Get comfy - I got on a roll! CH 8

The people (42,360 plus) gathered themselves together “as one man” into the street by the Water Gate. The people at this time really seemed to be of one mind – a miracle in itself. And the “ears of all the people were attentive” to the Word. A pulpit for Ezra and great preparation made for him to read and others to interpret/explain the law to the people. This was a significant event for them! How unspeakably blessed are we to have this Word available, in a multitude of interpretations, within our reach at any moment! It is almost too available, and we tend to take it for granted (at least I do). How precious would it be to us if we had access only a few times a year! The Feast of Tabernacles was to be an annual event for ever (Lev. 23:41), but it says they had not kept it since Joshua. So, the from generation after it was first commemorated, they had neglected it? I picture this feast as a week-long combination of our Thanksgiving and 4th of July. It’s purpose was to give thanks for the harvest and also for their deliverance from Egypt, It is one of the three feasts that required a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and everyone was to bring an offering. It marked the beginning of the rainy season, and included a request for future rain for the next harvest. (And symbolizing their deliverance from Egypt and prayer for the future deliverance by Messiah.) Each morning there was a procession to bring water in a golden pitcher from the Pool of Siloam. The water was poured out in sight of the people as an offering and a request for rain. There was an amazing light display each night from the second night on. Four menorahs were set up very high, and lighted the Court of Women while all night long the Sanhedrin performed torch dances. A group of Levites would gather at the Inner Court and move to the top of the steps leading down to the Court of Women with musical instruments and would sing the Psalms of Degrees (120 – 134) as they descended each of the 15 steps. This part of the celebration commemorated the Shekinah glory descending to Solomon’s temple and the future return of the Light of Messiah. (We read in John how just after the Feast of Tabernacles Jesus went into the temple and proclaimed, “I am the light of the world . . .” and healed a blind man later that same day. The timing is undoubtedly part of why this infuriated the Pharisees.) Some believe Jesus was born during the Feast of Tabernacles, because of the way John says the Word became flesh and dwelt (the Hebrew word for tabernacle-ed) among us. Sorry this is so long. Sometimes I read a chapter like this and think, Oh that was nice, they read from the law and had a celebration. This is such a rich chapter, and it merits some reflection. I have a conviction that the Feasts commanded by God have a great significance in His plan and are forward-looking (prophetic) as well as commemorative. While I don’t think we need to participate in them, I do believe it is beneficial for us to know their timing and purpose.