GRACE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP | 恩道堂

When you make an agreement with the enemy, there is no end to the problems you create for yourself. Israel had to defend the very people they should have defeated. Imagine the servants commanding the masters (v. 6)!

当你与敌人达成协议的时候，你是在为自己制造无休止的问题。以色列竟然需要捍卫那些她本该攻下的敌人。试想：仆人竟在命令主人（6节）！

God could have said, “You got yourself into this, so you can get yourself out!” But instead, He gave His people encouragement (v. 8) and fought for them from heaven (vv. 10–11). When Joshua needed more time to finish the battle, God stayed the sun and moon in answer to prayer. The Canaanites worshiped the heavenly bodies, so this miracle must have impressed them greatly. If we are doing the will of God, prayer has tremendous power.

神大可说：“你们自己惹的祸，自己就看着办吧！”然而，祂不但向祂子民给予鼓励（8节），更是从天上为他们争战（10-11节）。当约书亚需要更多时间完成争战时，神回应了他的祷告，使日月停止。迦南人崇拜天体，所以这神迹定给他们留下深刻的印象。如果我们行的是神的旨意，祷告必带巨大的能力。

Victory over the five kings opened the way for Joshua to attack southern Canaan until he had subdued the whole region. What began as a humiliating defense maneuver ended up a glorious series of victories: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31).

战胜五王为约书亚开辟了攻打迦南南部的道路，直到他征服整个区域为止。原本看似羞辱的保卫计谋，最终演变成一系列荣耀的胜利。“神若帮助我们，谁能敌挡我们呢?”（罗8:31）

Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告

1. God is a faithful God and when He gives His words He keeps them, even to His enemy. This is what the Lord expects of us also. So when Joshua and the leaders gave their promise to the Gibeonites, they had to protect them. This is the way of integrity. Let’s pray that we are careful with our promises and keep our words.

神是信实的神；祂必遵守诺言，对敌人也一样。这也是主对我们的要求。所以，约书亚和领导既已答应基遍人要保护他们，以色列就当如此行。这就是诚信之举。让我们祈祷，谨慎承诺并遵守诺言。

2. In spite of their paganism, these Gibeonites are a good example for people to follow today. When they knew they were headed for destruction, they came to Joshua (“Jehovah is Savior”) and obtained from him a promise of protection. When the Gibeonites found themselves in danger, they believed Joshua’s promise and called on him for help. That’s what God’s people need to do when they find themselves facing the battles of life. The Gibeonites turned the whole burden over to Joshua and trusted him to keep his word, and he did. Do we seek help from God when we are facing difficulties in life? Let’s pray that we do.

尽管基遍人是异教徒，但他们仍是人当效法的榜样。当他们知道自己必遭毁灭时，就来到约书亚面前（“耶和华是救世主”），祈求获得保护的承诺。当基遍人发现自己处在危境之中，他们相信约书亚作出的承诺并向他呼求帮助。在面临人生中的争战时，这就是神的子民应当做的事。基遍人把重担完全交托给约书亚并相信他必履行承诺，而约书亚确实做到了。当我们在生命中面临困难时，是否有向神寻求帮助呢？让我们祈祷我们会如此行。

3. Joshua prayed that the sun stood still and it did. This is an outright monumental miracle. Joshua, moved by the Lord’s will, commanded the sun to delay (Heb., “be still, silent, leave off”). The earth actually stopped revolving or, more likely, the sun moved in the same way to keep perfect pace with the battlefield. The moon also ceased its orbiting. This permitted Joshua’s troops time to finish the battle with complete victory (v. 11). It is incredible what the Lord can do for us. However, it depends on God’s sovereign will to fulfill His will.

约书亚祷告让日头停留，日头就止住了。这显然是一个巨大的神迹。约书亚因主旨意的感动，命令太阳延迟下山（希伯来文：“静止，沉静，离开”）。地球竟然停止旋转，或者更有可能的是太阳往同一个方向移动，与战场保持完美的步调。月亮也停止运行了。这使得约书亚的军队有充足的时间完成战争，获得完全的胜利（11节）。神能为我们做的事真是令人难以置信。然而，这一切有赖于神的主权来行祂自己的旨意。

The Gibeonites knew that their neighbors were fighting a losing battle, for God was fighting for Israel, and no army could resist Him. So, they decided to use guile instead of muscle. If Satan does not defeat you by coming as the devouring lion (1 Pet. 5:8–9), he will try again as the deceiving serpent (2 Cor. 11:3). He never gives up.

基遍人晓得他们的邻舍势必战败，因为为以色列打战的是神，这是没有军队能抵抗的。因此，与其与以色列直接对抗，他们用的是奸计。当撒旦无法以吼叫的狮子吞吃你时（彼前5:8-9），他必以诡诈之蛇的形式再现（林多11:3）。他是不会放弃的。

The humiliating defeat at Ai should have taught Joshua and the leaders to take time to pray and seek the mind of the Lord. After all, the Lord was the Commander of the army (Josh. 5:13–15). But they walked by sight and not by faith, and unbelief has a hard time waiting (Isa. 28:16; 30:1–2).

