Valerie van den Bergh – Did He have a favourite festival?

Valerie van den Bergh – Did He have a favourite festival?

Passover, Shavu’ot, Succot – appointments with the LORD God of Israel. Yeshua smiled as He remembered celebrations of the past, the far distant past. His memories rested on Succot, the Festival of Booths. It was this season His people were now celebrating. Zman simchatenu – the season of our rejoicing, the Rabbis called it. Yes, He thought. This is the time that brought Him the most pleasure, and His Father. This festival was for all of Israel. Everyone was invited to the party in Jerusalem!

“Mark, on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you gathered in the yield of your land, you shall observe the festival of the LORD (to last) seven days, a complete rest on the first day, and a complete rest on the eighth day. On the first day you shall take the product of hadar trees, branches of palm trees, boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days. You shall observe it as a festival of the LORD for seven days in the year; you shall observe it in the seventh month as a law for all time, throughout the ages. You shall live in booths seven days; all citizens in Israel shall live in booths, in order that future generations may know that I made the Israelite people live in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt, I the LORD your God.”

He was presently sitting in the sukkah of some friends, alone with His thoughts. The air was fragrant with citron, myrtle, palm, and willow. Israel had dwelt in tents during their 40-year preparation to enter the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The sukkah was a reminder of those days, wandering through the wilderness under a cloud of protection by day, and the warmth of fire within that cloud by night. The Presence of God. He had cared for Israel’s every need during those pilgrim years – shelter, clothes and shoes that did not wear out, manna, quail.

And water from the Rock.

This Festival of Ingathering also served as an opportunity to give thanks for the fall harvest and its yield – a seasonal reminder of God’s kindness to Israel.

“After the ingathering from your threshing floor and your vat, you shall hold the Feast of Booths for seven days. You shall rejoice in your festival, with your son and daughter, your male and female slave, the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow in your communities. You shall hold a festival for the LORD your God for seven days, in the place that the LORD will choose; for the LORD your God will bless all your crops and all your undertakings, and you shall have nothing but joy.”

Coming on the heels of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, Israel could celebrate knowing its covenant had once again been restored. The month of Tishri ushered Israel into a season of repentance and redemption, a season which culminated in this glorious celebration. Cleansed and forgiven, the Jews could genuinely be full of joy at Succot. As long as Israel served the One True God, the land would know freedom and prosperity. Israel would have the abiding Presence of the Holy One of Israel in its midst!

The GLORY!

The GLORY and Succot were made for each other. The Manifest Presence and this festival together would teach Israel about God dwelling among His people. The LORD’s desire was to be with His people, to have a relationship with them up close and personal. Man was created to have intimacy with his Creator – to walk side by side in the cool of the evening. Adam experienced this. So did Enoch. Unfortunately, sin and rebellion against God took its toll. Despite this, His Father attempted other relationships down through the ages. A bright spot was Abraham, known in heavenly circles as the friend of God.

A covenant had been made with Abraham – a promise of an heir, a people, a country – a promise of redemption. Abraham understood His Abba’s heart the best. The offering up of his own son, Isaac – the promise – was proof of that. Abraham’s heart echoed with the words of his God. I would not ask you to do something I, Myself, was not willing to do.

Abraham saw My day and rejoiced in it! Yeshua triumphantly spoke this out loud. The Jewish leaders would soon hear these very words come from His lips.

Isaac and Jacob had a relationship with God, but again, His Father hungered for something deeper. Centuries went by; then, one day, along came Moses.

How many ways can the LORD God manifest Himself and speak to His creation? The burning bush was fun. It had both amused and intrigued the angels. They understood that Moses was special. The Presence of the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob would end up dwelling in a Tent constructed by this man. The visitation on Mount Sinai after the exodus from Egypt was a Father’s hope that His children would welcome Him into their midst and want a relationship with Him. Instead, they were afraid of the thunder and lightning; afraid of the smoke and the fire.

They were afraid of the GLORY.

The Mishkan, the place where the Manifest Presence finally came to rest, was the compromise.

Moses was addicted to the GLORY of His God, as was Joshua, his successor. If only the tribes of Israel had grasped the understanding these men came to possess.

Us and them. It was never supposed to be that way.

Yeshua laughed out loud as He recalled a certain someone who instinctively knew this. It was all or nothing with this man. David, more than any other, understood the passion and the fire that resonated within His God.

A passion for intimacy.

Israel’s first king built his own sukkah for the GLORY to rest. For most of his reign, David had a personal audience with the Presence of God. The Ark stood unencumbered, surrounded by continual praise and worship. The prophet Amos foretold the reconstruction of this sukkah of David. Yeshua’s spirit rejoiced within Him, knowing that this event was a whisper away.

David’s desire was to build his LORD a permanent dwelling place. He had the desire and the blueprint; however, despite being a man after God’s own heart, he was also a man of war. Hands that shed blood don’t build structures to house the GLORY. That would be for David’s son.

Solomon had chosen the seventh month in which to dedicate his Temple. As Torah commanded, the nation was assembled in Jerusalem for Succot. All of Heaven waited with baited breath that day. Word had spread that the LORD was going to pay a very special visit to the city where He had chosen to establish His name. The Holy One had been waiting for this day. Jerusalem, and most notably, this House, was where He would permanently dwell among His people.

How He yearned to be close to Israel, His chosen! How His heart ached to be near them!

