Annual Feasts
481
“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 schools—all
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: