第52章 每年的节期
§1
第52章 每年的节期
§2
Chap. 52 - The Annual Feasts
§3
以色列人每年三次聚集在圣所朝拜耶和华。（出23:14-16）有一段时期，示罗乃是举行这些集会的地点；后来耶路撒冷成了全国敬拜上帝的中心，各支派的人都聚集在这里，赴严肃的节期。[1]{PP 537.1}
§4
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 nations worship, and here the tribes convened for the solemn feasts.{PP 537.1}[1]
§5
百姓四围都是凶狠好战的民族，随时想夺取他们的土地；然而每年三次，一切年富力强的壮年人，以及凡能跋涉长途的百姓，都要离开他们的家乡往靠近全国中心的集会场所去。这时，有什么力量能拦阻他们的仇敌，使他们不来攻击那些无人保护的家园，不肆意杀人放火呢？有什么力量能拦阻远方仇敌的侵入，不把以色列人掳去呢？因上帝已经应许要保护他的子民。“耶和华的使者，在敬畏他的人四围安营，搭救他们。”（诗34:7）当以色列人上去朝拜时，上帝的能力就必制止他们的仇敌。上帝应许说：“我要从你面前赶出外邦人，扩张你的境界；你一年三次上去朝见耶和华你上帝的时候，必没有人贪慕你的地土。”（出34:24）[2]{PP 537.2}
§6
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 [A.R.V.]. While the Israelites went up to worship, divine power would place a restraint upon their enemies. Gods 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.{PP 537.2}[2]
§7
第一个节期逾越节即除酵节，是在犹太历的正月亚笔月举行的；这时约在公历三月末四月初之间。寒冬已尽，晚雨已过，万物正当春日欣欣向荣之时。山谷间绿草如茵，野地里百花争艳。这时玉兔东升，一轮正圆，晚景非常可爱。正是古代诗人所描述的良辰佳节：“冬天已往；雨水止住过去了。地上百花开放；百鸟鸣叫的时候已经来到，斑鸠的声音在我们境内也听见了；无花果树的果子渐渐成熟，葡萄树开花放香。”（歌2:11-13）[3]{PP 537.3}
§8
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: 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.{PP 537.3}[3]
§9
各地一队一队的朝圣者都向耶路撒冷而来。牧人撇下了他们的牛群羊群，渔夫远离加利利海，农夫丢下他们的田地，先知的门徒离开他们的圣道学校，众人都面向那有上帝圣颜显现的地方走来。他们徒步跋涉，且行且住。沿途随时有人加入旅行的队伍，所以在到达圣城之前，人数往往是相当可观的。[4]{PP 538.1}
§10
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 schools--all turned their steps toward the place where Gods 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.{PP 538.1}[4]
§11
自然界的美丽，引起了以色列人喜乐的心情，和对万福之源的感激。于是他们吟诵希伯来诗人伟大的作品，来颂扬耶和华的荣耀和威严。在吹号敲钹的音乐伴奏下，千百人齐声唱出感恩的诗歌：“人对我说，我们往耶和华的殿去，我就欢喜。耶路撒冷啊，我们的脚，站在你的门内。……众支派，就是耶和华的支派，上那里去，……称赞耶和华的名。……你们要为耶路撒冷求平安。……爱你的人必然兴旺。”（诗122:1-6）[5]{PP 538.2}
§12
Natures 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.{PP 538.2}[5]
§13
当以色列的儿女看到他们四围的山头，就是过去异教人惯常在那里燃点他们祭坛之火的地方时，他们就歌唱说：“我要向山举目。我的帮助从何而来？我的帮助从造天地的耶和华而来。”“依靠耶和华的人，好像锡安山，永不动摇。众山怎样围绕耶路撒冷，耶和华也照样围绕他的百姓，从今时直到永远。”（诗121:1-2；125:1-2）[6]{PP 538.3}
§14
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. {PP 538.3}[6]
§15
当他们攀登高山遥望到圣城时，他们以敬畏的心情看着一群一群敬拜的人向圣殿走去。他们望到馨香的烟云上升，听见了利未人吹号宣布圣礼的声音，顿时有感于衷，歌唱出以下的圣诗：“耶和华本为大，在我们上帝的城中，在他的圣山上，该受大赞美。锡安山，大君王的城，在北面居高华美，为全地所喜悦。”（诗48:1-2）“愿你城中平安，愿你宫内兴旺。”（诗122:7）“给我敞开义门；我要进去，称谢耶和华。”（诗118:19）“我要在他众民面前，在耶和华殿的院内，在耶路撒冷当中，向耶和华还我的愿。你们要赞美耶和华。”（诗116:18-19）[7]{PP 539.1}
§16
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 Lords house, In the midst of thee, O Jerusalem, Praise ye the Lord. Psalm 122:7; 118:19; Psalm 116:18, 19.{PP 539.1}[7]
§17
耶路撒冷城内的住家，都免费招待朝圣的旅客；可是来过节的人数极其众多，这也不敷他们住宿，所以在城内可能找到的空地上，以及城外四围的山头上，还要支搭许多的帐棚。[8]{PP 539.2}
§18
All the houses in Jerusalem were thrown open to the pilgrims, and rooms were furnished free; but this was not sufficient for the vast assembly, and tents were pitched in every available space in the city and upon the surrounding hills.{PP 539.2}[8]
§19
正月十四日晚上，他们举行纪念逾越节的典礼；这庄严隆重的仪式，纪念他们蒙拯救脱离埃及为奴之家，并预指将来基督的牺牲必要拯救他们脱离罪恶的捆绑。当救主在髑髅地舍去他的生命时，逾越节就失去了它的意义，而由主所设立的圣餐礼来纪念逾越节所预表的同一件大事了。[9]{PP 539.3}
§20
