SS101.从摩西五经的相关叙述明显可知，祭祀敬拜早就为人所知，并且在圣言通过摩西和众先知被赐给以色列人之前，人们从耶和华的口发预言。至于祭祀敬拜早就为人所知，这从以下事实明显看出来：以色列人被吩咐推倒列族的祭坛，打碎他们的偶像，砍掉他们的小树林（出埃及记34:13；申命记7:5；12:3）。以色列在什亭开始与摩押的女子行淫；她们叫百姓来给她们的神献祭，百姓就吃祭物，并跪拜她们的神；尤其是以色列与巴力毗珥连合，耶和华的怒气因此向以色列发作（民数记25:1-3）。来自叙利亚或亚兰的巴兰叫人筑坛，并以牛羊献祭（民数记22:40；23:1，2，14，29，30）。
至于人们从耶和华的口发预言，这从巴兰的预言明显看出来（民数记23:7-10，18-24；24:3-9，16-24）。他还发了关于主的预言，即：“有星要出于雅各，有杖要兴于以色列”（民数记24:17）。他从耶和华的口发预言（民数记22:13，18；23:3，5，8，16，26；24:1，13）。从这些事实明显可知，这个民族有一种神性敬拜类似于通过摩西为以色列民族所设立的敬拜。
这种情况甚至在亚伯兰的时代之前就已存在，这一点从摩西五经中的话（申命记32:7，8）能在某种程度上看出来，不过，从论到撒冷王麦基洗德的话看得更明显：他带着饼和酒出来，为亚伯兰祝福，亚伯兰就把所得的拿出十分之一给了他（创世记14:18-20）；麦基洗德代表主，因为他被称为至高神的祭司（创世记14:18）；在诗篇，经上论到主说：
你是照着麦基洗德的等次永远为祭司。（诗篇110:4）
这就是为何麦基洗德带着饼和酒出来，饼和酒是教会的圣物，正如它们在圣餐中是圣物一样。这也是为何麦基洗德能祝福亚伯兰，并且亚伯兰把所得的拿出十分之一给他。
101. Before the Word That We Have in the World Today, There Was a Word That Has Been Lost
BEFORE the Word was given to the Israelite nation through Moses and the prophets, people were familiar with sacrificial worship, and there was prophecy at Jehovah’s command. We can tell this from what it says in the books of Moses.
As for their familiarity with sacrificial worship, we read that the children of Israel were commanded to overthrow the altars of the nations, shatter their statues, and cut down their groves (Exodus 34:13; Deuteronomy 7:5; 12:3). We also read that at Acacia Grove Israel began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab; they summoned people to sacrifices to their gods and the people feasted and bowed down to their gods and especially became attached to the Baal of Peor; and Jehovah became angry with Israel because of this (Numbers 25:1-3). And Balaam, who was from Syria, had altars built and sacrificed cattle and sheep (Numbers 22:40; 23:1-2, 14, 29-30).
[2] As for there also being prophecy at Jehovah’s command, this we can tell from the prophecies of Balaam (Numbers 23:7-10, 18-24; 24:3-9, 16-24). In fact, he prophesied about the Lord, saying that a star would rise out of Jacob and a scepter out of Israel (Numbers 24:17). As for his prophesying at Jehovah’s command, see Numbers 22:13, 18; 23:3, 5, 8, 16, 26; 24:1, 13.
This shows that the nations had divine worship that resembled the worship instituted by Moses for the Israelite nation.
[3] We get a glimpse of the fact that this was the case even before the time of Abram from what it says in Moses (Deuteronomy 32:7-8). It is clearer, though, in the case of Melchizedek, King of Salem, who brought out bread and wine and blessed Abram, and Abram gave him a tenth of everything he owned (Genesis 14:18-20). Melchizedek represented the Lord, for he is referred to as “a priest to God the Highest” (Genesis 14:18) and it says of the Lord in David, “You are a priest forever after the manner of Melchizedek” (Psalms 110:4). That was why Melchizedek brought out the bread and the wine as holy elements of the church, just as they are in the sacrament of the Holy Supper. It is also why Melchizedek blessed Abram and why Abram gave him a tenth of everything he owned.
101. Before the Current Word in the World Today, There Was a Word That Has Been Lost
Before the Word in the Israelite nation given through Moses and the Prophets, worship employing sacrifices was known, and people prophesied in the name of Jehovah, as can be seen from reports in the books of Moses.
