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No matter how great leaders may be, they cannot last forever, although their work is never lost (1 John 2:17). Like his predecessor Moses, Joshua gave a farewell address, first to his leaders (chap. 23) and then to the people as a whole (chap. 24).

无论领导人有多伟大，即便他们所做的将存留，但他们终究会离世（约一2:17）。如前任的摩西一样，约书亚也给予了告别说辞；他首先是对带领者说话（23章），然后再对百姓集体宣讲（24章）。

He magnified the Lord and not himself. No one would question that Joshua was a gifted leader and a great general, but he gave the glory to God.

他高举的是主而不是自己。无人会质疑约书亚是个有天赋的领导者，亦是一名伟大的将军，但他把荣耀全归于神。

He challenged the people to keep trusting God and claiming their inheritance. In the book of Judges, you will discover how their incomplete obedience led to compromise and severe discipline from the Lord. Joshua had warned them (v. 16), but they forgot his words. Triumph was turned into tragedy.

他挑战百姓要继续信靠神并夺下他们未得的产业。在士师记中，你将发现他们半心半意的顺服是如何造成他们妥协于事，以致得来主严厉的惩罚。约书亚曾告诫他们（16节），但他们却忘了。胜利反演变成了悲剧。

He reminded them that God’s Word never fails (v. 14) and must be obeyed completely if God is to continue His blessing on the land. Verse 7 explains how to wander from the Lord, and the nation did exactly that!

他提醒百姓：神的话永不落空（14节），而倘若要神继续在应许之地上向他们赐予祝福，就必须一心一意地顺服神。第7节说明人是如何偏离主的；他们确实如此行！

You are writing your own “farewell speech” right now. What will it sound like?

你如今也在写自己的“告别演说”。那听起来会是怎么样的呢？

Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告

1. Here is the second of the three assemblies with which the Book of Joshua closes. The emphasis remains on the necessity for fidelity to Yahweh (vv. 6, 8, 11) in order to retain the land (vv. 13, 15, 16). Here an aged Joshua addresses Israel through her leaders in his last will and testimony. Observe how Joshua stresses the peculiar responsibility of Yahweh’s witnesses. Joshua sets himself in sharp contrast to Israel’s leaders who remain: ‘I have become old, I have come into days, but you have seen all that Yahweh your God has done …’ (vv. 2–3). The burden of Joshua’s exhortation to the leaders comes in verses 6–8: since they have actually seen Yahweh’s work on behalf of Israel, they must be the spearheads of fidelity to him. Death is about to beckon Joshua; but he uses a last opportunity ‘that he might leave the pure worship of God surviving him.’ Let’s pray that we are eager for the next generation to love God as much as we do.

这是总结约书亚记所见的三个集会中的其中第二组。这里强调的仍是百姓要对耶和华专一（6, 8, 11节），才能持守地业（13, 15, 16节）。年迈的约书亚通过众长老向以色列做出他最后的遗愿和见证。请注意约书亚是如何强调作耶和华见证人所持的特殊责任。约书亚特意与这些仍然存活的长老作鲜明的对比：“我已老迈，时间到了，但你们亲眼看见了耶和华你们神所做过的……”（2-3节）在6-8节中，约书亚对领导人迫切地劝勉：他们既然已见证了耶和华为以色列所做的一切，就必须带头对耶和华忠贞。死亡即将临到约书亚，但他使用最后的机会为下一代留下纯正的敬拜。让我们祈祷，渴望下一代能像我们一样热爱神。

2. These leaders had seen all that Yahweh had done to ‘all these nations’ (v. 3) and ‘had seen all Yahweh’s great work which he had done for Israel’ (Judg. 2:7); but the time will come when these witnesses will, like Joshua, leave the earthly struggle behind (Judg. 2:10a). It is at that point that we will hear of another generation ‘who did not know Yahweh nor the work that he had done for Israel’ (Judg. 2:10). Does that mean Joshua’s men had failed? The fact that a faithless generation can arise out of the tracks of a faithful generation should impress us with how vital it is for one generation to, at least, pass on the amazing story of God’s saving power and fearful judgment to the next. Let’s pray that we do their parenting seriously.

