安息日下午——八月九日
记忆经文：
“耶和华对摩西说：‘你们不肯守我的诫命和律法，要到几时呢？你们看，耶和华既将安息日赐给你们，所以第六天给你们两天的食物，第七天各人要住在自己的地方，不要出去。于是百姓第七天安息了。’” - 出埃及记16:28-30
“And the LORD said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws? See, for that the LORD hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day. So the people rested on the seventh day.” KJV — Exodus 16:28-30
以色列人过海之后，当海水淹没他们的敌人后，他们齐声歌唱，把荣耀归给上帝。虽然法老的军队和海洋已不再令人恐惧，而成了回忆，但他们的试炼、疑惑和惧怕却还未结束：几乎就在他们看到身后的大海与前方的旷野之际，他们就开始责怪摩西带他们到旷野来受饥渴之苦。他们从没想过，如果上帝能使大海干涸，那祂也完全可以使沙漠泛滥开花。尽管他们充满怀疑和埋怨，但上帝再次施行了更大的神迹：祂使磐石中涌出水来，并从天降下吗哪！
“上帝应许要作他们的上帝，要接他们归自己作子民，并引领他们进入那美好宽阔之地；但他们每遇障碍便几乎要灰心。祂曾用奇妙的方式将他们从埃及的奴役中领出来，为要使他们高升、尊贵，使他们在世上得着赞美。但他们必须经历困境和艰难。上帝要将他们从卑微的地位提升，使他们在列国中得着尊贵的位置，并承担神圣重托。若他们对祂有信心，想到祂为他们所成就的一切，就必甘心忍受不便、艰苦，甚至真正的苦难；但他们不愿信靠上帝，除非他们持续不断地目睹祂大能的彰显。他们忘记了在埃及受苦的日子，也忘记了上帝在救他们脱离奴役时所显明的慈爱和大能。他们忘记了当毁灭天使击杀埃及所有长子时，他们的儿女却得以幸存。他们忘记了红海上神圣权能的伟大彰显。他们忘记了当他们安全地走过海中所开之路时，他们的敌人却被海水淹没。他们只看到并感受到当前的不便与苦难；他们没有说：‘神为我们行了大事；我们本是奴隶，如今祂正使我们成为大国’，反而谈论道路的艰难，并渴望疲惫的旅程早日结束。”——《先祖与先知》292.3
After Israel crossed the sea, and after the sea closed in on their enemies, they all sang and gave God the glory, but though Pharaoh’s army and the sea were no longer objects of fear but of interest, their trials, doubts, and fears were not yet at an end: Almost immediately after they saw the sea behind and the desert ahead they began to recriminate Moses for having brought them into the desert to starve there for want of water and food. It never entered their minds that if God can dry the sea, He can certainly flood the desert and make it blossom as a rose. Notwithstanding their doubts and their moanings God again performed an even greater miracle: He caused water to gush out of the rock and He brought manna from Heaven!
“God had promised to be their God, to take them to Himself as a people, and to lead them to a large and good land; but they were ready to faint at every obstacle encountered in the way to that land. In a marvelous manner He had brought them out from their bondage in Egypt, that He might elevate and ennoble them and make them a praise in the earth. But it was necessary for them to encounter difficulties and to endure privations. God was bringing them from a state of degradation and fitting them to occupy an honorable place among the nations and to receive important and sacred trusts. Had they possessed faith in Him, in view of all that He had wrought for them, they would cheerfully have borne inconvenience, privation, and even real suffering; but they were unwilling to trust the Lord any further than they could witness the continual evidences of His power. They forgot their bitter service in Egypt. They forgot the goodness and power of God displayed in their behalf in their deliverance from bondage. They forgot how their children had been spared when the destroying angel slew all the first-born of Egypt. They forgot the grand exhibition of divine power at the Red Sea. They forgot that while they had crossed safely in the path that had been opened for them, the armies of their enemies, attempting to follow them, had been overwhelmed by the waters of the sea. They saw and felt only their present inconveniences and trials; and instead of saying, “God has done great things for us; whereas we were slaves, He is making of us a great nation,” they talked of the hardness of the way, and wondered when their weary pilgrimage would end.” Patriarchs and Prophets 292.3
主日 ——八月十日
苦水
阅读出埃及记15:22–27。在过红海之后，上帝施行的第一个神迹是怎样的背景？
Read Exodus 15:22–27. After crossing the Red Sea, what was the background to the first miracle performed?
