Sukkot is the most joyful of all the biblical feasts and, relieved for now of the Syria threat, Israelis are in a happy mood. Everything about Sukkot reflects God’s faithful, near Presence. The Torah reading (Parasha) for the week of Sukkot includes these encouraging verses from Exodus 33: “My Presence will go with you and I will give you rest…I will cause all My goodness to pass in front of you and I will proclaim My name, the Lord, in your presence.” (v. 14, 19).
We build little huts (sukkot) to remember and experience anew God’s Presence in the wilderness. Are you personally going through a time of wilderness or uncertainty? God’s Presence is with you and gives you rest. If you can build or visit a sukkah this week, I think you’ll be blessed by His special Presence there, too.
Many Bible scholars believe that Yeshua was probably born during Sukkot. Their conclusions are based on the timing of the immaculate conception in view of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, compared with John’s tour of duty in the Temple as set forth in 2 Chronicles. If that is true, the Word (Messiah) became flesh and tabernacled among us at Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles. The Scriptures indicate Messiah will likely come again during the fall feasts, with Sukkot foreshadowing His Millennial rule. At that time He will tabernacle with us in splendor and supreme majesty!
Sukkot is a time to pray that Yeshua’s Presence will be experienced by Jewish people in Israel and around the world. May His Presence be with you as well and may He give you rest. May He proclaim His name in your presence, releasing all that He is to you and through you. The world may be a wilderness, but God is your ever present sanctuary.