在艾城的惨败本该教导约书亚和领导人当耐心祷告并寻求神心意的重要性。毕竟，耶和华才是军队的总指挥官（书5:13-15）。但他们仍凭眼见而行，不凭信心；不信的人是无法静候等待的（赛28:16；30:1-2）。

Another defeat! The Lord lost glory, the leaders lost stature, and the nation lost a potential victory: “What agreement has the temple of God with idols?” (2 Cor. 6:16). But Joshua did not give up; rather, he made his mistakes work for him (vv. 21–27). That is the mark of a great leader.

又是一场败仗！主失去荣耀，带领者失去声望，而国家失去原本该有的胜利：“神的殿和偶像能有什么相同呢？”（林后6:16）但约书亚并没有放弃；相反的，他使过失变为转机（21-27节）。这是一个伟大领袖的标志。

Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告

1. The novelist Joseph Conrad wrote, “It’s only those who do nothing that make no mistakes.” However, in Joshua’s case, doing nothing was precisely his mistake. He should have consulted God before entering into an agreement with the Gibeonites. Let’s always pray before making any decision.

小说家约瑟夫·康拉德写道：“只有不做事的人才不会犯错。”然而，对约书亚而言，这就是他所犯下的错误。他本该与基遍人达成协议之前先寻求神。让我们在做任何决定之前一定先祷告。

2. After victory, Israel felt they were prepared to confront the enemy. They became confident. Joshua and the princes of Israel were impetuous and didn’t take time to consult the Lord. They walked by sight and not by faith. After listening to the strangers’ words and examining the evidence, Joshua and his leaders concluded that the men were telling the truth. The leaders of Israel took the ‘scientific approach’ instead of the ‘spiritual approach.’ They depended on their own senses, examined the ‘facts,’ discussed the matter, and agreed in their conclusion. It was all very logical and convincing, but it was all wrong. They hadn’t yet learned to wait on the Lord and seek His direction. The will of God comes from the heart of God (Ps. 33:11), and He delights to make it known to His children when He knows they are humble and willing to obey. “If any of you really determines to do God’s will, then you will certainly know” (John 7:17) is a basic principle for victorious Christian living. God sees our hearts and knows whether we are really serious about obeying Him. We ought to use the mind God has given us, but we must also heed the warning of Proverbs 3:5–6 and not lean on our own understanding.

胜利之后，以色列人认为他们做好了对抗敌人的准备。于是，他们变得自满；约书亚和以色列的领导变得急躁，不停下来征询主之意。他们凭眼所见而非凭信心行事。在听取了陌生人的话并审查证据后，约书亚及他的领导总结男子所言属实。以色列领导采用的是“科学方法”，而不是“属灵策略”。他们按照自己的感官，查验“事实”，彼此商榷，并得出一致的结论。这一切似乎都很符合逻辑，非常切实，但这完全是个错误。他们还是没有学会等候神并寻求祂的指引。神的旨意是从心中的思念而来（诗33:11），而当祂知道祂的孩子谦卑并甘心顺服时，神喜悦使他们知道自己的旨意是什么。“人若立志遵着他的旨意行，就必晓得”（约7:17），这是得胜的基督徒生活的基本原则。神透视我们的心，也晓得我们是否是真心要顺服祂。我们当应用神所赐予我们的智慧，但也须听从箴言3:5-6的警告，不可倚靠自己的聪明。

Never permit one failure to rob you of future victory. When God sees that we have obeyed His Word and sincerely dealt with sin, He comes with encouragement and guidance for the next step. It has well been said that the victorious Christian life is a series of new beginnings. (See Ps. 37:23–24.)

决不可以让一场失败夺走你未来的胜利。当神看见我们顺服祂的话并真诚对待罪时，祂必指导与鼓励我们走下一步。得胜的基督徒生活就是一系列的新开始——这句话说得没错。（见诗37:23-24）

Had Achan only waited, he could have taken all the spoils he desired, but he ran ahead of God and lost everything. (See Matt. 6:33.)

亚干若愿意等待，他是可以获得所有想要的战利品。不过，他却跑在神前面，因而失去了一切。（见太6:33）。

Joshua knew how to bring victory from defeat, for he used the original battle plan to deceive the inhabitants of Ai. Now they were the ones who were presumptuous, and it cost them their lives. The strategy in verse 26 was learned from Moses (Exod. 17:8–13).

约书亚知道如何反败为胜，因为他使用原有的作战计划来欺骗艾城的居民。如今，骄横恣肆的是他们，而他们为此赔上了性命。第26节的战略是向摩西学习的（出17:8-13）。

New victories ought to result in new steps of dedication (vv. 30–35). Joshua obeyed what Moses had commanded (Deut. 27), for obedience to the Word is the secret of success (Josh. 1:8).

新的胜利也当带来新的委身（30-35节）。约书亚听从摩西所吩咐的一切（申27），因顺服话语就是成功的秘诀（书1:8）。

Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告

1. No matter what mistakes we may make, the worst of all is to not try again. Alexander Whyte once said, “The victorious Christian life is a series of new beginnings.” Once the nation of Israel had been judged for the sin that had defiled their camp, God was free to speak to them in mercy and direct them in their conquest of the land. Sometimes we hear people say “the Lord can forgive me, but I cannot forgive myself.” If this is the case, this man is too proud because he thinks he is bigger than God. Let’s pray that we humble ourselves and follow God’s standard rather than our own.