这些领导人都目睹了耶和华向“那些国”所行的一切事（3节），并“耶和华为以色列人所行的大事”（士2:7）；但时日必到，这些见证人也会像约书亚一样，脱离地上的争战（士2:10）。那时候，我们将看到另一个世代兴起，“不知道耶和华，也不知道耶和华为以色列人所行的事”（士2:10）。难道这表示约书亚他们失败了吗？这只能说明一个不信的世代也能从一个忠实的世代而出；这事实应该迫使我们明白传递真理的重要性，至少让下一代晓得神救赎的大能和可怕的审判。让我们祈祷，叫我们能认真对待作父母的职责。

Not only had the Lord kept His promises to Israel, but Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh had kept their promise as well (Num. 32:25–32). It was time for them to cross the Jordan and join their families.

神不仅遵守了祂对以色列的承诺，流便、迦得和玛拿西半个支派也遵守了自己的诺言（民32:25-32）。这是他们再过约旦河，与家人团圆的时候了。

Joshua commended them for their faithful service, something that all of us should do for those who have ministered well (1 Thess. 5:12–13). He also commanded them to obey the Lord and serve Him sincerely. Finally, he cautioned them not to become selfish but to share the spoils with their brethren. Perhaps Achan came to mind as Joshua spoke to them.

约书亚因他们忠心的事奉称赞他们，这也是我们应该对那些忠心服侍的弟兄姊妹所做的事（帖前5:12-13）。约书亚也吩咐他们要顺服主，并真诚侍奉祂。最后，约书亚告诫他们不要自私，要把从仇敌夺来的物与弟兄分享。当约书亚与他们说这番话时，他或许想起了亚干。

The land was at rest, but the eastern tribes were restless because the Jordan River separated them from their brethren. Would their children grow up and think they were not truly Israelites? They should have considered that when they set the boundary!

地得享安息了，但东部的支派却焦躁不安，因为约旦河使他们与他们的弟兄分隔。当孩子们长大后，他们是否会认为自己不是真正的以色列人呢？这是他们在划定界线前就应该考虑的事！

The building of the altar was at first misunderstood as a declaration of war, but then it became a witness of peace and unity. It is too bad when God’s people are forced to manufacture evidence to bear witness of their unity. Before you declare war on the brethren, stop to find out what is going on. Maybe you agree after all! Ponder Proverbs 18:13 and James 3:13–18.

祭坛的建立起初被误解为宣战的象征，但后来却成了和平与团结的见证。神的子民竟被迫制造证据作他们团结的见证，真是悲哀。在你向弟兄宣战之前，请先停下脚步来查清到底发生了什么事。也许你们并无异议！请思考箴言18:3和雅各书3:13-18的话。

Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告

1. We have just entered the last major division of the Book of Joshua. The book of Joshua can be divided into 1) Entering the land (chapters 1–4); 2) Taking the land (chapters 5–12); 3) Possessing the land (chapters 13–21); and finally 4) retaining the land (chapters 22–24). Each of these last three chapters begins when Joshua summons (Hebrew, qara’) Israel (22:1; 23:2; 24:1). Thus the book closes with three assemblies of the people of God. Remember that all this immediately follows the heavy theological text, 21:43–45, which emphatically underscores Yahweh’s fidelity to His promise. By contrast, chapters 22–24 are preoccupied with the theme of Israel’s fidelity to Yahweh (22:5, 16, 18, 19, 25, 29, 31; 23:6, 8, 11; 24:14–15, 16, 18, 21, 23, 24). Hence the last three chapters constitute the writer’s major application: Israel must respond in kind to Yahweh’s unwavering faithfulness. “Are you faithful to this faithful God?”  was the question Joshua asked the people. Let’s pray that our response is a resounding yes.

我们已来到了约书亚记最后的一部。约书亚记可分为1)进入土地（1-4章）；2)夺下土地（5-12章）；3)占领土地（13-21章）；4)保守土地（22-24章）。而最后的三个篇章皆以约书亚传召（希伯来文：加拉）以色列作开头（22:1;23:2; 24:1）。因此，本书便是以神子民的三次聚集作总结。要记得，紧跟着这一切的是一段沉重的神学篇幅，即23:43-45，其强调的是耶和华忠于自己的诺言。相比之下，22-24章讲述的要点是以色列对耶和华的忠诚（22:5, 16, 18, 19, 25, 29, 31; 23:6, 8, 11; 24:14-15, 16, 18, 21, 23，24）。因此，笔者在最后三个篇章要传达的是：以色列必须对耶和华不变的信实作出同样的回应。“你是否忠于这位信实的神？”这就是约书亚问百姓的问题。让我们祈祷我们的答案是正面、坚定的。

2. In the few verses of this chapter, we find a gracious commendation of the two-and-a-half eastern tribes on the part of Joshua (vv. 1–8). Joshua’s commendation for obedience (vv. 1–4) precedes an exhortation to fidelity (v. 5) and a direction regarding generosity (vv. 6, 7b–8). How beautiful such obedience is! It should remind all of God’s people that it is possible not to sin (1 John 2:1). No one knows the virility of sin like the saints of God, and sometimes in our struggle with sin we can wearily come to think that we are doomed to lose the fight. We need the right perspective: sin will not lord it over us, for we are under the Grace (Rom. 6:14). Let’s pray that we will keep fighting for His glory.

