Leviticus 23:34-43, Feast of Tabernacles

We are in Israel and it is Feast of Tabernacles. The tradition these days is that people might build a "booth" and try to eat in it once a day. Our group last night for our inaugural event enjoyed take out from an Italian restaurant near our guesthouse (Beit Immanuel) in their garden area.

In addition the modern tradition is to do what they did in Bible times: take the week off. Actually there is no school although most businesses will be operating. It begins Sunday evening and the first day is a Shabbat as in Bible times. And the last day is Shabbat. Thus many businesses will be closed although you can usually find what you need as the Muslim and Christian businesses will be open.

Today's reading gives the Biblical tradition. It was to celebrate the Exodus. The Israelites were nomadic for 40 years. Living in temporary dwellings. In other words the Bible, as always, trusts its own history. This is a powerful and essential truth and one that comes to life when you visit Israel. The historical is not myth. It is true and must be true as it all points to the ultimate truth of the Incarnation: GOD ENTERED HISTORY AT A REAL PLACE IN A REAL TIME.
Feast of Tabernacles is referred to several times in Scripture. Let me mention three.

• 2 Chronicles 6 when Solomon brought God's resting place, the Ark of the Covenant, to Jerusalem and the temple he built. Solomon knew God could not be confined to a temporary dwelling. Yet God condescended to dwell in such a way with men. That this happened at Tabernacles time when Israel remembers its temporary dwellings is powerful.

• John 7 when Jesus celebrated it. 2 things are of note. First Jesus noted His temporary earthly life: Then Jesus said to them, “I shall be with you a little while longer, and then I go to Him who sent Me. You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come” (v33-34). And then on the last day of the feast, the Shabbat, when the temple was packed, the tradition was that the priest would go from the temple to the Pool of Siloam and return with a pitcher of water. In that context Jesus said these words: On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified (v37-39). Powerful!

• Zechariah 14 where we are told the Feast of Tabernacles will be celebrated in the Messianic kingdom. The message of God's provision of a temporary home in anticipation of the eternal home never ceases to be appropriate.

We are blessed to be here with the crowds of Jews and Gentiles alike who are here to remember. May they all remember the truth of this festival.