“以色列人从红海起行，再次在云柱的引导下踏上旅程。四周的景象极为荒凉——光秃的山脉、贫瘠的平原，以及遥远延伸的大海，海岸上散落着敌人的尸体；但他们因自由而充满喜乐，一切的不满之念也都沉寂了。”——《先祖与先知》291.1
“但在接下来的三天旅程中，他们找不到水。他们带来的水已经用尽，烈日下行走在炙热的平原上，却没有任何水来解渴。摩西熟悉这一地区，知道在最近的玛拉虽有泉水，但却苦不能喝。他焦急地注视着引导的云柱，心中沉重地听到一阵欢呼：‘水啊！水！’这呼声在队伍中回荡。男女老幼欢喜奔向泉边，忽然，一声哀嚎从人群中爆发——水是苦的。”——《先祖与先知》291.2
“他们惊恐又绝望，便责怪摩西带他们走这条路，忘记了那神秘云柱中的神圣同在也在引导摩西。摩西因他们的困苦忧伤，就做了他们忘记去做的事：他恳切地向上帝呼求帮助。‘耶和华指示他一棵树，他把树丢在水里，水就变甜了。’在这里，上帝借摩西向以色列人应许说：‘你若留心听耶和华你神的话，行我眼中看为正的事，侧耳听我的诫命，守我一切的律例，我就不将加于埃及人的疾病加在你身上，因为我耶和华是医治你的。’”——《先祖与先知》291.3
“From the Red Sea the hosts of Israel again set forth on their journey, under the guidance of the pillar of cloud. The scene around them was most dreary—bare, desolate-looking mountains, barren plains, and the sea stretching far away, its shores strewn with the bodies of their enemies; yet they were full of joy in the consciousness of freedom, and every thought of discontent was hushed. Patriarchs and Prophets 291.1
“But for three days, as they journeyed, they could find no water. The supply which they had taken with them was exhausted. There was nothing to quench their burning thirst as they dragged wearily over the sun-burnt plains. Moses, who was familiar with this region, knew what the others did not, that at Marah, the nearest station where springs were to be found, the water was unfit for use. With intense anxiety he watched the guiding cloud. With a sinking heart he heard the glad shout. “Water! water!” echoed along the line. Men, women, and children in joyous haste crowded to the fountain, when, lo, a cry of anguish burst forth from the host—the water was bitter. Patriarchs and Prophets 291.2
“In their horror and despair they reproached Moses for having led them in such a way, not remembering that the divine presence in that mysterious cloud had been leading him as well as them. In his grief at their distress Moses did what they had forgotten to do; he cried earnestly to God for help. “And the Lord showed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet.” Here the promise was given to Israel through Moses, ‘If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.’” Patriarchs and Prophets 291.3
星期一——八月十一日
鹌鹑与吗哪
阅读出埃及记16:1–36。以色列人为什么抱怨？接下来发生了什么？
Read Exodus 16:1–36. What was the cause of the Israelites’ grumbling, and what followed?