在这篇章的前几个章节中，我们看到约书亚对两个半东部支派的宽厚表彰（1-8节）。约书亚首先表扬他们的顺服之心（1-4节），然后告诫他们要忠心（5节），最后叫他们有个慷慨的心（6-8节）。这等顺服是何等美啊！这当提醒所有属神的人：我们是可以不犯罪的（约一2:1）。无人能比神的圣徒更知罪的性质，而在与罪恶争战时，我们或许会因疲惫认为我们必将败阵。但我们需要有正确的观点：罪必不能做我们的王，因我们乃在恩典之下（罗6:14）。让我们祈祷，叫我们会继续为神的荣耀争战到底。

After the land was apportioned, the writer looked back and made one summary statement: God keeps His promises (v. 45).

土地分配完毕后，笔者往回看，并做了一句结语：神遵守了祂的承诺（45节）。

God kept His promise and gave the land to Israel (v. 43). He had promised it first to Abraham (Gen. 13:14–17), and then to his descendants (Gen. 17:8). On the basis of that promise, Joshua entered Canaan, defeated the enemy, and claimed the land for Israel.

耶和华遵守诺言，将应许之地赐予以色列（43节）。他首先向亚伯拉罕作出应许（创13:14-17），接着应许了他的子孙（创17:8）。约书亚凭着这应许进入了迦南地，击败了敌人，并为以色列夺下了地土。

God kept His promise and gave them rest from war, enabling them to conquer all their enemies and enjoy their inheritance (v. 44). (See Deut. 12:10; 25:19; Josh. 1:13.) We have spiritual rest today through Christ (Heb. 3–4) and will one day enter into eternal rest.

耶和华遵守诺言，使他们四境平安，战胜一切仇敌，并享得他们的产业（44节）。（见申12:10，25:19，书1:13）我们现今藉着基督得享属灵的安息（来3-4），也终有一天得入祂永恒的安息。

God kept His promise and scattered the Levites throughout Israel (Gen. 49:7). He gave them forty-eight towns, including the cities of refuge. It should have been a blessing to Israel to have these servants of God living in many different places and sharing the truth of the Word with the people (Deut. 33:10).

耶和华遵守诺言，把利未人分散全以色列（创49:7）。祂给了他们48个城邑，其中包括逃城。能有神的仆人在各个地方生活，并与人们分享神话语的真理是神赐给以色列的祝福（申33:10）。

Not one word of His promises has failed (v. 45; Josh. 23:14; 1 Kings 8:56). You can trust the Word of God.

耶和华所应许的话一句也没落空（45节，书23:14，王上8:56）。你可以信靠神的话语。

Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告

1. Yahweh had instructed Moses that Israel was to give the Levites cities where they could live and pasturage around those cities for their livestock (Num. 35:1–8). The Levites had not forgotten it. They approached Eleazar, Joshua, and the Israelite leadership to ask that they now be given what Yahweh had authorised for them. Already Caleb (14:6ff.) and the daughters of Zelophedad (17:3–6) had followed this pattern. Both near the beginning and at the close of this third major section of Joshua (chs. 13–21) we have people (Caleb and the Levites, respectively) coming to claim what Yahweh had promised them. It is not too extreme to say that this should be the normal pattern for all believing prayer, namely, that we seek what ‘Yahweh commanded … to give us’ (v. 2). What God has promised us, what God has authorised us to have, we should seek in prayer. We usually give too little thought to what God actually has promised us. Let’s pray that we take the Word of God seriously and fix our hope in them.

