892 英翻中 (592) The 2nd of the 5 exhortations is the danger of doubting and disbelieving the Word because of hardness of heart. 第二警誡, 因心硬而懷疑和不信聖經的危險. 10/31/2024

892 英翻中 (592)    The 2nd of the 5 exhortations is the danger of doubting and disbelieving the Word because of hardness of heart.           第二警誡, 因心硬而懷疑和不信聖經的危險.     10/31/2024         

3. Christ Is Greater in the Rest He Gives (3:7—4:13)                                                                              3. 基督在祂所賜的安息中更偉大（3:7—4:13）

This long section is the second of the five exhortations in this epistle. In the first exhortation (Heb. 2:1–4), the writer pointed out the danger of drifting from the Word because of neglect. In this exhortation, he explained the danger of doubting and disbelieving the Word because of hardness of heart. It is important that we understand the background of this section, which is the exodus of Israel from Egypt and their experiences of unbelief in the wilderness.                                               這一長段是描述五項勸勉警誡中的第二部分。在第一部分勸勉警誡中（希伯書來   2:1-4），作者指出因疏忽而偏離聖經的危險。在這長段的第二部分勸勉警誡中，他解釋了因心硬而懷疑和不信聖經的危險。重要的是我們要了解它的背景，即以色列人在出埃及和在​​曠野中不信的經歷。

To begin with, we must understand that there are spiritual lessons in the geography of Israel’s experiences. The nation’s bondage in Egypt is an illustration of a sinner’s bondage in this world. Much as Israel was delivered from Egypt by the blood of lambs and the power of God, so a sinner who believes on Christ is delivered from the bondage of sin (Col. 1:13–14). Jesus Christ is “the Lamb of God” whose death and resurrection have made our deliverance from sin a reality.           首先，我們必須明白，以色列經歷的地理中有屬靈的教訓。以色列民族在埃及的奴役，是象徵罪人在世上受奴役的行象。正如以色列因羔羊的血和上帝的大能從埃及得救一樣，相信基督的罪人也從罪的捆綁中得救（歌羅西書   1:13-14）。耶穌基督是“上帝的羔羊”，祂的死和復活使我們成為脫離罪惡的實存(是實際永遠存在的事實)。

It was not God’s will that Israel remain either in Egypt or in the wilderness. His desire was that the people enter their glorious inheritance in the land of Canaan. But when Israel got to the border of their inheritance, they delayed because they doubted the promise of God (Num. 13—14). “We are not able” wept the ten spies and the people. “We are able with God’s help!” said Moses, Joshua, and Caleb. Because the people went backward in unbelief instead of forward by faith, they missed their inheritance and died in the wilderness. It was the new generation that possessed the land and entered into their rest.                                                                                       上帝的旨意並不是要以色列人留在埃及，也不是要他們留在曠野。祂的期望是讓祂的子民進入他們在迦南擁有的榮耀產業。但是當以色列人到達他們產業的邊界時，他們遲到了，因為他們懷疑上帝的應許（民數記  13-14）。 “我們不能進入”，十個探子和百姓都哭了起來。摩西、約書亞和迦勒說，“靠著上帝的幫助，我們能夠進去！”百姓因不信而倒退，不憑信心往前進，失去了產業，死在曠野。變成只是新一代擁有的產業，只有他們進入得安息。

What does Canaan represent to us as Christians today? It represents our spiritual inheritance in Christ (Eph. 1:3, 11, 15–23). It is unfortunate that some of our hymns and gospel songs use Canaan as a picture of heaven, and “crossing the Jordan” as a picture of death. Since Canaan was a place of battles, and even of defeats, it is not a good illustration of heaven! Israel had to cross the river by faith (a picture of the believer as he dies to self and the world, Rom. 6) and claim the inheritance by faith. They had to “step out by faith” (Josh. 1:3) and claim the land for themselves, just as believers today must do.                                                                                          迦南對今天的基督徒預表什麼？ 它代表是我們在基督裡的屬靈產業（以弗所書 1:3、11、15-23）。不幸的是我們的一些讚美詩，和福音講道却使用迦南作為天堂的預表，而將“過約旦河”作為死亡的形象。既然迦南是爭戰之地，甚至是戰敗之地，那也不是天堂的好例子！以色列必須憑著信心過河（信徒向自己和世界是死的形象，參  羅馬書第 6章）並憑著信心獲得產業。他們必須“憑信心走出去”（約書亞記  1:3）並為自己奪取土地，就像今天的信徒必須要經過苦難一樣。

