Sunday, January 26, 2014

THE SPIRIT OF ABSALOM

The whole story of Absalom can be found in II Samuel chapters: 13-18.

The spirit of Absalom is the very similar to the spirit of Korah because it’s also a spirit of rebellion. In addition to being rebellious and leading people astray from God’s given authority, this spirit is out to cause dissention in the body of Christ, by winning the hearts of man to rebel against God’s given authority. When this is done; damage to the body of Christ and to the kingdom of God can be disastrous.

 Although the spirit of Korah and Absalom are all from the same divisions of the army of Satan, the spirit of Absalom moves to win the hearts of man, (II Samuel 15:6) rather than working through the accusation of the brethren. This in itself will cause church splits because once someone loses their loyalty, they will lose their servanthood, and once they lose their servanthood, they will follow after "doctrines of demons", and/or, a spirit of religion which will bring with it many different kinds of curses on their life.

Hebrews 13:17 makes the will of God very clear when it talks about anyone in authority: “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you!”

Romans 13:1-2 - Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

Discerning the spirit of Absalom in the Church

Why the spirit of Absalom can hurt us worse than any other spirit:
Psalm 55:12-14 - For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; Then I could hide from him. But it was you, a man my equal, my companion and my acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked to the house of God in the throng.
2 Samuel 15:12 - Then Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counselor, from his city--from Giloh--while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy grew strong, for the people with Absalom continually increased in number.
What Caused Absalom’s sin: He was offended, full of hatred, unforgiveness & bitterness.
Matthew 24:3, 10 - What will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" …10 "And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.
Absalom’s Motive: Revenge, discredit and ruin.
2 Samuel 15:6 - In this manner Absalom acted toward all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
How David Failed in dealing with Absalom: His feelings almost destroyed him:
2 Sam 13:39 And King David longed to go to Absalom. For he had been comforted concerning Amnon, because he was dead.
2 Samuel 14:1 So Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king's heart was concerned about Absalom.
Feeling he has to prove his compassion to others to the point of ruining his own kingdom
He tolerated his Absalom and didn’t confront him
The reason why this spirit is to difficult to deal with: People are emotionally attached to them through relationships.
Absalom is nice, lovable and popular. Everyone loved Absalom (even David).
If you deal with them you have the appearance of being unloving. The only way to deal with them is to cut him off.
Had David not let him back into the kingdom he would not have had a problem. Many times those who operate in an Absalom spirit will leave a church out of rebellion, but want to stay a part in fellowship. “We are still apart of the kingdom of God even if we are not in the same church” is the spiritual reasoning. The logic sounds good, but the past history and the fact that they are causing division are the indicators that their true motive is not for fellowship. Remember we wrestle not against flesh and blood.

It appears as if the pastor/leadership is paranoid.

The Characteristics of an Absalom Spirit 

Those used by a Spirit of Absalom have an attitude of spiritual pride.
A person with an Absalom Spirit is usually but not always is young in the Lord or immature in the ways of God (You're only young once, but you can be immature forever). Like most adolescent's, they think that their ideas are more anointed than anyone else's. They believe that their way is better than what the leadership has to offer, so they try to persuade leadership to do it their way. They are cloaked in religion, and even though they put on a show of being submitted to leadership, they are not submitted in their heart. This is most likely what happened when Absalom went before King David to plead his case (2 Sam. 14:33).
Those used by a Spirit of Absalom get their feelings hurt easily.
If leadership does not follow their suggestions or teach their doctrinal beliefs, the Absalom spirit becomes offended. Once they are offended, they begin to suspiciously question every decision or spiritual insight that the leaders bring forth.
Those used by a Spirit of Absalom use their own ideas as criteria for judgment of ALL decisions of leadership.
From that point on, all leadership teachings and decisions are questioned. Nothing that leadership says or does is right, and they begin to judge leadership out of the critical Absalom spirit that now dominates them.
Those used by a Spirit of Absalom lose their loyalty and servanthood.
Once the decision to oppose leadership has been made in their heart, they lose their loyalty and their servanthood to leadership. This is caused by an independent spirit (Phil. 2:20-21). Absalom lost his obedience and servant hood, and that's when his rebellion against David set in (2 Sam. 15:1-12).
Those used by a Spirit of Absalom maneuver for recognition and the praise of men.
The first move in rebellion against the leadership is to get visibly active in a ministry among the people. Absalom stood by the gate where he could be seen and ministered a flattering word to the people as they passed by (2 Sam. 15:2).
Those used by a Spirit of Absalom undermine leadership among the people.
The Absalom spirit moves among the people and distorts not only the teaching, but the decisions of the leadership. Progressively discrediting and tearing down leadership is the only way in which Absalom can justify his rebellion in the eyes of his potential followers (2 Sam. 15:3).
Those used by a Spirit of Absalom suggest a better way and steals the hearts of the people.
In the midst of discrediting the leadership, the Absalom spirit suggests that he has a better way. That better way always tickles the ears and the flesh of those who will listen. When Absalom did this he, "... stole away the hearts of the people" and some began to follow him (2 Samuel 15:4-6).
Those used by a Spirit of Absalom gathers followers to himself.
Once the Absalom spirit gains the people's confidence, he starts gathering people to himself. Initially he promotes these gatherings as fellowship times built around a Bible study, prayer or dinner, but his real purpose is to provide an opportunity where he can begin criticizing leadership.
Those used by a Spirit of Absalom feeds their followers on their critical and fault finding spirit.
These fellowships soon turn into fault finding sessions in which Absalom ends up pronouncing his judgment concerning some imagined error he believes leadership is in. Absalom's criticisms all begin with little things that he personally doesn't like or agree with. Things like, "He dresses weird," or "I don't like the way he flows in a certain gift of the Holy Spirit" or "What he said was offensive." Then the Absalom spirit leads the group into demonic imaginations like, "I don't like the direction the church is going," and "I see cultic activity starting to develop" or "I think he's in sin," or "He's probably stealing church money," etc. Then Absalom counsels his followers to leave the church and follow him in his new Bible study/prayer group, etc. (2 Sam. 15:6).
Those used by a Spirit of Absalom conspire to manipulate the innocent.
This new group generally degenerates into a conspiracy to destroy the leadership. After Absalom breaks away from the church, he will many times send some of his followers into the congregation as spies to sow seeds of dissension among the people in an effort to manipulate the innocent into rebelling also. Then the conspiracy becomes bold to the point where Absalom either calls the rest of the church on the phone (or internet), or sends them a letter falsely accusing the pastor and warning them to leave the church for their own good. He will even go after the subordinate leaders or those in training for leadership. For example, Absalom went after Ahithophel, who was David's Chief Military Officer and right-hand man. It is at this time that the leadership is informed of the conspiracy (2 Sam. 15:10-13).
Those used by a Spirit of Absalom seek an audience.
2 Samuel 15:2 Now Absalom would rise early and stand beside the way to the gate. So it was, whenever anyone who had a lawsuit came to the king for a decision, that Absalom would call to him and say, "What city are you from?" And he would say, "Your servant is from such and such a tribe of Israel."
Their tools are love, kindness and favor. Who wants to resist that?
Absalom caused division by sweetness, “stealing the hearts of David’s followers”
2 Samuel 15:5 And so it was, whenever anyone came near to bow down to him, that he would put out his hand and take him and kiss him.
Tells people, “You are special to me and my friend”. “I love you more than the pastor; I will spend the quality time with you he doesn’t”.
Special treatment: Coffee, Tea, fellowship, trips, gifts, favors. Everyone likes to be treated special. Everyone wants to feel special.
Those used by a Spirit of Absalom thinks that nothing the pastor/leadership does is good enough. Even if most of Absalom’s ideas are implemented it will never be good enough. Fault will always be found.
They plant doubt concerning leadership. They find faults in leaders usually not related to spiritual qualifications, and minor things are made major issues; such as what kind of car the pastor drives, how long he takes to receive offerings, etc.
2 Samuel 15:4 Moreover Absalom would say, "Oh, that I were made judge in the land, and everyone who has any suit or cause would come to me; then I would give him justice."
Those used by a Spirit of Absalom have a hidden agenda.
Their motives are not known until they manifest and it will be too late. You know where you stand with Jezebel and Korah, but Absalom is sneaky, and does things behind your back.
Absalom tells you what you want to hear. A pastor’s job is to speak the truth in love; sometimes that truth hurts and requires change, but it is always for our good.
Deception means you don’t know you are being deceived.
We think we have more discernment than we do. We forget this is a demonic spirit we are dealing with.
Those used by a Spirit of Absalom is involved so they can come against God’s established authority and seeks to divide His church and His kingdom.
They eventually come forward with open disloyalty and division. He later came to a place of such brazenness as sleeping openly with his fathers wives.