耶和华曾吩咐摩西，以色列当给予利未人居住的城邑，城邑的郊野也要给他们牧养牲畜（民35:1-8）。利未人并没有忘记这一切。他们来到以利亚撒、约书亚和以色列各支派的族长面前祈求领受耶和华所给他们应许的。迦勒（14:6）和西罗非哈的女儿（17:3-6）也都如此行，得到了他们的产业。我们在《约书亚记》第三部（书 13-21）的开头和结尾都看到有人（分别为迦勒和利未人）前来领受耶和华所应许的东西。我们也可以说这当是凭信心祷告的模式，即寻求“耶和华……吩咐给我们”的（2节）。我们应该在祷告里寻求神已应许我们的和神已吩咐我们的事。我们通常不多加思想神所给予我们的应许。让我们祈祷，叫我们认真对待神的话，并把我们的盼望锁定在那里。

2. When the Levites request their cities they are asking only for the provision they need. Certainly the priests and Levites were set apart for a special ministry but they had very earthly needs as well. Sometimes, however, it is God’s people who are strangely (or conveniently) oblivious to the physical needs of those who serve them. A church may pay its pastor a scraping wage and forget that he, too, is a human who needs medical attention, insurance, education for their children etc. Let’s pray that we obey God by providing for them as God has provided for us.

当利未人要求领受他们的城邑时，他们只要求自己所需要的。祭司和利未人确实要为他们特别的职分分别出来，但也仍有世俗的需要。可是，时而正是神的子民异乎寻常地（或方便地）忽视了那些侍奉他们之人的物质需要。教会或许在支付牧师极少的工资时，忘记他同样也是人，也需要就医、保险、交子女教育费等。让我们祈祷，叫我们会服从神，像祂供养我们般照顾他们的需要。

The cities of refuge are mentioned in Exodus 21:12-13, Numbers 35, and Deuteronomy 19, so you may want to review those passages.

出埃及记21:12-13，民数记35与申命记19都提过逃城，所以你也可以同时回顾看那些经文。

Jesus Christ is our “city of refuge” (Heb. 6:18–20), but the salvation He gives is in contrast to the refuge given to the manslayer. It is true that the sinner must come to Christ (Matt. 11:28–30), but it is also true that Christ first comes to us (Luke 19:10). The elders of the six cities did not help.

耶稣基督是我们的“避难所”（来6:18-20），但祂所赐予的救恩与误杀人可逃往的避难所是相反的。罪人确实必须来到基督面前（太11:28-30），但基督得先寻找我们（路19:10）。这六个逃城的长老并没有作主动的帮助。

When we come to Christ, there is no trial to determine our guilt. We know we are guilty! That is why we fled to Him! We did not stand at the door and wait; we entered the open door (John 10:9) and were welcomed by the Savior, knowing that we would never face condemnation (John 5:24; Rom. 8:1). The manslayer had to remain in the city, but we “go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:9).

当我们来到基督面前，我们无需受审裁决罪愆。我们知道自己是有罪的！这就是我们投靠祂的原因！我们没有站在门外等候；我们进入了敞开的门（约10:9），受救主的迎接，并晓得永远不被定罪（约5:24，罗8:1）。误杀人的不得不留在逃城里，但我们却能“出入得草吃”（约10:9）。

Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告

逃城的供应反映了耶和华的公义。无论是误杀人的或被杀者的生命，其尊贵渗透了整篇经文。我们可以从设立逃城的用意清楚地看到对误杀人生命的珍惜。但我们或许从中没看到被杀者的生命也是神所珍惜的。要知道，逃城不仅是误杀之人能安全逃难的地方，这也是他被流放的地方。他虽受保护，但同时也遭受处罚。他不能回到自己的家乡恢复正常的生活；他必须留在逃城避难，直到当任的大祭司过世（6节）。他也不能离开逃城的境外，因为一旦这么做，报血仇的可将他杀了也无流血之罪（民35:26-28）。特伦特·巴特勒说，逃城“既是避难所也是监狱”。这就是毁灭生命需附上的高价；即使是误杀，他也必须承担后果。神是照着自己的形像造人的，所以人的生命永远是珍贵神圣的（创9:6）。让我们祈祷，叫我们珍惜神所造的每一条生命。

Since it was centrally located, Shiloh was the ideal place for the tabernacle. During the years of Israel’s wanderings, the tabernacle was in the center of the camp. Now it was at the center of the land, accessible to all and a reminder that the fear of God must be at the heart of the nation.

由于示罗位于地域的中心，所以是设立会幕的理想地点。在以色列流浪旷野的岁月里，帐幕处在营地的中心。如今，它设立在应许之地中央，便于所有以色列人，也提醒他们敬畏神当是国家的重心。

Beware the sin of neglect! It was not the enemy that prevented the tribes from claiming their inheritance; it was their own indifference and indolence. (See James 4:17.)