The Ark of the LORD’s Covenant had been put in its place. The priests, the singers, and the musicians joined together to praise and extol Israel’s God. “For He is good, for His steadfast love is eternal,” grew louder and rang to the highest heaven. Knowing He was welcome, His Presence, His GLORY, filled the Temple!

It was recorded of this day that the priests could not stand to perform their duties in the Temple. God was in the House.

Solomon’s Temple no longer stood. The GLORY had departed from Jerusalem because Israel desired other gods and other festivities. Their sin had exiled them to pagan lands, and others lived in the land given to their forefathers. Nehemiah’s heart burned within him, and he came back from Babylon to rebuild Jerusalem. Here was another who recognized the significance of Succot. After reading the Torah in the seventh month, Nehemiah and Ezra, the priest, saw to a glorious celebration of this special time. These men hungered for the GLORY to return to Jerusalem.

Over the years, the Temple had been rebuilt. Wanting his own place in history, Herod had added his own architectural touches to the House. His allegiance to Rome was quite evident.

It was to this Temple that Yeshua came to deliver the message His Father had burned in His spirit.

It was the truth that the GLORY now stood in their midst.

Yeshua loved the Temple rituals at Succot. Eternity would bear out their significance. There were more sacrifices at this time than at any other. Seventy bulls in total were sacrificed. The Rabbis understood why. God’s heart was not only for Israel, but for the nations as well! Israel’s priests actually sacrificed and interceded for the nations during Succot. The prophets also understood this, Zechariah, in particular. He spoke of the nations coming up to Jerusalem to celebrate Succot.

Israel and the nations – together, in one place – worshipping the One True God.

“Arise, shine, for your light has dawned;
The Presence of the LORD has shone upon you!
Behold! Darkness shall cover the earth,
And thick clouds the peoples;
But upon you the LORD will shine,
And His Presence be seen over you.
And nations shall walk by your light,
Kings, by your shining radiance.”

Jerusalem was transformed into a luminary wonder during this festival! At twilight, the four giant menorahs in the court were lit by the priests. The city could be seen from miles around. The air was filled with music and singing. Men of God danced with torches in their hands.

“The people that walked in darkness
Have seen a brilliant light;
On those who dwelt in a land of gloom
Light has dawned.”

I am that Light! During this Succot, Yeshua ‘s people would hear Him shout these words. His Father had also told him that a man born blind would receive his sight after washing at the Pool of Siloam.

Messiah was to bring light into the darkness.

There were already many questions about His identity. His family taunted Him. The anger and animosity of many of the spiritual leaders had been stirred. Many, though, were listening and secretly believing that He was the Promised One.

How does one speak with such authority if he is not from God?

The last day of the festival, the Hoshana Rabbah, would leave little room for doubt.

The ceremony that excited the Jewish people most at Succot was the Simchat Bet HaSho’evah, the water-drawing ceremony. Isaiah, Israel’s prophet/poet, captured the joy of this water libation ritual.

“Joyfully shall you draw water
From the fountains of salvation,
And you shall say on that day:
“Praise the LORD, proclaim His name.
Make His deeds known among the peoples;
Declare that His name is exalted.
Hymn the LORD,
For He has done gloriously;
Let this be made known
In all the world!
Oh, shout for joy,
You who dwell in Zion!
For great in your midst
Is the Holy One of Israel.”

As the fire in the menorahs died out in the dawn’s light, a joyful procession wended its way from the Temple area to the Pool at Siloam. Music floated through the air as the procession made its way to gather water in a golden pitcher. Flutes and other instruments played while the Hallels were sung antiphonally. The Levites sang the Psalms. The people of Israel sang them back. Everyone was welcome in this celebration, and everyone took part. Joyful shouts were heard as the priest raised his hand high to pour the water libation on the southwest corner of the Altar. This ceremony reminded Israel that it was dependant upon the LORD for water and rain. Water was vital to the land at this time. Israel needed the rains for the next season’s harvest. Plentiful rain would mean that God was blessing the land.

Water also symbolized the Holy Spirit of God. Israel desperately needed the rains, but they needed the Presence of their God even more. How long had it been since the GLORY had departed? Their souls were thirsty for the LORD God of Israel.

They needed water from the Rock.

Yeshua sighed deeply. His mind flooded with images that could not be articulated. He closed His eyes and asked Abba for wisdom and strength for the challenge ahead. The seventh day of Succot had begun the previous evening with the menorah service and torch dances. The sun would be rising in a couple of hours. He would head out and join the procession returning to the Temple from the Pool of Siloam.

Yeshua quietly walked alongside the parade of worshippers. Having entered the Temple, He observed the rituals from a secluded vantage point. He watched and waited. The water and wine libations were poured out. The air was filled with the pungent odour of the prescribed sacrifices. People everywhere carried the palm branches that would be waved and marched around the Altar. It would be done seven times today.

‘Ana Adonai hoshiah na. Please, LORD. Save us!

The Temple was a flurry of activity; but then the break which Yeshua had patiently anticipated arrived. With all power and authority, and with the smile of His Father on Him, the Messiah of Israel stood up and roared:

IS ANYBODY THIRSTY?

Scriptural References
(book order and chapter/verse reference are from Hebrew canon)

Exodus 23:14-17 Leviticus 23:39-43 Numbers 29 Deuteronomy 16:13-15 I Kings 8 Isaiah 9:1; 12:3-6; 60:1-3

Amos 9:11 Zechariah 14:16-19 Psalms 113 – 118 Nehemiah 8 II Chronicles 5:2-14 John 7, 8, 9