That this was a shadow, we have no doubt : and that Christ is the substance, is equally clear and certain : this point is determined by God himself in reference to the feasts and Sabbaths in general6, and therefore much more in relation to this, which was as sacred a feast as any, perhaps the most so of any, in the whole year. We apprehend then that this feast was intended to shadow forth,
1. The incarnation of Christ — [The three great feasts were, the Passover, or feast of un- leavened bread, the feast of Pentecost, and the feast of taber- nacles. In the first, the death of Christ was typified : in the second, the out-pouring of the Spirit : and in this last, the in- carnation of Christ. It was highly probable that this great event would be shadowed forth by some feast, as well as the other two : and there is good reason to think it was referred to in the feast before us. The very term used by the Evan- gelist in declaring the incarnation of our Lord, seems to mark this reference f: and the conduct of the people, when they were persuaded that he was the Christ, corresponds very much with the rights prescribed at this feast: " They cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way, and cried, Ho- sanna to the Son of David ! Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosannah in the highest5!" It is true, this was at another feast: but still it marks the connexion in their minds between the feast of tabernacles, and the advent of the Messiah. There was a remarkable circumstance which took place at the feast of tabernacles, which throws some addi- tional light on this subject. The eighth day was " the great day of the feast." And though the dwelling in booths was discontinued, the people observed the season as a feast unto the Lord. They had indeed substituted a rite or ceremony on that day, bringing water from the pool of Siloam, and pouring it out as a libation to the Lord. The idea was perhaps adopted from that expression of the prophet, " With joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation11." On this day, in the place of public concourse, our Lord stood and cried with a loud voice, " If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink1." This was in fact, as if he had said, You expect at
e Col. ii. 16, 17.
f John i. 14. i<TK))vw<T£i>. And though custom has led us to regard December as the time of his birth, the arguments to prove that he was bom in the autumn are far more probable. Could this point be perfectly ascertained, it would strongly confirm the supposed reference of this feast to that event.
g Matt. xxi. 8, 9. » Isai. xii. 3. '' John vii. 2, 37, 38.