无论我们犯下什么错误，最糟糕的就是不再尝试。亚历山大·怀特曾经说过：“得胜的基督徒生活就是一系列的新开始。”以色列国因被罪玷污了阵营而受到审判之后，神就能以怜悯待他们，引导他们征服应许之地。有时，我们会听人说：“神能原谅我，但我无法原谅自己”。倘若如此，这人就太骄傲了，因为他认为自己比神大。让我们祈祷，能够谦卑自己并遵照神的标准，而不是自己的。

2. After the victory at Ai, Joshua led the people 30 miles north to Shechem. It was here Joshua built an altar for the Lord. In the Near East of that day it was customary for kings to celebrate their greatness by writing records of their military exploits on huge stones covered with plaster. But what Joshua wrote on the stone was the Word of God (Jos 8:32). The secret of Israel’s victory was not due to their leaders; it was their obedience to God’s Law (Josh. 1:7–8). Notice Joshua 8:35, “There was not a word of all that Moses commanded that Joshua did not read before all the assembly of Israel, and the women, and the little ones, and the sojourners who lived among them (Jos 8:35).

在艾城得胜后，约书亚带领百姓往北行30英里（48公里）到示剑。约书亚在这里为神立了一座坛。在那时的近东时代，国王普遍会在巨大的灰泥石块刻上军队的伟绩，表扬自己的伟大。但是，约书亚在石头上刻的是神的话（书8:32）。以色列战胜的秘诀不在乎他们的领导，而是对神律法的顺服（书1:7-8）。请注意约书亚8:35：“摩西所吩咐的一切话，约书亚在以色列全会众和妇女，孩子，并他们中间寄居的外人面前，没有一句不宣读的。”

We Can Be Tempted In The Midst Of Victory 胜利之际的诱惑

The spies were tempted to be presumptuous and Achan to be covetous. Achan should have been attending to his military duties, but his eyes wandered and he walked into sin (v. 21; see also Gen. 3:6). He valued the spoils more than he valued obedience to God (Ps. 119:162). King Saul made the same mistake (1 Sam. 15).

探子和亚干分别受到试探，变得骄横恣肆、贪婪无厌。亚干本该执行军事职务，却分心了，结果陷入了罪中（21节；也见创3:6）。他看重战利品，藐视了对神的顺服之心（诗119:162）。扫罗王也犯下同样的错误（撒上15）。

We Never Sin Alone 犯罪不是个人的事

God sees His people as one, so the sin of Achan was the sin of the whole nation (See 1 Cor. 12:12–27). One man’s sin caused the death of thirty-six soldiers.

神视百姓为一体，所以亚干犯下的罪就是全国的罪（见林前12:12-27）。一人的罪造成了36名士兵的死。

Sin Ultimately Brings Defeat 罪最终必带来失败

The secret of success is knowing and obeying God’s Word (Josh. 1:8), and Achan knew that. But he deliberately disobeyed God and brought defeat to the army, disgrace to the Lord, and dismay to his commander. Joshua started looking back instead of looking ahead (v. 7)!

成功的秘诀就是了解并服从神的话（书1:8）。亚干也知道这点，却故意违背神，使全军阵败，给主带来耻辱，也令指挥官感到沮丧。约书亚开始往后望而不是向前看（7节）！

Sin Cannot Be Hidden Forever  罪不得永远被隐藏

There is a time to pray about a problem and a time to get up and deal with it. The punishment may seem severe to us, but Achan knew the rules. The main thing is the glory of God (v. 9). The Jews raised another heap of stones, this time a witness to the trouble (“Achor”) sin causes, but read Hosea 2:15 and rejoice.

祷告交托问题有时，起来面对问题也有时。这里的惩罚看似严酷，但亚干是深知后果的。神的荣耀才是最重要的（9节）。 犹太人再次堆起石头，但这次是为见证罪所带来的患难；然，请阅读何西阿书2:15而欢欣吧！

Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告

1. Many Christians think that if one person sins it is personal matter and others should not intervene. But the Bible says, “Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? (1Co 5:6) Never underestimate the damage one person’s sin can inflict. Abraham’s disobedience in Egypt almost cost him his wife (Gen. 12:10–20); David’s disobedience in taking an unauthorized census led to the death of 70,000 people (2 Sam. 24); and Jonah’s refusal to obey God almost sank a ship (Jonah 1). In our text today, because of Achan’s disobedience, Israel was defeated. God made it clear that it was Israel that had sinned and not just Achan alone (Josh. 7:1, 11). Why would God blame the whole nation for the disobedience of only one soldier? Because Israel was one people in the Lord and not just an assorted collection of tribes, clans, families or individuals. God’s people today are one body in Christ. Consequently, we belong to each other, we need each other, and we affect each other (1 Cor. 12:12ff). Any weakness or infection in one part of the human body contributes to weakness and infection in the other parts. Do you realize the seriousness of the sin of one individual? Let’s pray that we do not become the channel of destruction to the whole church or family.