That worship employing sacrifices was known: This can be seen from its being commanded to the children of Israel to overturn the altars of the gentiles, break in pieces their pillars, and cut down their groves (Exodus 34:13, Deuteronomy 7:5, 12:3).
It can be seen from the time when Israel in Shittim began to commit harlotry with the daughters of Moab, that the daughters invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods, and especially that Israel joined itself to Baal-Peor, and Jehovah’s anger was inflamed therefore against Israel (Numbers 25:1-3).
It can also be seen from the altars that Balaam, who came from Syria, caused to be built, and from his sacrificing oxen and flocks (Numbers 22:40, 23:1-2, 14, 29-30).
[2] That people prophesied in the name of Jehovah: This can be seen from the prophecies of Balaam (Numbers 23:7-10, 18-24, 24:3-9, 15-24). His prophesying concerning the Lord, that a Star would arise out of Jacob and a scepter out of Israel (Numbers 24:17). His prophesying in the name of Jehovah (Numbers 22:13, 18, 23:3, 5, 8, 16, 26, 24:1, 13). It is apparent from this that a Divine worship like the worship in the Israelite nation instituted by Moses existed among gentiles.
[3] That such worship existed also before the time of Abram: A glimmer of this is reflected in Moses’ words in Deuteronomy 32:7-8. But it is still more plainly apparent from the action of Melchizedek, king of Salem, who brought out bread and wine and blessed Abram, and from Abram’s giving him tithes of everything (Genesis 14:18-20). Melchizedek, moreover, represented the Lord, for he is called the priest of God Most High (Genesis 14:18). Regarding the Lord, we are also told in the book of Psalms, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek” (Psalms 110:4). That is why Melchizedek brought out bread and wine as holy elements of the church, like the holy elements in the sacrament of Holy Supper, and why he could bless Abram, and why Abram gave him tithes of everything.
101. XII. Previous to the Word which is now in the world, there was a Word which is lost.
Previous to the Word which was given by Moses and the Prophets to the Israelitish nation worship by sacrifices was known, and men prophesied from the mouth of Jehovah. This is evident from what is recorded in the Books of Moses. That worship by sacrifices was known may be seen from the following references:
The Children of Israel were commanded to destroy the altars of the nations, break their images and cut down their groves. Exodus 34:13; Deuteronomy 7:5; and Deuteronomy 12:3.
Israel in Shittim began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab; And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate with them, and bowed themselves down to their gods. And especially joined themselves to Baal-peor; and on that account the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Israel. Numbers 25:1-3.
And Balaam, who was from Syria, caused altars to be built, and sacrificed oxen and sheep. Numbers 22:40; 23:1-2, 14, 29-30.
[2] That men also prophesied from the mouth of Jehovah is evident from the prophecies of Balaam. Numbers 23:7-10, 18-24; 24:3-9, 16-24.
He also prophesied concerning the Lord, that a Star should rise out of Jacob, and a Sceptre out of Israel. Numbers 24:17.
And he prophesied from the mouth of Jehovah. Numbers 22:13, 18; 23:3, 5, 8, 16, 26; xxiv Numbers 1:13.
From these passages it is clear that among the nations there was Divine worship similar to that instituted by Moses among the Israelitish nation.
[3] That such worship existed before the time of Abram is in some measure evident from the words of Moses in Deuteronomy 32:7-8; but it is more evident from what is said of Melchizedek, king of Salem:
He brought out bread and wine, and blessed Abram; and Abram gave him tithes of all. Genesis 14:18-20;
and from the fact that Melchizedek represented the Lord, for he is called, The priest of the most high God. Genesis 14:18; and it is said of the Lord in the Psalms:
Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. Psalms 110:4.
This was why Melchizedek brought forth bread and wine, as holy things of the Church, even as they are holy in the sacrament of the Holy Supper; and why he was able to bless Abram, and why Abram gave him tithes of all.
101. XII. BEFORE THE WORD THAT IS NOW IN THE WORLD THERE WAS A WORD WHICH IS LOST
From what is related in the books of Moses it is evident that worship by means of sacrifices was known, and that men prophesied from the mouth of Jehovah, before the Word was given to the Israelitish nation through Moses and the prophets. That worship by means of sacrifices was known is evident from these facts:
The sons of Israel were commanded to overturn the altars of the nations, break in pieces their images, and cut down their groves (Exodus 34:13; Deuteronomy 7:5; 12:3).
