264. 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 people of Israel, 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 Gentiles, 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 called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate with them. Numbers 25:1-2.
Balaam, who was from the land of Syria, caused altars to be built, and sacrificed oxen and sheep. Numbers 22:40, and Numbers 23:1-2, 14, 29-30.
He also prophesied concerning the Lord, saying that there should come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre should rise out of Israel. Numbers 24:17;
and he prophesied from the mouth of JEHOVAH. Numbers 22:13, 18; 23:3, 5, 8, 16, 26; and Numbers 24:1, 13.
From these passages it is evident that Divine worship, almost like that instituted by Moses among the people of Israel, existed among the Gentiles. That it also existed before the time of Abraham is plain from what is written by Moses, Deuteronomy 32:7-8; but still more plain from the fact that Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought forth bread and wine, and blessed Abram; and that Abram gave him tithes of all, Genesis 14:18-20. 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 by David,
"Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek" Psalms 110:4.
This was why Melchizedek brought forth bread and wine, the holiest things of the Church, as they still are holy in the Sacred Supper. Besides these there are many other evident proofs that, previous to the Israelitish Word, there existed a Word from which such revelations were derived.