谨防疏忽之罪！阻止支派取得产业的并非敌人，而是他们自己的冷漠和懒惰（雅4:17）。

The surveyors gathered the facts, but God gave the guidance needed for the allocation of the land (18:8–10). We must obey the Lord if we want to know His will. Although we must not lean on our own understanding (Prov. 3:6), we must have understanding in order for God to direct us.

划地势的人收集了资料，但给予分配土地所需的指示是出于神（18:8-10）。如果我们想知道神的旨意，就必须服从祂。我们虽然不可倚靠自己的聪明（箴3:6），但仍需要对事情有所了解，神才能指导我们。

Joshua saw to it that the distribution to the tribes was completed before he received his own inheritance (19:49–50). The city of Timnath was located in a mountainous region where life would not be easy. Joshua could have chosen the finest place in the land, but he put others first and let them take the best (1 Cor. 10:24; Phil. 2:1–4).

约书亚确保各支派地业分配完毕后，才领受自己的产业（19:49-50）。亭拿西拉城位于山区地带，要在那里生活定不容易。约书亚本大可以为自己选择土地最好的地段，但他却以人为先，让他们得到最好的（林前10:24; 腓2:1-4）。

Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告

Israel’s assembling and setting up the tabernacle at Shiloh, hints at the dawn of a new day. Shiloh was about ten miles northeast of Bethel, thirty miles north of Jerusalem, in the tribal territory of Ephraim. Shiloh seems to have been the primary centre of Israelite worship during the pre-monarchic period (Josh. 18:1; 21:2, 22:9, 12; Judg. 18:31; 21:12, 19; 1 Sam. 1–2). This was a new situation. The day would come, Moses had told Israel (Deut. 12:1–15), when Yahweh would choose a place in the land where He was to be worshipped, a place where sacrifices were to be offered and sacrificial meals enjoyed. The semilaxity of the wilderness period would cease when God brought them into their inheritance and gave them rest in the land. Here they were to worship faithfully, joyfully, and safely. For New Testament believers, our Lord had paved a new way from the cross and now we can come to Him directly as Jesus said to the Samaritan woman, “The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. (John 4:23) Let us thank the Lord for what he has done for us.

以色列在示罗聚集并设立帐幕，暗示了崭新一天的到来。示罗位于伯特利东北约有十英里（16公里），耶路撒冷以北三十英里（48公里），在以法莲支派的境界。示罗似乎一直都是以色列人在立王时代以前的主要敬拜场场地（书18:1,21:2，22:9，12; 士18:31,21:12,19; 撒上1-2）。这是一个新的局面。摩西曾告诉以色列（申12:1-15），耶和华将选择人当崇拜祂、祭祀祂，以及享用祭祀之餐的地方。当神领他们到应许之地，在那里给予他们安息时，他们在旷野中的半松懈状态将结束。在这里，他们要忠诚地、欢喜地，并安全地敬拜祂。对新约信徒而言，我们的主已从十架为我们劈开一条新的道路，使我们如今能直接来到神的面前，正如耶稣对撒玛利亚妇人说的：“时候将到，如今就是了，那真正拜父的，要用心灵和诚实拜他，因为父要这样的人拜他。”（约4:23）让我们感谢主为我们所做的一切。

Ephraim and Manasseh were Joseph’s two sons, born to him in Egypt. Jacob adopted them as his own and gave them a special blessing from the Lord (Gen. 48), which explains why these two tribes were given such valuable land in the heart of Canaan. Joseph had kept the family alive during seven years of famine, and his descendants reaped the benefits. They were wealthy because of Joseph’s faith and love and Jacob’s special blessing.

以法莲和玛拿西是约瑟在埃及生的两个儿子。雅各把他们归在他的名下，赐予他们耶和华特别的祝福（创48）；这也解释了两个支派为何被分得迦南地中心的宝贵土地。约瑟在七个荒年期间一直维持着家族的性命，而他的子孙也从中收益。他们之所以得以富裕是基于约瑟的信心和爱心，以及雅各特别的祝福。

However, we must not live only on what our ancestors have provided. We must also claim an inheritance for ourselves and our children (17:14–18). There those who did a lot of complaining but not much conquering! And there were those who had not because they claimed not.