“他们离开埃及已经一个月，在旷野中第一次扎营。他们携带的食物已经开始耗尽，旷野中草料稀少，牲畜也在减少。怎样为这浩大的队伍供应食物呢？疑虑充满他们的心，他们再次抱怨。甚至连百姓的首领与长老也一同埋怨神所设立的领袖：‘巴不得我们早死在埃及地，坐在肉锅旁边吃得饱足；你们却将我们带出来，要叫全会众都饿死在这旷野。’”——《先祖与先知》292.1
“他们实际上还没有遭遇饥饿，目前的需要尚能满足，但他们担心未来。他们不明白如此众多的人如何在旷野中得以生存，于是想象他们的儿女将要饿死。上帝允许困难临到他们，使他们的食物供应减少，为要使他们的心转向那位过去一直拯救他们的主。若在缺乏中他们肯向祂呼求，祂仍愿意赐下祂慈爱和关怀的明证。祂曾应许，只要他们遵守祂的诫命，就不会遭遇疾病。他们却因信心不足，怀疑自己和孩子将死于饥饿，这乃是不信之罪。”——《先祖与先知》292.2
“上帝没有忽略以色列人的需要。祂对他们的领袖说：‘我要将天上的粮赐给你们。’并指示百姓每天只收一天的份，第六天则收双倍，为要守圣安息日。”——《先祖与先知》294.3
“摩西向会众保证他们的需要将会得到满足：‘耶和华必在晚上给你们肉吃，早晨给你们食物吃得饱足。’”——《先祖与先知》294.4
“傍晚时，营地周围飞来了大群鹌鹑，足以供给全体百姓。早晨，地面上有一种‘细小圆物，如白霜般细’，‘形状像芫荽子，色白’，百姓称它为‘吗哪’。摩西说：‘这就是耶和华赐给你们吃的粮。’百姓采集吗哪，发现分量充足。他们‘或用磨磨了，或用杵捣了，煮在锅中，做成薄饼’，‘味道如同搀蜜的薄饼’（民数记11:8）。他们被吩咐每天每人收一俄梅珥，不可留到第二天。有些人试图多留一日，但次日发现食物已经腐败变质了。每天必须清晨采集当天所需，因为太阳一晒，地上的吗哪就融化了。”——《先祖与先知》295.1
“When they had been a month absent from Egypt, they made their first encampment in the wilderness. Their store of provisions had now begun to fail. There was scanty herbage in the wilderness, and their flocks were diminishing. How was food to be supplied for these vast multitudes? Doubts filled their hearts, and again they murmured. Even the rulers and elders of the people joined in complaining against the leaders of God's appointment: “Would to God we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” Patriarchs and Prophets 292.1
“They had not as yet suffered from hunger; their present wants were supplied, but they feared for the future. They could not understand how these vast multitudes were to subsist in their travels through the wilderness, and in imagination they saw their children famishing The Lord permitted difficulties to surround them, and their supply of food to be cut short, that their hearts might turn to Him who had hitherto been their Deliverer. If in their want they would call upon Him, He would still grant them manifest tokens of His love and care. He had promised that if they would obey His commandments, no disease should come upon them, and it was sinful unbelief on their part to anticipate that they or their children might die of hunger. Patriarchs and Prophets 292.2
“God was not unmindful of the wants of Israel. He said to their leader, “I will rain bread from heaven for you.” And directions were given that the people gather a daily supply, with a double amount on the sixth day, that the sacred observance of the Sabbath might be maintained. Patriarchs and Prophets 294.3
“Moses assured the congregation that their wants were to be supplied: “The Lord shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full.” Patriarchs and Prophets 294.4
“At nightfall the camp was surrounded by vast flocks of quails, enough to supply the entire company. In the morning there lay upon the surface of the ground “a small round thing, as small as the hoarfrost.” “It was like coriander seed, white.” The people called it “manna.” Moses said, “This is the bread which the Lord hath given you to eat.” The people gathered the manna, and found that there was an abundant supply for all. They “ground it in mills, or beat it in a mortar, and baked it in pans, and made cakes of it.” Numbers 11:8. “And the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.” They were directed to gather daily an omer for every person; and they were not to leave of it until the morning. Some attempted to keep a supply until the next day, but it was then found to be unfit for food. The provision for the day must be gathered in the morning; for all that remained upon the ground was melted by the sun.” Patriarchs and Prophets 295.1
星期二——八月十二日
磐石出水
阅读出埃及记17:1–7。百姓应当从这件事中学到什么教训？
Read Exodus 17:1–7. What lesson should the people have learned from this incident?
