Devotion John 7:2 Let The Truly Good Times Roll

John 7:2 –Now the feast of the Jews, the Feast of Booths, was near.

The Feast of Tabernacles was to commemorate the Lord God rescuing the Israelites from the bondage of the Egypt. It is a time to recognize His saving, protection and provision. Leviticus 23:33-36 states that this Feast, also called the Feast of Booths, shall happen in the Jewish seventh month of Tishri with an eight day duration.

For seven days they were not to do any “ordinary work” and they gave food offerings to the Lord. These days were to be holy times of remembering the goodness of God and of giving Him praise and gratitude. A special time before God with family undoubtedly passing on the knowledge and worship of the one true God to their children and grandchildren. On the eighth day a holy gathering (convocation) would be held and a food offering would be presented to the Lord.

This feast ordained by God is still observed by Jews. They build “booths” (tabernacles, tents) in remembrance of the time the Lord guided them through the desert. They had no homes, but lived in temporary dwellings. For this feast these structures are built to this day. They eat meals inside of them.

Followers of Jesus are not bound to observe the Old Testament holy days such as this festival. We are not bound to The Law. Even today some sa nts are drawn into silly arguments about keeping the Sabbath as the Jews kept it. All these things were temporary things which pointed to Jesus. They were only a shadow of things to come. Of Jesus who came. (Colossians 2:16-17)

Does that mean that none of The Law or the prescribed Old Testament holidays apply to us? No, not at all. Jesus said that He did not come to abolish The Law or the Prophets but to fulfill them. (Matthew 5:17) He has given to us the Holy Spirit who dwells inside of us. The Holy Spirit reminds us, teaches us and guides us of Jesus and the written word. We should not need to be made to follow righteousness, but our actions should be the result of the God within us flowing out of us. How can setting aside of times for family enjoyment and communion, and to remember how good God is to us, be anything but cherished times together? Us with God and all enjoying each other. Lovely, so lovely!

So keep the Festival of Booths, not physically, but in our hearts and with humble spirits. Set aside family time to remember, to honor and to worship God. These feast are not useless to us, but our examples of good practice. However do not keep these festivals at certain times and in prescribed manners, but keep them as they continuously flow from our hearts. As the Holy Spirit continually reminds us to be thankful and humble before God. As He reminds us to spread the Gospel to our children, grandchildren, friends and to the world. We should live humbly and simply before our God as we live in gratitude not only for what He is doing for us, but for what He has done for us. Micah 6:8 – He has shown you, Oh man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. This verse should live in our hearts and as it does freedom, peace and joy will be with us all the days of our lives as we dwell with God in His home of love and peace. (Psalm 23:6)

Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!

Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will Hear me.

Micah 6:8 – He has shown you, Oh man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

Numbers 6:24-26 – The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.

https://www.gotquestions.org/Feast-of-Tabernacles.html

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