许多基督徒认为一人犯罪是他个人的事，别人不应该干涉。但圣经说：“岂不知一点面酵能使全团发起来么？”（林前5:6 ）我们万不得低估个人之罪所能造成的伤害。亚伯拉罕在埃及的悖逆差点导致他失去妻子（创12:10-20 ）；大卫未受吩咐而数点以色列人，造成了七万人的死（撒下24 ）；约拿拒绝服从神更是几乎使船沉没（拿1 ）。在今日的经文里，因着亚干的悖逆，以色列人被击败了。神清楚说明犯罪的是全以色列，不单是亚干（书7:1，11 ） 。神为何要因一名士兵违命而惩罚全国呢？因为以色列在主面前是一体的，不分支派、氏族、家庭或个人。神今日的子民在基督里也是一体的。因此，我们属于彼此、需要彼此，也影响彼此（林前12:12）。身体任何部位的软弱或感染都会导致其他部位的软弱和感染。你是否了然一个人犯罪的严重性吗？让我们祈祷自己不会成为破坏全教会或家庭的罪魁。

2. What was Achan’s sin? Achan said, “When I saw among the spoil a beautiful cloak from Shinar, and 200 shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing 50 shekels, then I coveted them and took them. (Jos 7:21) The sin of Achan was that he coveted or loved these earthy things so much that he knowingly disobeyed God. In another words, he loved the world more than God. Do you love anything more than God? Let’s pray that we love God with all our heart, soul and might (Deu 6:5).

亚干的罪是什么？亚干说：“我在所夺的财物中看见一件美好的示拿衣服，二百舍客勒银子，一条金子重五十舍客勒，我就贪爱这些物件，便拿去了。”（书7:21）亚干犯的罪就是贪婪并爱世俗之物，以至故意违背神。换言之，他爱世界多过神。你心中有什么食物是比神更可爱的呢？让我们祈祷能够尽心、尽性、尽力爱我们的神（申6:5）。

If God calls you to do His work, He will tell you how to do it. His plans may seem foolish to you, but they always work if you obey by faith (Isa. 55:8–11).

神若呼召你做祂的工，就必告诉你当如何行。祂的计划在你眼里或许看似愚蠢，但你若以信心顺服，必然成功（赛55:8-11）。

As we today seek to conquer territory for the Lord, we do not follow the same procedure Joshua used, but we must obey the same principles of faith and obedience. We use spiritual weapons to break down the barriers in men’s minds and to claim them for Christ (2 Cor. 10:1–6).

今日，当我们试图为主征服领土时，我们不必遵循与约书亚相同的程序，但同要遵从信心与顺服的原则。我们使用的是属灵的兵器攻破人心的围墙，并为基督夺得他们（林后10:1-6）。

How could a holy, loving God command the killing of the entire population of a city? The people were wicked sinners with whom God had been patient for 400 years (Gen. 15:16–21). They knew that judgment was coming (Josh. 2:9–11) and could have followed the example of Rahab and been delivered if they had exercised faith.

一个圣洁、慈爱的神怎么能下令杀戮全城呢？这些人可都是神已忍耐了四百年的邪恶罪人（创15:16-21）。他们明知审判必将临到（书2:9-11），大可效法喇合的例子，凭信心行事而得救。

God was wiping the land clean so that His people would not be defiled and His great plan of salvation frustrated (Deut. 7:1–11). The Canaanites sinned against a flood of light, just as people are doing today! Christ died for the sins of the world. Individuals who do not trust Him will die in their own sins. Are you sharing the good news of the gospel?

神要洁净那地，好让自己的子民不被玷污，自己伟大救赎的计划也不受挫（申7:1-11）。迦南人就像今世之人一样，对抗曙光！基督为世人的罪而死；不投靠祂的人将死在自己的罪中。你是否在分享福音的好消息呢？

Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告

1. It’s unfortunate that many of the “militant songs” of the church have been removed from some hymnals because the idea of warfare disturbs people and seems to contradict the love of Jesus Christ. However, the Christian’s warfare is not against flesh and blood, but against enemies in the spiritual realm (Eph. 6:10–18); and the weapons we use are spiritual (2 Cor. 10:3–6). Satan and his demonic armies use people to oppose and attack the church of God; and if we don’t take our stand with Christ, we’ve already lost the battle. In the army of Jesus Christ there can be no neutrality. “He that is not with Me is against Me.” said Jesus.

不幸的是，许多教会的“战歌”已从一些赞美诗中删除，因为争战的概念使人不舒，也似乎与耶稣基督的爱产生矛盾。然，基督徒的战争不是与属血气的争战，乃是与天空属灵气的恶魔争战（弗6:10-18），而我们使用的武器是属灵的（林后10:3-6）。撒旦和他恶魔的军兵使用人对抗并攻击神的教会；我们如果不在基督里坚定自己的立场，就已经败阵了。耶稣基督的军营里不存在中立的立场。耶稣说：“不与我相合的，就是敌我的。”

2. No situation is too great for the Lord to handle, and no problem is too much for Him to solve. God’s instructions were that the armed men march around Jericho once a day for six days. On the seventh day the procession would march around the city seven times, the priests would give a long blast on the trumpets, and then the marchers would all shout. God would then cause the walls to fall down flat so that the soldiers could easily enter the city. God’s plan for the conquest of Jericho was seemingly foolish, but it worked. God’s wisdom is far above ours (Isa. 55:8–9) and He delights in using people and plans that seem foolish to the world (1 Cor. 1:26–29). Let’s pray that we trust and obey Him rather than our own understanding.