“以色列人离开汛的旷野后，在利非订安营。这里没有水，他们再次怀疑上帝的供应。他们盲目又鲁莽地来到摩西面前，要求说：‘给我们水喝吧！’但摩西没有失去耐心。他说：‘你们为什么与我争闹？你们为什么试探耶和华？’他们愤怒地喊道：‘你为什么把我们从埃及领出来？是要让我们和我们的儿女、牲畜都渴死吗？’他们虽然已经得到了丰富的食物，却因过去的不信与抱怨感到羞愧，并答应将来要信靠主；但他们很快就忘了承诺，在信心的第一次考验中就失败了。引导他们的云柱仿佛隐藏着可怕的神秘。摩西是谁？他们心生疑虑。他把我们带出埃及究竟有什么目的？怀疑与不信充满他们的心，他们竟大胆指控摩西要借着艰难与缺乏使他们灭亡，好自己得利。他们在怒气与愤慨中几乎要用石头打死他。”——《先祖与先知》297.3
“摩西在困境中向耶和华呼求说：‘我要怎样待这百姓呢？’上帝指示他带着以色列的长老和他在埃及行神迹用的杖，走在百姓前面。耶和华对他说：‘看哪，我要在何烈的磐石那里站在你面前，你要击打磐石，就必有水从磐石流出来，使百姓可以喝。’摩西照做了，水从磐石中涌出，如同活泉，充足地供应整个营地。耶和华没有命令摩西举杖降灾，如同在埃及施行的那些灾难，而是满有怜悯地使用同一根杖成为他们得救的工具。”——《先祖与先知》298.1
“‘祂在旷野分裂磐石，多多地给他们水喝，如从深渊而出；祂使水从磐石涌出，叫水如江河下流。’（诗篇78:15-16）摩西击打磐石，但真正站在摩西身旁，使生命之水涌出的，是那位隐藏在云柱中的神子。不只是摩西与长老，连站得远远的百姓也见证了耶和华的荣耀；若云柱移开，他们都必因神的荣光而丧命。”——《先祖与先知》298.2
“百姓在干渴中试探上帝，说：‘耶和华是在我们中间不是？’——‘如果是上帝带我们来的，为什么祂不赐水给我们，就像祂赐粮一样？’他们所表现的不信是有罪的，摩西担心上帝的审判会临到他们。他就为那地方起名叫‘玛撒’，意思是‘试探’，和‘米利巴’，意思是‘争闹’，以纪念他们的罪。”——《先祖与先知》298.3
“After leaving the wilderness of Sin, the Israelites encamped in Rephidim. Here there was no water, and again they distrusted the providence of God. In their blindness and presumption the people came to Moses with the demand, “Give us water that we may drink.” But his patience failed not. “Why chide ye with me?” he said; “wherefore do ye tempt the Lord?” They cried in anger, “Wherefore is this, that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?” When they had been so abundantly supplied with food, they remembered with shame their unbelief and murmurings, and promised to trust the Lord in the future; but they soon forgot their promise, and failed at the first trial of their faith. The pillar of cloud that was leading them seemed to veil a fearful mystery. And Moses—who was he? they questioned, and what could be his object in bringing them from Egypt? Suspicion and distrust filled their hearts, and they boldly accused him of designing to kill them and their children by privations and hardships that he might enrich himself with their possessions. In the tumult of rage and indignation they were about to stone him. Patriarchs and Prophets 297.3
“In distress Moses cried to the Lord, “What shall I do unto this people?” He was directed to take the elders of Israel and the rod wherewith he had wrought wonders in Egypt, and to go on before the people. And the Lord said unto him, “Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink.” He obeyed, and the waters burst forth in a living stream that abundantly supplied the encampment. Instead of commanding Moses to lift up his rod and call down some terrible plague, like those on Egypt, upon the leaders in this wicked murmuring, the Lord in His great mercy made the rod His instrument to work their deliverance. Patriarchs and Prophets 298.1
“‘He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths. He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.’ Psalm 78:15, 16. Moses smote the rock, but it was the Son of God who, veiled in the cloudy pillar, stood beside Moses, and caused the life-giving water to flow. Not only Moses and the elders, but all the congregation who stood at a distance, beheld the glory of the Lord; but had the cloud been removed, they would have been slain by the terrible brightness of Him who abode therein. Patriarchs and Prophets 298.2
“In their thirst the people had tempted God, saying, “Is the Lord among us, or not?”—“If God has brought us here, why does He not give us water as well as bread?” The unbelief thus manifested was criminal, and Moses feared that the judgments of God would rest upon them. And he called the name of the place Massah, “temptation,” and Meribah, “chiding,” as a memorial of their sin.” Patriarchs and Prophets 298.3
星期三——八月十三日
叶忒罗
阅读出埃及记18:1–27。这里发生了以色列历史上的哪些重大步骤？
Read Exodus 18:1–27. What major steps in the history of the nation took place here?