Deception of continuing in fellowship with Absalom takes the following form:
“I can handle it, I’m mature enough”. Even Superman had his kryptonite. Charm is powerful and deceptive.
Proverbs 31:30 Charm is deceitful
Amplified - Charm and grace are deceptive,
Darby 1890 - Gracefulness is deceitful
The Century Bible - Charm can fool you,
“I am special to them”. They prey upon our insecurities and our need for acceptance.
2 Samuel 15:5 - And so it was, whenever anyone came near to bow down to him, that he would put out his hand and take him and kiss him.
“They are my friends. Your problem is not my problem with them. Being their friends will not affect my relationship with my church”.
“They love God. You should not judge them”.
2 Samuel 15:11 - And with Absalom went two hundred men invited from Jerusalem (to worship), and they went along innocently and did not know anything.
“I can help them” Those operating in this spirit think they are helping you. We have false notion that we can love Absalom back into the kingdom. He exists on that sentiment, and it gives him a greater inroad to influence, take advantage of, and shipwreck you. Their main purpose is advancing their agenda.
Titus 3:10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition.

The spirit of Absalom works to get you to call it quits on your calling
Proverbs 18:9 - He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster,'
WHAT DO THESE WORDS REALLY MEAN?
Slothful means to be slack or idle, which many of us don’t think we are right? So that can’t be us right? Let’s look at the rest of the biblical definition; "to be despondent, or to withdraw, to desert or quit." Now, how many of you have been through bouts of pulling back from places and people that you feel wounded or offended by. When we get rejected, we usually just disappear, if not in the natural then for sure in the spirit. Maybe you’ve prayed for thicker skin, but thicker skin might mean less responsive.
Offense means stumbling block or an occasion to fall. Do you know that Jesus was a stumbling block for many (Isaiah 8:14), so if we’re offended by someone it might just be Jesus (or the truth) we’re stumbling over.
WHY DO WE FLEE FROM YOUR POSITION WHEN CHALLENGED?
Work -- this is our favorite subject as many of us feel we are hard workers. But the writer of Proverbs isn’t talking about labor. "Work" means "duty-ship" or "ministry." It can mean the activity of work or the fruit of your labor. It basically means someone's call. So now Proverbs 18:9 starts with, "He that quits his call or ministry...now how many of you see that reacting to rejection really means quitting a call or a ministry duty.  Remember King David fleeing his call when his son Absalom made an advance for the throne (2 Sam.15:13-29). Why did David seemingly just give up something he had been anointed to do? He was clearly a warrior so he shouldn’t have been afraid. Maybe he was afraid of confrontation, but there are a lot of Scriptures showing him confronting and challenging his men.
The truth is we flee because we never believe in our hearts we were competent enough to do the job. David felt the same as do many other believers that are truly called into a ministry.
God does not call people to a place or position because they are competent or capable, but because He wills it. If He has called me, then He will equip me (Hebrews13:20-21).

DON'T GIVE UP
The "great waster" in proverbs 18:9 means to destroy or to ruin by pulling down. It goes on to say this pulling down can kill others and eventually pull down an entire community. The word "wicked" is in there too. With all this in mind this simple Scripture could be paraphrased as, "He that quits his call is brother to one who pulls down others to the extent of destroying an entire community."
Now does all your rejection issues start passing before your eyes when you know you were a brother to one who could destroy a community. If one soldier leaves his post during war time, the enemy will most assuredly come in that open door. It doesn't matter if he has a legitimate reason for leaving or not.
No matter what you may be feeling right now you can turn your situation around. Get with God and find out what you are called to and find out if you are running from it. Even if there are huge hindrances in the way of getting right with someone who has wounded you, you can’t give up the call on your life. Being accepted or rejected has nothing to do with the call God has placed on any life. Since the gifts and callings are without repentance (Romans 11:29), how can any of us make a decision to quit based on the rejection of others?
I NEED TO ASK YOU A QUESTION; WILL THE CALLED RESPOND?
I believe there are a lot of us who are in ministry or were in ministry and have backed way off from the first call on their lives. There are a lot of reasons for quitting, but I want you to know that none of these reasons are good enough to stop an anointed, called, and released person from doing everything the Lord has made them to do.

How does leadership deal with this spirit?
The leadership has to operate in the gift of discerning of spirits.
There has to be proper role modeling. If the rest of the sheep see you hobnobbing with Absalom and letting things go, then they will think it’s okay also.
Have a sheep-dog mentality. Protect the sheep from being kissed (bitten).
Wolves don’t come dressed as wolves, but sheep.
Stop tolerating their antics. Put an end to the Absalom spirit.
Don’t give them a place in the life of the body
2 Samuel 14:21 - And the king said to Joab, "All right, I have granted this thing. Go therefore; bring back the young man Absalom."
Avoid promoting people until their true character is proven.
Mark those who cause division and avoid them.
Romans 16:17-18 - Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.
Pray for them.
Luke 6:26 Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets. 27 "But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 "bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.
Leave vengeance to the Lord. Their own pride will bring them down
2 Samuel 18:9, 14 “His head got caught in the terebinth tree; so he was left hanging … Joab … took three spears in his hand and thrust them through Absalom’s heart
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Absalom’s downfall ended like that of Jezebel, Korah and Judas.
They fell through pride and their lives ended prematurely and tragically. It is dangerous ground to sow strife and cause division in the body of Christ.
The Lord hates … one who sows discord among brethren (Proverbs 6:16-19)

Later on, Ahithopehl joins Absalom's rebellion. Ahithophel means: A brother/kindred: to smear, plaster, slime; a brother to (or those who) smear, slime.  Let me give you a warning: Absalom is not your friend.  How does Ahithophel get healed and/or what do you do with an Absalom spirit?
Any one of you that have the trust of your leader(s) are targets for an Absalom spirit.
Stay loyal to leaders who are putting their trust in you even if they are not perfect or adequate. Either be loyal or quit or you will damage the body.
Confront any Absalom who tries to manipulate you and use you.
If you can’t confront then stay away from them…period.
Go straight to your leader and tell them about “Absalom” before it is too late for them and for you.