在神无难事，在神无难题。神的指示是要带着兵器的人一日一次围绕耶利哥，连续六日。到了第七日，他们要绕城七次，当祭司吹的角声拖长，他们就要大声呼喊。神必使城墙塌陷，士兵就能轻易入城了。神征服耶利哥的计划看似愚蠢，但它奏效。神的智慧远高过我们的（赛55:8-9），而祂喜悦使用世人认为愚蠢的计划和仆人（林前1:26-29）。让我们祈祷，叫我们信靠顺服神，而不是按自己的聪明行事。

Israel had experienced a great miracle, the enemy was frightened, and God was at work. Now was the time for action! But God told His people to wait.

以色列经历了一个大奇迹，敌人被吓坏了，而神在工作。现在就是行动的时候了！但神却告诉祂的子民要等待。

We Must Deal With The Past 我们必须埋葬过去 (1–9).

The new generation had not received the mark of the covenant (Gen. 17), so this ritual was a reaffirmation of their relationship with God. Circumcision symbolizes putting off what belongs to the sinful flesh (Rom. 8:13; Col. 2:11–12) and devoting the heart wholly to the Lord (Deut. 10:16; Jer. 4:4). The nation had experienced this collectively in crossing the Jordan, but it had to be made personal.

新一代的以色列人还未拥有立约的记号（创17），所以这个仪式再次肯定了他们与神的关系。割礼象征治死身体的恶行（罗8:13；西2:11-12），全心全意地侍奉主（申10:16；耶4:4）。以色列国渡过约旦河时一同经历这事，但他们至今需有个人的体会。

We Must Trust For The Present 我们至今必须相信 (10–12). 

The nation stopped eating manna and started eating food that God naturally provided. There is a place for the miraculous, but God never wastes miracles. If we do the possible, He will do the impossible.

以色列国不再吃吗哪，开始吃神在自然界所提供的食物。世上是有神迹这事，但神从不浪费神迹。我们若行可办到的事，祂必行我们不可能做到的事。

We Must Submit For The Future 我们必须日后顺服(13–15).

Joshua met Jesus Christ and learned that the Lord already had a plan for taking Jericho. All Joshua had to do was obey and remember that he was on “holy ground.” From that time, whenever Joshua took off his shoes, it reminded him that he was second in command. That was the secret of his victory (2 Chron. 20:15).

约书亚遇见耶稣基督，得知主对攻下耶利哥城已有祂的计划。约书亚需要做的只是顺服并铭记自己就站在“圣地”上。从那刻起，每当约书亚脱下鞋子，这将提醒他自己是第二指挥官。这就是他胜利的秘诀（代下20:15）。

Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告

1. The nation of Israel arrived safely on the other side of the Jordan River. Their crossing was a great miracle, and it sent a great message to the people of the land (5:1). The Canaanites were already afraid (2:9–11), and now their fears totally demoralized them. We would have expected Joshua to mobilize the army for immediate attack on Jericho. But God’s thoughts and ways are higher than ours (Isa. 55:8–9). He wanted them to wait for two weeks before attacking. If you were there, would you be willing to follow the Lord’s will? Let’s pray that we trust God rather than our wisdom.

以色列国安全抵达约旦河的对岸。他们渡河是一个大神迹，而这给迦南地人一个很大的信息（5:1）。迦南人原已非常害怕（2:9-11），如今完全因恐惧丧志了。我们或许以为约书亚这时当马上派出军队攻打耶利哥，但神的意念和道路高过我们（赛55:8-9）。神要他们等上两周才攻击。如果你当时在场，你是否愿意跟从主的旨意呢？让我们祈祷，愿我们能信靠神，而不依赖自己的智慧。

2. Israel is a covenant nation, a privilege God has given to no other nation on earth (Rom. 9:4–5). Through this ritual the Jews became a “separated people” because they belonged to the true and living God and were under obligation to obey Him. The mark of the covenant reminded them that their bodies belonged to the Lord and were not to be used for sinful purposes. The Jews had not practiced circumcision during their years of wandering in the wilderness. 38 years before, at Kadesh Barnea, they had refused to believe God and enter the land (Deut. 2:14; Num. 13–14). Now the new generation was in their inheritance, it was important that they renew their covenant relationship with the Lord. Yet this physical operation on the body was meant to be a symbol of a spiritual operation on the heart. “Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked no longer” (Deut. 10:16). No amount of external surgery can change the inner person. It’s when we repent and turn to God for help that He can change our hearts and make us love and obey Him more. (Rom 2:25–29.) Let’s pray that our hearts are circumcised for Him.