然而，我们不能只靠祖先的供应过生活。我们也必须为自己和孩子取得产业（17:14-18）。有些人抱怨很多，却不多做事！另有些人一无所有，因为他们从不去争取。

Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告

1. We are reminded that Yahweh’s ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts than our thoughts (Isa 55:9) in these chapters. Verses 1–4 mention the sons of Joseph: Manasseh and Ephraim (v. 4). This was the order of birth; Manasseh was the older of Joseph’s sons. However, the writer proceeds to describe Ephraim’s territory before Manasseh’s allotment. Although this is subtle, it is deliberate. For when Joseph presents the lads for Jacob’s blessing he places Manasseh, the older, opposite Jacob’s right hand, and Ephraim opposite Jacob’s left (v. 14). However, Jacob crossed his arms and placed his right hand on Ephraim’s head, giving him priority! This is a mysterious God who is sovereign in His way. Let’s pray that we honor and respect God’s sovereignty in our lives.

这几章经文提醒我们耶和华的道路高过我们的道路，祂的意念高过我们的意念（赛55:9）。第1-4节提到约瑟的儿子玛拿西和以法莲（第4节）。这乃照他们的出生顺序：玛拿西是约瑟的大儿子。然而，笔者在继而形容分得之地时，却先列出以法莲所得的产业。这看来无足轻重，却是刻意的。当约瑟带了他儿子领受雅各的祝福时，他把较年长的玛拿西对向雅各的右手，却把以法莲对向雅各的左手（第14节）。然而，雅各双臂交叉，把他的右手按在以法莲的头上，给了他优先！这是一个既莫测高深，又在凡事有主权的神。让我们祈祷我们会对神在生命中的主权给予尊荣与崇敬。

2. In the case of Zelophedad’s daughters, they approached Joshua boldly and reminded him about the Lord’s promises. Remember Zelophedad died having no sons. His five daughters appealed to Moses, asking Moses not to divert the inheritance to the nearest male relative but to them. This is uncustomary but the Lord decided in their favor. This request reflects the five daughters’ faith. Many Christians lack the boldness, assurance, and confidence to lay hold of God’s provisions. Let’s us be bold and claim God’s provision for us. Let us also come know the Lord’s promises intimately and pray boldly.

至于西罗非哈的女儿，她们大胆地来到约书亚面前，提醒他神所应许的话。西罗非哈死时并没有儿子；他的五个女儿恳求摩西，叫摩西不要把产业转分给最亲的男亲属，而是分配给她们。这虽不是惯例，但神应允了她们的祈求。这祈求反映的是那五个女儿的信心。许多基督徒缺乏胆识、把握和信心来领受神的恩惠。让我们壮胆，勇于领受神所赐予我们的供应。让我们也来更深切地晓得神的应许，并大胆地祈祷。

Had the people chosen their inheritance, there no doubt would have been competition and conflict; but the Lord assigned the territory, and the tribes submitted to His will.

倘若以色列人能擅自选择自己的产业，他们必然会有纷争。但是，产业是主所分配的，所以各支派服从了主的旨意。

“For who makes you different from another?” asked Paul. “And what do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Cor. 4:7). John the Baptist said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven” (John 3:27).

“使你与人不同的是谁呢？”保罗问，“你有什么不是领受的呢？”（林前4:7）施洗约翰说：“若不是从天上赐的，人就不能得什么。”（约3:27）

Whenever you envy another’s achievements or abilities, you are forgetting this basic spiritual principle. Whenever you complain to God because of what you are not, instead of praising Him for what you are, you need to listen again to Paul and John the Baptist.

每当你羡慕别人的成就或能力时，你就忘了这个基本的属灵原则。每当你因为自己的不足而抱怨主，却不为自己所有的赞美祂，你需要再次聆听保罗和施洗约翰的劝告。

This is not to suggest that you become complacent. Caleb fought courageously to claim his God-given inheritance, and so did Othniel, his son-in-law. Caleb’s daughter had faith to ask for additional blessings, and she received them. God gives—we possess by faith. We must accept whatever inheritance He grants us.

这并不表示你当自满。迦勒为承受神所赐的产业奋勇作战，而他的女婿俄陀聂亦是如此。迦勒的女儿凭着信心要求得到额外的祝福，她也因此得到了。神赏赐——我们凭信心领受。我们必接受神所赐予我们的任何产业。

以色列人能安息在诗篇47:4的话，而利未人的是诗篇16:5。你是否安逸于神所作出的完美选择呢？

Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告

It seems to be more than a little tedium in reading through Joshua 15. It deals with the inheritance of the tribe of Judah and lovingly traces the boundaries of Judah (vv. 1–12), reports Caleb’s victories at Hebron and Debir (vv. 13–20), categorises and lists the various towns belonging to Judah (vv. 21–62), and includes a note of inability or failure (v. 63). Certainly, a text like ‘Maon, Carmel, Ziph, Juttah’ (v. 55) doesn’t exactly suggest warm devotional thoughts. Yet the apostle Paul was not joking when he said ‘all scripture is profitable’; therefore, Joshua 15 must be profitable. If we were among the tribes of Israel, we will not feel bored because it was the rich inheritance and blessing of the Lord. Let’s pray that we are absolutely certain that the Lord is serious in giving us His reward for our faithfulness and obedience. So let us be steadfast and immovable in serving our Lord.

