第一节 十诫在以色列教会中乃为神圣本身
283# 十诫诸诫命，因其为圣言之初熟之果，并由此为将在以色列民族中建立之教会的初熟之果；又因其以简要纲领总括一切宗教之事，藉之有上帝与人的结合，以及人与上帝的结合；故其神圣至极，无有更神圣者。
其至为神圣，由以下诸事显然可见：雅威主亲自降临于西奈山，在火中并与天使同在，且由那里以活声颁布这些诫命；民众曾预备自己三日，以便观看并聆听；山被围住，不许任何人接近，免得死亡；祭司和长老也不得靠近，惟有摩西可以。又见于：这些诫命由上帝的指头刻写在两块石版上；摩西第二次携此二版下山时，面容发光。又见于：此二版后来被安放在柜中；此柜置于帐幕的至内处；柜上设有施恩座，施恩座上置有金造的基路伯；帐幕中柜所在的至内处，称为至圣所。
又见于：在幔子之外，即在那柜所在之幔子外，陈设了多样之物，用以代表天堂与教会的圣物；这些乃是：包金的桌子，其上有陈设饼；金坛，其上焚香；金灯台，带有七盏灯；又有周围的帷幔，由细麻、紫色线和朱红线织成。整个帐幕的神圣，非由别处而来，惟由柜中之律法而来。
因柜中律法使帐幕具有神圣，故以色列全体民众，照命令按支派次序，在帐幕四围安营；并按次序随其后起行；那时白日有云在其上，夜间有火在其上。因这律法的神圣，以及雅威在其中的临在，雅威便在基路伯之间、施恩座之上与摩西说话；而那柜也被称为“雅威在那里”。亚伦不得进入幔内，除非带着祭物与香，免得死亡。
又因雅威临在于这律法之中并环绕其外，故藉着存有此律法的约柜，也行了诸多神迹：如约旦河水分开；只要约柜停在河中，民众便从干地经过；又如约柜被绕行时，耶利哥城墙倒塌；非利士人的神大衮在约柜前先面伏于地，后来头与两掌皆被斩断，倒卧在其庙门槛上；又如因约柜之故，伯示麦人被击杀数千；乌撒因触摸约柜而死。又如大卫以祭物与欢呼将此柜迎入锡安；后来所罗门将其置于耶路撒冷圣殿中，使之成为圣殿的内殿；此外尚有许多事。
由这些事可见，十诫在以色列教会中乃为神圣本身。
283# 十诫是圣言的初熟果子，因而是即将在以色列民族中间建立的教会的初熟果子。此外，它们以简要概述的形式而成为整个宗教的缩影，或说包括了宗教的一切元素，神与人，并人与神的结合，是通过宗教实现的。因此，十诫如此神圣，以至于再没有更神圣的东西了，或说十诫是最神圣的。它们是最神圣的，这一点从以下事实很清楚地看出来：耶和华自己，即主，在天使们的陪伴下，在火中降临西乃山上，从那里用活生生的声音颁布这些律法；百姓预备自己三天去观看和聆听，并且这座山的四围都定了界限，免得有人靠近而死亡；就连祭司和长老都不允许靠近，只有摩西可以。神用手指将这些诫命写在两块石版上。当摩西第二次带着这两块石版下山时，他的面皮发光。后来，这两块石版被放在约柜里，而约柜被安置在会幕的至内层，上面有施恩座，施恩座上有金基路伯；会幕中的这至内层，即约柜所在的地方，被称为至圣所。幔子之内是约柜，幔子之外是代表天堂和教会圣物的各种物体，即：包金的桌子，上面有陈设饼或脸饼，金香坛，带七盏灯的金灯台，以及周围由细麻、紫色和朱红色线制成的帷幔。整个会幕的神圣性只源于约柜中的律法。由于会幕因约柜中的律法而具有神圣性，所以全体以色列人只被吩咐照着他们的支派按顺序在会幕周围安营，也按顺序跟着它起行；那时，会幕上面日间有云柱，夜间有火柱。由于律法的神圣性和耶和华在律法中的存在，耶和华在两基路伯之间的施恩座上与摩西说话；约柜被称为“耶和华在那里”。亚伦不允许进到幔子内，除非带着祭物和香，免得他死亡。由于耶和华在律法之内和周围的存在，神迹也通过包含律法的约柜而施行；如，约旦河的水被分开，只要约柜停在河中间，百姓就从干地上过去；抬着约柜围绕耶利哥城，城墙就倒塌；非利士人的神大衮先是在约柜前仆倒，脸伏于地，后来躺在庙的门槛上，头和手掌都折断了。因约柜的缘故，伯示麦人被击杀的有数千人；乌撒因触摸约柜而死。大卫献祭欢呼，把约柜抬进锡安，后来所罗门又把约柜抬进耶路撒冷的圣殿，它在那里构成圣所；除此之外还有其它许多情况。由此清楚可知，在以色列教会，十诫是神圣性本身。
283. The Ten Commandments Were the Holiest Thing
in the Israelite Church
The Ten Commandments are the most important thing in the Word. As a result, they were the most important thing in the church that was established in the Israelite nation. In a brief encapsulation they included all the elements of religion that provide for God's connection to us and our connection to God. Therefore the Ten Commandments were the holiest thing of all.
