Discovering God’s Purposes of Rest by Relating with Him through the Lord’s Feast of Tabernacles

TRUTH AND PURPOSE

God appointed Sukkot, a/k/a the Feast of Tabernacles, for a variety of awesome purposes. On the one hand, it serves as a special time to appreciate all God has done during the cycle of the year. It also serves as an extended rest from the pressures of life. Most importantly, it enables you to catch a vision of His greater redemptive and eternal purposes.

So the Feast of Tabernacles, you might say, is a great love feast. God appointed it to be a most joyful celebration, lasting eight days. It was originally prescribed to remind the children of Israel how they dwelt in booths or small temporary shelters during the wilderness journey.

However, it serves a greater purpose. It facilitates a special time to receive the fresh pour of God’s love and reflect on all He has done this year. In addition, it offers us the opportunity to look forward in anticipation of new things in the season ahead.

RELEVANCE

The Feast of Tabernacles marks a time of rest from the toils of our labor. It also marks a time to relate with one another about God’s goodness, and reflect upon His amazing grace and mercy. At the same time, the Feast of Tabernacles serves to remind us that our earthly life is just temporary. A permanent life with God will be our eternal Promised Land– or Promised Eternal Life. We should, therefore, guard ourselves against materialism and maintain a life of wisdom and balance.

Those who have received the redemption of Messiah Yeshua-Jesus have the opportunity to enter into His eternal presence and rest—ultimate peace with God! For, He has redeemed us from the curse of dead works that cannot justify us before God. We, therefore, celebrate His fulfillment of this feast by gathering in fellowship with other believers. It’s a time to reflect on His amazing grace and relate with one another the testimonies of His interaction in our lives.

We also look forward to a time of celebrating the Lord’s return; and permanent eternal fellowship at His banquet table in heaven. We, therefore, have an opportunity to celebrate with great joy—or rehearse for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb– and time of Messiah’s return and glorious eternal reign.

REFLECT AND RELATE

How do you celebrate your peace with God?

With whom do you rest and reflect on God’s goodness, His grace and mercy, and share testimonies of His interaction in the lives of fellow believers?

REFERENCES

Leviticus 23:33-44; Acts 2:46, Colossians 2-3

NEXT STEPS

Vertical movement: As you reflect on all God’s goodness and experience His rest, the Holy Spirit draws you deeper, so you truly experience His peace; a peace that surpasses all understanding. (Philippians 4:7)

Horizontal movement: The more you experience the rest of God, the more easily you experience the manifold grace of God. You see more clearly God’s amazing grace in all Messiah-Christ accomplished on your behalf; starting with His crucifixion.

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