Now we can understand what the wilderness wanderings represent: the experiences of believers who will not claim their spiritual inheritance in Christ, who doubt God’s Word and live in restless unbelief. To be sure, God is with them, as He was with Israel, but they do not enjoy the fullness of God’s blessing. They are “out of Egypt” but they are not yet “in Canaan.” With this background, we can now better under[1]stand one of the key words in this section—rest (Heb. 3:11, 18; 4:1, 3–5, 8–11). The writer mentioned two different “rests” found in Old Testament history: (1) God’s Sabbath rest, when He ceased from His creation activities (Gen. 2:2; Heb. 4:4); (2) Israel’s rest in Canaan (Deut. 12:9; Josh. 21:43–45; Heb. 3:11). But he saw in these “rests” illustrations of the spiritual experiences of believers today. The Sabbath rest is a picture of our rest in Christ through salvation (Heb. 4:3; see Matt. 11:28). The Canaan rest is a picture of our present rest as we claim our inheritance in Christ (Heb. 4:11–13; note the emphasis on the Word of God). The first is the rest of salvation; the second is the rest of submission.                                                                           現在可以理解曠野漂流代表什麼：當信徒懷疑上帝的話語，生活在不信的不安中，這就是他們的經歷。誠然，上帝與他們同在，就像與以色列同在一樣，但他們並沒有享受到上帝豐盛的祝福。他們“出了埃及”，但還沒有“進入迦南”。有了這樣的背景，現在可以更好地理解本長段經節中的一個關鍵詞 : 安息（希伯書來   3:11、18；4:1、3-5、8-11）。作者提到在舊約歷史中，發現的兩種不同的“安息”：（1）上帝的安息日，當停止祂的創造活動時（創世記   2:2；希伯來書   4:4）； (2) 以色列在迦南的安息（申命記  12:9；約書亞記   21:43-45；希伯來書   3:11）。但他在這些“安息”中看到今天信徒屬靈經歷的例證。安息日是我們因救恩而在基督里得以安息的圖象（希伯來書   4:3；見馬太福音 11:28）。當在基督裡宣告了我們的基業時，迦南的安息是我們現在安息的影射（希伯來書 4:11-13；注意這裡強調上帝的話語）。第一是救恩的安息；第二是順服的安息。

But there is a third rest that enters into the discussion, that future rest that all believers will enjoy with God. “There remaineth, therefore, a rest to the people of God” (Heb. 4:9). This word for rest is the Greek word sabbatismos—“a keeping of a Sabbath”—and this is the only place in the New Testament where this word is used. When the saints enter heaven, it will be like sharing God’s great Sabbath rest, with all labors and battles ended (Rev. 14:13).                                                     但是，還有第三種安息要討論，即所有信徒都將在上帝面前享受的未來安息。 “因此，上帝的子民有安息”（希伯來書   4:9）。這個表示休息的詞是，希臘文  “守安息 日‘sabbatismos’ ”，這是新約中唯一使用這個詞的地方。當聖徒進入天堂時，就像分享上帝偉大的安息日一樣，所有的勞苦和爭戰都結束了（啟示錄 14:13）。

We may diagram these rests in this way:                                                                                              我們可以用這種方式圖象這些安息：

               Past  過去                          Present   現在                      Future    將來

 

               God’s Sabbath rest           Salvation rest                      Heaven

              上帝的安息日                    安息救贖                                        天堂上的安息

 

               Israel’s Canaan rest        Submission rest                    (victory in Christ)       

               以色列的迦南安息          順服的安息                         （在基督裡得勝）

 

With this background of Israel’s history and the “rests” involved, we may now examine the passage itself. The writer gave a threefold admonition.