The following points show that the Ten Commandments were the holiest thing: Jehovah the Lord himself, together with angels, came down on Mount Sinai in fire and delivered the Ten Commandments by direct speech. The mountain was fenced all around so that no one would approach and die. Not even the priests or the elders were allowed to approach; only Moses. The commandments were written on two tablets of stone by the finger of God. When Moses carried the tablets down for the second time, his face was glowing.
Afterward, the tablets were stored in an ark that was at the heart of the tabernacle. There was a mercy seat on top of the ark with angel guardians made of gold over it. The inmost area in the tabernacle, where the ark was placed, was called the most holy place. Outside the veil behind which the ark stood there were several things that represented holy things in heaven and the church: a table overlaid with gold that had the showbread on it, a golden altar for burning incense, and a golden lampstand with seven lamps. There was also a curtain around the tabernacle made out of [threads of] fine linen and of purple and scarlet [yarn]. The holiness of the whole tabernacle came from no other source than the law that was inside the ark.
Because of the holiness of the tabernacle that came from the law in the ark, the entire Israelite population camped around the tabernacle, tribe by tribe, in an arrangement that was given by command. When they traveled, the tribes moved in a specific sequence behind the ark, and there was a cloud over the ark by day and a fire by night.
Because of the holiness of this law and Jehovah's presence in it, Jehovah spoke to Moses from over the mercy seat between the angel guardians. In fact, the ark was called "Jehovah" there. Aaron was not allowed inside the veil unless he offered sacrifices and burned incense, or else he would die.
Because of Jehovah's presence in this law and surrounding it, the ark containing the law performed miracles. For example, the waters of the Jordan were split apart, and as long as the ark was resting in the middle of the riverbed the people crossed on dry land. When the ark was carried around the walls of Jericho, the walls fell. Dagon, an idol of the Philistines, at first fell face down before the ark. Later, Dagon lay decapitated with the palms of its hands across the threshold of the shrine. Because of the ark, as many as several thousand inhabitants of Beth Shemesh were struck down. Uzza died because he touched the ark. David brought the ark back into Zion with sacrifices and shouts of triumph. Later on Solomon brought the ark into the Temple in Jerusalem where he had made a sanctuary for it; and so on. All these things make it clear that the Ten Commandments were the holiest thing in the Israelite church.
283. The Ten Commandments were the height of holiness for the Israelite church.
The Ten Commandments, being the starting-point of the Word and so of the church which was to be established among the Israelite nation, and being in short compass a summary of the whole of religion, making a link between God and man and man and God, were so holy that nothing holier could exist. Their outstanding holiness is evident from the following points.
The Lord Jehovah Himself came down on Mount Sinai in fire and accompanied by angels, and from there proclaimed them out loud, and the mountain was hedged about to prevent anyone approaching and being killed. Neither the priests nor the elders came near, but only Moses. The Commandments were written on two stone tablets by the finger of God. When Moses brought the tablets down the second time, his face shone. The tablets were afterwards laid up in the Ark, and this was at the centre of the Tabernacle. It was surmounted by the mercy-seat, above which were placed cherubim made of gold. This central area of the Tabernacle, where the Ark was, was called the Holy of Holies. Outside the veil, inside which the Ark was, were placed many objects to represent the holy things of heaven and the church; these were a table overlaid with gold on which the bread of the Presence was put, a golden altar on which to put incense, and a golden lamp-stand with seven lamps; also curtains all round made of fine linen, purple and scarlet. The holiness of the whole of this Tabernacle was entirely due to the law contained in the Ark.