“在以色列人扎营之地不远处，住着摩西的岳父叶忒罗。叶忒罗听说了希伯来人得释放的事迹，于是动身前来探访他们，并将摩西的妻子和两个儿子带来归还。这位伟大的领袖听说他们来了，便喜出望外地前去迎接，寒暄之后领他们进了自己的帐篷。当年他前往埃及时，因面临带领以色列人出埃及的危险，他曾将家人送回，如今终于可以重新享受家人的陪伴与安慰。摩西向叶忒罗详细讲述了上帝怎样奇妙地引领以色列人，叶忒罗便为此喜乐，称颂耶和华，并与摩西及长老一同献上祭物，举行庄严的感恩筵席，纪念上帝的慈爱。”——《先祖与先知》300.2
“叶忒罗在营中住了一段时间，很快就看出摩西所承担的责任是多么沉重。要在这样一支庞大、无知、未经训练的队伍中维持秩序和纪律，确实是一项艰巨的任务。摩西是他们公认的领袖和审判官，不仅要处理百姓的公共事务和责任，还要解决他们之间的纠纷。摩西之所以这样做，是为了借此机会教导他们，他曾说：‘我使他们知道上帝的律例和法度。’但叶忒罗劝诫摩西说：‘你这样做太过沉重，你独自一人不能承受。’‘你必要疲惫不堪。’他建议摩西设立各级领袖：千夫长、百夫长、十夫长。要选用‘有才能、敬畏神、诚实、恨恶贪婪的人’。这些人可以处理一般的小事，而重大复杂的案件则仍由摩西审理。叶忒罗说，‘你要替百姓到神面前，将案件奏告神；又要将律例法度教训他们，指示他们当行的道路，当做的事。’这个建议被采纳了，不仅大大减轻了摩西的负担，也使百姓中间建立了更完善的秩序。”——《先祖与先知》300.3
“上帝曾大大尊荣摩西，也藉着他的手行了许多奇事，但摩西被拣选去教导别人，并不意味着他自己就不需要别人教导。以色列的领袖乐于听从这位敬畏神的米甸祭司的建议，并采纳他的计划，视为智慧的安排。”——《先祖与先知》301.1
“根据这个计划，‘摩西从以色列众人中拣选有才能的人，立他们为百姓的首领，作千夫长、百夫长、五十夫长、十夫长。他们随时审判百姓，有难断的案件就呈到摩西那里，各样小事他们自己审断。’”——出埃及记18:19–26，《使徒行述》93.2
“Not far distant from where the Israelites were now encamped was the home of Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses. Jethro had heard of the deliverance of the Hebrews, and he now set out to visit them, and restore to Moses his wife and two sons. The great leader was informed by messengers of their approach, and he went out with joy to meet them, and, the first greetings over, conducted them to his tent. He had sent back his family when on his way to the perils of leading Israel from Egypt, but now he could again enjoy the relief and comfort of their society. To Jethro he recounted the wonderful dealings of God with Israel, and the patriarch rejoiced and blessed the Lord, and with Moses and the elders he united in offering sacrifice and holding a solemn feast in commemoration of God's mercy. Patriarchs and Prophets 300.2
“As Jethro remained in the camp, he soon saw how heavy were the burdens that rested upon Moses. To maintain order and discipline among that vast, ignorant, and untrained multitude was indeed a stupendous task. Moses was their recognized leader and magistrate, and not only the general interests and duties of the people, but the controversies that arose among them, were referred to him. He had permitted this, for it gave him an opportunity to instruct them; as he said, “I do make them know the statutes of God, and His laws.” But Jethro remonstrated against this, saying, “This thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.” “Thou wilt surely wear away,” and he counseled Moses to appoint proper persons as rulers of thousands, and others as rulers of hundreds, and others of tens. They should be “able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness.” These were to judge in all matters of minor consequence, while the most difficult and important cases should still be brought before Moses, who was to be to the people, said Jethro, “to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God: and thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt show them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.” This counsel was accepted, and it not only brought relief to Moses, but resulted in establishing more perfect order among the people. Patriarchs and Prophets 300.3