有了以色列歷史的背景和所涉及的“安息”，現在可以檢查這長段經文本身。作者提出了三重的勸勉警告。

 

4.  Let us take heed (3:7–19).

4. 我們必須要留意（3:7-19）。

 

Take heed to what? To the sad history of the nation of Israel and the important lesson it teaches. The writer quoted from Psalm 95:7–11, which records God’s response to Israel’s tragic spiritual condition. God had delivered His people from Egypt and had cared for them, revealing His power in many signs and wonders. Israel saw all of this and benefited from it, but the experience did not bring them closer to God or make them trust Him more. All that God did for them did not benefit them spiritually. In fact, just the opposite took place: they hardened their hearts against God! They put God to the test and He did not fail them, yet they failed Him.

要注意什麼？ 以色列民族的悲慘歷史及其所受的重要教訓。作者引用詩篇 95篇7至11節，其中記錄了上帝對以色列悲慘的屬靈情況的回應。上帝已將祂的子民從埃及拯救出來，並多方照顧他們，在許多神蹟奇事中彰顯祂的能力。以色列人看到了這一切，並從中受益，但這些經歷並沒有使他們更親近上帝，也沒有使他們更加對祂有信心。祂為他們所做的一切，都沒有使他們在靈性上受益。事實上，情況恰恰相反：他們反而硬著心背逆祂！他們試探上帝，祂沒有讓他們失望，但他們讓祂失望了。

 

The heart of every problem is a problem in the heart. The people of Israel (except Moses, Joshua, and Caleb) erred in their hearts (Heb. 3:10), which means that their hearts wandered from God and His Word. They also had evil hearts of unbelief (Heb. 3:12); they did not believe that God would give them victory in Canaan. They had seen God perform great signs in Egypt. Yet they doubted He was adequate for the challenge of Canaan.

每個問題的核心都是內心的問題。以色列人（除了摩西、約書亞和迦勒）在他們的心中犯了錯誤（希伯來書3:10），這意味著他們的心偏離了上帝和祂的話語。他們也有不信的噁心（希伯來書 3:12）；他們不信上帝會讓他們在迦南得勝。他們曾親眼目睹上帝在埃及行大神蹟。然而，他們却懷疑祂是否足以應對迦南的挑戰。

 

When a person has an erring heart and a disbelieving heart, the result will also be a hard heart. This is a heart that is insensitive to the Word and work of God. So hard was the heart of Israel that the people even wanted to return to Egypt! Imagine wanting to exchange their freedom under God for slavery in Egypt! Of course, all this history spoke to the hearts of the readers of this letter because they were in danger of “going back” themselves. God’s judgment fell on Israel in the wilderness at Kadesh Barnea. That entire generation was condemned to die, and only the new generation would enter the land. God said, “They shall not enter into my rest” (Heb. 3:11). But what message does this bring to a believer today? No believer today, Jew or Gentile, could go back into the Mosaic legal system since the temple is gone and there is no priesthood. But every believer is tempted to give up his confession of Christ and go back into the world system’s life of compromise and bondage. This is especially true during times of persecution and suffering. The fires of persecution have always purified the church because suffering separates true believers from the counterfeit. True believers are willing to suffer for Christ, and they hold firmly to their convictions and their confession of faith (see Heb. 3:6, 14). We are not saved by holding to our confession. The fact that we hold to our confession is proof that we are God’s true children.

