With all the news of wars and other terrible things happening in the world, doesnt it make you think about finding a place of safety?In our Bible lesson today, thats just what a certain family was needingA PLACE OF SAFETY!

　　小朋友們, 在這個世界上我們常常會聽到打仗的消息, 或者一些可怕的事情發生, 這些事常常讓我們想到如果有一個絕對安全的地方該多好啊!我們今天圣經故事里正要講到這樣一個安全的地方。

　　Last time we learned that the people of Israel had a new leader! Do you remember his name?And do you remember how many people were in the nation of Israel at that time?Yes, Joshua was preparing to lead about 2 million people across the Jordan River to their long-awaited homeland, the land of Canaan.

　　上一次的故事里我們知道以色列人有了一個新的領袖!你還記得他的名字嗎?你還記得那時的以色列有多少人嗎?是的, 他們的新領袖約書亞正準備帶200萬以色列人過約旦河, 進到他們長久以來盼望的家鄉：迦南地。

　　But first, Joshua sent two spies across the Jordan. They were to go to the city of Jericho, and secretly investigate the land. Jericho was a beautiful city of palm trees and flowers, but it was also a very sinful city. People there worshipped idols, and even sometimes murdered their own children because they thought it would please the idols! How wicked! As the two spies from Israel quietly entered the city gate that evening, they made note of the huge double wall.

　　約書亞先派了兩個探子過約旦河。他們去了耶利哥城, 在那里偷偷地探聽情況。耶利哥是一個很美麗的地方, 有很多棕櫚樹, 和漂亮的花草。但是, 它也是一個罪惡的城市。那里的人拜偶像,有時甚至把他們的孩子殺了來祭祀偶像, 他們認為這樣作會使他們拜的偶像很高興。這真是充滿罪惡!那天晚上, 當兩個探子悄悄地進了城, 他們注意到那巨大的城墻, 而且是雙層的。

　　They looked around for somewhere to spend the night close to the city gate. They were directed to a woman named Rahab, whose house was on the city wall. Rahab lived a sinful life as the other people in her city.The people of Jericho did not realize how very close they were to Gods judgment upon their sin.However, on this particular evening no one in Jericho was thinking about judgment, but they WERE thinking about the two strange men who had come through their gates

　　他們想在城墻附近找一個地方過夜。他們來到一個名叫喇合的女子家里, 她的家就在城墻上。喇合與城里的其他人一樣過著罪惡的生活。而耶利哥城里的人并不知道, 因著他們的罪和不相信神, 他們已經落在神的審判底下。事實上, 這世上的每一個人都因為罪而在神的審判底下, 包括你和我。

　　Someone must have gone quickly to the king, for Joshua 2：3 and 4 says：And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, there came men in here tonight of Israel to search out the country. And the king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, Bring out the men that came into your house, for they have come to search out all the country. Cant you just imagine it?　　Rahab hurried down to the door, trying not to show she was out of breath. Open up in the name of the king! the soldiers might haveshouted

　　在這個特別的晚上, 耶利哥城里沒有人想到神的審判, 他們所想的是有兩個陌生人來到他們的城里。有人馬上去告訴了耶利哥王。約書亞記第2章2-3節說：有人去告訴耶利哥王說：今夜有以色列人來到這里窺探此地。耶利哥王打發人去見喇合說：那來到你這里、進了你家的人要交出來, 因為他們來窺探全地。你能想象得出來嗎?門口有人敲門, 喇合得趕快跑去開門,還要表現出她一點也不緊張的樣子。奉國王的名義, 把門開開!也許他們在大叫。

　　The Bible doesnt tell us exactly WHEN or HOW Rahab knew the kings men were coming, but she knew in time to hide the two spies! Joshua 2：6 says, But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof. So when Rahab came down to open the door, she was probably trying to appear calm as she answered the soldiers：There came men to me, but I didnt know who they were. But when it was getting dark, just as they were about to shut the city gates for the night, the men left and I dont know where they went.If you hurry after them through the gate Im sure youll overtake them! The kings soldiers believed Rahab and off they went into the night in search of the two spies.

　　圣經沒有告訴我們喇合怎樣知道國王要派人來, 但她及時地把兩個探子藏了起來。約書亞記第2章6節說：先是喇合領二人上了房頂, 將他們藏在那里所擺的麻擷中。當喇合下去開門的時候,她故意顯得很鎮靜地對國王派的人說：那人果然到我這里來, 他們是哪里來的我卻不知道。天黑、要關城門的時候, 他們出去了, 往哪里去我卻不知道。你們快快地去追趕, 就必追上。那些人相信了喇合的話, 就追趕他們去了。

　　That night Rahab had a talk with the spies on that rooftop. And this time she wasnt lying or being sinful. She spoke straight from her heart：I know the LORD has given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.