“The Lord had greatly honored Moses, and had wrought wonders by his hand; but the fact that he had been chosen to instruct others did not lead him to conclude that he himself needed no instruction. The chosen leader of Israel listened gladly to the suggestions of the godly priest of Midian, and adopted his plan as a wise arrangement.” Patriarchs and Prophets 301.1
“In harmony with this plan, “Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.” Exodus 18:19-26.” The Acts of the Apostles 93.2
星期四——八月十四日
生命的饼与水
阅读哥林多前书10:11。保罗认为这些事件被记载的原因是什么？
Read 1 Corinthians 10:11. What reason does Paul give for these events to have been recorded?
“以色列人的旷野之旅被忠实地记录下来；包括上帝为他们施行的拯救、他们完备的组织和特别的秩序、他们抱怨摩西进而抱怨上帝的罪行、他们的悖逆与犯罪、他们所受的惩罚、以及因不愿顺服上帝的安排而倒毙旷野的结局——这一切真实的画面都摆在我们面前，作为警戒，免得我们效法他们悖逆的榜样，最终也像他们一样灭亡。”——GW92 159.2
“但他们中间多半是上帝不喜悦的，因此他们倒毙在旷野。现在这些事都是我们的鉴戒，使我们不要贪恋恶事，像他们那样贪恋，也不要拜偶像，正如经上所记的：‘百姓坐下吃喝，起来玩耍。’也不要行奸淫，像他们中有些人那样行，一天就倒毙了二万三千人。也不要试探基督，像他们中有些人那样试探，就被蛇所灭。你们也不要发怨言，像他们中有些人那样发怨言，就被灭命的所灭。 这一切事都要作为鉴戒，写在经上，正是警戒我们这末世的人。所以，自己以为站得稳的，须要谨慎，免得跌倒。”（哥林多前书10:5–12）
上帝从秩序的神变成了混乱的神吗？——不，在现今的时代祂仍是同一位神。保罗说：“因为上帝不是混乱的神，乃是平安的神。”（哥林多前书14:33）祂今日依然非常注重秩序。祂要我们从摩西时代为以色列人所设立的完美秩序中，学习组织与秩序的功课，以造福我们今天的教会。——《教会证言》卷一，第647页
“The travels of the children of Israel are faithfully described; the deliverance which the Lord wrought for them, their perfect organization and special order, their sin in murmuring against Moses and thus against God, their transgressions, their rebellions, their punishments, their carcasses strewn in the wilderness because of their unwillingness to submit to God's wise arrangements,—this faithful picture is hung up before us as a warning lest we follow their example of disobedience, and fall like them. Gospel Workers (1892 edition) 159.2
“But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall.” [1 Corinthians 10:5-12.] Has God changed from a God of order?—No; he is the same in the present dispensation as in the former. Paul says, “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.” [1 Corinthians 14:33.] He is as particular now as then. And he designs that we should learn lessons of order and organization from the perfect order instituted in the days of Moses, for the benefit of the children of Israel.—Testimonies for the Church 1:647.” Gospel Workers (1892 edition) 160.1
阅读约翰福音4:7–15 和 约翰福音6:31–51。对我们基督徒而言，这些经文揭示了哪些真理？
Read John 4:7–15 and John 6:31–51. What truths are revealed here for us as Christians?