當人有錯誤的和不信的心時，結果也會是剛硬的心。對上帝的話語作為就有不敏感的心。以色列人的心是如此堅硬，以至於他們甚至想再回埃及！想像一下他們試圖在上帝的自由之下，來換取埃及的奴役！當然，所有這些歷史記載都觸動讀這封信者的心，因為他們 “回去”肯定對自己有危險。上帝的審判落在加低  . 巴尼亞(Kadesh Barnea)的曠野的以色列人身上。那一代人注定要死，只有新一代人才能進入這片土地。上帝說，“他們不得進入我的安息”（希伯來書   3:11）。但這會給今天的信徒帶來什麼樣的信息呢？ 今天的信徒，無論是猶太人還是外邦人，都無法回到摩西律法體系中，因為聖殿已經消失，也沒有祭司職事。但是每個信徒都有誘惑會放棄對基督的認罪，而回到世界體系中，過妥協和束縛的生活。在迫害和苦難時期尤其如此。迫害之火總是淨化教會，因為苦難將真信徒與假信徒分開。真信徒願意為基督受苦，他們堅定地堅持自己的信念和對基督認罪的信心（見  希伯來書   3:6、14）。堅持認罪不會使我們得救。堅持認罪的事實證明我們是上帝真正孩子。

 

It is important that we take heed and recognize the spiritual dangers that exist. But it is also important that we encourage each other to be faithful to the Lord (Heb. 3:13). We get the impression that some of these believers addressed were careless about their fellowship in the local assembly (see Heb. 10:23–25). Christians belong to each other and need each other. Moses, Caleb, and Joshua did try to encourage Israel when the nation refused to enter Canaan, but the people would not listen.

重要的是我們要注意並認清存在的屬靈危險。但我們彼此鼓勵對主忠心也很重要（希伯書來  3:13）。我們得到的印像是，其中部分信徒對他們在當地教會中的團契漠不關心（見  希伯來書  10：23-25）。基督徒需要彼此相屬，也彼此需要。當以色列人拒絕進入迦南時，摩西、迦勒，和約書亞確實試圖鼓勵以色列人，但他們不聽。

 

It is clear from this section that God was grieved with Israel during the entire forty years they wandered in the wilderness. The Jews had not been out of Egypt long when they began to provoke God (Ex. 16:1ff.). After He supplied bread for them, they complained about a lack of water (Ex. 17:1–7). Moses called that place “Massah and Meribah,” which means “provocation and trial.” These same words are used in Hebrews 3:10.

從這長段經節，可以清楚地看出，以色列人在曠野漂流的整整四十年中，上帝為他們憂傷。猶太人離開埃及不久就開始激怒上帝（出埃及記  16:1 比照研讀）。祂為他們供應麵包後，他們抱怨缺水（出埃及記  17:1-7）。摩西稱那地方為“瑪撒和米利巴(Massah and Meribah)”，意思是“挑釁和試探”。希伯來書 3章10節也使用了這些相同的詞句。

 

The sin of Israel is stated in Hebrews 3:12— “departing from the living God.” The Greek word gives us our English word apostasy. This is the only place this word is used in Hebrews. Does “apostasy” mean abandoning one’s faith and therefore being condemned forever? That does not fit into this context. Israel departed from the living God by refusing God’s will for their lives and stubbornly wanting to go their own way back to Egypt. God did not permit them to return to Egypt. Rather, He disciplined them in the wilderness. God did not allow His people to return to bondage.

在希伯來書 3章12節 陳述了以色列的罪 :“離開永生的上帝”。希臘語詞給英語詞意思 “相背道”。這是希伯來書中，唯一使用這詞的地方。 “相背道”是否意味著放棄信仰並因此永遠被定罪？  實際上是不符合信中所寫。以色列人拒絕上帝對他們生命的旨意，頑固地想走自己的路回到埃及，從而離開了永生上帝。上帝不允許他們返回埃及。相反，祂在曠野管教他們。上帝不允許祂的子民再回到奴役之中。

 

The emphasis in Hebrews is that true believers have an eternal salvation because they trust a living Savior who constantly intercedes for them. But the writer was careful to point out that this confidence is no excuse for sin. God disciplines His children. Remember that Canaan is not a picture of heaven, but of the believer’s present spiritual inheritance in Christ. Believers who doubt God’s Word and rebel against Him do not miss heaven, but they do miss out on the blessings of their inheritance today, and they must suffer the chastening of God.

