people went up into the city, each straight ahead, and they captured the city, utterly destroyed it with the edge of the sword, and burned it with fire (vv. 16, 20-21, 24a
五 以色列胜过耶利哥，是凭他们吹号并呼喊赢得的
E. The Victory over Jericho Being Won by Israel's Blowing of the Trumpets and Shouting
17以色列过约但河以后，在第一次争战中胜过耶利哥，不是凭以色列争战赢得的，乃是藉著他们信神指示的话，凭他们吹号并呼喊，就是凭他们见证并宣扬神和神的约柜，而赢得的。（2～5。）这些是使他们能赢得胜利的重要因素。
17The victory over Jericho in Israel's first battle after crossing the Jordan was won not by Israel's fighting but by their blowing of the trumpets and shouting, by their testifying and proclaiming of God with His ark, through their faith in God'sword of instruction (vv. 2-5). These were the vital factors that enabled them to win the victory
六 他们未取那当灭的物，惟保留金子、银子、和铜铁的器皿
F. Not Taking Anything from the Destruction but Saving All the Silver, the Gold, and the Vessels of Bronze and Iron
18他们未取那当灭的物，惟有金子、银子、和铜铁的器皿，都要归耶和华为圣，放入耶和华的库中。（18～19，24下。）
18They did not take anything from the destruction but saved all the silver, the gold, and the vessels of bronze and iron, sanctified them to Jehovah, and put them into the treasury of the house of Jehovah (vv. 18-19, 24b
伍 给与喇合
V. THE SALVATION RENDERED TO RAHAB
和她全家的救恩
AND HER HOUSEHOLD
19本章不但说到耶利哥的毁灭，也说到给与喇合和她全家的救恩。（17下，22～23，25。）这样作是要信守向她的应许。（22。）约书亚让喇合与她父家，并她一切所有的都存活，她就住在以色列中。（25。）
19This chapter speaks not only of the destruction of Jericho but also of the salvation rendered to Rahab and her household (vv. 17b, 22-23, 25). This was done in order to keep the promise that had been made to her (v. 22). Joshua preserved Rahab and her father'sho use and all that she had, and she remained within Israel (v. 25).
陆 百姓起誓咒诅耶利哥
VI. THE OATH MADE BY THE PEOPLE
FOR THE CURSING OF JERICHO
20最终，本章告诉我们百姓起誓咒诅耶利哥。『当时约书亚叫众人起誓说，有兴起重修这耶利哥城的人，必在耶和华面前受咒诅！他立根基的时候，必丧长子，安门的时候，必丧幼子。』（26。）这话应验于王上十六章三十四章的希伊勒。
20Finally, this chapter tells us of the oath made by the people for the cursing of Jericho. “At that time Joshua charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man before Jehovah who raises up and builds this city Jericho! At the cost of his firstborn son shall he lay its foundation, and at the cost of his youngest son shall he set up its gates” (v. 26). This word was fulfilled with Hiel in 1 Kings 16:34