Conclusion:
 In the end, Absalom is from the enemy, and Satan led and continues to lead a rebellion against God. That means that the Absalom spirit will continue its rebellion against leadership even within any new group. This will continue until the new group and everyone in it is consumed in much the same way that Absalom was (2 Sam. 18:1-9). The only deliverance for those involved with the Absalom spirit is to repent before God, church leadership and even the congregation.   Unless this repentance takes place, they will not come into all that God has for them.   The reason why there are so many different ministries, and so many divisions of ministry, and so many divisions is because these spirits cause people to walk in opposition to God given authority, and now they will have their own ministry, doing it their own way. Not walking in submission causes curses which cause division and even the breakdown of the family. And in the case of spiritual matters, this means, breakdown of spiritual family and it will introduce a spotted bride which will eventually be the apostate lawless church.  The reason I think that the curse behind rebelling against God given authority is the breakdown of family and the body of Christ is because no one has the right to rebel against another mans God given authority. When someone does this, it crosses the lines of the Word of God and brings a curse on their own authority. (I Peter 2:13 and Ephesians 5:21) (Ephesians 5:22-24 and Colossians 3:18)  Remember that demons of any kind operate on weaknesses and immaturities. This is why we have to strengthen the areas we are weak and grow up. Amen?

We need to pray for deliverance for those who are, about to be or may be used by any of these spirits and also for those who struggle using unsanctified grace and mercy and those who are afraid to confront.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

The Feast of Tabernacles the Season of Our Joy

September 30, 2012 by Jeanice McDade
Filed under Focus On Israel, Monthly Articles

The Festivals
The Feast of Tabernacles (or Booths, as the name implies) is one of the three "pilgramige" festivals mandated by God in the Old Testament. Leviticus 23 teaches that along with the weekly Sabbath day, the Israelites are to observe the festival of Pesach (Passover as well as the 7 days of unleavened bread), Shavuot (Penitcost), and Sukkot (Yom Teruah (Trumpets)), Yom Kippur (Atonement), and Tabernacles or Booths along with the one day festival call 'Shemini Atzoreth', the 'Eighth Day'). Each of the festivals (except for the weekly sabbath) are centered around an agricultural harvest, and as such, illustrate God's plan of salvation for all mankind. Without a good understanding of the festivals, a person simply can not have a biblically based understanding of how God intends to bring salvation to His people.

In spite of the fact that today the Jewish people are the most visible people observing these festivals, the festivals are not necessarily Jewish. The text shows that these are 'Feasts of the Lord', given to all twelve tribes of Israel, not just the Jews. Because of a person's belief in Yeshua (Jesus), the observance of these festivals is extended to him, since . . .
. . . if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. NKJ Galatians 3:29

In verse 2 of Leviticus 23, the Hebrew word for 'feast' is 'moed'. In Hebrew thought, a moed is likened unto an appointment. It's as if God Himself was taking time off from His duties to meet with us. It's sort of like a date - a special time between God and His people. For those of us who are married, we know how important it is to be there when you've "got a date", and we would do practically anything not to miss it. A study of Biblical history will show that many major events took place on one or more of the 'moedim' (the plural form of 'moed').

Also in verse 2, we find the word 'convocation' which is translated from the Hebrew word 'mikrah'. This Hebrew word implies a reading, presumably of a historical event. It comes from another word that can mean 'rehearsal'. The Biblical text is very clear that the Sabbath is a rehearsal of the seventh day of creation - when God rested from His work. The moedim are likewise rehearsals of God's 7000 year plan, culminating with the marriage of The Messiah to His bride.
Leviticus 23:6 uses the word 'feast' for the translation of another Hebrew word "chag". This word implies an assembly. This word is derived from another Hebrew word which means "to be giddy and to dance". Thus, God's festivals are to be happy occasions, a time for rejoicing in song, dance, good food, etc..

Each year, more and more Christians are coming to the understanding that there is value in observing the festivals. In doing so, they see the scriptures begin to open up and make greater sense. We invite you to share in the JOY of observing the Festivals of God.

The Festival of Sukkot

Leviticus 23:33 discusses the festival of Sukkot (additional information is found in Deuteronomy 16 and elsewhere). This fall festival takes place just after the fall harvest in Jerusalem. It was a yearly reminder of how God provided for the Israelites during their forty years in the wilderness - a time when God dwelled in their midst, fed them daily with bread from Heaven, caused their clothes to not wear out, and provided them with righteous judges. This temporary time in the wilderness was a picture of the millennial kingdom to come.

Solomon's Temple was dedicated during the feast of Tabernacles. This was another millennial picture, signifying the establishment of the Davidic dynasty, from which our Messiah sprang.
Though Solomon later turned to idolatry, his (early) kingdom exemplified the millennial kingdom in that Solomon enjoyed tremendous wisdom, great riches, peace with all his neighbors, God dwelling in the Temple, and the establishment again of righteous judges.

In ancient times, the Israelite people would make pilgrimages to Jerusalem three times each year in order to observe the festivals. Along with their wives and families, they would bring their offerings from the best of their crops and herds, along with the tithes of their increase. These were joyous times, since they reflected the blessings God had bestowed on a people who walked in His ways.
During the festival of Sukkot, the people would build small huts (sukkot) to live in. The people would enjoy shopping at the bazaars, visiting the numerous winery's, dining at the various inns, and fellowshipping with friends and relatives. They would also participate in the many activities taking place at the Temple - listening to an inspired teacher (maybe Yeshua himself), watching the priests perform their daily functions, taking part in the daily prayers, joining the throngs of people watching the priests gather water for the Beit ha Shuavah (the Water Pouring Ceremony), and of course, offering their sacrifices and offerings. There was always so much a person could do.
At night, the official Temple services were finished, and the Temple took on another role. Each evening four poles containing four lights each were erected in the 'Court of the Women" just east of the Temple proper. Each light consisted of a large bowl of oil, and in each bowl was a number of wicks made from 'swaddling clothes, the worn out garments of the priests. When these lights were lit, it is said that they lit up the entire city of Jerusalem, making it, in effect, a shining light on a hill. Under these lights, many people would congregate, dancing and rejoicing through the night.
The first and last days of the festival were considered 'Sabbaths'. On these days, as well as the weekly Sabbath, the stores and inns were closed. These days were spent resting and studying at the synagogue. There were specific readings for each of these days, and most of the people could recite them from memory. Special events were also taking place at the Temple, as additional sacrifices were made on these days.
The prophet Zachariah said that not only God's people, but all mankind would be required to come up to Jerusalem each fall and observe the festival of Tabernacles (Zechariah 14:16-19). The penalty for not doing so would be that there would be no rain, i.e - famine. Being that Sukkot is such a joyous occasion, why would a people not want to enjoy the the festival? 'Makes you wonder!