　　那天晚上, 喇合到房頂上, 和兩個探子說話。這次她沒有說謊, 而是從心底里說：我知道耶和華已經把這地賜給你們, 并且因你們的緣故我們都驚慌了。

　　For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt; and how you completely destroyed the two kings of the Amorites on the other side of the Jordan. As soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted and there was no more courage in any man, because of you：for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.

　　這地的一切居民在你們面前心都消化了, 因為我們聽見你們出埃及的時候, 耶和華怎樣在你們前面使紅海的水干了, 并且你們怎樣待約但河東的兩個亞摩利王西宏和噩, 將他們盡行毀滅。我們一聽見這些事, 心就消化了。因你們的緣故, 并無一人有膽氣。耶和華你們的神, 本是上天下地的神。

　　God knows everything about you, including your every sin. But He still loves you, and wants to forgive your sin. He said in His Word that He takes pleasure in forgiving our sin, not in punishing it. When we believe on His Son the Lord Jesus, we can be saved from sins punishment. Rahab believed Gods Word, so will God save her from His judgment upon the sin of Jericho?Rahab was about to ask that question herself!

　　耶和華你們的神, 本是上天下地的神。當然, 耶利哥全城的人都聽說了神的大能和他對以色列人的看顧, 而喇合不但聽到了, 她還相信了這位又真又活的神。喇合相信神的話, 神會把她從神的審判底下拯救出來嗎?這就是喇合將要問的問題。

　　Rahab said to the two spies, Now, since I have shown you this kindness in hiding you from the king, will you promise me in the name of the LORD that you will also show kindness to me and my family?When you come to destroy this city, will you save me and my family and deliver us from death?The two spies promised Rahab that indeed they would save her and her family, if she promised not to tell anyone about their mission.

　　喇合對兩個探子說：現在我既是恩待你們, 求你們指著耶和華向我起誓, 也要恩待我和我父家, 當你們來攻打耶利哥城的時候, 要救活我和我的家人, 拯救我們性命不死。二人向對她保證：你若不泄漏我們這件事, 我們一定救你一家。

　　Then Rahab let the two spies down by a strong red cord through her window on the outside of the city wall. Just as she was helping them escape, she said to them, Go straight to the mountain, so the kings soldiers wont see you! Hide in the mountains for 3 days to give the soldiers time to get back to Jericho. Then go your way

　　于是, 喇合用朱紅色的繩子把二人從窗戶里縋下去, 因她的房子是在城墻邊上。她對兩個探子說：你們要往山上去, 這樣追趕的人就不會碰見你們。要在那里隱藏三天, 等追趕的人回來,然后才可以走你們的路。兩個探子對喇合說：我們來到這地的時候, 你要把這條朱紅線繩系在縋我們下去的窗戶上。并要使你的全家都聚集在你家中。凡出了你家門往街上去的, 我們就不能保證他的安全了。喇合同意了, 然后兩個人悄悄地順著繩子下了城, 消失在夜色里。

　　Rahab bound that scarlet cord securely in the window. She understood and believed with all her heart that this red cord meant her house would be a PLACE OF SAFETY whenGods terrible judgment fell upon Jericho.

　　喇合把朱紅線繩系在窗戶上, 她深深地相信有了這根朱紅線繩, 當神的審判降臨到耶利哥城的時候, 她的房子是一個安全的地方。

　　God provided this special way for Rahab to be saved because He saw she believed His Word! God also has provided a way for YOU to be saved from the punishment of your sin. I John 4：14 says, The Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. When the Lord Jesus Christ, Gods Son, came down and suffered that terrible death on the cross, it was not because of His sin, for Jesus never sinned. He was taking the punishment for your sin and mine. Jesus understood that, and quietly took the awful shame of spitting and cursing, the terrible pain of being nailed to a crossall because He knew it was to save YOU from sins punishment.