阅读约书亚记15章似乎有点乏味。它述说了犹大支派所分得的产业，并仔细描述了犹大的边界（1-12节），汇报了迦勒在希伯仑和底璧的胜利（13-20节），划分并列出了属于犹大的各城邑（21-62节），也列下犹大的无能或失败（63节）。当然，类似“玛云、迦密、西弗、淤他”（55节）的篇幅并不一定能勾起沉思默想的念头。然而，当使徒保罗说：“圣经都是有益” 的，他不是在说笑。因此，约书亚记15章必然有可益之处。我们若属以色列支派中的一位，就不会感到乏闷，因为那都是主所赐的丰富产业与祝福。让我们祈祷，叫我们能绝对相信主必会赞赏我们的忠心与顺服之心。因此，我们应该持之以恒、坚持不懈地侍奉主。

Caleb illustrates the truth that “through faith and patience [we] inherit the promises” (Heb. 6:12). Along with Joshua, Caleb was eager to claim his inheritance over forty years before, but the nation had rebelled in unbelief. Patiently, Caleb endured the trials of the wilderness; he knew that his future was secure (Num. 14:24). That unbelieving generation had no hope, for they died in the wilderness, but Caleb had a “living hope” because of his faith (1 Pet. 1:3ff.).

迦勒就是一位“凭信心和忍耐承受应许的人”（来6:12）。他同约书亚一样，早在四十年前就急切地想承受自己的产业，但以色列国却在不信中悖逆了耶和华。迦勒耐心地忍受在旷野的试验；他知道他的未来是稳固的（民14:24）。那不信的一代却没有希望，因为他们都死在旷野中，但迦勒因他的信心，有了“活泼的盼望” （彼前1:3）。

What an example for us to follow! Age did not hinder him, the disappointments of the past did not embitter him, and giants did not frighten him! At a time in life when others were looking for security and ease, Caleb was saying, “Give me this mountain!” (v. 12). His secret? “He wholly followed the Lord God of Israel” (v. 14).

他是我们当效法的榜样！年纪不是阻碍，过往的挫折并没有让他心怀怨恨，而巨人也吓不着他！当别人在寻找安逸时，迦勒却说：“求你给我这山地！”（12节）。他的秘诀是什么？“他专心跟从耶和华以色列的神。”（14节）

Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告

1. Often we use the little Latin abbreviation eg. (exempli gratia), ‘for example’ to illustrate a point. Chapter 14 seems to be primarily an e.g. This chapter points to Caleb as an example of how Israel’s tribes ought to be extending the original conquest by cleaning out and nailing down their various tribal portions. Chapter 14 opens a section (14:1-19:51) dealing with the tribal allotments in the land of Canaan. It is interesting to note that this section opens and closes with the two faithful spies (see Num. 13–14) receiving their respective inheritances, Caleb in 14:6–15 and Joshua in 19:49–50. But chapters 14–17 also form a given block of material, for Caleb’s adventuresome faith in 14:6–15 deliberately contrasts with the hesitant caution of the Joseph tribes in 17:14–18. Notice the adverbs used to describe Caleb’s following heart: wholly, fully and wholeheartedly, depending what version of the Bible you are reading. Let’s pray that we follow Caleb’s example of following Christ wholly, fully and wholeheartedly.

我们时常使用“例如”一词来说明一点。第14章的重心就是要给予我们一个例子。这个篇章指向迦勒为例，说明以色列各支派当如何“清除”并巩固他们的分地，拓展已征服的江山。第14章（14:1-19:51）开启了各支派在迦南地所被分配之产业的叙述。有趣的是，这一段经文的开头和结尾提到的是那两个忠心的探子（见民13-14 ）各自领受的产业；迦勒为14:6-15而约书亚为19:49-50 。但第14-17章提供了强力的对比：迦勒在14:6-15显示了在信心中有的冒险精神，而17:14-18勾画的却是约瑟子孙的犹豫、保留。请注意形容迦勒顺服之心的用词：专心。让我们祈祷能效法迦勒的榜样，专心跟从基督。

2. Yes, the Lord will reward our faithfulness. Let’s pray that we remain faithful and looking forward to receive the Lord’s commendation, “Well done, good and faithful servant… Enter into the joy of your master. (Mat 25:21).

