1
1Ki 19:1-3.
英文原文
1Ki 19:1-3.
ELIJAH FLEES TO BEER-SHEBA.
3
無標題
3. 以利亞起來逃命——他滿懷希望地進了耶斯列。但那惱怒硬心的王后傳話來,發誓要為她被殺的眾祭司速速報仇,這一來,他對未來的一切美好憧憬全消。不過,以百姓當時的心境而言,她大概也不敢對耶和華的僕人施以毒手,因而故意發出威嚇——因為她所能做的也不過如此。然而這威嚇卻達到了預期的效果:以利亞的信心忽然崩潰。他逃出國境,到了猶大最南端的境內;但他覺得在那裏仍不安全,於是辭退僕人,決意到西奈山的深山隱密處藏身,在那裏甚至求死
(Jas 5:17)。
這突如其來的非同尋常的意志消沉,源於迦密山上所行的奇蹟以及百姓在那裏所表現的態度,使他生出了過分的自信。他若堅定不移,在亞巴和百姓心中所留下的印象本可帶來良好的後果。但他已被過分高舉
(2Co 12:7-9),
既被撇下任憑己意,這位大先知非但沒有顯出殉道者不屈不撓的精神,反而逃離了自己的崗位。
英文原文
3. he arose, and went for his life--He entered Jezreel full of hope. But a message from the incensed and hard-hearted queen, vowing speedy vengeance for her slaughtered priests, dispelled all his bright visions of the future. It is probable, however, that in the present temper of the people, even she would not have dared to lay violent hands on the Lord's servant, and purposely threatened him because she could do no more. The threat produced the intended effect, for his faith suddenly failed him. He fled out of the kingdom into the southernmost part of the territories in Judah; nor did he deem himself safe even there, but, dismissing his servant, he resolved to seek refuge among the mountain recesses of Sinai, and there longed for death
(Jas 5:17).
This sudden and extraordinary depression of mind arose from too great confidence inspired by the miracles wrought at Carmel, and by the disposition the people evinced there. Had he remained steadfast and immovable, the impression on the mind of Ahab and the people generally might have been followed by good results. But he had been exalted above measure
(2Co 12:7-9),
and being left to himself, the great prophet, instead of showing the indomitable spirit of a martyr, fled from his post of duty.
4
1Ki 19:4-18.
1Ki 19:4-18.
他在天使的安慰中得著力量
4-18. 在曠野走了一日的路程——在從別是巴往何烈山的路上——那是一片廣闊的沙丘地帶,長滿了羅騰樹(並非杜松,而是金雀花灌木),它那高大開展的枝條和白色的葉子,提供十分令人舒暢清涼的蔭蔽。他那滿有恩典的神並未忘記祂這逃亡的僕人,卻看顧他,奇蹟地供給他的所需,使他在心境較好卻仍不完全正確的狀態下,靠著那超然的供應,完成了他原定的旅程。在西奈的孤寂中,神向他顯現以教導他。「以利亞啊,你在這裏做甚麼?」這一針見血的問題,是對一個蒙召承擔如此艱鉅緊迫使命的人而發的。藉著一個可畏的神能顯現,他認識了向他說話的那位是誰;他的注意被喚起,他的暴躁被平息,他的心被觸動,他被吩咐立即回到以色列地,在那裏繼續耶和華的工作。為要使他確信一個拜偶像的國家必不受罰是不可能的,神差他去膏立三個人——他們在神的護理中註定要為神與以色列百姓之間的爭辯報仇。膏立與任命是同義詞
(Jud 9:8),
雖然只有耶戶一人有聖膏油澆在頭上,這話卻適用於三人。他們三人都註定要成為毀滅拜偶像者的重要工具,只是方式不同。但在這三項使命中,以利亞只親自執行了一項,即呼召以利沙作他的助手和繼承人
[1Ki 19:19];
其餘兩項則由以利沙完成
(2Ki 8:7-13; 9:1-10)。
神既如此滿足了這位有過錯卻真誠敬虔的先知那火熱的心,便進而糾正以利亞一直懷有的錯誤印象——以為全國只剩下他一人擁護真宗教;因為那在暗中察看、認識一切屬祂之人的神,知道還有七千人未曾向巴力「屈膝」(原文作「親手」)。
英文原文
1Ki 19:4-18.