On the fourteenth day of the month, at even, the Passover was celebrated, its solemn, impressive ceremonies commemorating the deliverance from bondage in Egypt, and pointing forward to the sacrifice that should deliver from the bondage of sin. When the Saviour yielded up His life on Calvary, the significance of the Passover ceased, and the ordinance of the Lords Supper was instituted as a memorial of the same event of which the Passover had been a type.{PP 539.3}[9]
§21
逾越节之后，接着就是七天的除酵节。第一天和第七天当有圣会，什么劳碌的工都不可作。节期的第二日，要把本年初熟的庄稼奉献在上帝面前。在巴勒斯坦地方，大麦是最早成熟的庄稼，在节期到了的时候就快要熟透了。祭司要拿一捆大麦，在上帝的坛前摇一摇，借此承认万物都是属于他的。以色列人非等到行了这个礼，就不可收割庄稼。[10]{PP 539.4}
§22
The Passover was followed by the seven days feast of unleavened bread. The first and the seventh day were days of holy convocation, when no servile work was to be performed. On the second day of the feast, the first fruits of the years harvest were presented before God. Barley was the earliest grain in Palestine, and at the opening of the feast it was beginning to ripen. A sheaf of this grain was waved by the priest before the altar of God, as an acknowledgment that all was His. Not until this ceremony had been performed was the harvest to be gathered. {PP 539.4}[10]
§23
从献初熟的果子那日起，再过五十天就到了五旬节，又称“收割节，”或“七七节。”为表示感谢上帝所赐的粮食起见，在这节间要把两个加酵烤成的饼献在上帝面前。五旬节只守一天，全天举行虔敬的奉献。[11]{PP 540.1}
§24
Fifty days from the offering of first fruits, came the Pentecost, called also the feast of harvest and the feast of weeks. As an expression of gratitude for the grain prepared as food, two loaves baked with leaven were presented before God. The Pentecost occupied but one day, which was devoted to religious service.{PP 540.1}[11]
§25
在七月间有住棚节，或称“收藏节。”这个节期是承认上帝在他们的果木园、橄榄园、葡萄园所赐丰盛的出产。这是一年中最后的大节期。这时，地已经生出土产，庄稼已经收在仓里，果子、油和酒，都已储藏好了，初熟的果子也已经储备齐了，这时百姓都带着感恩的奉献，献给那如此丰富赐福与他们的上帝。[12]{PP 540.2}
§26
In the seventh month came the Feast of Tabernacles, or of ingathering. This feast acknowledged Gods bounty in the products of the orchard, the olive grove, and the vineyard. It was the crowning festal gathering of the year. The land had yielded its increase, the harvests had been gathered into the granaries, the fruits, the oil, and the wine had been stored, the first fruits had been reserved, and now the people came with their tributes of thanksgiving to God, who had thus richly blessed them.{PP 540.2}[12]
§27
这个节期是要作为一个特别欢乐的日子。守节的日子正好在赎罪大日之后，他们已蒙赦免，确知道自己的罪已不再被纪念了。他们既与上帝和好，就来到他面前感谢他的良善，赞美他的慈悲。收割的工作既已完毕，新年的辛劳还未开始，所以百姓这时毫无挂虑，可以专心享受这节期的神圣欢乐的福气。虽然上帝只吩咐每家的父亲和儿子来过节，可是全家的人都要尽可能的一同来过节，并令家中的奴婢，利未人、外人和穷人，来与他们一齐欢聚。[13]{PP 540.3}
§28
This feast was to be pre-eminently an occasion of rejoicing. It occurred just after the great Day of Atonement, when the assurance had been given that their iniquity should be remembered no more. At peace with God, they now came before Him to acknowledge His goodness and to praise Him for His mercy. The labors of the harvest being ended, and the toils of the new year not yet begun, the people were free from care, and could give themselves up to the sacred, joyous influences of the hour. Though only the fathers and sons were commanded to appear at the feasts, yet, so far as possible, all the household were to attend them, and to their hospitality the servants, the Levites, the stranger, and the poor were made welcome.{PP 540.3}[13]
§29
住棚节象逾越节一样，也是作为纪念的。百姓为要纪念他们在旷野旅行的生活起见，就要在过节期间离开他们的家，住在棚子里；这些棚子是用美好树上的枝条，“和棕树上的枝子，与茂密树的枝条，并河旁的柳枝”搭成的。（利23:40,42-43）[14]{PP 540.4}
