Living Words
"Living Words" is a weekly podcast that explores the transformative power of scripture across a diverse range of Biblical books, guided by insightful devotionals from the author's own works. Each episode seeks to deepen faith and understanding, connecting listeners with the enduring wisdom and relevance of the Bible in their daily lives.
Living Words
In His Footsteps Week 15: Feast of Tabernacles
In the latest episode of the "Living Words" podcast, host Charles Vance dives deep into the significance of the Feast of Tabernacles as part of the "In His Footsteps" devotional series. This episode stands out as it unpacks the biblical and spiritual context of the feast, emphasizing its role in the Jewish calendar and its implications for understanding the timing and actions of God.
Charles begins by explaining the biblical basis for the day beginning at sunset, rooted in Genesis, and how the Hebrew calendar marks time, particularly noting the agricultural and lunar elements that define the beginning of the year in Exodus. He clarifies common misconceptions about Rosh Hashanah and its traditional association with the Feast of Tabernacles, instead placing it in the spring as the Bible describes.
As he moves into the devotional content, Charles uses the setting of the Feast of Tabernacles to frame a discussion on John chapters 7 and 8, where Jesus’ teachings at the Temple during the feast reveal his divine authority and wisdom. He highlights key moments like Jesus proclaiming himself as the source of living water and the light of the world, symbolic of the Holy Spirit and spiritual enlightenment.
The narrative also explores Jesus' teachings on truth and freedom, emphasizing that true freedom comes from living in accordance with Jesus' teachings, which liberate from the bondage of sin. Charles encourages listeners to reflect on their spiritual lives and consider how they embody the truths Jesus taught.
The episode wraps up with thought-provoking reflections on divine timing, spiritual fulfillment, and the essence of true worship beyond physical and traditional confines. It invites listeners to internalize the deep spiritual lessons embedded in the Feast of Tabernacles and apply them to their daily lives.
Listeners are left with questions for further reflection and suggested prayers that focus on trusting in God's timing, seeking spiritual fulfillment in Jesus, and living out the truths of his teachings in everyday life. Charles closes with an invitation to explore these themes further and continue the journey of faith, week by week.
Get a copy of the In His Footsteps devotional here.
Good morning and happy Sabbath. I'm Charles Vance and I'm the host for Living Words podcast and right now we're going through a series from the In His Footsteps devotional. And this week we're on week 15, which is Feast of Tabernacles, and the format's going to be slightly different this week. I'll go through the devotional briefly Again. These devotionals are brief anyway, but this is Feast of Tabernacles and it has a spiritual significance. First off, this is the last feast in the cycle. There are three feasts and I'm just going to briefly go through the Hebrew understanding of the Creator's time. I try to keep it brief. I'm just going to briefly go through the Hebrew understanding of the Creator's time. Try to keep it brief. But essentially there's some key things you have to understand to be able to follow the Hebrew understanding of the Creator, and one is the time. Time is the Creator's time. Let's start with the time. Time is the creator's time. Let's start with the day. So the creator's day begins at sunset. And it begins at sunset based on Genesis 1.5. It says in the morning and the evening were the first day. So we believe that the day begins as the sun sets. How do you get that straight?
Speaker 1:Now, in Exodus is where we believe the beginning of the year is, because it says in Exodus, this will be the beginning of months for you, and he's talking about the month of Aviv. When they came out of Egypt for the Passover, the barley was smitten with the hail. The barley was smitten with the hail and so there's an agricultural and an astrological component, a lunar component. So when the barley is of Eve and the moon is at its first sliver, first noticeable, that's the head of the year. The head of the year in Hebrew is Rosh Hashanah.
Speaker 1:Rosh Hashanah, some people say Rosh Hashanah, and it's the Jewish New Year. However, in Babylon the Jews changed the understanding of Rosh Hashanah from spring in Exodus, where it came out of Egypt for the Passover, to the Feast of Tabernacles, actually for Yom Teruah, the Day of Trumpets, which is the first sliver of the new moon, for the last month of the year, and then 15 days later is the Feast of Tabernacles, month of the year, and then 15 days later is the Feast of Tabernacles. So I just wanted to get that straight, that Rosh Hashanah is not in the fall, in coordination with Feast of Tabernacles. Rosh Hashanah is at the spring, in the beginning of the cycle, so Passover then is the in the Feast of Unleavened Bread, is the first feast in the cycle, and then you have seven Sabbaths. Later you have the Shavuot. Shavuot is 77th, so it's the seventh Sabbath and that's the time whenever the Holy Spirit came. You count the Omer, there's 50 days, and on the 50th day, which is the Pentecost Penta meaning 50, it's the coming of the Holy Spirit. And that was also the same time whenever you get the word the Torah, on the mountain with Moses. So those are the three cycles, those are the three feasts that every male-aged Hebrew was required to go up to the temple and worship.