希伯來書強調的是，真信徒有永恆的救恩，因為他們相信一位不斷為他們代求的活著的救主。但作者小心地指出，這種信心不是犯罪的藉口。上帝管教祂的兒女。請記住，迦南不是天堂的圖畫，而是信徒目前在基督裡的屬靈基業。懷疑神上帝話、悖逆祂的信徒不會錯過天堂，但他們確實錯過了今天的產業祝福，他們必須受上帝的管教。

 

Let us fear (4:1–8). Believers today may enter and enjoy their spiritual inheritance in Christ. We must be careful lest we fail to believe God’s Word, for it is only as the Word is “mixed with faith” that it can accomplish its purposes. The argument in this section is given in several propositions: (1) God finished His work and rested, so that His rest has been available since Creation; (2) the Jews failed to enter into their rest; (3) many years later (Ps. 95), God said that a rest was still available. That “today” is still here! This means that Joshua did not lead Israel into the true rest, because a rest still remains. (Note that the name “Jesus” in Heb. 4:8 kjv, ought to be “Joshua.” “Jesus” is the Greek form of “Joshua.”)

使我們恐懼（4：1-8）。今天的信徒可以進入並享受他們在基督裡的屬靈基業。我們必須小心，免得我們不相信上帝的話語，因為只有當祂的話語“與信心調和”時，聖言才能實現其目的。本節的論點是在幾個前題中帶出的：（1）上帝完成了祂的作為，然後安息，所以上帝的安息自創世以來就已經有了； (2) 猶太人沒有進入他們的安息； (3) 許多年後，上帝說仍然可以安息（詩篇  95）。那個“今天”還在！這意味著約書亞沒有帶領以色列人進入真正的安息，因為安息仍然存在。 （注意希伯來書 4:8 欽定版中的“耶穌”這個名字應該是“約書亞”。“耶穌”是“約書亞”的希臘字的形式。）

 

The Canaan rest for Israel is a picture of the spiritual rest we find in Christ when we surrender to Him. When we come to Christ by faith, we find salvation rest (Matt. 11:28). When we yield and learn of Him and obey Him by faith, we enjoy submission rest (Matt. 11:29–30). The first is “peace with God” (Rom. 5:1); the second is the “peace of God” (Phil. 4:6–8). It is by believing that we enter into rest (Heb. 4:3); it is by obeying God by faith and surrendering to His will that the rest enters into us.

以色列的迦南安息是我們降服基督時，在基督裡找到的屬靈安息的圖畫。當我們憑信心來到基督面前時，就會找到救恩的安息（馬太福音 11:28）。當我們降服並學習基督，並憑信心順服祂時，我們就會享受順服的安息（馬太福音 11:29-30）。最先是“與上帝和好”（羅馬書   5:1）；第二是“上帝的平安”（腓立比書4:6-8）。是信心帶領我們才能進入安息（希伯來書  4:3）；正是藉著憑信心順服上帝，並順服祂的旨意，安息才能進入我們裡面。

 

5.  Let us labor (4:9–13).

5.  使我們勞苦（4:9-13）。

 

“Give diligence” is a good translation of this admonition. Diligence is the opposite of “drifting” (Heb. 2:1–3). How do we give diligence? By paying close attention to the Word of God. Israel did not believe God’s Word, so the rebels fell in the wilderness. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17).

