 The Covenant Values of The Feast of Tabernacles
Summary
Sukkot, Tabernacles, marks the time of completing the cycle of covenant feasts. Having gathered in the fruits of the harvest, Tabernacles was a time to express gratefulness to God for His provision and increase. It was a time to rest in contentment, reflect on God’s goodness, and celebrate with joyful hearts.
Messiah satisfied the debt for our sins. He redeemed us from dead works. He lifted the burden of guilt and condemnation. He invited all who believe to be joined with Him, and receive His peace. “Come to me, all of you who are struggling and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.?? 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew11:28-30 JNT)
The peace of Messiah is very precious, and most valuable. It is the true antidote for anxiety. To some, real inner peace and God’s shalom may be hard to comprehend. But, it is real. It is available to experience.
How to find it? “Don’t worry about anything; on the contrary, make your requests known to God by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving. 7 Then God’s shalom (peace), passing all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with the Messiah Yeshua. 8 In conclusion, brothers, focus your thoughts on what is true, noble, righteous, pure, lovable or admirable, on some virtue or on something praiseworthy.” (Philippians 4:6-8 JNT)
Through his labor and trials, Paul learned how to have contentment in Messiah. He confessed that, “I have learned to be content regardless of circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in want, and I know what it is to have more than enough — in everything and in every way I have learned the secret of being full and being hungry, of having abundance and being in need. 13 I can do all things through him who gives me power.” (Philippians 4:11-12 JNT)
In a world that finds it hard to find satisfaction with the simple things of life, contentment in Messiah is to be greatly valued. For this reason, the writer of Hebrews reminded believers that Messiah was their source of sufficiency and peace. Even in the face of the threats and pressures of life, we are exhorted to find our confidence and faith in Messiah, whose presence is always with us. “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5 NKJV)
The early community of believers valued the peace and presence of the Holy Spirit. They also valued studying God’s Word and maintaining fellowship with one another in the Spirit. They valued enjoining and engaging with one another in rich communication, and earnestly cared for one another.
Such dynamic fellowship enabled them to truly experience the fullness of the Spirit of Messiah. These believers were convicted in their hearts that they needed one another, and needed to support one another through the trials and toil of life. They valued the different gifts, skills, and resources that God had given to them, and in turn, actively engaged in the practice of generously sharing and caring for one another.
Their sense of community was real because the presence of the Holy Spirit was real to them. That presence gave them a sense of confidence and peace. Although external trials abounded, they were exhorted to rest internally in that state of completion in Messiah. “For in him, bodily, lives the fullness of all that God is. 10 And it is in union with him that you have been made full — he is the head of every rule and authority.” (Colossians 2:8-10 JNT)
Furthermore, they learned that prayer and patience work together to see God’s will and purposes accomplished.
Life Application Questions
Is God’s peace and contentment real to you? What blockages could be preventing you from experiencing God’s presence and peace? Do you find peace from God’s Word, and by spending time with Him in prayer? What kind of Messiah-centered fellowship do you have with other believers? How do you engage with God through the Holy Spirit in a real way?
Scripture References
Matthew 11:28-30; Philippians 4:6-7; Hebrews 13:4-6; 2 Corinthians 4:7-18; Acts 2:42-47; Colossians 2:8-10; James 1:3-8
Book References
Faith and Fables: p. 30-34; 58-59; 65-66; 87-93; 133-140; 142-147
Sons and Servants: p. 52-57; 99-104
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