HE IS COMFORTED BY AN ANGEL.
4-18. went a day's journey into the wilderness--on the way from Beer-sheba to Horeb--a wide expanse of sand hills, covered with the retem (not juniper, but broom shrubs), whose tall and spreading branches, with their white leaves, afford a very cheering and refreshing shade. His gracious God did not lose sight of His fugitive servant, but watched over him, and, miraculously ministering to his wants, enabled him, in a better but not wholly right frame of mind, by virtue of that supernatural supply, to complete his contemplated journey. In the solitude of Sinai, God appeared to instruct him. "What doest thou here, Elijah?" was a searching question addressed to one who had been called to so arduous and urgent a mission as his. By an awful exhibition of divine power, he was made aware of the divine speaker who addressed him; his attention was arrested, his petulance was silenced, his heart was touched, and he was bid without delay return to the land of Israel, and prosecute the Lord's work there. To convince him that an idolatrous nation will not be unpunished, He commissions him to anoint three persons who were destined in Providence to avenge God's controversy with the people of Israel. Anointing is used synonymously with appointment
(Jud 9:8),
and is applied to all named, although Jehu alone had the consecrated oil poured over his head. They were all three destined to be eminent instruments in achieving the destruction of idolaters, though in different ways. But of the three commissions, Elijah personally executed only one; namely, the call of Elisha to be his assistant and successor
[1Ki 19:19],
and by him the other two were accomplished
(2Ki 8:7-13; 9:1-10).
Having thus satisfied the fiery zeal of the erring but sincere and pious prophet, the Lord proceeded to correct the erroneous impression under which Elijah had been laboring, of his being the sole adherent of the true religion in the land; for God, who seeth in secret, and knew all that were His, knew that there were seven thousand persons who had not done homage (literally, "kissed the hand") to Baal.
16
無標題
16. 亞伯米何拉——即「舞蹈的草場」,位於約旦河谷。
英文原文
16. Abel-meholah--that is, "the meadow of dancing," in the valley of the Jordan.
19
1Ki 19:19-21.
1Ki 19:19-21.
以利沙跟從以利亞
19. 沙法的兒子以利沙——他極可能屬於一個以敬虔著稱、並反對盛行的金牛犢崇拜的家族。
套著十二對牛耕地——表明他是個有產業的人。
以利亞……將自己的外衣搭在他身上——這是先知職分的授任。東方的婆羅門、波斯蘇菲派以及其他祭司或聖職人員,就是這樣被任命的——由某位德高望重的祭司把一件外衣披在他們肩上。以利沙大概曾在先知學校受過教育。
英文原文
1Ki 19:19-21.
ELISHA FOLLOWS ELIJAH.
19. Elisha the son of Shaphat--Most probably he belonged to a family distinguished for piety, and for their opposition to the prevailing calf-worship.
ploughing with twelve yoke of oxen--indicating that he was a man of substance.
Elijah . . . cast his mantle upon him--This was an investiture with the prophetic office. It is in this way that the Brahmins, the Persian Sufis, and other priestly or sacred characters in the East are appointed--a mantle being, by some eminent priest, thrown across their shoulders. Elisha had probably been educated in the schools of the prophets.
20
無標題
20. 我向你行了甚麼?——即:你去吧,但要記念我剛才在你身上所行的莊嚴禮儀。呼召你的不是我,而是神。不要讓任何屬地的情感攔阻你順從祂的呼召。
英文原文
20. what have I done to thee?--that is, Go, but keep in mind the solemn ceremony I have just performed on thee. It is not I, but God, who calls thee. Do not allow any earthly affection to detain you from obeying His call.
21
無標題
21. 用一對牛——他急忙為家人和朋友預備了
(2Sa 24:22)
一席告別的宴席,然後離開故鄉,跟從以利亞作他的僕人。
英文原文
21. took a yoke of oxen--Having hastily prepared
(2Sa 24:22)
a farewell entertainment to his family and friends, he left his native place and attached himself to Elijah as his minister.
1Ki 19:1-3.
以利亞逃往別是巴