以色列是一个有约在身的民族，这是其他国家没有的特权（罗9:4-5）。通过这个仪式，犹太人与列国“分别出来”，因为他们属于又真又活的神，并有义务顺服神。立约的记号提醒他们自己的身体属主，不得用于恶行。犹太人多年在旷野时尚未实行割礼。38年前，他们在加低斯巴尼亚拒绝相信神，拒绝进入那应许之地（申2:14；民13-14）。现在，这新一代站在他们的产业里，所有与主重新确立立约的关系是非常重要的。同时，这外在肉体的手术象征了内心属灵上的手术。“所以你们要将心里的污秽除掉，不可再硬着颈项”（申10:16）。然而，多少外在手术是无法改变内心的。只有当我们悔改转向神，祈求他帮助时，神才可以改变我们的心，让我们越加爱祂、顺服祂（罗2:25-29 ）。让我们祈祷，叫我们的心为神行真正的割礼。

It is good to memorialize the great acts of the Lord, provided that the memorials do not become idols. Each new generation must learn what God has done for His people so that they will obey His Word and trust Him for the future (Ps. 78:1–8). When you have living faith in a living God, the past is not “dead history.” It throbs with living reality.

以事物纪念主伟大的作为是好，但它不能成为我们的偶像。每一代都必须学习神为祂子民所行的一切，叫他们遵行神的话并信靠祂带领未来（诗78:1-8）。当你对永生之神有活泼的信心时，过去不再是“死硬的历史”，而是舞动的事实。

“Crossing the Jordan” is not a picture of dying and going to heaven despite what some songs say. It illustrates the teaching of Romans 6: death to the old self-life and identification with Christ in resurrection power. Nobody but God can see the stones in the middle of the Jordan, but the record bears witness that they are there. So it is with the death and resurrection of Christ: we believe the record and thus experience the miracle.

“渡约旦河”并非某些歌曲所述，是死亡升天的写照。它说明的是罗马书6章的教导：老我已死，并在基督复活的大能中共生。除了神以外，无人能看到约但河中的石头，但圣经见证这些石头的存在。这与基督的死和复活一样：我们相信圣经的记载，从而体验了这神迹。

The stones on the shore reminded the people that the old life was buried and they should “walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4; Col. 3:1ff.). Have you crossed the Jordan and set up your memorial of faith?

岸边的石头提醒百姓：旧我已被埋葬了，而他们应当“有新生的样式”（罗6:4；西3:1）。你是否已过约旦河，立起自己信心的纪念碑？

Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告

1. During most of the year, the Jordan River was about a hundred feet wide; but at the spring flood season, the river overflowed its banks and became a mile wide. However, as soon as the priests bearing the ark put their feet into the river, the water stopped flowing and stood like a wall about twenty miles away upstream, near a city called Adam. It was a miracle of God in response to the faith of the people. Unless we step out by faith (1:3) and “get our feet wet,” we’re not likely to make much progress in living for Christ and serving Him. Each step that the priests took opened the water before them until they were standing in the midst of the river on dry ground. They stood there as the people passed by; and when the whole nation had crossed, the priests walked to the shore and the flow of the water resumed. When Israel crossed the Jordan River, it was not only the priests but also the people stepping out in faith. God can never open the way for us if we do not step out in faith. Let’s pray that we are willing to step out in faith and obey God.

约旦河多数时间约有一百英尺宽（30.5米），唯独在春汛期时，河水涌出河岸成一英里宽（1600米）。然而，当抬着约柜祭司的脚一踏入河，河水就停流，立起成墙长达上游约二十英里远，在附近一座叫亚当的城市。这是神以奇迹响应百姓的信心。除非我们凭信心迈步（1:3）并“让脚入水”，我们是不会在基督徒的生活和服侍上有进展。祭司所跨出的每一步将河水掀开，直到他们在约但河中的干地上站定。当百姓过河时，祭司们仍站在那里；只等全以色列到对岸后，祭司方才走上岸，使河水恢复流动。当以色列人越过约旦河时，祭司与众百姓都是以信心跨步的。如果我们不以信心而行，神永远也无法为我们打开道路。让我们祈祷，愿意以信心踏出并顺服神。

2. With the 12 stones which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up a monument at Gilgal (Jos 4:20). Why? The answer is given in Jos 4:24, “So that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever.” Let’s pray that we remind ourselves of the omnipotence of the Lord and fear Him in all our lives.

约书亚在吉甲将人民从约但河中取来的那十二块石头立一个纪念碑（书4:20）。为什么呢？4:24告诉我们：“要使地上万民都知道，耶和华的手大有能力，也要使你们永远敬畏耶和华─你们的神。”让我们祈祷能常常记念得那无所不能的神，一生敬畏祂。

Joshua was an early riser (v. 1; 6:12; 7:16; 8:10). He probably devoted that quiet time to praying and meditating on God’s Word (Josh. 1:8; Ps. 63:1). This is a good example for us to follow today. (See Mark 1:35.)

约书亚是一个早起的人（1节，6:12，7:16，8:10）。他应该是把那段安静的时间献在祷告和默想神的话语里（书1:8；诗63:1）。这是我们今日当学习的好榜样（可1:35）。

We face an unknown future (v. 4) and need the Lord’s presence as we step out each day. God goes before us and we must follow as He directs. God knows the way, leads the way and opens the way. He is “Lord of all the earth” (v. 11), and there is nothing for us to fear.

