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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 2
to destroy him where he stood, they were prevented by an invisible
influence, which a limit to their rage and said to them, “Thus far shalt
thou go, and no farther.”
The words of Jesus found a place in many hearts, and, like seed
sown in goodly soil, they afterward bore abundant harvests. The spies
scattered throughout the throng now report to the chief priests and
elders that Jesus is gaining great influence among the people and
that many are already acknowledging their belief in him. The priests
therefore secretly lay their plans to arrest Jesus; but they arrange to
take him when he is alone, for they dare not risk the effect upon the
people of seizing him while in their presence. Jesus, divining their
malevolent intents, declares in words of solemn pathos:—
“Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto Him that sent
me. Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me; and where I am, thither
ye cannot come.” Soon the Saviour of the world will find a refuge
from the persecution of his enemies, where their scorn and hate will
be powerless to harm him. He will ascend to his Father, to be again
the Adored of angels; and thither his murderers can never come.
The Feast of Tabernacles was celebrated to commemorate the time
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when the Hebrews dwelt in tents during their sojourn in the wilderness.
While this great festival lasted, the people were required to leave
their houses and live in booths made of green branches of pine or
myrtle. These leafy structures were sometimes erected on the tops
of the houses, and in the streets, but oftener outside the walls of the
city, in the valleys and along the hill-sides. Scattered about in every
direction, these green camps presented a very picturesque appearance.
The feast lasted one week, and during all that time the temple was
a festal scene of great rejoicing. There was the pomp of the sacrificial
ceremonies; and the sound of music, mingled with hosannas, made
the place jubilant. At the first dawn of day, the priests sounded a long,
shrill blast upon their silver trumpets; and the answering trumpets,
and the glad shouts of the people from their booths, echoing over
hill and valley, welcomed the festal day. Then the priest dipped from
the flowing waters of the Kedron a flagon of water, and, lifting it on
high, while the trumpets were sounding, he ascended the broad steps
of the temple, keeping time with the music with slow and measured
tread, chanting meanwhile: “Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O
Jerusalem!”