§30
Like the Passover, the Feast of Tabernacles was commemorative. In memory of their pilgrim life in the wilderness the people were now to leave their houses and dwell in booths, or arbors, formed from the green branches of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook. Leviticus 23:40, 42, 43.{PP 540.4}[14]
§31
这七天的节期之外，还要加上一天，第一天和第八天都有圣会。[15]{PP 540.5}
§32
The first day was a holy convocation, and to the seven days of the feast an eighth day was added, which was observed in like manner.{PP 540.5}[15]
§33
每年在这些圣会中，老幼的心都在侍奉上帝的事上受到鼓励；当他们与各地方的人交往时，他们对上帝以及彼此之间，就必更密切地联络在一起了。今日上帝的子民若能守一次住棚节，一种纪念上帝赐福与他们的欢乐聚会，岂不是很好吗？以色列民怎样纪念上帝为他们列祖所施行的拯救，以及他们从埃及出来，上帝一路行神迹保护他们；我们也当思念上帝用各种方法使我们脱离世俗，脱离谬道的黑暗，而得以进入他恩典和真理的宝贵光芒之中。[16]{PP 540.6}
§34
At these yearly assemblies the hearts of old and young would be encouraged in the service of God, while the association of the people from the different quarters of the land would strengthen the ties that bound them to God and to one another. Well would it be for the people of God at the present time to have a Feast of Tabernacles--a joyous commemoration of the blessings of God to them. As the children of Israel celebrated the deliverance that God had wrought for their fathers, and His miraculous preservation of them during their journeyings from Egypt, so should we gratefully call to mind the various ways He has devised for bringing us out from the world, and from the darkness of error, into the precious light of His grace and truth.{PP 540.6}[16]
§35
对那些住家离会幕很远的人，他们每年要费去一个多月的光阴来守这些节期。这种敬虔侍奉上帝的榜样，深刻地说明虔敬崇拜的重要性，以及有把属灵和永恒的利益置于私人和属世利益之上的必要。当我们忽略弟兄在一起聚会的特权，而不在侍奉上帝的事上互相扶持、彼此鼓励时，我们就必遭受损失。上帝之话的真理就要在我们心中丧失其活力和重要性。我们的心既不再被成圣的影响所光照，所鼓舞，我们就会在灵性上衰弱了。在我们基督徒彼此之间的交往上，我们常因缺少同情心而丧失了许多宝贵的经历。那专顾自己独善其身的人，不能按照上帝旨意充任该当的职位。我们都是一位天父的儿女，我们的幸福是彼此互相仰仗的。上帝和人类的要求都在我们身上。所以那使我们能向弟兄表同情，并在造福他人的事上得到幸福的，乃是在乎适当的培养社交美德。[17]{PP 541.1}
§36
With those who lived at a distance from the tabernacle, more than a month of every year must have been occupied in attendance upon the annual feasts. This example of devotion to God should emphasize the importance of religious worship and the necessity of subordinating our selfish, worldly interests to those that are spiritual and eternal. We sustain a loss when we neglect the privilege of associating together to strengthen and encourage one another in the service of God. The truths of His word lose their vividness and importance in our minds. Our hearts cease to be enlightened and aroused by the sanctifying influence, and we decline in spirituality. In our intercourse as Christians we lose much by lack of sympathy with one another. He who shuts himself up to himself is not filling the position that God designed he should. We are all children of one Father, dependent upon one another for happiness. The claims of God and of humanity are upon us. It is the proper cultivation of the social elements of our nature that brings us into sympathy with our brethren and affords us happiness in our efforts to bless others.{PP 541.1}[17]
§37
住棚节不但具有纪念性，也是一个预表，它不但指明从前怎样在旷野逗留，而也是作为收割节，来庆祝地上果实的收藏，也预指最后收割的大日；那时庄稼的主要差派收割的人，把稗子捆成捆用火焚烧，把麦子收在仓里。到那时，恶人都要毁灭。“他们就归于无有。”（俄1:16）全宇宙必要同声快乐赞美上帝。蒙启示的约翰说：“我又听见，在天上、地上、地底下、沧海里和天地间一切所有被造之物，都说，但愿颂赞、尊贵、荣耀、权势，都归给坐宝座的和羔羊，直到永永远远。”（启5:13）[18]{PP 541.2}