In Shittim Israel began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab; they called the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods; and Israel joined himself especially to Baal-peor, and on that account the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Israel (Numbers 25:1-3).
Balaam, who was from Syria, caused altars to be built, and sacrificed oxen and sheep (Numbers 22:40; 23: 1, 2, 14, 29, 30).
[2] That men prophesied from the mouth of Jehovah, is evident from the prophecies of Balaam (Numbers 23: 7-10, 18-24; 24: 3-9, 16-24).
He also prophesied concerning the Lord that a star should arise out of Jacob, and a scepter out of Israel (Numbers 24:17).
And he prophesied from the mouth of Jehovah (Numbers 22: 13, 18; 23: 3,5, 8, 16, 26; 24: 1, 13).
From these facts it is evident that there existed among the nations a Divine worship similar to that instituted through Moses among the Israelitish nation.
[3] That it existed even before the time of Abram is in some measure apparent from the words in Moses (Deuteronomy 32:7, 8), but more evidently from what is said of Melchizedek king of Salem:
That he brought forth bread and wine, and blessed Abram, and that Abram gave him tithes of all (Genesis 14:18-20);
and that Melchizedek represented the Lord, for he is called
Priest of God Most High (Genesis 14:18);
and it is said in David concerning the Lord:
Thou art a priest to eternity, after the manner of Melchizedek (Psalms 110:4).
Hence it was that Melchizedek brought forth bread and wine as holy things of the church, even as they are holy things in the sacrament of the supper; and that Melchizedek could bless Abram, and that Abram gave him tithes of all.
101. (XII.) QUOD ANTE HOC VERBUM, QUOD HODIE EST IN MUNDO FUERIT VERBUM QUOD DEPERDITUM EST.
Quod ante Verbum per Mosen et Prophetas apud gentem Israeliticam datum, cultus per sacrificia notus fuerit, et quod ex ore Jehovae prophetaverint, ex memoratis in Libris Mosis constare potest. Quod cultus per sacrificia notus fuerit, ex his:-
Mandatum est ut filii Israelis gentium altaria everterent, illarum statuas confringerent, et illarum lucos exscinderent (Exodus 34:13: Deuteronomius 7:5; 12:3).
Quod Israel in Schittim coeperit scortari cum filiabus Moabi, (quod) vocaverint populum ad sacrificia deorum suorum, et (quod) comederit populus, et incurvaverit se diis eorum, et imprimis adjunxerit se Baalpeori; et quod accensa sit ira Jehovae contra Israelem propterea (Numeri 25:1-3).
Tum quod Bileamus, qui fuit ex Syria, fecerit exstruere altaria, et sacrificaverit boves et pecudes (Numeri 22:40; 23:1-2, 14, 29-30).
Quod etiam ex ore Jehovae prophetaverint, constat ex Prophetiis Bileami (Numeri 23:7-10, 18-24; 24:3-9, 16-24); 1
Quod etiam prophetaverit de Domino, quod oriretur stella ex Jacobo, et sceptrum ex Israele (Numeri 23:17).
Quod prophetaverit ex ore Jehovae (Numeri 22:13, 18; 23:3, 5, 8, 16, 26; 24:1, 13).
Ex his patet quod cultus Divinus similis cultui apud gentem Israeliticam per Mosen instituto apud gentes fuerit. Quod etiam ante Abrami tempus fuerit, aliquantum elucet ex verbis apud Mosen (Deuteronomius 32:7-8); sed evidentius ex Malchizedecho rege Schalemi,
Quod eduxerit panem et vinum, et benedixerit Abramo, et quod Abram dederit ei decimas de omnibus (Genesis 14:18-20):
Et quod Malchizedech repraesentaverit Dominum, nam vocatur
Sacerdos Deo Altissimo (Genesis 14:18);
Et de Domino dicitur apud Davidem,
"Tu Sacerdos in aeternum, juxta modum Malchizedechi" (Psalm 110:4).
Inde erat, quod Malchizedech eduxerit panem et vinum, ut sancta ecclesiae, sicut in sacramento Cenae sancta sunt; et quod Malchizedech potuerit benedicere Abramo, et quod Abram dederit ei decimas de omnibus.
Footnotes:
1. 24 pro "25"