Sukkot Traditions
Enhancing the Beauty of the Festival

Tradition . . . is not a bad word! Every family, every nation, and every church has it's own traditions. Guess what! The Jewish people have some too. As believers in Messiah Yeshua, we sometimes believe He was against all Jewish tradition, but a closer look at His words will show that He only had problems with tradition when a person made his tradition equal to or greater than God's law, the Torah. As long as a tradition was simply that, "a tradition", and assuming the tradition was not in opposition to the Torah, it appears that Yeshua, nor his disciples, had a problem with it.
Scripture states that God's people were to REJOICE during the fall festival of Sukkot -
NKJ Leviticus 23:40 And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of beautiful trees, branches of palm trees, the boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days.
By the time of the first century the Jewish people had developed a number of traditions to enhance the joy of the Festival of Sukkot . . .
Rejoicing in the House of the Water Pouring
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." NKJJohn 7:37-38
What prompted Yeshua to say these words? Was He just using a metaphor, or was he referring to a custom His followers as well as His detractors were very familiar with? What would be the connection between living water and the 7th day, the last great day of the feast, Hoshana Rabbah - The Great Salvation. According to Jewish historical records, those who kept the festival in first century Jerusalem observed a special ceremony on each day of the festival in addition to the various sacrifices and libation offerings commanded in the Torah (Num. 29:12-40). Sometime prior to the first century this special ceremony, the water libation offering was added to the festival offerings in order to give thanks for the previous years rain, to petition God for more rain, and to picture the great outpouring of God’s Spirit that was to come during the 1000 year reign of The Messiah. This ceremony was connected to a very joyous evening celebration, the Festival of Lights. This evening festival was so joyful that it was said that He who has not witnessed the rejoicing at the water-drawing huts has, throughout the whole of his life, witnessed no real rejoicing.“ (Sukkah 53b).
Each day (except for the first day) of the festival, a group of priests would set out to gather large willows that they would wave back and forth as they proceeded toward the temple, thus making a "swooshing" sound, the sound of the wind or the ruach, Holy Spirit. While this was going on, another group of priests would proceed to the Pool of Siloam from which the High Priest would gather a flask full of "living water". Both groups would then return to the Temple, and while the group with the willows would circle the altar waving their willows, the High Priest with his flask of water and his assistant with a flask of wine would both empty their pitchers on the southwest corner of the altar, thus picturing the coming of the Holy Spirit as living water.
Shortly after the end of the first day of Sukkot, the priests would light four huge lamps in the Court of the Women, each with four huge bowls on each. Each bowl held 7 – 8 gallons of oil and had wicks made from "swaddling clothes", the worn out undergarments of the priests. When the lamps were all lit, it was said that they lit up the entire city of Jerusalem. All the men would then begin dancing and singing in a great celebration. This rejoicing would last late into the night.
These ceremonies and celebrations continued throughout the festival. On the last (7th) day, a change was made to the ceremony. On this day the priests, instead of circling the altar one time, would circle it seven times; this time singing with a loud voice a song of redemption and salvation - Save now, I pray, O Lord; O Lord, I pray, send now prosperity. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord . . . (Psalm 118:25-26)
These ceremonies are no where commanded in the Torah or the Tenakh, but the rabbis believed that because of some spelling inconsistencies in Numbers 29 that seem to spell the Hebrew word mayim(water) there was an underlying justification for them.
It appears that Yeshua had no problem with this additional ceremony and celebration. From His childhood He would have become very familiar with these festivities as His parents made the pilgrimage from Nazareth to Jerusalem to observe the Festival of Sukkot. It seems evident that He used the occasion of the seventh or last day (the 8th day is a separate festival) of His last Feast of Sukkot to teach that He was the light of the world and the source of the Living Waters of salvation for all Israel and ultimately all mankind.

Waving the Lulavim

Waving the lulav (lulavim is the plural), is a tradition based again on Leviticus 23:40 . . .
NKJ Leviticus 23:40 'And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of beautiful trees, branches of palm trees, the boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days.

Within this passage is the specific command to take four specific types of plants and use them in your rejoicing during the festival. Though the prophet Ezra appears to understand the commandment as a mandate to use the plants as building materials (Nehemiah 8:15). the Jewish sages understood that a person was supposed to actually take these four species in their hands and worship with them.
According to Jewish sources, three of the four species - the palm branch, willow branch, and the myrtle - were held in one hand while the fourth species, the etrog (a lemon-like fruit) was held in the other while circling around the altar. Apparently, this was done in conjunction with the Water Pouring Ceremony mentioned above.

This festive ritual was repeated every day of the festival except for the 8th day, which was a totally separate festival.

Friday, August 23, 2013

The Feast of Tabernacles – Happy Birthday Jesus!

God’s Everlasting Covenant

presents

The Feast of Tabernacles – Happy Birthday Jesus!

A number of Messianic Torah teachers make a good case for placing the birth of Yeshua during the Feast of Tabernacles. It is compelling because the Apostle John uses a word in the beginning of his gospel that is the equivalent of the Hebrew for “booth” or “tabernacle”.

Jn 1:14 And the Word (Torah) became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father...

Dwelt = Skenoo #4637 to tent, encamp, to reside (as God did in the Tabernacle of old)

When did they begin to build the first tabernacle in the wilderness? On the Feast of Tabernacles! To prove this with the Scriptures would be another teaching in and of itself. For purposes of this study and brevity, we will present a rough timeline.

Nisan 14 – First Passover in Egypt
Nisan 15 – Israelites leave Egypt. They journey for 50 days.
Sivan 6 – Israel agrees to accept the Covenant at Sinai/Shavuot or Pentecost
Sivan 7 – Moses goes up the mountain to receive the Tablets. On mountain 40 days/nights. Tammuz 17 – Moses descends, sees Golden Calf, breaks Tablets.
Tammuz 18 – Moses ascends to pray for forgiveness. On mountain another 40 days/nights. Av 29 (eve of Elul 1) – God forgives the people. Moses descends to tell the people.
Elul 1 – Moses ascends to receive 2nd set of Tablets. On mountain another 40 days/nights. Tishri 10 – Moses descends on Yom Kippur. Tells people to prepare to build the Tabernacle. Tishri 15 – They begin building the Tabernacle.

On Nisan 14 the following year, the Tabernacle was completed and dedicated.
With Yeshua’s birth, God came once again to tabernacle among men just as He had done with Moses and Israel in the wilderness. Let’s begin our journey together in the gospel of Luke. I’m going to show you something that you have maybe wondered about. Most Christians just skip over it because they have no idea what it means. But you’re going to know what it means! God doesn’t waste any of His words, and if something is in the Scriptures, it is there for a purpose. Let’s see...
Lu 1;5,8,9 In the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias (John the Baptist’s daddy) of the course of Abijah, and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth (Elisheva in Hebrew). And it came to pass that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course, according to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the LORD.

Have you ever wondered what time of year this took place? And what in the world is “the course of Abijah?” Well, I’m going to tell you...and it leads to some interesting conclusions about when John the Baptist was born, and from that, we can figure out when Yeshua was born.
So, John the Baptist’s daddy was a priest. The priests were divided into divisions or courses. Let’s go to 1 Chronicles.