“不是靠辛苦的挣扎，不是靠劳碌的工作，也不是靠礼物或祭物，义就能得来；它是白白赐给每一个渴望得着它的心灵的。‘你们一切干渴的都当就近水来；没有银钱的也可以来……你们都来买了吃，不用银钱，不用价值。’‘他们的义是由于我。’这是耶和华说的。‘祂的名称必称为“耶和华我们的义”。’”（以赛亚书55:1；54:17；耶利米书23:6）——《登山宝训》18.2
“没有一个人能提供满足人心灵饥渴的东西。但耶稣说：‘看哪，我站在门外叩门；若有听见我声音就开门的，我要进到他那里去，我与他，他与我，一同坐席。’‘我是生命的粮；到我这里来的，必定不饿；信我的，永远不渴。’”（启示录3:20；约翰福音6:35）——《登山宝训》18.3
“正如我们需要食物来维持身体的力量，我们也需要基督——从天而降的生命之粮——来维持属灵生命，并赐力量去做上帝的工。身体要不断地接受营养来维持生命与活力；同样，心灵也必须不断地与基督交往，顺服祂，完全倚靠祂。”——《登山宝训》19.1
“正如疲惫的旅人寻找沙漠中的泉水，一旦找到就尽情解渴，基督徒也将渴慕并得着那生命的纯净活水，而基督就是那源头。”——《登山宝训》19.2
“Not by painful struggles or wearisome toil, not by gift or sacrifice, is righteousness obtained; but it is freely given to every soul who hungers and thirsts to receive it. “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat, ... without money and without price.” “Their righteousness is of Me, saith the Lord,” and, “This is His name whereby He shall be called, The Lord Our Righteousness.” Isaiah 55:1; 54:17; Jeremiah 23:6. Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing 18.2
“No human agent can supply that which will satisfy the hunger and thirst of the soul. But Jesus says, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst.” Revelation 3:20; John 6:35. Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing 18.3
“As we need food to sustain our physical strength, so do we need Christ, the Bread from heaven, to sustain spiritual life and impart strength to work the works of God. As the body is continually receiving the nourishment that sustains life and vigor, so the soul must be constantly communing with Christ, submitting to Him and depending wholly upon Him. Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing 19.1
“As the weary traveler seeks the spring in the desert and, finding it, quenches his burning thirst, so will the Christian thirst for and obtain the pure water of life, of which Christ is the fountain.” Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing 19.2
星期五——八月十五日
进一步思考
“许多人回顾以色列人的经历，对他们的不信与抱怨感到惊讶，自认不会像他们那样忘恩负义；但当自己的信心被一些小小的试炼考验时，却表现得和古代以色列一样缺乏信心与忍耐。当他们身陷困境时，便抱怨上帝所使用来炼净他们的方式。即使当前的需要已经被满足，许多人仍不愿信靠上帝将来的带领。他们总是忧虑贫穷的临到，担心儿女会受苦。有些人总是预期不好的事情发生，或夸大现实中的困难，结果使自己看不见上帝所赐的诸多恩典。遇到困难时，他们不去寻求那唯一能赐力量的上帝，反而因焦躁和埋怨与祂疏远。”——《先祖与先知》293.2
“我们这样不信，对吗？我们为何要不感恩、不信靠呢？耶稣是我们的朋友，整个天庭都关心我们的福祉；而我们的忧虑和恐惧却使上帝的圣灵担忧。我们不该沉溺于那些徒然烦恼、消耗精力，却无助于应对试炼的忧虑中。我们不应给不信神留任何空间，也不应把为未来作准备变成我们生活的首要追求，仿佛我们的幸福只在于地上的事物。上帝不愿祂的子民为重担所压。然而主并未告诉我们，人生路上没有危险；祂也不是要将祂的子民从罪恶的世界中带离，而是指引我们到一个永不枯竭的避难所。祂邀请疲惫劳苦的人说：‘凡劳苦担重担的人可以到我这里来，我就使你们得安息。’要卸下那由自己加在身上的忧虑与重担，‘你们要负我的轭，学我的样式；因为我心里柔和谦卑，你们心里就必得享安息。’（马太福音11:28-29）我们可以在上帝里面得安息与平安，把一切忧虑卸给祂，因为祂顾念我们。（彼得前书5:7）”——《先祖与先知》294.1
“使徒保罗说：‘弟兄们，你们要谨慎，免得你们中间或有人存着不信的恶心，把永生神离弃了。’（希伯来书3:12）想到上帝为我们所做的一切，我们的信心应该是坚定、积极而持久的。我们不应抱怨，而应由衷地说：‘我的心哪，你要称颂耶和华，凡在我里面的，也要称颂他的圣名！我的心哪，你要称颂耶和华，不可忘记他的一切恩惠。’（诗篇103:1-2）”——《先祖与先知》294.2
