Jesus And The Feast Of Dedication
John 10:22-23 records, “Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the Temple area walking in Solomon’s Colonnade.” As a Jew, Jesus most certainly would have participated in the Feast of Dedication.
The same courageous spirit of the Maccabees who remained faithful to God during intense persecution was passed on to Jesus’ disciples who would all face severe trails because of their faithfulness to Christ. And like the supernatural presence of God expressed through the eternal flame burning for the Maccabees, Jesus became the incarnate, physical expression of God’s presence, the Light of the World, who came to dwell among us and give us the eternal light of God’s life.
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The address by the Acting President of GKS, Brother Felix E. Adedokun entitled: Who is on Lords side? will be delivered during the Last and Great Day holy convocation on Sunday, December 19, 2021 by Gods grace.
Other events in the programme include a Sisters Assembly, where women will exhort their fellow women on the topics, What it means to be a spiritual Jewess and Marriage, a sacred institution. Though there will be no processions through the streets of Warri during the Feast, the Sisters will assemble in Salem City on Saturday, December 18, 2021 to present their gifts to the Lords Ministry, in support of the work of God. They will also present an address on that occasion. There will also be the blessing of little children and a declaration of faith in God Almighty and His son Jesus Christ by the Laity of the Church.
The GKS has been observing the Feast of Tabernacles since 1935.
What Is A Sukkah
Tabernacles and booths are attempts to translate sukkot into English. The singular form is sukkah.
A sukkah is a makeshift shade from the sun made from readily available materials. For example, during the harvest season of late summer, a laborer might rise early and work throughout the morning. Then as the oppressive midday sun bears down, he takes a break. Using leftover plant stalks, leaves, and branches, he constructs a simple shelter to provide him with shade.
One traveling through Israels countryside during the harvest season in biblical times would no doubt have seen many of these little shelters in fields, vineyards, and orchards. But they are not just for harvest. Jonah also built such a sukkah to sit in as he waited to see what would come of Nineveh . Jacob built sukkot for his cattle in his journeys, and actually named the place after them .
When the ancient Israelites emerged from Egypt, they left their houses behind. At first, they would not even have had tents to pitch to protect themselves. They would have gathered whatever brush they could find to keep the sun off their heads. God himself also sheltered them from the suns rays his presence was the sukkah they needed!
Because of its uses, the sukkah is a symbol for both harvest and sojourning.
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Unity At Feast Of Tabernacles
Waving the full bouquet, the Jewish people plead before God, Lord, take us all as we are, and at the same time proclaim the unity of all Israel, by faith. Through Gods Word, we know that He indeed receives us as we are, but He has no intention to let us remain the same. He is faithful to teach us, transform us and help us grow.
The message of the Feast of Tabernacles is also about the future the second coming of Messiah, which will be a joyous day for those who know Him. When the Messiah comes, He will collect the harvest for the Fathers Kingdom.
In the Jewish synagogues, people often read from the Book of Zechariah, especially chapter 14 that foreshadows the return of the Messiah and His saints. It speaks of the Messiahs reign, Gods exaltation of Jerusalem, overcoming Israels enemies, and all nations pilgrimaging to Gods Holy City for Sukkot.
Why Is Sukkot Also Called The Feast Of Tabernacles
Sukkot commemorates the years that the Jews spent in the desert on their way to the Promised Land, and celebrates the way in which God protected them under difficult desert conditions. Sukkot is also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, or the Feast of Booths.
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Significance Of Sukkot In The Bible
The observance of the Feast of Tabernacles is recorded in Exodus 23:16, 34:22 Leviticus 23:34-43 Numbers 29:12-40 Deuteronomy 16:13-15 Ezra 3:4 and Nehemiah 8:13-18.
The Bible reveals dual significance in the Feast of Tabernacles. Agriculturally, Sukkot is Israel’s “Thanksgiving.” It is a joyous harvest festival celebrating the completion of the agricultural year.
As a historical feast, its main characteristic is the requirement of Israel’s people to leave their homes and to dwell in temporary shelters or booths. The Jews built these booths to commemorate their deliverance from Egypt and their protection, provision, and care by the hand of God during their 40 years in the wilderness.
As a feast instituted by God, Sukkot was never forgotten. It was celebrated in the time of Solomon:
He offered the sacrifices for the Sabbaths, the new moon festivals, and the three annual festivalsâthe Passover celebration, the Festival of Harvest, and the Festival of Sheltersâas Moses had commanded.