1 Chr 24:1-2, 10, 19 Now, these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron; Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. But Nadab and Abihu died, before their father and had no children; therefore, Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest’s office.

So, here we have the same phrase that is in our passage in Luke. Then the verses go on to explain how each of the priests ended up in their divisions or courses. They were divided by lots, and then starting in verse 7, we have the explanation of who was first, second, third, etc.
Go to verse 10: The seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah...verse 19: These were the orderings of them in their service to come into the house of the LORD, according to their manner.
There were a total of 24 courses and the 8th went to Abijah. This ties us directly to our passage back in Luke 1.

On our calendar, there are 52 weeks in the year. Well, on the Jewish calendar there are 51 – slightly different. There were 24 courses or divisions of priests, and since there are 51 weeks, that meant that each division would serve for two weeks during the year. 24 + 24 = 48. So this would mean there were 3 weeks left. Well, during three times each year, all the males came up to Jerusalem during Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. All the priests would minister during these times, so that covers the entire year. The priests would minister for one week, and then they would minister another week at another time during the year. They did not minister for two consecutive weeks. There would be some months of time in-between.
So, the first course started in the month of Nisan (which would roughly be our April).

Nisan 1-7 = first course (April)
Nisan 8-14 = second course (April)
Nisan 15-21 = Passover, so all priests would minister (April)
Nisan 22-28 = third course (April)
Nisan 29-Iyar 5 = fourth course (May)
Iyar 6-12 = fifth course (May)
Iyar 13-19 = sixth course (May)
Iyar 20-26 = seventh course (May)
Iyar 27-Sivan 4 = eighth course (June)
Sivan 5-11 = Pentecost/Shavuot (June)

But the eighth course was just before the Feast of Pentecost (Shavuot)...and then Zacharias would have ministered with all the priests, so it is very likely that he was ministering during the Feast of Pentecost! Every priest wanted the opportunity to perform the incense offering, which was the most highly desired part of the service. Since there were more priests than there were opportunities for the offering, they drew lots for it. This service was the closest that a regular priest could get to the most holy place. It was the closest to God one could get. A priest would only be able to perform this service once in his lifetime. And after years of prayer, the lot fell to Zacharias!

Look at Luke 1:10-11 And the whole multitude of the people were praying at the time of incense. And there appeared to him an angel of the LORD standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
The word “multitude” in the Greek is Strong’s #4128 plethos – it is the word from which we get “plethora”. It means a large number, throng, populace. Why was there such a huge multitude? Because this was taking place during Shavuot or Pentecost and Jerusalem was the most crowed with pilgrims and they were required to be there according to the Torah!

Then, when we read on in Luke:
Luke 1:23, 24 And it came to pass that as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months.

So, right away when Zacharias’ time of ministering was over, he went home. And Elisabeth became pregnant with John the Baptist...and she was in seclusion for five months. That puts us in the month of Chesvan ( November). Let’s count the months in order together:
Month 1 (Sivan to Tammuz, June to July)
Month 2 (Tammuz to Av, July to August)
Month 3 (Av to Elul, August to September)
Month 4 (Elul to Tishri, September to October) Month 5 (Tishri to Chesvan, October to November) Month 6 (Chesvan to Kislev, November to December)

Now, let’s look in Luke again.

Luke 1:26, 35, 36 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth; and the angel answered and said to her, the Holy Ghost will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore also, that holy thing that will be born of you will be called the Son of God. And behold, your cousin Elisabeth, she has also conceived a son in her old age. And this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
So, here we have the angel visiting Miriam, announcing the conception of Yeshua in Elisabeth’s sixth month. That would be December, or the month of Kislev! I believe that Miriam conceived during Chanukah – the Festival of Lights!

Now in Luke 1:56 it says that Miriam (Mary) stayed with Elisabeth three months. Why would she do that? 6 + 3 = 9. She waited until John the Baptist was born! This would have been about Passover (roughly April on our calendar).

Luke 2:6,7 And so it was that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Over the centuries, Bible scholars have been speculating about why was there no room for them. Well, let’s look at this. If Miriam was in her 3rd month when John the Baptist was born, what happens about six months after Passover? The Feast of Tabernacles! Why was there no room in the inn? Because all the Jews were in Jerusalem and overflowing into Bethlehem, which is about 2 miles away. And why were all the lodging places overflowing? Because it was the Feast of Tabernacles! If Yeshua was conceived on Chanukah, and you count nine months, that puts his birth on or during the Feast of Tabernacles!

He was wrapped in swaddling clothes. What in the world are swaddling clothes?
Swaddling clothes: #4683 sparganoo (meaning to strap or wrap with strips); to swathe (an infant after the Oriental custom)

Many of you may know that during the Feast of Tabernacles, there was an amazing celebration in the courts of the Temple. There was a huge light show every night.

At the end of the first day of the Feast, three eighty foot high golden candlesticks were set up in the Temple’s Court of Women. Four golden bowls were placed on each candlestick, and four ladders rested against each. A youth of priestly descent stood at the top of each ladder, pouring oil from a ten-gallon pitcher into the bowl (Talmud: Sukkah 5:3) The worn-out liturgical garments of Priests were used for wicks. The light from these candlesticks was so bright that it was state, "There was no courtyard in Jerusalem that was not lit up with the light at the water- well ceremony" (Talmud: Sukkah 5:3).

So we see that it was the strips of priestly garments that were worn out and cut up into strips that served as the wicks for the lamps on the temple courtyard during the Feast of Tabernacles. Yeshua was wrapped in priestly garments when he was born!

The word for manger is a crib that the cattle ate out of. The Jews also built booths/succot for their animals. This is where Yeshua was born – in a succah, where the animals were. That’s why he was laid in a manger!

He tabernacled with men, and light has come into the world!
Now, I know we have been taught that Yeshua was born in December. This is not possible. It is very cold in Israel in December. There is often snow. Nazareth is in the north of Israel, and it is mountainous. To get down to Bethlehem, it is 44 miles and through snowy mountains! Do you think a woman who is nine months pregnant is going to take a 44 mile trip through the mountains, riding on a donkey? No way! He was not born in December. There would have been no shepherds with their flocks in the fields in the cold, snowy hills of Bethlehem! They wouldn’t be feeding their flocks in the snow! Right after the feast of Tabernacles, they took all the sheep down to Bethlehem to put into the sheepfolds.

Let’s look again at what Luke tells us with new “lenses” on our eyes:
Luke 2:1 And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
Tell me this. Do you like being taxed by the IRS? If you are the governor, are you going to send the people out three months after their harvest, when they have had time to hide all their wealth so they end up paying less taxes, or are you going to wait for them to come to you because they have all their wealth, all their harvest and money with them to bring before the LORD as He commanded? I think if you want to collect taxes, you would do it during the feast! This is another “clue” that helps to place Yeshua’s birth during Tabernacles.

One of the main aspects of the holiday of Sukkot (Tabernacles) is the commandment to rejoice.
Deut 16:14 And you shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son, and your daughter, and your manservant and your maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless and the widow that are within your gates.
No matter who you were, you had to rejoice! Talk about a great party! The LORD determined there would be a party on His son’s birthday, and everyone would rejoice! He had King David write the songs for His son’s birthday a thousand years before He was born!