“The history of the wilderness life of Israel was chronicled for the benefit of the Israel of God to the close of time. The record of God's dealings with the wanderers of the desert in all their marchings to and fro, in their exposure to hunger, thirst, and weariness, and in the striking manifestations of His power for their relief, is fraught with warning and instruction for His people in all ages. The varied experience of the Hebrews was a school of preparation for their promised home in Canaan. God would have His people in these days review with a humble heart and teachable spirit the trials through which ancient Israel passed, that they may be instructed in their preparation for the heavenly Canaan. Patriarchs and Prophets 293.1
“Many look back to the Israelites, and marvel at their unbelief and murmuring, feeling that they themselves would not have been so ungrateful; but when their faith is tested, even by little trials, they manifest no more faith or patience than did ancient Israel. When brought into strait places, they murmur at the process by which God has chosen to purify them. Though their present needs are supplied, many are unwilling to trust God for the future, and they are in constant anxiety lest poverty shall come upon them, and their children shall be left to suffer. Some are always anticipating evil or magnifying the difficulties that really exist, so that their eyes are blinded to the many blessings which demand their gratitude. The obstacles they encounter, instead of leading them to seek help from God, the only Source of strength, separate them from Him, because they awaken unrest and repining. Patriarchs and Prophets 293.2
“Do we well to be thus unbelieving? Why should we be ungrateful and distrustful? Jesus is our friend; all heaven is interested in our welfare; and our anxiety and fear grieve the Holy Spirit of God. We should not indulge in a solicitude that only frets and wears us, but does not help us to bear trials. No place should be given to that distrust of God which leads us to make a preparation against future want the chief pursuit of life, as though our happiness consisted in these earthly things. It is not the will of God that His people should be weighed down with care. But our Lord does not tell us that there are no dangers in our path. He does not propose to take His people out of the world of sin and evil, but He points us to a never-failing refuge. He invites the weary and care-laden, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” Lay off the yoke of anxiety and worldly care that you have placed on your own neck, and “take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Matthew 11:28, 29. We may find rest and peace in God, casting all our care upon Him; for He careth for us. See 1 Peter 5:7. Patriarchs and Prophets 294.1
“Says the apostle Paul, “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.” Hebrews 3:12. In view of all that God has wrought for us, our faith should be strong, active, and enduring. Instead of murmuring and complaining, the language of our hearts should be, “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” Psalm 103:1, 2.” Patriarchs and Prophets 294.2