[2] It was on account of the holiness of the Tabernacle as containing the Ark, that the whole people of Israel were commanded to camp around it in the order of their tribes; and that they set out in order after it; and that there was a cloud over it by day and fire by night. It was because of the holiness of the law, and Jehovah's presence in it, that Jehovah spoke with Moses upon the mercy-seat between the cherubim; and that the Ark was called 'Jehovah-is-there'; and that Aaron was not allowed to go inside the veil except with sacrifices and incense, on pain of death. It was because of Jehovah's presence in and around the law, that miracles were done by means of the Ark containing the law. For instance, the waters of Jordan were parted, and the people crossed over on dry land so long as the Ark rested in its midst. Its being carried round the walls of Jericho caused them to fall down. Dagon, the god of the Philistines, first of all fell on his face in the presence of the Ark, and later was found lying with his head cut off together with the palms of his two hands upon the threshold of the shrine. On account of the Ark the men of Bethshemesh were smitten to the number of many thousands. Uzzah was killed by touching the Ark. The Ark was brought into Zion by David with sacrifice and jubilation. Later it was put by Solomon into the Temple at Jerusalem, and he made its inner shrine there. From these and many other details it is plain that the Ten Commandments were the height of holiness for the Israelite church.
283. IN THE ISRAELITISH CHURCH THE DECALOGUE WAS HOLINESS ITSELF.
The commandments of the Decalogue were the first fruits of the Word and therefore the firstfruits of the church about to be established with the Israelitish nation, and as they were in a brief summary the complex of all things of religion, whereby there is a conjunction of God with man and of man with God, they were so holy that nothing could be holier. That they were most holy is clearly manifest from the following facts: That Jehovah Himself, the Lord, descended upon Mount Sinai in fire, accompanied by angels, and promulgated these laws therefrom by a living voice [and that the people were three days preparing themselves to see and hear], and that bounds were set round about the mountain, lest anyone should approach and die; and that neither the priests nor the elders drew near, but Moses only. That these commandments were written by the finger of God on two tables of stone. That when Moses brought those tables down the second time his face shone. That the tables were afterward deposited in the ark, and the ark was placed in the inmost of the tabernacle, and over it was placed the mercy-seat, and over this the golden cherubs; and that this inmost in the tabernacle, where the ark was, was called the holy of holies. That outside the veil, within which was the ark, various things were arranged representing the holy things of heaven and the church, namely, the table overlaid with gold on which was the bread of faces, the golden altar for incense, the golden lampstand with seven lamps, also the curtains round about, made of fine linen, purple and scarlet. The holiness of the whole tabernacle was from no other source than the law which was in the ark. On account of the holiness of the tabernacle from the law in the ark, the whole Israelitish people by command encamped around it in order according to their tribes, and marched in order after it; and there was then a cloud over it by day and a fire by night. On account of the holiness of that law, and the presence of Jehovah therein, Jehovah talked with Moses above the mercy-seat between the cherubs; and the ark was called "Jehovah there." That Aaron was not permitted to enter within the veil except with sacrifices and incense, lest he die. Also on account of the presence of Jehovah in and about the law, miracles were wrought by means of the ark which contained the law; as that the waters of Jordan were divided, and so long as the ark rested in the midst of the river the people passed over on dry ground; the walls of Jericho fell by the carrying of the ark around them; Dagon the god of the Philistines first fell on his face before it, and afterward lay upon the threshold of the temple with his head and the palms of his hands cut off. Because of the ark the Bethshemites were smitten to the number of several thousands; and Uzzah died because he touched it. The ark was brought by David into Zion with sacrifice and jubilation, and afterwards by Solomon into the temple at Jerusalem, of which it constituted the sanctuary; besides many other things. From all this it is clear that in the Israelitish church the Decalogue was holiness itself.
283. IN THE ISRAELITISH CHURCH THE DECALOGUE WAS HOLINESS ITSELF
The Commandments of the Decalogue were the first principles of the Word, and consequently the first principles of the Church which was to be established among the Israelitish nation. They were moreover in short summary form an epitome of the whole of religion by which is effected the conjunction of God with man, and of man with God; consequently they were holy above all else. Their supreme holiness is clearly evident from the following circumstances. Jehovah Himself, the Lord, attended by angels, descended upon Mount Sinai in fire, and thence promulgated them by word of mouth. Bounds were set about the Mount lest anyone should approach and die. Neither the priests nor the Elders drew near, but Moses only. The Commandments were written on two tables of stone by the finger of God. The face of Moses shone when he brought down the two tables the second time. The tables were afterwards deposited in the ark, and this was placed in the inmost sanctuary of the tabernacle. Over the ark was placed the mercy-seat, above which were placed the golden cherubim. The inmost sanctuary of the tabernacle, where the ark was kept, was called the Holy of holies. Outside the veil, behind which was the ark, were placed many objects representing the holy things of heaven and the Church, namely, the table overlaid with gold, on which was the shew-bread, the golden altar of incense, and the golden lampstand with seven lamps, and also the curtains round about, made of fine linen, purple and scarlet. The holiness of the whole of this tabernacle was derived solely from the Law which was in the ark. On account of this holiness of the tabernacle, arising from the Law in the ark, all the people of Israel mere commanded to encamp about it in order, according to their tribes, and to march in order after it, when a cloud was over it by day, and a fire by night. On account of the holiness of the Law, and the presence of Jehovah in it, Jehovah talked with Moses from over the mercy seat between the cherubim, and the ark was called "The Presence of Jehovah." Aaron was not permitted to enter within the veil, except with sacrifices and incense, lest he should die.