Ps 118:14-15, 21 The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation <Yeshua>. The voice of rejoicing and salvation <Yeshua> is in the tabernacles of the righteous; the right hand of the LORD does valiantly. I will praise you, for you have heard me and have become my salvation <Yeshua>!!!!!

Look at the continuous theme here: rejoicing, salvation and tabernacles!
Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
What were they supposed to do on the Feast of Tabernacles? Rejoice!!! This sounds like rejoicing to me. The shepherds are on the hills of Bethlehem, and they would be able to see the lights at the Temple. The people in Jerusalem would be watching all the celebration in the temple courtyard, with the priests, and they didn’t even realize that while they were singing, their salvation had indeed come...in the city of David, was Yeshua the Messiah, the King!

Let’s look at another interesting aspect of this time of year that fits perfectly with Yeshua being born at this time of year.

Num 29:35 On the eighth day, you will have a solemn assembly.
This “solemn assembly” is today known as Shemini Atzeret , the Eighth Day or Simchat Torah, rejoicing in the Torah.
What else does the Bible tell us happens on the eighth day? Let’s have a look.
Gen 17:10 This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your seed after you: Every man child among you shall be circumcised.
Luke 2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Yeshua, which was so named by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
So, Yeshua was brought on the eighth day to Jerusalem, to the Temple to be circumcised. On the eighth day of Sukkot, He is shedding His blood in the Temple (circumcision) confirming the covenant with Abraham.

Now, for one last connection:
Luke 2:22-24 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem to present him to the LORD; (As it is written in the law of the LORD, every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the LORD;) And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the LORD, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.
So, she is to present a pair of turtledoves or two pigeons. But this isn’t exactly what the Torah says. Luke is quoting the verse below in Leviticus.

Lev 12:6, 8a And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest; And if she can’t afford to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering and the other for a sin offering.

Miriam was commanded to bring a lamb to the Temple for a burnt offering, and two turtledoves or pigeons for a sin offering. But if she was too poor and she couldn’t afford a lamb, she could bring brought two turtledoves for her burnt offering. This tells us they were not a wealthy family. But guess what? Mary did have a lamb – she had the Lamb of God, who would take away the sins of the world!!!

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Friday, August 9, 2013

Rosh Hashanah is the First of the Fall Feast

Rosh Hashanah is the First of the Fall Feast.

What Does Rosh Hashanah

Have to Do With Me?

By Chris Suitt

Many of my friends ask, “Why do you as a Gentile pastor celebrate and teach the 7 Jewish Feasts?” My standard answer to them is found in Romans 15:4: “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” What were the Scriptures Paul had? The Old Testament or what many refer to as the Hebrew Bible. Thus, I teach about the 7 Jewish Feasts because the more we understand the Jewish background of our faith, the better we will understand our faith and how to be healthy believers.

With that in mind, I’d like to talk about the upcoming 5th Jewish Feast that the Bible calls “The Feast of Trumpets” or what is commonly referred to today as “Rosh Hashanah” (the head of the year). Passover is the beginning of the religious New Year, and Rosh Hashanah is celebrated as the beginning of the civil New Year. It is also called the Day of Remembering and is the celebration of the creation of the world. For Jews, the 5th Feast is a time of spiritual renewal through prayer and deep personal reflection that leads up to Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Rosh Hashanah is when the Jewish people recognize G-d as King and Judge over all living things. On this particular day, the shofar (a ram's horn) is blown and bread and honey are handed out, symbolizing fullness and completion, and apples are dipped in honey to symbolize prayers for a sweet new year.

While these traditions certainly have meaning and significance, I want to do what Paul said and study the Word itself to discover what it teaches about this 5th Feast. This, according to Paul, is what can bring us encouragement and hope in our faith. When studying a particular passage in Scripture, it can be very revealing to take note of the particular words that the Spirit chose to impart revelation. Adding to or taking away from these words will distort the meaning and obscure what the Spirit wants us to know. Though the traditions mentioned earlier show us important aspects of the Lord's character and spiritual truths, I believe that they are "adding to" the original meaning of the 5th Feast listed by Moses in Leviticus 23:23-25 and Numbers 29:1-6; those traditions can distract us from what the L-rd wants us to know. It's easy to understand, however, why additional meanings were given to the 5th Feast. At first glance, it seems the Bible didn't give us a lot to go on.

Firstly, Moses does not specifically give a name to the 5th Feast in either Leviticus 23 or Numbers 29. Of the 7 Feasts listen in the Bible, only the 3rd and 5th Feasts are not specifically given names. Then there's something else about this 5th Feast that is noteworthy: of all the Feasts, it is the only one that the Bible does not give a reason for observing it. So, it seems as if the Spirit of G-d is drawing attention to Feasts 3 and 5 for some reason. They are not given names. And the 5th Feast is even more conspicuous since the Bible does not even give a reason for observing it. Why is that so? Of course there's a reason, and we just need to open our hearts and minds a bit to discern what the Spirit is trying to show us. I find it interesting that Leviticus 23:24 states that the 5th Feast was a day to hold an assembly “commemorating” with trumpet blasts. The word for “commemorating” means to remember, to call to mind, or to recall. This is why it is called the Day of Remembering. Yet keep in mind two things: This day is not given it a specific name and the Bible does not tell us what we are supposed to remember in this day. All of the other 6 Feasts are tied to something that was known. But not this one. Hmm… Hold onto that fact and let's keep looking at Leviticus 23:24.

Because the passage states that this day was to be remembered with “trumpet blasts”, people have given the name The Feast of Trumpets. But what does “trumpet” actually mean here? I think it is interesting to look at the meaning of the Hebrew words used in Leviticus 23 and Numbers 29 to get a fuller understanding. The Hebrew words "shofar" and "terua" are used. Let's look at other passages to see contexts in which these words are used: In Joshua 6:16, the word "shofar" and "rua" (a form of terua) are mentioned in the context of the Jericho walls coming down. 2 Samuel 6:15 also uses both words when the people shouted (teruah) and blew the trumpets (shofar) in celebration of when the Ark came into the city of Jerusalem.

If the Spirit uses different words, He must have a reason. I believe He is telling us that there is a difference between the two words shofar and terua. Job 33:26 reveals that seeing G-d's face causes one to shout for joy. Psalm 33:3 says to sing a new song to the L-RD and shout for joy! The Psalmist states (47:5) that G-d ascended amid shouts (teruah) of joy and the sounding of trumpets (shofar). According to Joshua 6:4, only the priests carried the trumpets or shofars. What did the rest of the people use? Nothing but their mouths! In Numbers 23:21 teruah is translated by the NIV and KJV as “the shout of the king.” The king is here, so shout!

What I believe the Word is teaching us about the 5th Feast is that a whole lot of shouting is going on, not necessarily trumpets blowing. What difference does it make? What can we learn from this? I believe the 5th Feast is talking about when the King comes for His bride, the Body of Messiah to the marriage supper of the lamb (Revelation 19:7-9). Paul calls the Body of Messiah a mystery in Ephesians 5:32 as He relates the relationship between the Messiah and His Bride, the Body of Believers on the earth. In Scripture, very often a mystery is something that was hidden in the Old Testament, but is brought to light in the New Testament. In other words, I believe the Old Testament is the New Testament concealed and the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed. Together they form a complete message. Paul states that the L-rd will come from heaven with a “loud command” or “shout” and the “trumpet call of G-d” in 1 Thessalonians 4:16. What will happen after this shout and trumpet call? The dead in Christ and then those believers left on this planet will be “caught up” or raptured.