　　因為喇合相信神的話, 神用這個特別的方法拯救了她。神也為你準備了一條路使你可以逃脫神對罪的審判。約翰一書第4章14節說：父差子作世人的救主。神的兒子主耶穌來到世上, 經歷了那么痛苦的死, 不是因為他有罪, 他從來沒有犯過罪。他是為了我和你的罪而死的。耶穌他默默地忍受人的唾罵, 羞辱, 還有十字架上被釘的痛苦, 因為他要把你從罪的懲罰中拯救出來。

　　The precious red blood that was shed from Jesus hands and feet and side were to provide a place of safety for YOU, even as the red cord did for Rahab. Three days after Jesus died, He came alive again and is now in Heaven. When you tell the Lord Jesus you are believing on Him, God saves you from your sin! And because Rahab believed Gods Word, He provided a way for her to be saved from sins punishment.

　　從耶穌的手上腳上以及肋旁流出的那朱紅色的血為你提供了一個安全的港灣, 就象是喇合的朱紅線繩為她所作。耶穌死后三天, 他復活了, 現在他在天上。當你告訴主耶穌你相信他, 神就把你從罪中拯救出來。因為喇合相信神的話, 神把她從對罪的審判底下拯救出來。

　　Rahab was probably very busy from then on, getting all her family to move to her home, the only place of safety. If you know the Lord Jesus as your Saviour from sin,are you concerned that your family and friends find that place of safety in Jesus too?Perhaps someone in your family, or in your circle of friends, needs to know how to be saved. Will you tell them?Why not this very week?

　　我想喇合一定很忙, 她要趕快把她的家人叫到她的家里來, 因為這是耶利哥城里唯一安全的地方。

　　Meanwhile, the two spies went back to Joshua with good news! Truly the LORD has delivered all the land into our hands. All the people of the land are so afraid of us!Joshua was encouraged by this report and early the next morning, he began to carry out Gods plan.

　　同時, 兩個探子帶著好消息回到約書亞那里：神果然將那全地交在我們手中, 那地的一切居民在我們面前心都消化了。約書亞聽到這個消息, 很受鼓勵, 第二天一早他就準備按照神的計劃進行。

　　What do you think that plan was?What will happen to Jericho?But first, how is Joshua going to get 2 million people across that Jordan River?Dont miss the next thrilling story, right from Gods Word!

　　你認為神有什么計劃呢?耶利哥城會怎樣呢?但首先, 約書亞怎樣使200萬以色列人過約旦河呢?不要錯過下一次精彩的圣經故事。

　　With all the news of wars and other terrible things happening in the world, doesnt it make you think about finding a place of safety?In our Bible lesson today, thats just what a certain family was needingA PLACE OF SAFETY!

　　小朋友們, 在這個世界上我們常常會聽到打仗的消息, 或者一些可怕的事情發生, 這些事常常讓我們想到如果有一個絕對安全的地方該多好啊!我們今天圣經故事里正要講到這樣一個安全的地方。

　　Last time we learned that the people of Israel had a new leader! Do you remember his name?And do you remember how many people were in the nation of Israel at that time?Yes, Joshua was preparing to lead about 2 million people across the Jordan River to their long-awaited homeland, the land of Canaan.

　　上一次的故事里我們知道以色列人有了一個新的領袖!你還記得他的名字嗎?你還記得那時的以色列有多少人嗎?是的, 他們的新領袖約書亞正準備帶200萬以色列人過約旦河, 進到他們長久以來盼望的家鄉：迦南地。

　　But first, Joshua sent two spies across the Jordan. They were to go to the city of Jericho, and secretly investigate the land. Jericho was a beautiful city of palm trees and flowers, but it was also a very sinful city. People there worshipped idols, and even sometimes murdered their own children because they thought it would please the idols! How wicked! As the two spies from Israel quietly entered the city gate that evening, they made note of the huge double wall.

　　約書亞先派了兩個探子過約旦河。他們去了耶利哥城, 在那里偷偷地探聽情況。耶利哥是一個很美麗的地方, 有很多棕櫚樹, 和漂亮的花草。但是, 它也是一個罪惡的城市。那里的人拜偶像,有時甚至把他們的孩子殺了來祭祀偶像, 他們認為這樣作會使他們拜的偶像很高興。這真是充滿罪惡!那天晚上, 當兩個探子悄悄地進了城, 他們注意到那巨大的城墻, 而且是雙層的。

　　They looked around for somewhere to spend the night close to the city gate. They were directed to a woman named Rahab, whose house was on the city wall. Rahab lived a sinful life as the other people in her city.The people of Jericho did not realize how very close they were to Gods judgment upon their sin.However, on this particular evening no one in Jericho was thinking about judgment, but they WERE thinking about the two strange men who had come through their gates

