Back in the days of the Tenach history of Israel, most of the people lived in tents. That is why archeologists have not found too many large, permanent houses, and, because of this, some diminish the size of David’s kingdom. (1Kg 12:16; 2Sam 7:1-2) Nor have they found bones of all the Israelis who died in the 40 years in the desert after leaving Egypt and walking to YHVH God’s promised land of Canaan to conquer and possess. (Num 14:26-35; 1Cor 10:1-5) Because of this, many people do not believe the truth of this history. This journey with God is what the Feast of Booths/Tabernacles reminds us of, and in the fear of the LORD, faith believes what God says, whether or not “evidence” can be found. He is faithful and powerful to fulfill all of His covenantal promises – the blessings, and the curses.
On the last great 8th day of the Feast of Booths/Tabernacles – the Joy of the Torah/Simchat Torah. It is the day on which Yeshua called out to the Jewish people, that anyone who thirsts to come to Him and drink, which was the promise of the Holy Spirit to come after His ascension back to His glory in Heaven. (Jn 7:37-39) All who receive this gift from the Father in Heaven will greatly rejoice in God and in His Word for all eternity!
On that celebratory day this year, on Shabbat, Oct 7, Israel was terribly surprised by war which broke out, instigated by the Hamas terrorist government of Gaza, and Israel’s joy was turned to mourning (that is another story).
The celebration of Sukkot also reminds us that the Creator God is not only the God of the Jews, but also of the Gentiles: Acts 15:8-18; Amos 9:8-15
Yeshua was sent by the Father to bear the sins of all humanity when He gave Himself to be sacrificed on the cross for salvation to all who believe in His Name. (Rom 10:1-13) The God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel is saving persons out from every tribe and language and people and nation, and has made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign [with Him] on the Earth. [emphasis mine] (Rev 5:8-10; Dan 7:21-28)
David’s tent/booth (in Hebrew: ohel/sukkah; although a tent or a booth can be a “tabernacle”/mishkan, it is generally a more simple and flimsy, temporary dwelling) – (2Sam 6:17; 1Chron 16:1; Amos 9:8-15; Acts 15:12-20)
At the Jerusalem apostolic council that we read about in Acts 15 (the Israeli Jewish apostolic leadership of the church at that time), we learn that the Holy Spirit gave them to understand that by saving Gentiles as well as the Jews, and in the same way [until the end of the age!] – by repentance and faith in the gospel of Yeshua the Messiah/Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God – and including both equally in the Body of Messiah/Christ, YHVH was rebuilding the “tent/booth of David”, so that all mankind would seek Him. (Amos 15:8-15; Acts 15:1-20) There is not a “Jewish body” and another “Gentile body” but a new creation of one new man in Messiah/Christ. The Creator of the heavens and the Earth is not the God and Redeemer of one people and language only! He is definitely multi-cultural and inclusive! And then He sanctifies us together, and teaches us the culture of the Kingdom of God, to become holy and conformed to the image of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ/Yeshua the Messiah. Together, all of the believers are Yeshua’s inheritance.
These passages from Isaiah and from John speak to this, as well as what we read from Revelation: Is 41:17-20; Jn 17:15-23
Rebuilding David’s tent is to restore a government after God’s heart, and which includes those native to Israel and those who have joined themselves to the people and the God of Israel, loyal to the King of His choice, outside the camp. (Ps 2; Heb 13:10-16) David had Gentiles among his mighty men, such as Uriah the Hittite, the husband of Batsheva. (2Sam 23; 1Chron 11) The people who went after David when King Saul was pursuing him to kill him were those who were hungry and thirsty in their soul for righteousness and justice. (1Sam 22:1-2; Mt 5:6) They were living under a king like the Gentiles have, and he was more concerned with his own prestige and pleasing the people rather than obeying God’s commandments. (1Sam 8:4-22; 13:5-14; 15:10-31; 16:1-7) Is this not what Yeshua means when He says to the people: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Mt 11:28-30) all who are in David’s/Yeshua’s booth/tent will surely praise and worship the Father in spirit and truth with great joy! Surely God is using present circumstances in Israel, and in the world-at-large, to draw more people out from their oppressed systems to find living waters, and the King of His choosing — the King of Righteousness, who judges with equity.
When the apostolic leaders in Jerusalem heard the reports from Peter and from Paul about God bringing the Gentiles into eternal life along with the Jewish believers, they understood by the Spirit that salvation was given to anyone and to everyone who put their faith and hope and love in the name of the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ/the Lord Yeshua the Messiah. He reigns in righteousness and justice in a kingdom of truth and love. He is the King of God’s choice, with God’s heart; not a king of this world opposing the Kingdom of YHVH God.
By grace, God will accomplish His will and purpose with us, as we depend upon the Lord. (2Cor 2:14-17) God is faithful as we seek to make the Messiah and Son of God known among both Jews, Arabs, and others, and to glorify the name of our Father in Heaven and of our Lord and Savior Yeshua/Jesus. If we will be in unity despite all of our diversity; if we will love each other and not only those from our own culture and language, then we will be a more faithful witness and have a stronger testimony to the truth of who the true God is, and we will know His love in a way that we may not have really experienced. Yeshua/Jesus will be lifted up, and draw more people to Himself through us into His tent outside of the camp. Are we deeply hungry and thirsty for the need to be filled with the Holy Spirit? This is His prayer!
May this present war again in Israel cause many more to become hungry and thirsty for the righteousness and justice and peace that can only come from the Source of each and all of these “values”. Only Yeshua, King of Israel, will govern completely according to the will of the Father.
Let us enter into this prayer, and be a part of the Father’s answer. We will greatly rejoice in Messiah’s Torah through the gospel and the everlasting New Covenant. And Yeshua (even by a new name [Rev 3:12]) will live with and among His holy Bride and family forever and ever in the new heavens and new Earth, the full-fillment of all the feasts and appointed times/mo’edim of YHVH for the ingathering of the whole harvest! Even so, come, Lord Jesus! Amen!