“勤奮”是對這勸勉很好的翻譯。 “勤奮” 與“漂流”相反（希伯來書  2:1-3）。我們如何盡職盡責？  藉由密切關注上帝的話語。以色列人不信上帝的話，凡叛逆的人都倒在曠野。 “所以信心是從聽道來的，聽道是從上帝的話來的”（羅馬書  10:17）。

 

In comparing the Word of God to a sword, the writer was not suggesting that God uses His Word to slaughter the saints! It is true that the Word cuts the heart of sinners with conviction (Acts 5:33; 7:54), and that the Word defeats Satan (Eph. 6:17). The Greek word translated “sword” means “a short sword or dagger.” The emphasis is on the power of the Word to penetrate and expose the inner heart of man. The Word is a “discerner” or “critic.” The Israelites criticized God’s Word instead of allowing the Word to judge them. Consequently, they lost their inheritance.

將上帝的話語比作劍，作者並不是在暗示，上帝用祂的話語來屠殺聖徒！的確，聖言以後侮的意念刺痛罪人的心（使徒行傳  5:33；7:54），並且聖言打敗了撒旦（以弗所書 6:17）。翻譯為“劍”的希臘詞的意思是“短劍或匕首”。 重點在聖言的大能可以穿透和暴露人的內心。聖言是“鑑察者”或“批評者”。以色列人批評上帝的話語，而不是讓上帝的話語審判他們。結果，他們失去了產業。

 

Of course, God sees our hearts (Heb. 4:13), but we do not always know what is there (Jer. 17:9). God uses the Word to enable us to see the sin and unbelief in our own hearts. The Word exposes our hearts, and then, if we trust God, the Word enables our hearts to obey God and claim His promises. This is why each believer should be diligent to apply himself to hear and heed God’s Word. In the Word we see God, and we also see how God sees us. We see ourselves as we really are. This experience enables us to be honest with God, to trust His will, and to obey Him.                                                                                                                當然，上帝鑑查我們的心（希伯來書  4:13），但並不總是知道上帝看到我們什麼（耶利米書  17:9）。上帝使用話語讓我們看到自己心中的罪和不信。聖言敞開了我們的心，然後，如果我們相信上帝，聖言會使我們的心能順服上帝，並得到祂的應許。這就是為什麼每個信徒都應該勤奮地使用自己的耳朵，來聆聽和順從上帝的話語。在聖經中我們看見上帝，也知道祂如何鑑查我們。要看清我們自己真實面目。這經歷使得我們能夠面對上帝誠實，相信並順服祂的旨意。

 

All of this is possible because of the finished work of Jesus Christ. (The two “he’s” in Heb. 4:10 refer to Jesus Christ.) God rested when He finished the work of creation. God’s Son rested when He completed the work of the new creation. We may enter into His rest by trusting His Word and obeying His will. We can do this as we listen to His Word, understand it, trust it, and obey it. Only in this way can we claim our inheritance in Christ.

所有這一切都是可能的，因為耶穌基督已經完成了祂的作為。 （希伯來書  4:10 中的兩個“祂”指的是耶穌基督。）上帝完成創造的作為後就安息了。上帝的兒子完成新造後就安息了。我們可以藉由信祂的話語，並順服祂的旨意而進入祂的安息。當我們聆聽祂的話語、理解、相信，並遵守聖言時，就可以做到這一點。只有這樣，才能在基督裡獲得我們的產業。

 

Before Joshua conquered Jericho, he went out to survey the situation, and he met the Lord Jesus Christ (Josh. 5:13–15). Joshua discovered that he was second in command! The Lord had a sword in His hand, and Joshua fell at His feet in complete submission. It was this action in private that gave Joshua his public victory. We too claim our spiritual inheritance by surrendering to Him and trusting His Word. We must beware of an evil heart of unbelief.

在約書亞征服耶利哥之前，他出去察看情況，並遇見了主耶穌基督（約書亞記  5：13-15）。 約書亞發現他自己是次等的領袖！ 主手裡已經拿著刀，約書亞完全順服地俯伏在祂腳前。 正是這隱藏的行動，使得約書亞獲得了公開的勝利。 我們也藉由向祂降服，並信祂的話語來獲得我們的屬靈產業。 我們必須提防不信的惡心。