§38
The Feast of Tabernacles was not only commemorative but typical. It not only pointed back to the wilderness sojourn, but, as the feast of harvest, it celebrated the ingathering of the fruits of the earth, and pointed forward to the great day of final ingathering, when the Lord of the harvest shall send forth His reapers to gather the tares together in bundles for the fire, and to gather the wheat into His garner. At that time the wicked will all be destroyed. They will become as though they had not been. Obadiah 16. And every voice in the whole universe will unite in joyful praise to God. Says the revelator, Every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever. Revelation 5:13. {PP 541.2}[18]
§39
以色列人在住棚节时赞美上帝，是因为纪念他拯救他们脱离在埃及为奴的恩典，以及他们在旷野中度飘流生活之时他对他们慈爱的照顾。这时他们刚刚过了赎罪日，并借着那日的奉献而蒙上帝的赦罪与悦纳，他们既体会到这一点，就更要欢喜快乐了。但将来上帝的赎民聚集在天上的迦南时，永远脱离咒诅的奴役，就是“一切受造之物，一同叹息劳苦，直到如今”的咒诅。（罗8:22）那时他们更要有说不出来、满有荣光的大喜乐。基督为世人所作救赎的大工那时已经完成，他们的罪必要永远被涂抹了。“旷野和干旱之地，必然欢喜；沙漠也必快乐；又像玫瑰开花。必开花繁盛，乐上加乐，而且欢呼；黎巴嫩的荣耀，并加密与沙仑的华美，必赐给他；人必看见耶和华的荣耀，我们上帝的华美。”“那时瞎子的眼必睁开，聋子的耳必开通。那时瘸子必跳跃象鹿，哑吧的舌头必能歌唱：“在旷野必有水发出，在沙漠必有河涌流。发光的沙，要变为水池，干渴之地，要变为泉源；……“在那里必有一条大道，称为圣路；污秽人不得经过，必专为赎民行走，行路的人虽愚昧，也不至失迷。“在那里必没有狮子，猛兽也不登这路，在那里都遇不见；只有赎民在那里行走。“并且耶和华救赎的民必归回，歌唱来到锡安；永乐必归到他们的头上，他们必得着欢喜快乐，忧愁叹息尽都逃避。”（赛35:1-2,5-10）[19]{PP 542.1}
§40
The people of Israel praised God at the Feast of Tabernacles, as they called to mind His mercy in their deliverance from the bondage of Egypt and His tender care for them during their pilgrim life in the wilderness. They rejoiced also in the consciousness of pardon and acceptance, through the service of the day of atonement, just ended. But when the ransomed of the Lord shall have been safely gathered into the heavenly Canaan, forever delivered from the bondage of the curse, under which the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now (Romans 8:22), they will rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Christs great work of atonement for men will then have been completed, and their sins will have been forever blotted out. The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; And the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: The glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, The excellency of Carmel and Sharon; They shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, And the tongue of the dumb sing: For in the wilderness shall waters break out, And streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, And the thirsty land springs of water: . . . And an highway shall be there, and a way, And it shall be called The way of holiness; The unclean shall not pass over it; But it shall be for those: The wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, Nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, It shall not be found there; But the redeemed shall walk there: And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, And come to Zion with songs And everlasting joy upon their heads: They shall obtain joy and gladness, And sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Isaiah 35:1, 2, 5-10.{PP 542.1}[19]