I find it interesting that this shouting and trumpeting mirror another example in the Word- a Jewish wedding. In Yeshua’s day, a groom would negotiate a price for his bride and sign a document - ketubah or betroth. At this point she is his wife. They are married. The groom would then return to his father’s house to prepare a place for them to live in. Only when his father felt he was ready would the groom come to get his bride, usually at night with his best man in a torch-lit procession. The bride knew her husband was coming, but never knew when. She was always to be ready and to anticipate his coming for her. When the groom came, guess how he let everyone know that he was coming - shouts and trumpets blasts!

Yeshua came and negotiated the price for us - His death on the cross and signed the ketubah in blood. Yeshua taught in Matthew 24-25 that His Bride was to live as healthy believers (i.e. putting their faith into action) every day in order to be ready for His return to come get her, which could take place any time the Father said for Yeshua to come. 1 Thessalonians 4 tells us that Yeshua’s coming for His Bride, His Messianic Community/ Church, will be preceded by a shout and a trumpet blast of G-d the Father. It is my belief that that this 5th Feast, called by some the Feast of Trumpets, others Rosh Hashanah, is the day the Yeshua will appear in the sky for all the world to see and rapture His Bride. Some will counter, “But the Bible says you can’t know the day or the hour, so are you not predicting it by saying Feast 5 is the day of His return?” No I am not. First of all, keep in mind that the previous 4 Feasts took place on their days, why not this one? Second, we still don’t know on which Feast of Shouts He will come; thus, we can’t know the exact date or hour of His return, but Yeshua Himself commands us to know the "times and the seasons" of His return.

Yeshua told many parables to highlight the importance of believers being found faithfully doing what their Master told them do when He returns. If Yeshua doesn’t return this Rosh Hashanah, in His grace, G-d is giving us another year to get right with Him and start doing what He has called us to do - reap a harvest! Can you mess around all year and get your act together just before He comes? If you waited until days before the Rapture to get right, you will be like the person in thorny soil - green stalks but no corn! You can’t plant the seed two days or even a month before you need the fruit to be eaten. It has to be in the ground long before. The point is that we are to live each day in light of tomorrow. If Yeshua doesn’t come this Feast of Trumpets, in His grace G-d is giving us another year to plant seeds of character and the gospel now, so we might reap a harvest.

In Judaism, a time period of a month called Elul precedes Rosh Hashanah. Elul is used to prepare for Yom Kippur where a Jewish person performs a daily “cheshbon”, a spiritual accounting, in order to evaluate their lives to see how they can improve the next year. The shofar is blown every weekday until the day before Rosh Hashanah to help remind people to deal with their “stuff”. So this coming month would be a great time to evaluate your life. The shofar is blown as a call for repentance, to return to the path as outlined in the Scripture. It helps us remember who our Creator is and our need to live for Him. It is time to evaluate our lives. Are we ready for Yeshua’s return? How healthy is your faith in Yeshua seen on a daily basis? Are you asking the L-rd to send you into the harvest? (Matthew 9:35-38) Are you willing to let go of your distractions and fears so that you can see those who are without hope, those who have pasts that are eating them up in the present, come to faith in Yeshua? The Feast of Shouts is coming and so could our L-rd Yeshua Messiah. Are you ready? You could be hearing the shout and trumpets from heaven soon.

Sunday, August 4, 2013

The meaning of Teshuvah

The meaning of teshuvah

September 14, 2010|By Rabbi Avi Weiss

The central theme of Yom Kippur is teshuvah, commonly translated as "repentance." We hear so much about this term, but what, in fact does it truly mean?

On the simplest behavioral level, writes Maimonides, teshuvah involves "returning" to a situation in which one had previously failed, and not making the same mistake a second time. (Laws of Repentance 2:1) It means being given a second chance. No wonder, Yom Kippur has elements of joy. We celebrate being given a second chance. In too many of life's pursuits, we are given only one shot. If we miss, it's all over. On Yom Kippur, God says, "no matter if you have failed before; you can still return."

A chassid once asked his rebbe, "why pray on Yom Kippur, after all, we'll inevitably sin again." In response, the rebbe asked him to look out the window behind him. Outside was a toddler learning to walk. "What do you see?" asked the master. "A child, standing and falling," replied the disciple. Day after day the chassid returned to witness the same scene. At the week's end, the child stood and didn't fall. The child's eyes expressed the achievement of having attained the impossible. "So with us," said the rebbe. "We may fail again and again, but in the end, a loving God gives us the opportunities we need to succeed."

The mystics understand teshuvah differently. For them, teshuvah means "returning," to being righteous. But suppose one has never been righteous, what does one return to? Says the Sefat Emet, the soul of every person is fundamentally righteous. There may be a layer of evil obscuring the inner being, but all people created in the image of God are inherently good. Teshuvah then, means to return to the inner kernel of goodness we all possess. And so, we sing, and dance on Yom Kippur. We celebrate the opportunity to discover our true selves.

Another classic story. Reb Zusha was on his death bed, and tears were streaming down his face. "Why are you crying?" asked his disciples. "If God asks me why I wasn't like Moses or Maimonides," answered Reb Zusha, "I'll say, I wasn't blessed with that kind of leadership ability and wisdom." But I'm afraid of another question," continued Reb Zusha, "what if God asks, 'Reb Zusha, why weren't you like Reb Zusha? Why didn't you find your inner being and realize your inner potential? Why didn't you find yourself?' That is why I am crying."

A third approach. Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, among many other thinkers, understands teshuvahto mean "answer." That is to say teshuvah is a dialogue. On Yom Kippur we stand before God, a caring God who asks the question(s). We offer the answer(s). A God of love seeks us out. As much as we are in search of Him, He is in search of us. A comforting thought on Yom Kippur.

Yet another chassidic legend. A young girl came to the Ba'al Shem Tov — the father of chassidism — crying. "Why do you cry?" the rebbe lovingly asked. "I was playing hide and seek," said the young girl, "but no one came looking for me." "So, too, is it with God," reflected the Ba'al Shem Tov. "He, too, is crying. For as much as He is looking for us, we rarely look for Him."

It was left for Rav Avraham Yitzchak ha-Cohen Kook, the first Chief Rabbi of Israel to offer an understanding related to the establishment of the modern State of Israel. Teshuvah, according to Rav Kook, ought be understood eschatologically. It quite literally means "go home," to our homeland. It is not only an individual quest, but a communal mandate to establish a land that is different from all others. A land that is a light to the nations of the world: a land that marks the dawn of redemption, a land at peace. On this Yom Kippur — let it be, let it be.

Jesus Born on the Feast of Tabernacles

Jesus Born on the Feast of Tabernacles

I believe The Feast of Tabernacles to be the day that Jesus was born. Since the fourth century, December 25 has been recognized as the day of His birth, but it is generally recognized that this date was likely set due to the “Christianization” of pagan holidays. December 25th was a pagan holiday called Saturnalia, which celebrated the winter solstice.