我们不知未来的去处（4节），所以需要主的同在踏出生活种的每一步。神行在我们前面，而我们必须遵循祂的指导。神晓得道路、引领道路，并开辟道路。祂是“普天下的主”（11节），而我们无需害怕。

The priests had to get their feet wet before the nation could cross over, and that took faith. Your faith can encourage others in their walk with God. It takes great faith to walk through the water, but it takes even greater faith to walk on the water (Matt. 14:23–33). Are you still lingering on the banks or in the boat? The future is your friend when you follow the Lord and trust His promises.

在百姓渡河之前，祭司首先得踏入河内，而这是需要信心的。你的信心可以鼓励他人行在主里。行过河水需要大信心，但走在水面上需要更大的信心（太14:23-33）。你是否还在岸边徘徊或是在船上等候呢？当你跟随主并信靠祂的应许时，未来就是你的朋友。

Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告

1. In the Christian life you’re either an overcomer or you’ve been overcome, a victor or a victim. After all, God didn’t save us to make a statue out of us, but He saved us to make us soldiers that go forth by faith to claim our rich inheritance in Jesus Christ. Moses said it perfectly: “He brought us out … that He might bring us in” (Deut. 6:23). Too many of God’s people have the mistaken idea that salvation—being delivered from the bondage of Egypt—is all that’s involved in the Christian life; but salvation is only the beginning. Both in our personal spiritual growth and in our service for the Lord, “there remains very much land yet to be possessed” (Josh. 13:1). Are you an overcomer or have you been overcome? Let’s pray that we learn from Joshua to be overcomers.

在基督徒的生命里，你要么是一个得胜者，要不就是一个战败者，是胜者或败者。毕竟，神拯救我们的目的不是要我们作雕像，而是能凭信心冲刺的精兵，领受我们在耶稣基督里那丰盛的基业。摩西完美地表达说：“他将我们领出来……要领我们进入”（申6:23）。神子民中误解救恩意义的人无数；他们认为得救在信徒生命里仅关乎挣脱埃及的束缚，但这实际上仅是一个开始。无论是在个人属灵的成长还是对主的侍奉中，我们每一个人都“仍有许多未得之地”（书13:1）。你是否是个得胜者或是已被世界征服了的？让我们祈祷，叫我们能从约书亚身上学习成为得胜者。

2. The Lord did not leave the Israelites without a leader after Moses. Since Moses led the people across the Red sea, the Lord also wants Joshua to lead the people to cross the flooded Jordan River. The LORD said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. (Jos 3:7) After they crossed the river, the Bible says, “The LORD exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel, and they stood in awe of him just as they had stood in awe of Moses, all the days of his life (Jos 4:14). Even today, the Lord has His chosen servants to lead us. Let’s pray that we have the right godly attitudes toward them.

摩西离世后，主并没有让以色列带领者这职分悬空。摩西既然率领百姓过红海，主也要约书亚带领百姓渡过洪水泛滥的约旦河。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3:7）过了河以后，圣经说：“当那日，耶和华使约书亚在以色列众人眼前尊大。在他平生的日子，百姓敬畏他，像从前敬畏摩西一样。”（书4:14）。至今，神也拣选了祂的仆人带领我们。让我们祈祷能以正确、敬虔的态度待他们。

Joshua’s sending of the spies to Jericho was an act of wisdom, not unbelief (Prov. 20:18). The report of the two men encouraged Israel for the invasion (v. 24) and reminded them that God was fulfilling His promise to them (Deut. 2:25).

约书亚遣派探子到耶利哥并非出于不信，而是智慧之举（箴20:18）。两个探子的汇报鼓励了以色列征服土地（24节），并提醒他们神正履行祂对以色列所作出的应许（申2:25）。

But the visit also meant the salvation of Rahab and her family. Although the Bible does not commend Rahab for her lies, it does commend her faith (Heb. 11:31) that revealed itself in works (James 2:25). Her faith saved her and her family from destruction (Josh. 6:17–19), and it resulted in her becoming an ancestress of the Messiah (Matt. 1:5). Once you begin to trust God and obey Him, you never know what He will do!

此外，这次的窥探也意味了喇合与她一家的拯救。虽然圣经并不认可喇合的谎言，但它赞扬了喇合以行为（雅2:25）所展现的信心（来11:31）。她的信心救了她与一家免遭毁灭（书6:17-19），并使她成为弥赛亚之祖（太1:5）。一旦你开始信靠顺服神时，你是想像不到祂将成就的奇事！

Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告

1. Only two women are named in Hebrews 11, “The Hall of Fame of Faith”: Sarah, the wife of Abraham (v. 11), and Rahab, the harlot of Jericho (v. 31). Sarah was a godly woman, the wife of the founder of the Hebrew race; and God used her godly body to bring Isaac into the world. But Rahab was an ungodly gentile who worshiped pagan gods and sold her body for money. Humanly speaking, Sarah and Rahab had nothing in common. But from the divine viewpoint, Sarah and Rahab shared the most important thing in life: They both had exercised saving faith in the true and living God. No matter where you are now in your journey in life, do you exercise faith in the Lord? Let’s pray that you do.