Speaker 1:So, having laid that groundwork, now that you understand the significance of the Feast of Tabernacles and the Feast of Tabernacles in John has a significance as well, because that's the verse where he says that he came and tabernacled among us. The word became in the beginning of the John 1, 1,. The beginning, excuse me, in the beginning was the word. The word was God, the word was with God and the word came and became flesh and tabernacled among us or dwelt among us. So the Feast of Tabernacles is the true birth of Christ Yeshua, the, not Christmas, not. So it's Passover and Feast of Tabernacles for the birth and death. Okay, and as distinct from Easter, good Friday Easter which is the pagan understanding of the birth and resurrection of Christ, of the birth and resurrection of Christ, to the pagan Greek Jesus, as opposed to the Hebrew Yeshua, which is tabernacles for birth and Passover, for death and resurrection. They may seem subtle and they may even seem something. People would say, well, it doesn't really matter, but that's everything. Seem subtle and they may even seem something but say, well, it doesn't really matter, but that's everything. It's everything, because if you're going with a Greek understanding of the Messiah, then you're going to be led right back to the pantheon of the gods and Zeus and Apollo and worshiping entities who are not worthy of worship, like Mary, the mother of God. Mary is not a deity. Mary should not be prayed to or worshiped. The only deity that we know in the Hebrew faith is Yeshua HaMashiach, yahweh Yisra'el, his father and the spirit, the Ruach HaKadosh.
Speaker 1:Now I'm going to go ahead and get into this, the brief devotional, now that I've made that statement, but the text for the week is coming out of John 7 and 8. And it's a complex narrative set against the backdrop of the Feast of Tabernacles or Booths, which is a Hebrew festival celebrating the wilderness period and God's provision. Throughout these chapters, jesus teaches in the temple, engaging in deep theological discourse and confrontation, revealing both his divine wisdom and increasing tension with the Jewish leaders. Here's a breakdown of the key themes and events. So from John 7, the Feast of Tabernacles, and what's notable is his own brother's unbelief. The narrative begins with the brothers of Jesus urging him to go to Judea for the feast, showcasing their unbelief and misunderstanding of his mission. He responds in his timing, highlighting the contrast between worldly acclaim and divine purpose, highlighting the contrast between worldly acclaim and divine purpose.
Speaker 1:Jesus at the festival. So Jesus goes to the festival secretly and then openly teaches in the temple, amazing crowds with his understanding. His teachings provoke division among the people and leaders, with debates about his identity and origin. A living water. On the last day of the feast, he stands and cries out offering living water to anyone who believes in him, symbolizing the Holy Spirit.
Speaker 1:This declaration ties back to themes from earlier in John, the conversation with the Samaritan woman, and points forward to the spirits or outpouring In John 8, the light of the world. We have the woman caught in adultery. And although this passage John 53 through 8, 11, is noted in many manuscripts as a later edition. It's a powerful story of grace, forgiveness and his authority to judge. Jesus responds to the Pharisees' trap with wisdom, exposing their hypocrisy and offering the woman mercy. Jesus, the light of the world. Now Jesus declares himself as the light of the world, promising that followers will not walk in darkness.
Speaker 1:This declaration at the Feast of Tabernacles, where large lamps illuminated the temple, underscores his role as a source of spiritual light and life, truth and freedom. As a source of spiritual light and life, truth and Freedom. In a discussion with the Pharisees, jesus contrasts the freedom he offers with the bondage of sin. He emphasizes that knowing the truth his teachings will set people free, challenging their belief in ancestry to Abraham as the source of their freedom, the Father's Witness. Jesus argues that his authority and message come from the Father who sent him.
Speaker 1:Despite the miracles in his teachings, many refuse to believe, leading to intense debates about his identity and claims. These chapters underscore the divinity and divine authority of Jesus, his fulfillment of Jewish typology, such as the living water and light, and the spiritual blindness of those who oppose him. They invite reflection on several themes the role of faith in recognizing his divine identity and mission, the contrast between his spiritual teachings and the people's often materialistic interpretations, the significance of the Holy Spirit as living water provided by Christ to believers, and the nature of true freedom as liberation from sin through the truth of Christ. His interactions in these chapters challenge readers to examine their own understanding of his teachings and to consider the depth of their faith. They call believers to live in the light of his truth, experiencing the freedom and life he offers through a relationship with Him guided by the Spirit.
