John 7:37

JESUS THE CHRIST (John 7:37-52)

37. On the last day, that great day of the feast.

Whether the great day, so emphatically mentioned, was the seventh, or the eighth day, is. point that has been much discussed and which cannot be certainly settled. There were seven active days of the feast and the eighth was. day of holy rest. It is probable that he to whom all the feasts of Israel pointed, chose this eighth day, the last day, for the proclamation of himself as the hope and joy of Israel. Seven days in tents commemorated the sojourn in the desert, but the eighth day, it is supposed, was devoted more especially to rejoicing and thanksgiving for the blessings of the year. It was. kind of "harvest home."

If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.

Every morning whilst the Israelites were gathered in the temple courts, one of the priests brought water drawn in. golden urn from the pool of Siloam, and amid the sounding of trumpets and other demonstrations of joy, poured the water upon the altar. This rite is not mentioned in the Old Testament; but, as. commemoration of the miraculous supply of water from the rock of Horeb in the wilderness, it was in harmony with the spirit of the festival. The chanting of the great Hallel (Ps. 113-118) celebrated the past, but the Talmud declares that the Jews connected with this ceremony the words of Isaiah 12:3: "Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation," and saw in it. type of the effusion of the Holy Spirit. It is held that it is with reference to this pouring out of water, the Savior cried, "If any man thirst, let him come to me and drink." Alford holds that for seven days the water was poured every morning, but that on the eighth there was. blank, and that then he invited them to the living water which would really quench the thirst of the soul and not leave them unsatisfied.