patriarchs and prophets-第139章
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their fruit。 And your threshing shall reach unto the vintage； and the
vintage shall reach unto the sowing time： and ye shall eat your bread to the
full； and dwell in your land safely。 And I will give peace in the land； and
ye shall lie down； and none shall make you afraid： and I will rid evil
beasts out of the land； neither shall the sword go through your land。 。 。 。
I will walk among you； and will be your God； and ye shall be My people。 。 。
。 But if ye will not hearken unto Me； and will not do all these
commandments； and 。 。 。 ye break My covenant： 。 。 。 ye shall sow your seed
in vain； for your enemies shall eat it。 And I will set My face against you；
and ye shall be slain before your enemies： they that hate you shall reign
over you； and ye shall flee when none pursueth you。〃 Leviticus 26：
4…17。
There are many who urge with great enthusiasm that all men should have an
equal share in the temporal blessings of God。 But this was not the purpose
of the Creator。 A diversity of condition is one of the means by which God
designs to prove and develop character。 Yet He intends that those who have
worldly possessions shall regard themselves merely as stewards of His goods；
as entrusted with means to be employed for the benefit of the suffering and
the needy。
Christ has said that we shall have the poor always with us； and He unites
His interest with that of His suffering people。 The heart of our Redeemer
sympathizes with the poorest and lowliest of His earthly children。 He tells
us that they are His representatives on earth。 He has placed them among us
to awaken in our hearts the love that He feels toward the suffering and
oppressed。 Pity and benevolence shown to them are accepted by
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Christ as if shown to Himself。 An act of cruelty or neglect toward them is
regarded as though done to Him。
If the law given by God for the benefit of the poor had continued to be
carried out； how different would be the present condition of the world；
morally； spiritually； and temporally！ Selfishness and self…importance would
not be manifested as now； but each would cherish a kind regard for the
happiness and welfare of others； and such widespread destitution as is now
seen in many lands would not exist。
The principles which God has enjoined； would prevent the terrible evils that
in all ages have resulted from the oppression of the rich toward the poor
and the suspicion and hatred of the poor toward the rich。 While they might
hinder the amassing of great wealth and the indulgence of unbounded luxury；
they would prevent the consequent ignorance and degradation of tens of
thousands whose ill…paid servitude is required to build up these colossal
fortunes。 They would bring a peaceful solution of those problems that now
threaten to fill the world with anarchy and bloodshed。
（537）
Chapter 52
The Annual Feasts
There were three annual assemblies of all Israel for worship at the
sanctuary。 Exodus 23：14…16。 Shiloh was for a time the place of these
gatherings； but Jerusalem afterward became the center of the nation's
worship； and here the tribes convened for the solemn feasts。
The people were surrounded by fierce； warlike tribes； that were eager to
seize upon their lands； yet three times every year all the able…bodied men
and all the people who could make the journey were directed to leave their
homes and repair to the place of assembly； near the center of the land。 What
was to hinder their enemies from sweeping down upon those unprotected
households； to lay them waste with fire and sword？ What was to prevent an
invasion of the land； that would bring Israel into captivity to some foreign
foe？ God had promised to be the protector of His people。 〃The angel of
Jehovah encampeth round about them that fear Him； and delivereth them。〃
Psalm 34：7。 While the Israelites went up to worship； divine power would
place a restraint upon their enemies。 God's promise was； 〃I will cast out
the nations before thee； and enlarge thy borders： neither shall any man
desire thy land； when thou shalt go up to appear before the Lord thy God
thrice in the year。〃 Exodus 34：24。
The first of these festivals； the Passover； the feast of unleavened bread；
occurred in Abib； the first month of the Jewish year； corresponding to the
last of March and the beginning of April。 The cold of winter was past； the
latter rain had ended； and all nature rejoiced in the freshness and beauty
of the springtime。 The grass was green on the hills and valleys； and wild
flowers everywhere brightened the fields。 The moon； now approaching the
full； made the evenings delightful。 It was the season so beautifully
pictured by the sacred singer：
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〃The winter is past；
The rain is over and gone；
The flowers appear on the earth；
The time of the singing of birds is come；
And the voice of the turtle is heard in our land；
The fig tree ripeneth her green figs；
And the vines are in blossom；
They give forth their fragrance。〃 Song of Solomon 2：11…13； R。V。
Throughout the land bands of pilgrims were making their way toward
Jerusalem。 The shepherds from their flocks； the herdsmen from the mountains；
fishers from the Sea of Galilee； the husbandmen from their fields； and sons
of the prophets from the sacred schoolsall turned their steps toward the
place where God's presence was revealed。 They journeyed by short stages； for
many went on foot。 The caravans were constantly receiving accessions； and
often became very large before reaching the Holy City。
Nature's gladness awakened joy in the hearts of Israel and gratitude to the
Giver of all good。 The grand Hebrew psalms were chanted； exalting the glory
and majesty of Jehovah。 At the sound of the signal trumpet； with the music
of cymbals； the chorus of thanksgiving arose； swelled by hundreds of voices：
〃I was glad when they said unto me；
Let us go unto the house of the Lord。
Our feet are standing
Within thy gates； O Jerusalem。 。 。 。
Whither the tribes go up； even the tribes of the Lord； 。 。 。
To give thanks unto the name of Jehovah。 。 。 。
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem：
They shall prosper that love thee。〃 Psalm 122：1…6； R。V。
As they saw around them the hills where the heathen had been wont to kindle
their altar fires； the children of Israel sang：
〃Shall I lift up mine eyes to the hills？
Whence should my help come？
My help cometh from Jehovah；
Which made heaven and earth。〃 Psalm 121：1； 2 （margin）。
〃They that trust in the Lord
Are as Mount Zion； which cannot be moved； but abideth forever。
As the mountains are round about Jerusalem；
So the Lord is round about His people；
From this time forth and forevermore。〃 Psalm 125：1； 2； R。V。
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Surmounting the hills in view of the Holy City； they looked with reverent
awe upon the throngs of worshipers wending their way to the temple。 They saw
the smoke of the incense ascending； and as they heard the trumpets of the
Levites heralding the sacred service； they caught the inspiration of the
hour； and sang：
〃Great is the Lord； and greatly to be praised
In the city of our God； in the mountain of His holiness。
Beautiful for situation； the joy of the whole earth；
Is Mount Zion； on the sides of the north；
The city of the great King。〃
Psalm 48：1； 2。
〃Peace be within thy walls；
And prosperity within thy palaces。〃
〃Open to me the gates of righteousness：
I will go into them； and I will praise the Lord。〃
〃I will pay my vows unto the Lord
Now in the presence of all His people；
In the courts of the Lord's house；
In the midst of thee； O Jerusalem；