In fact, it was during Sukkot that Solomonâs temple was dedicated:
So all the men of Israel assembled before King Solomon at the annual Festival of Shelters, which is held in early autumn in the month of Ethanim.
The Bible records the Feast of Tabernacle being observed during Hezekiah‘s time , and also after the return from exile .
Hoshana Raba And The Water Pouring Ceremony
A what ceremony? If this is the first time you are hearing about it, it may be because it is not mentioned in the Bible. Why do we mention it then? Because the ritual must have started some time during the Old Testament days. It was mentioned only in the Talmud . Nevertheless, the tradition was widely practiced in Jesus lifetime.
The Water Pouring Ceremony, or Water Drawing, was an event on the last day of Sukkot. The Priests would pour water over the altar that was earlier drawn from the Pool of Siloe. The previously mentioned name, Hoshana Raba was derived from the words of Prophet Isaiah. He wrote, with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation . Thus, the people were drawing and pouring the water while praying for salvation.
Apostle John calls it the greatest day of the Feast of Tabernacles. It is no coincidence that on this day Yeshua was on the Temple Mount to tell His brothers and sisters that He can give them living water:
On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them. John 7:37-38
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Shemini Atzeret And Simchat Torah
The holiday immediately following Sukkot is known as Shemini Atzeret . Shemini Atzeret is usually viewed as a separate holiday. In the Diaspora a second additional holiday, Simchat Torah , is celebrated. In the Land of Israel, Simchat Torah is celebrated on Shemini Atzeret. On Shemini Atzeret people leave their sukkah and eat their meals inside the house. Outside the Land of Israel, many eat in the sukkah without making the blessing. The sukkah is not used on Simchat Torah.
One Day All Nations Will Flow To Jerusalem For The Festival Why Not Start Now
Jewish Holidays, SukkotSep 20, 2018
SukkotSep 20, 2018
By Aaron Eby
Every year, throngs of Christians from all over the world flood the streets of Jerusalem, waving flags of Israel and the nations from which they come. It is a beautiful expression of solidarity for Israel and love for the Jewish people.
Many of these Christians are inspired by biblical prophecy. According to Zechariah, there will come a time when people from all nations will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles . But what is the Feast of Tabernacles?
The Feast of Tabernacles, also sometimes called the Feast of Booths in some translations, is one of the biblical holidays described in Leviticus 23. Jewish people do not typically refer to it as the Feast of Tabernacles , but more commonly refer to it by its Hebrew name: Sukkot.
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What Is The Meaning Of The Jewish Holiday Sukkot
The Feast of Tabernacles, also known as the Feast of the Tabernacles, is celebrated every year on the 15th of the Jewish month of Tishrei . During the 40 years the Jews spent in the desert on their way to the Promised Land after escaping slavery in Egypt, Sukkot commemorates the 40 years they spent in the desert.
How Sukkot Is Celebrated
You shall dwell in sukkot seven daysin order that future generations may know that I made the Israelite people live in sukkot when I brought them out of the land of Egypt, I the Lord your God. Leviticus 23:42
Sukkot means huts or booths and the festival is celebrated in open air structures called sukkah.
The essential thing about the hut is that it should have a roof of branches and leaves, through which those inside can see the sky, and that it should be a temporary and flimsy thing, according to BBC.
Spending time in a fragile hut in the garden, or under a roof of leaves rigged up on a balcony gives them the experience of living exposed to the world, without a nice comfy shell around them, the BBC added. It reminds them that there is only one real source of security and protection, and that is God.
According to Chabad, the sukkah cant be under a roof or tree it needs at least two walls and a partial third.
The walls need to be somewhat firm, not flapping in the breeze, so use boards or well-tied fabrics, Chabad advised.
The covering needs to be made of a material that grew from the ground, repurposed building materials and 2x4s are out, as are raw animal hide and synthetic mesh.
The Sukkot ritual is to take the Four Kinds: an etrog , a lulav , three hadassim and two aravot . Those celebrating rejoice with the plant materials by shaking them or waiving them, according to Leviticus 23: 39-40.
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Bible Verses About Feast Of Tabernacles
Also you shall observe the Feast of the Harvest of the first fruits of your labors from what you sow in the field also the Feast of the Ingathering at the end of the year when you gather in the fruit of your labors from the field.
