Feast of Tabernacles
241
He bore the flagon to the altar which occupied a central position in
the temple court. Here were two silver basins, with a priest standing at
each one. The flagon of water was poured into one basin, and a flagon
of wine into the other; and the contents of both flowed into a pipe
which communicated with the Kedron, and was conducted to the Dead
Sea. This display of the consecrated water represented the fountain
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that flowed from the rock to refresh the Hebrews in the wilderness.
Then the jubilant strains rang forth:—
“The Lord Jehovah is my strength and song;” “therefore with joy
shall we draw water out of the wells of salvation!” All the vast assembly
joined in triumphant chorus with musical instruments and deep-toned
trumpets, while competent choristers conducted the grand harmonious
concert of praise.
The festivities were carried on with an unparalleled splendor. At
night the temple and its court blazed so with artificial light that the
whole city was illuminated. The music, the waving of palm-branches,
the glad hosannas, the great concourse of people, over which the light
streamed from the hanging lamps, the dazzling array of the priests,
and the majesty of the ceremonies, all combined to make a scene that
deeply impressed all beholders.
The feast was drawing to a close. The morning of the last, crown-
ing day found the people wearied from the long season of festivity.
Suddenly Jesus lifted up his voice in tones that rang through the courts
of the temple:—
“If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that
believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow
rivers of living water.” The condition of the people made this appeal
very forcible. They had been engaged in a continued scene of pomp
and festivity, their eyes had been dazzled with light and color, and
their ears regaled with the richest music; but there had been nothing
to meet the wants of the spirit, nothing to satisfy the thirst of the soul
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for that which perishes not. Jesus invited them to come and drink of
the fountain of life, of that which should be in them a well of water
springing up into everlasting life.
The priest had that morning performed the imposing ceremony
which represented the smiting of the rock in the wilderness and the
issuing therefrom of the water. That rock was a figure of Christ. His
words were the water of life. As Jesus spoke thus to the people, their