On account of the presence of Jehovah in and about the Law miracles were also wrought by the ark, within which was the Law. Thus the waters of Jordan were divided, and while the ark rested in the midst of the river, the people passed over on dry ground. The walls of Jericho fell because the ark was carried round them. Dagon, the god of the Philistines, first fell down on his face before it, and afterwards lay, with his head and the palms of his hands cut off, upon the threshold of his temple. The Bethshemites, to the number of many thousands, were smitten on account of it, and Uzzah died because he touched it. The ark was brought, with sacrifice and jubilations, to Zion by David; and afterwards by Solomon into the temple at Jerusalem, where it constituted the sanctuary. From these and many other circumstances it is manifest that the Decalogue was holiness itself in the Israelitish Church.
283. Quod Decalogus fuerit ipsa Sanctitas 1 in Ecclesia Israelitica.
Praecepta Decalogi, quia fuerunt Primitiae Verbi, et inde Primitiae Ecclesiae apud Gentem Israeliticam instaurandae, et quia erant in brevi summario Complexus omnium Religionis, per quae conjunctio Dei cum homine, et hominis cum Deo datur, ideo tam sancta fuerunt, ut nihil sanctius. Quod sanctissima fuerint, evidenter patet a sequentibus his: Quod Ipse Jehovah Dominus descenderit super Monte Sinai in igne et cum Angelis, et illa viva voce inde promulgaverit, et quod Mons circumseptus fuerit, ne quis accederet et moreretur; quod nec Sacerdotes neque Seniores appropinquarent, sed Moses solus. Quod Praecepta illa binis Tabulis lapideis digito Dei inscripta fuerint. Quod cum Moses, Tabulas illas secunda vice deportavit, facie radiaverit. Quod Tabulae postea repositae fuerint in Arca; et haec intime in Tabernaculo; et super illam datum sit Propitiatorium, et super hoc positi Cherubi ex auro: quod Intimum illud in Tabernaculo, ubi Arca erat, vocaretur Sanctum sanctorum. Quod extra Velum, intra quod illa Arca fuit, collocata sint plura, quae repraesentaverunt sancta Coeli et Ecclesiae, quae erant, Mensa obducta auro super qua Panes facierum, Altare aureum super quo suffimenta, et Candelabrum aureum cum septem Lucernis; tum Aulaea circum circa ex bysso, purpura, et coccino: Sanctitas totius hujus Tabernaculi non aliunde fuit, quam ex Lege quae fuit in Arca. Propter Sanctitatem Tabernaculi ex Lege in Arca, universus Populus Israeliticus circum illud in ordine secundum Tribus ex mandato castrametatus est; et in ordine post illud profectus; et tunc supra illud fuit Nubes interdiu, et Ignis noctu.
[2] Propter Sanctitatem Legis illius, et praesentiam Jehovae in illa, loquebatur Jehovah super Propitiatorio inter Cherubos cum Mose; et Arca vocabatur Jehovah ibi. Quod non licuerit Aharoni intrare intra Velum, nisi cum sacrificiis et suffitu, ne moreretur. Propter Jehovae praesentiam in Lege illa et circum illam, etiam Miracula per Arcam, in qua Lex illa fuit, facta sunt: ut quod Aquae Jordanis discissae sint, et quamdiu Arca in medio ejus quiescebat, Populus in sicco transiverit. Quod per circumlationem ejus Muri Jerichuntis conciderint. Quod Dagon Deus Philisthaeorum coram illa primum super faciebus suis deciderit, et postea abscissus a capite cum duabus volis manuum super limine fani jacuerit: quod propter illam percussi sint Bethschemitae ad plura millia. Quod Usa, quia tetigit illam, mortuus sit. 2 Quod Arca illa introducta sit cum sacrificio et jubilis in Zionem a Davide: et quod postea a Salomone in Templum Hierosolymitanum, ubi faciebat ejus adytum; praeter plura; ex quibus patet, quod Decalogus fuerit ipsa Sanctitas in Ecclesia Israelitica.
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