You shall celebrate the Feast of Weeks, that is, the first fruits of the wheat harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering at the turn of the year.Three times a year all your males are to appear before the Lord God, the God of Israel.
Then Solomon offered burnt offerings to the Lord on the altar of the Lord which he had built before the porch and did so according to the daily rule, offering them up according to the commandment of Moses, for the sabbaths, the new moons and the three annual feaststhe Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Booths.
Now on the first day you shall take for yourselves the foliage of beautiful trees, palm branches and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days.
Can We Be Joyful On Command
Perhaps it seems strange to you to be commanded to rejoice, but the Bible does indeed command it many times. Can we just switch on this emotion? First of all, rejoicing is an act, rather than an emotion, but secondly, there are certainly things that we can do in order to position ourselves to be filled with joy.
Thankfulness
As we reflect upon all the good things in our lives, and count our blessings, we inevitably find we have much to rejoice about. I have a habit of writing a list of thanks every morning in a lined notepad, and make sure that I get to the bottom of the page before I stop! I have heard it said that recalling just five things that youre grateful for each morning will have a significant affect on your outlook. Another exercise is to go through the alphabet, one letter at a time, thinking of something to be grateful for beginning with each letter. You get the idea. Being thankful takes a bit of concerted effort at the beginning, but becomes more and more natural, the more we do it. And the more we maintain an attitude of gratitude, the more joyful we will inevitably become.
Be full of the Holy Spirit
Joy comes from obedience
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Simchat Beit Hashoevah Water
During the intermediate days of Sukkot, gatherings of music and dance, known as Simchat Beit HaShoeivah , take place. This commemorates the drawing of the water for the water-libation on the Altar, an offering unique to Sukkot, when water was carried up the Jerusalem pilgrim road from the Pool of Siloam to the Temple in Jerusalem.
Chol Hamoed Intermediate Days
The second through seventh days of Sukkot are called Chol HaMoed . These days are considered by halakha to be more than regular weekdays but less than festival days. In practice, this means that all activities that are needed for the holidaysuch as buying and preparing food, cleaning the house in honor of the holiday, or traveling to visit other people’s sukkot or on family outingsare permitted by Jewish law. Activities that will interfere with relaxation and enjoyment of the holidaysuch as laundering, mending clothes, engaging in labor-intensive activitiesare not permitted.
Religious Jews often treat Chol HaMoed as a vacation period, eating nicer than usual meals in their sukkah, entertaining guests, visiting other families in their sukkot, and taking family outings. Many synagogues and Jewish centers also offer events and meals in their sukkot during this time to foster community and goodwill.
On the Shabbat which falls during the week of Sukkot , the Book of Ecclesiastes is read during morning synagogue services in the Land of Israel. This Book’s emphasis on the ephemeralness of life echoes the theme of the sukkah, while its emphasis on death reflects the time of year in which Sukkot occurs . The penultimate verse reinforces the message that adherence to God and His Torah is the only worthwhile pursuit.
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A Time For Sharing And Fellowship
It is traditional to invite guests each night of the week long feast, to share and enjoy the sukkah together to extend hospitality, friendship and stories. It is a time to celebrate the fruits of the harvest, and to rejoice, giving thanks for all God has given us, and give back to God in return.
The Lord outlines his instructions about this feast three times, in Leviticus 23, Numbers 29 and Deuteronomy 16. Deuteronomy 16:13-17 says:
You shall keep the Feast of Booths for seven days, when you have gathered in the produce from your threshing floor and your wine press. You shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow who are within your towns.
For seven days you shall keep the feast to the Lord your God at the place that the Lord will choose, because the Lord your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you will be altogether joyful.
Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord your God at the place that he will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Booths. They shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed. Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God that he has given you.
Israel And The Nations
During the Festival of Booths, the Jewish people also pray for other nations, inviting them to come to Jerusalem to celebrate together, since God already commanded Moses and the Hebrews to include the foreigner in their feasts.
Feast of Tabernacles is a time to evaluate our past and refocus our minds on the right path. God wants each generation to remember their journey after they left Egypt:
You may say to yourself, My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me. But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms His covenant, which He swore to your ancestors, as it is today.Deuteronomy 8:17-18
The Feast of Tabernacles is a time of spiritual purification for a man and a woman, to reconcile with God. Its a season of overwhelming joy. The abundant crops are a reminder of Gods goodness. Israel rejoices in the miraculous protection of God who accompanied them in the desert. It is also a manifestation of total dependence on God.
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