Many different factors point to Jesus’ birth being in the fall rather than the winter. Scholars have calculated that John the Baptist was likely born on Passover based on the schedule that the priests served in the Temple, since John’s father, Zechariah, was performing Temple duties when the angel appeared to him and prophesied John’s birth. Zechariah’s wife Elizabeth became pregnant shortly after. We know that Elizabeth was six months pregnant when the angel appeared to Mary to tell her of Jesus’ birth (Luke 1:26-31). If John the Baptist was born on Passover, Jesus was born six months later, during the month of Tishri, the month of the Feast of Tabernacles.

Another factor which suggests that Jesus was born on the Feast of Tabernacles is that we know that there was “no room in the inn” when Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem. The Feast of Tabernacles was one of the three feasts when the men of Israel were required to appear before the Lord (Deut. 16:16). Since everyone would travel to Jerusalem to appear before the Lord, the surrounding area would likely be very crowded, thus “no room in the inn”. We also know that shepherds were watching their flocks in the fields when Jesus was born. The flocks around Bethlehem were normally brought into a “sheepfold” or corral during the winter (approximately November through February).

How appropriate if Jesus (Immanuel, God with us) should make His dwelling place with us during the Feast of Tabernacles.

A custom on the Feast of Tabernacles during the time of Jesus was a ceremony of pouring water. On the last day of the feast, called Hoshanna Rabbah, a priest would fill a water pitcher from the Pool of Siloam and carry it back to the Temple, followed by a procession of the people dancing, singing and chanting Psalms. The procession circled the altar seven times then the priest poured the water at the Temple altar. This was followed by rejoicing.

It was at this time during the Feast of Tabernacles, that Jesus made the declaration found in John 7:37-39:

On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive.” (NIV)

A Theory of Jesus’ Future Fulfillment of Tabernacles

The Feast of Tabernacles is a time to rejoice! Many believe that on this day, the Messiah Jesus will establish His kingdom on earth for one thousand years.

The saints reigning with Jesus for one thousand years is described in Revelation 20:4:

“And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and Judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of the testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshipped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Messiah for a thousand years.”

When Jesus establishes His kingdom on earth, all nations will celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles (Zechariah 14:16-19):

Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. (NIV)

The Prophetic Nature of the Fall Feast

The Prophetic Nature of the Fall Feasts

Deborah Galiley

The Fall Feasts are almost upon us! By that I mean Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot. Each of these feasts has a universally accepted meaning to Jewish people in general, but to those of us who have received Yeshua (Jesus) as our Lord, and to the believing Gentiles that have been grafted into the House of Israel, there is a deeper, more prophetic meaning. Let’s take a look at each of them in turn.

Rosh Hashanah is the Day of Trumpets. It is widely celebrated in the Jewish world as the civil new year, and is the entranceway into the ‘Days of Awe.’ The blasts of the shofar are our wake-up call to repent before it is too late. Even those of us who have received salvation need to be shaken out of our complacency and pushed to higher levels in Messiah. As believers though, we are desperately awaiting that time when the Lord Himself will return to this Earth. Scripture states in 1Thessalonians 4:16-17 that the “Lord himself will come down from heaven with a rousing cry, with a call from one of the ruling angels, and with God’s shofar; those who died united with the Messiah will be the first to rise; then we who are left still alive will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and thus we will always be with the Lord.”

There are different positions within the Church on the timing of this passage in 1Thessalonians. Some believe in a pre-tribulation Rapture in which all of the believers are whisked away before the seven year Tribulation. Others insist that the Lord only returns once and that when He’s back, He’s back and it’s done. Whatever your stand, it’s safe to say that the blast of the shofar on Rosh Hashanah will signal the end of the world as we know it. And then, “It will take but a moment, the blink of an eye, at the final shofar. For the shofar will sound, and the dead will be raised to live forever, and we too will be changed.” (1Corinthians 15:52) So we approach the Day of Trumpets with Godly fear and repentance.

Yom Kippur is considered to be the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, after Shabbat. This is the day in which we make atonement for our sins before the Lord. This is the day of somber reflection, prayer and fasting. In ancient Israel, after the high priest sacrificed the bull and goat for the sins of the people, a second goat, known as the scapegoat, was taken by the high priest. He would lay both hands on its head and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites and put them on the goat’s head. He would then send the goat away into the desert to a solitary place. (Leviticus 16:20-22)

As Believers, we know, of course, that our atonement is Yeshua Himself. It is only through His sacrificial death on the executioner’s stake that we can receive forgiveness of sins. He is the scapegoat, sent to die outside the camp for all of our wickedness and rebellion. It was all placed on His head, thus causing Him to die the most horrible death in all of human history. The atonement of Yeshua reaches backwards and forwards so that every person who has ever existed has the opportunity to repent before God and be saved. What an awesome thing!

Sukkot, or the Feast of Tabernacles, is the most joyous celebration of all. The Lord commanded the Israelites to build booths and live in them for seven days: “All native-born Israelites are to live in booths your descendants will know that I had the Israelites live in booths when I brought them out of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 23:42-43) We are also commanded to “take choice fruit from the trees, and palm fronds, leafy branches and poplars, and rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days.” (Leviticus 23:40) Sukkot is the ingathering; it’s the time to remember how the Lord provided for us as we wandered in the desert for 40 years.

Jesus Born on the Feast of Tabernacles?

The Feast of Tabernacles may be the day that Jesus was born. Since the fourth century, December 25 has been recognized as the day of His birth, but it is generally recognized that this date was likely set due to the “Christianization” of pagan holidays. December 25th was a pagan holiday called Saturnalia, which celebrated the winter solstice.

How appropriate if Jesus (Immanuel, God with us) should make His dwelling place with us during the Feast of Tabernacles.

It was at this time during the Feast of Tabernacles, that Jesus made the declaration found in John 7:37-39:

A Theory of Jesus’ Future Fulfillment of Tabernacles

The Feast of Tabernacles is a time to rejoice! Many believe that on this day, the Messiah Jesus will establish His kingdom on earth for one thousand years.

The saints reigning with Jesus for one thousand years is described in Revelation 20:4:

When Jesus establishes His kingdom on earth, all nations will celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles (Zechariah 14:16-19):

Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. (NIV)

Prophetically, though, Sukkot points us to the time when God will dwell with us in the holy city, Yerushalayim. “(Jerusalem) This is what the Lord says: ‘I will return to Tsiyon and dwell in Yerushalayim. Then Yerushalayim will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the Lord Almighty will be called the Holy Mountain.’” (Zechariah 8:3) Imagine what it will be like when the Lord returns to this earth and sets up His throne and all peoples stream to Him! “The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.” (Zechariah 14:9) Now we need to be commanded to be joyful, then there will be no holding back the exaltation!

Our bodies are temporary structures, like the booths at Sukkot. A day is coming when we will be given new bodies, we will realize eternity, and the Lord will be with us always. “For the Lamb at the center of the throne will shepherd [us], will lead [us] to springs of living water; and God will wipe every tear from [our] eyes.” (Revelation 7:17)

Deborah Galiley is Rebbetzin of Congregation Beit Shalom
in Utica, NY