是的，神会报赏我们的忠心。让我们祈祷，叫我们能持守忠诚，盼望得到主的赞赏：“好，你这又良善又忠心的仆人……进来享受你主人的快乐。”（太25:21）

Unlike some elderly people, Joshua lived in the future and not in the past. He had a job to do, and he wanted to complete it before he died. He was not satisfied to defeat thirty-one kings. He urged the tribes to possess the land they had conquered and claim it for the Lord.

约书亚有别于一些年长者：他活在未来而不是过去。他有任务在身，并想在临终之前完成。击败31个国王并不足够。他催促各支派要为主的缘故完全征服且掌控分地。

No matter how much God has enabled you to accomplish in life, there is always much more land to possess. In the Christian life, we never stand still; we go either forward or backward. The challenge to the believer is Hebrews 6:1: “Let us go on!”

无论神使你在生命中取得了多少成就，我们总是还会有更多未征服的土地。在基督徒的生命里，我们是不会原地不动的；我们只能向前走或倒退。信徒所面临的挑战是希伯来书6:1所勉励的：“让我们竭力前进！”

In all his ministry, Joshua was careful to follow the regulations laid down by Moses. Obedience to the Word guaranteed his success (Josh. 1:8).

在他所有的事工里，约书亚谨慎地遵循摩西所吩咐的规定。对话语的顺服是他成功的保证（书1:8）。

Did the Levites feel left out? How could they, when God was their inheritance (v. 33)!

利未人是否被冷落了呢？怎么可能，因神是他们的产业（33节）！

Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告

1. It is easy to read verse 1 and to forget just how much had been accomplished under Joshua’s leadership. A careful look at ‘the land that remains’ shows that this land was, in one sense, on the edges of Israel’s land. If such was the land that remained, it implies that Israel had achieved a significant measure of dominance in the main part of Canaan. Not that such dominance was total, but it was substantial. Joshua and Israel’s conquests apparently caused a power vacuum into which Israel could step. Now it was time to allot the land to tribes who would follow up and extend the conquest (vv. 6b–7). For Christians, the Lord has won the victory for us, but there are the fringes of our lives that need to be overcome by the power of God. Let’s pray that we are willing to drive the enemy out of our lives.

若只看第一节，我们会轻易忘记以色列在约书亚的领导下所取得的众多成就。仔细查看那“未得之地”的位置，便可晓得它多数都是以色列边界的江山。若是如此，这表示以色列已在迦南首要的领域取得了主要的掌控。虽说这掌控不完全，但它是主导。约书亚和以色列的征服显然制造了权势上的空缺，使以色列人可以介入。如今是给各支派分配土地的时候，让他们各自继续征服、扩展土地（6-7节）。对基督徒而言，主已为我们赢得了胜利，但我们生命中仍有细小的领域仍需要靠神的力量来征服。让我们祈祷，叫我们愿意将敌人从自己的生命中完全赶出。

2. Furthermore, we cannot help detecting a note of repeated encouragement throughout verses 8–33. There are repeated allusions to Israel’s victories over our old friends Sihon and Og (vv. 10, 12, 21, 27, 30–31), not to mention Balaam (v. 22; see Num. 22–25; 31:8). What does this mean? It means that throughout all this geography and topography there are constant allusions to the victories Yahweh had previously given Israel under Moses. This is the biblical prescription for faith; faith finds both steadfastness and expectancy by rehearsing and reveling in Yahweh’s past acts of faithfulness. Are we weak in faith? Should we be reminded of what the Lord did for Israel? Let’s pray that our faith will grow by reading what the Lord has done in the Bible.

此外，我们会在8至33节不经意察觉到鼓励的话反复出现。事实上，这些暗指的是以色列对老友西宏和噩（10,12,21,27,30-31节）的胜利，巴兰也当然包括在内（22节；见民22-25; 31:8）。这意味着什么？这些地理、名称都会叫我们想起耶和华曾在摩西的领导下所已给予以色列的胜利。这就是圣经对信心的描述；信心会不断地复述并回想耶和华过去的信实，从而被坚定，有盼望。我们的信心是否软弱？我们不当记念耶和华为以色列所做的事吗？让我们祈祷，叫自己的信心能通过阅读神在圣经中的作为而得长进。