　　他們想在城墻附近找一個地方過夜。他們來到一個名叫喇合的女子家里, 她的家就在城墻上。喇合與城里的其他人一樣過著罪惡的生活。而耶利哥城里的人并不知道, 因著他們的罪和不相信神, 他們已經落在神的審判底下。事實上, 這世上的每一個人都因為罪而在神的審判底下, 包括你和我。

　　Someone must have gone quickly to the king, for Joshua 2：3 and 4 says：And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, there came men in here tonight of Israel to search out the country. And the king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, Bring out the men that came into your house, for they have come to search out all the country. Cant you just imagine it?　　Rahab hurried down to the door, trying not to show she was out of breath. Open up in the name of the king! the soldiers might haveshouted

　　在這個特別的晚上, 耶利哥城里沒有人想到神的審判, 他們所想的是有兩個陌生人來到他們的城里。有人馬上去告訴了耶利哥王。約書亞記第2章2-3節說：有人去告訴耶利哥王說：今夜有以色列人來到這里窺探此地。耶利哥王打發人去見喇合說：那來到你這里、進了你家的人要交出來, 因為他們來窺探全地。你能想象得出來嗎?門口有人敲門, 喇合得趕快跑去開門,還要表現出她一點也不緊張的樣子。奉國王的名義, 把門開開!也許他們在大叫。

　　The Bible doesnt tell us exactly WHEN or HOW Rahab knew the kings men were coming, but she knew in time to hide the two spies! Joshua 2：6 says, But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof. So when Rahab came down to open the door, she was probably trying to appear calm as she answered the soldiers：There came men to me, but I didnt know who they were. But when it was getting dark, just as they were about to shut the city gates for the night, the men left and I dont know where they went.If you hurry after them through the gate Im sure youll overtake them! The kings soldiers believed Rahab and off they went into the night in search of the two spies.

　　圣經沒有告訴我們喇合怎樣知道國王要派人來, 但她及時地把兩個探子藏了起來。約書亞記第2章6節說：先是喇合領二人上了房頂, 將他們藏在那里所擺的麻擷中。當喇合下去開門的時候,她故意顯得很鎮靜地對國王派的人說：那人果然到我這里來, 他們是哪里來的我卻不知道。天黑、要關城門的時候, 他們出去了, 往哪里去我卻不知道。你們快快地去追趕, 就必追上。那些人相信了喇合的話, 就追趕他們去了。

　　That night Rahab had a talk with the spies on that rooftop. And this time she wasnt lying or being sinful. She spoke straight from her heart：I know the LORD has given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.

　　那天晚上, 喇合到房頂上, 和兩個探子說話。這次她沒有說謊, 而是從心底里說：我知道耶和華已經把這地賜給你們, 并且因你們的緣故我們都驚慌了。

　　For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt; and how you completely destroyed the two kings of the Amorites on the other side of the Jordan. As soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted and there was no more courage in any man, because of you：for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.

　　這地的一切居民在你們面前心都消化了, 因為我們聽見你們出埃及的時候, 耶和華怎樣在你們前面使紅海的水干了, 并且你們怎樣待約但河東的兩個亞摩利王西宏和噩, 將他們盡行毀滅。我們一聽見這些事, 心就消化了。因你們的緣故, 并無一人有膽氣。耶和華你們的神, 本是上天下地的神。

　　God knows everything about you, including your every sin. But He still loves you, and wants to forgive your sin. He said in His Word that He takes pleasure in forgiving our sin, not in punishing it. When we believe on His Son the Lord Jesus, we can be saved from sins punishment. Rahab believed Gods Word, so will God save her from His judgment upon the sin of Jericho?Rahab was about to ask that question herself!

　　耶和華你們的神, 本是上天下地的神。當然, 耶利哥全城的人都聽說了神的大能和他對以色列人的看顧, 而喇合不但聽到了, 她還相信了這位又真又活的神。喇合相信神的話, 神會把她從神的審判底下拯救出來嗎?這就是喇合將要問的問題。

　　Rahab said to the two spies, Now, since I have shown you this kindness in hiding you from the king, will you promise me in the name of the LORD that you will also show kindness to me and my family?When you come to destroy this city, will you save me and my family and deliver us from death?The two spies promised Rahab that indeed they would save her and her family, if she promised not to tell anyone about their mission.