《希伯来书》11章的“信心名堂”中只提到两位妇女：亚伯拉罕的妻子撒拉，（11节）及耶利哥的妓女喇合（31节）。撒拉是一位虔诚的妇女，是希伯来族创始人的妻子；神也借着她敬虔的身体把以撒带到这世界。但喇合是一个敬拜异教偶像并为钱出卖身子的不虔诚外邦人。从人的角度来看，撒拉和喇合毫无相同之处。但从神的眼光而言，撒拉和喇合共享了生命最重要的东西：她们都曾在又真又活的神里面行出救恩的信心。不论你现在处在生命中的哪一阶段，你是否在主里行出信心？让我们祈祷自己确实这么做。

2. Not only does the Bible associate Rahab with Sarah; but in James 2:21–26, it also associates her with Abraham. James used both Abraham and Rahab to illustrate the fact that true saving faith always proves itself by good works. Again, a sinner – man or woman – can be associated with Abraham if we put our faith in God.

圣经不仅将喇合与撒拉相提并论，还在雅各书2:21-26与她和亚伯拉罕联系起来。雅各借用亚伯拉罕和喇合之例，说明真正得救的信心总有好行为作凭据。同样的，一个罪人，无论男女，只要肯把信心放在神里面，他也能与亚伯拉罕相联系。

The book of Joshua records the dedication of the nation (chaps. 1–5), the defeat of the enemy (chaps. 6–12), and the division of the land (chaps. 13–24). Joshua leads Israel from victory to victory as they follow the Lord and claim their promised inheritance.

《约书亚记》记载了以色列国的委身（1-5章）、敌人的战败（6-12章）以及国内土地的划分（13-24章）。约书亚带领以色列从胜利走向胜利，坚定跟随主的旨意，继承了主所应许的基业。

God Equips Us 神装备我们

Joshua was not in an easy situation, facing a difficult assignment and replacing a great leader like Moses. But God had equipped him and prepared him for this very work. Joshua had faithfully served with Moses and was now qualified to lead. The task that you faithfully do today gets you ready for what God is preparing for you (Matt. 25:21).

约书亚的处境不易：他不仅需要替代一位伟大的领袖，眼前还面临一项艰巨的任务。但神已装备了他，也预备他完成这项工作。约书亚以往与摩西一同忠心侍奉，如今有资格担当领导了。你今日所忠心执行的事，预备你担任神日后将给予你的任务（太25:21）。

God Encourages Us 神鼓励我们

The inheritance can be claimed only by the obedience of faith (v. 3), but faith and obedience demand courage. God encouraged Joshua by giving His promise (v. 6) and the assurance of His presence (v. 9) and by reminding him that his success came from the Word (vv. 7–8). God also encouraged Joshua through the people (vv. 16–18). Are you an encouragement to your leaders?

产业的继承唯靠信心的顺服（3节），但信心与顺服是需要勇气的。神通过自己的应许（6节）、祂必同在的保证（9节），以及提醒他说成功乃自话语（7-8节），借此鼓励约书亚。神也通过子民给予鼓励（16-18节）。你对带领人来说是否是一份鼓励呢？

God Enables Us 神成就我们

“Be strong!” is much more than an admonition (vv. 6, 7, 18), for God’s commandments are God’s enablement. It was not Joshua’s experience or skill that brought the victory; more than once, he was defeated. The victory came from the power of God that was released when they obeyed Him by faith. God still does the impossible (Luke 1:37)!

 “你要坚强！”这句话并不只是一份劝诫（6，7，18节），因为神的诫命就是祂大能的应许。以色列得胜的因素并不在于约书亚的经验或技能；他被击败的次数不只一次。胜利源于神的大能；当以色列信靠顺服神时，神就施展了祂强大的能力。神仍然成就不可能的事！（路1:37）

Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告

1. The Book of Joshua is the book of new beginnings for the people of God, and many believers today need a new beginning. After 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, Israel needed to claim their inheritance and enjoy the blessings of the land that God had prepared for them. That’s the kind of life God wants us to experience today. Jesus Christ, our Joshua, wants to lead us in conquest now and share with us all the treasures of His wonderful inheritance. He has “blessed us with all spiritual blessings” (Eph. 1:3). Let’s pray that we will trust Him and enjoy the blessings He had planned for us.

《约书亚记》记载了神子民的新开始，而今日，许多信徒也需要新的开始。在旷野中飘荡了40年后，以色列需要继承他们的产业并享受神在那地所为他们预备的祝福。这也就是神今日所要我们体验的生活。我们的约书亚耶稣基督，现在就要带领我们征服世界，与我们分享祂美好产业中的一切财宝。祂已“赐给我们天上各样属灵的福气”（弗1:3）。让我们祈祷能信靠神并享受祂为我们预备的祝福。

2. God commissioned Joshua to achieve three things: lead the people into the land, defeat the enemy, and claim the inheritance. Since Joshua had a threefold task to perform, God gave him three special promises, one for each task. God would enable Joshua (1) to cross the river and claim the land (vv. 3–4), (2) defeat the enemy (v. 5), and (3) apportion the land to each tribe as its inheritance (v. 6). God didn’t give Joshua explanations as to how He would accomplish these things, because God’s people live on promises and not on explanations. When we trust God’s promises and step out in faith (v. 3), we can be sure that the Lord will guide us every step of the way. Let’s pray that we take the steps of faith today.