1
Joshua 23:1
繁體中文
英文原文
This and the next chapter contain the last addresses of Joshua. These addresses were no doubt among the closing acts of Joshua's life, but were evidently given on different occasions, and are of different character and scope. In the former Joshua briefly reminds the princes of the recent benefits of God toward them and their people, declares that God had fulfilled all His promises, and exhorts to faithfulness on their side to God that so His mercies may not be withdrawn: in the latter he takes a wider range, rehearses the gracious dealings of God with the nation from its very origin, and upon these as his grounds, he claims for God their sincere and entire service. But he grants them the option of withdrawing from the covenant if they so choose; and when they elect still to abide by it, it is solemnly renewed by the free consent of the whole people. Joshua's reproofs and warnings are in sum and substance identical with those with which Moses closed his career (Deuteronomy 31, etc.). Compare throughout the marginal references.
2
Joshua 23:2
繁體中文
以色列眾人和他們的長老——「和」字當刪去,希伯來文中原無此字。意思是:約書亞召集了由長老等所代表的以色列全會眾(Deuteronomy 1:15)。這次聚集大概在示羅的會幕舉行。
英文原文
All Israel, and for their elders - Omit "and," which is not in the Hebrew. The meaning is that Joshua summoned to him all Israel as represented by its elders, etc. Deuteronomy 1:15. This gathering probably took place at the tabernacle at Shiloh.
本章與下一章包含約書亞最後的講論。這些講論無疑屬於約書亞生平末了的行動,但顯然是在不同場合發表的,性質與範圍也各不相同。在前者中,約書亞簡短地提醒眾首領神近期向他們和他們的百姓所施的恩惠,宣告神已履行了祂的一切應許,並勸勉他們這一邊要對神忠心,免得祂的憐憫被撤回;在後者中,他放眼更廣,追述神自這民族起源以來恩慈的作為,並以這些為根據,要求他們向神獻上真誠而完全的事奉。但他也准許他們選擇退出聖約;而當他們選擇仍然持守時,整個民族便在自由同意之下莊嚴地重新立約。約書亞的責備與警告,其總意與實質,與摩西結束其生涯時所說的相同(Deuteronomy 31 等)。請全程對照旁註。