　　喇合對兩個探子說：現在我既是恩待你們, 求你們指著耶和華向我起誓, 也要恩待我和我父家, 當你們來攻打耶利哥城的時候, 要救活我和我的家人, 拯救我們性命不死。二人向對她保證：你若不泄漏我們這件事, 我們一定救你一家。

　　Then Rahab let the two spies down by a strong red cord through her window on the outside of the city wall. Just as she was helping them escape, she said to them, Go straight to the mountain, so the kings soldiers wont see you! Hide in the mountains for 3 days to give the soldiers time to get back to Jericho. Then go your way

　　于是, 喇合用朱紅色的繩子把二人從窗戶里縋下去, 因她的房子是在城墻邊上。她對兩個探子說：你們要往山上去, 這樣追趕的人就不會碰見你們。要在那里隱藏三天, 等追趕的人回來,然后才可以走你們的路。兩個探子對喇合說：我們來到這地的時候, 你要把這條朱紅線繩系在縋我們下去的窗戶上。并要使你的全家都聚集在你家中。凡出了你家門往街上去的, 我們就不能保證他的安全了。喇合同意了, 然后兩個人悄悄地順著繩子下了城, 消失在夜色里。

　　Rahab bound that scarlet cord securely in the window. She understood and believed with all her heart that this red cord meant her house would be a PLACE OF SAFETY whenGods terrible judgment fell upon Jericho.

　　喇合把朱紅線繩系在窗戶上, 她深深地相信有了這根朱紅線繩, 當神的審判降臨到耶利哥城的時候, 她的房子是一個安全的地方。

　　God provided this special way for Rahab to be saved because He saw she believed His Word! God also has provided a way for YOU to be saved from the punishment of your sin. I John 4：14 says, The Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. When the Lord Jesus Christ, Gods Son, came down and suffered that terrible death on the cross, it was not because of His sin, for Jesus never sinned. He was taking the punishment for your sin and mine. Jesus understood that, and quietly took the awful shame of spitting and cursing, the terrible pain of being nailed to a crossall because He knew it was to save YOU from sins punishment.

　　因為喇合相信神的話, 神用這個特別的方法拯救了她。神也為你準備了一條路使你可以逃脫神對罪的審判。約翰一書第4章14節說：父差子作世人的救主。神的兒子主耶穌來到世上, 經歷了那么痛苦的死, 不是因為他有罪, 他從來沒有犯過罪。他是為了我和你的罪而死的。耶穌他默默地忍受人的唾罵, 羞辱, 還有十字架上被釘的痛苦, 因為他要把你從罪的懲罰中拯救出來。

　　The precious red blood that was shed from Jesus hands and feet and side were to provide a place of safety for YOU, even as the red cord did for Rahab. Three days after Jesus died, He came alive again and is now in Heaven. When you tell the Lord Jesus you are believing on Him, God saves you from your sin! And because Rahab believed Gods Word, He provided a way for her to be saved from sins punishment.

　　從耶穌的手上腳上以及肋旁流出的那朱紅色的血為你提供了一個安全的港灣, 就象是喇合的朱紅線繩為她所作。耶穌死后三天, 他復活了, 現在他在天上。當你告訴主耶穌你相信他, 神就把你從罪中拯救出來。因為喇合相信神的話, 神把她從對罪的審判底下拯救出來。

　　Rahab was probably very busy from then on, getting all her family to move to her home, the only place of safety. If you know the Lord Jesus as your Saviour from sin,are you concerned that your family and friends find that place of safety in Jesus too?Perhaps someone in your family, or in your circle of friends, needs to know how to be saved. Will you tell them?Why not this very week?

　　我想喇合一定很忙, 她要趕快把她的家人叫到她的家里來, 因為這是耶利哥城里唯一安全的地方。

　　Meanwhile, the two spies went back to Joshua with good news! Truly the LORD has delivered all the land into our hands. All the people of the land are so afraid of us!Joshua was encouraged by this report and early the next morning, he began to carry out Gods plan.

　　同時, 兩個探子帶著好消息回到約書亞那里：神果然將那全地交在我們手中, 那地的一切居民在我們面前心都消化了。約書亞聽到這個消息, 很受鼓勵, 第二天一早他就準備按照神的計劃進行。

　　What do you think that plan was?What will happen to Jericho?But first, how is Joshua going to get 2 million people across that Jordan River?Dont miss the next thrilling story, right from Gods Word!

　　你認為神有什么計劃呢?耶利哥城會怎樣呢?但首先, 約書亞怎樣使200萬以色列人過約旦河呢?不要錯過下一次精彩的圣經故事。