Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
“The feasts of the Lord which you (Moses) shall proclaim to be holy convocations are My Moeds (holy days).” Days of feasting and worship were put in place by God to mystify and confound the enemy so that their wranglings were ignored as the Hebrew people feasted, rejoiced and praised the Lord. Seven such feasts began with Passover and ended with Succoth, each year. The joy of the Lord is STRENGTH that the adversary cannot comprehend. Nehemiah 8:10; John 1:5
Succoth begins September 30th this year. The Jewish Feast of Tabernacles lasts for 7 days with a huge assembly, the 8th day. The people bring palm tree branches, sing and pour water on the alter. They live in tents all week, reminding and rejoicing that Yahweh brought them out of Egypt and slavery, fed them with manna forty years and brought them to the land Abraham walked on, claiming it, forever, for the nation of Israel. Genesis 15:18. John 6 recalls Succoth.
Family gatherings were often planned for this event, but one particular year “It came to pass that a decree went out from Ceasar Augustus that all the world should be registered (a census) so all went, everyone to his own heritage city; Jospeh (and Mary) to the City of David, Bethlehem.” Luke 2:1-4
The ancient church celebrated Micheal Mass, September 29, each year, as the day when all the Heavenly Host came to earth, celebrating the birth of the Savior. It is believed Jesus was born that first night when the bonfires were lit, and that He was circumcised on great assembly day, the 8th day, in Jerusalem. It could not be December. Jewish feasts demanded a harvest as barely at Passover and wheat at Pentecost. Shepherds, watching over ewes and sacrificial lambs for the Feast of Tabernacles, would have sheltered them in before winter. Also, a study of the Word indicates Jesus returns to earth during a soon coming Succoth celebration!
It is quite possible that Jesus was conceived December 25th, however.
Succoth is mirrored in Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Matthew 21. The people brought palm branches, and laid clothing on the path of a young donkey and called out, “Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord!” Clear and obvious evidence that the Jews, and non-believing Gentile nations, would rush to crown Him a warrior king to overthrow Roman rule. NOT God’s Plan! Jesus went, then, to shed His Blood 8 more times, and finish the work Father sent Him to accomplish: Undo the works of the devil for all mankind! In His resurrection all men can rejoice, be glad and rest. It is finished! John 19:30
Today, there are those who say, “‘Let us take for ourselves the pasture (house) of God (Israel) for a possession’. So, we pray: Fill their faces with shame, let them be confounded and dismayed forever, so that they may know that You, Whose Name is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth.” Psalm 83:12-18
Next Week: A Frayed Knot
Reader Comments(0)