Speaker 1:The lessons that can be derived this week are divine timing and spiritual fulfillment in Jesus. The life and ministry of Jesus exemplify the importance of divine timing, teaching us to trust in His perfect plan rather than our own expectations. Furthermore, he offers Himself as the source of living water, quenching our deepest spiritual thirst and inviting us to find our ultimate fulfillment and satisfaction in Him rather than the fleeting pleasures of the world. John 7, 6, and 37-38. Therefore, jesus told them my time is not yet here for you. Any time will do.
Speaker 1:On the last and greatest day of the festival, jesus stood and said in a loud voice Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink Jesus as the light of the world and the essence of true freedom. By declaring himself the light of the world, he promises to guide his followers out of the darkness of sin and into the light of truth. He teaches that true freedom is found in knowing and living according to his word, liberating us from the bondage of sin and leading us into the freedom of his children. And that's John 8, 12, 31 and 32. And when Jesus spoke again to the people, he said I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life. And to the Jews who had believed him, jesus said if you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples and then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.
Speaker 1:The nature of authentic worship and identity in Christ Jesus emphasizes that true worship transcends a physical location and tradition, focusing on worshiping in spirit and truth. This reflects a heart wholly aligned with His desires. Additionally, he challenges cultural and religious identity markers, affirming that our true identity and freedom are rooted in our relationship with Him and faith in His Word, offering a new perspective on worship and identity John 4, 23-24,. John 8, 58. Yet a time is coming, and has now come, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth. And verily true, I tell you. Jesus answered Before Abraham was I am.
Speaker 1:Here's some questions for reflection and discussion this week. Reflect on the promise of Jesus of living water and how does this imagery speak to your spiritual life and experiences with the Holy Spirit? He said out of my belly will flow rivers of living water. So where does the flow of water come from? It comes from the center, the core of the being of Yeshua HaMashiach, jesus Christ. The living water is the Spirit of God and all of his followers are quenched. Our spiritual thirst is quenched with the water of the Word, as the Holy Spirit brings the Word directly to our heart and fulfills and quenches our thirst.
Speaker 1:Discuss the significance of his claim to be the light of the world and in what ways does following him bring light into your life? Because light is often associated with truth. When you're speaking the truth, you're in the light. When you're lying and cheating and being corrupt, you're in the darkness. You're in the light. When you're lying and cheating and being corrupt, you're in the darkness. Everything about Yeshua Jesus is truth. Everything he teaches is truth. There is no deception in him. There is no darkness in him. So if we follow him and his ways, then we are in the light and we walk in the light. Consider the concept of truth and freedom as presented by Jesus, and how does understanding truth in him lead to freedom in your personal experiences? Because truth is always going to set you free.
Speaker 1:You do not have to remember the truth, but when you lie and when you're deceptive, and when you do, regardless of whether it's a white lie or a black lie, you know, for whatever reason. Some people lie for all kinds of reasons. We've all done it. You know, for whatever reason. Even people, some people, people lie for all kinds of reasons. We've all done it. You know you. You embellish because you want to make a story sound better. You tell a white lie because you're uncomfortable and it's better to do that than to face the truth and to be. You don't want to hurt somebody's feelings sometimes. So you don't say the truth. So it doesn't. A lie doesn't always have to be evil, but it's always in comparative to the truth, it's darkness. So if you always tell the truth, then you don't have to remember anything, just tell the truth.
Speaker 1:The question of his authority and identity is central to these chapters. And how do you respond to his claims about who he is and the source of his teachings? Well, there's only one way to respond to the claims of Jesus and that's to follow him, to believe him, to accept his truth into your heart and to covenant with him and to follow him. Jesus's teachings at the Feast of Tabernacles stirred various reactions, and what challenges or encourages you in your own faith journey when you encountered by diverse responses of him today? I mean it'll definitely make you think if you are not a follower of Christ.
Speaker 1:There's a lot of. There's some hard concepts. I mean the very fact that he says eat my flesh and drink my blood. It was enough to turn many away, but what he's saying is I am the bread of life, my body, this is my body. When you, when you partake of this bread, you're partaking of me. My blood is the covenant that I made with you. I shed my blood, my innocent blood, for you and to restore the believer back to God. So those are concepts. There's some hard concepts, but when you follow them, when you accept them and take them at face value and walk in them. Then you will benefit from that.
Speaker 1:So here's some suggested prayers. Heavenly Father, in moments of impatience and uncertainty we seek the grace to trust in your perfect timing. Help us to remember that your plans unfold in ways and times that are beyond our understanding, but always for our good and your glory. Grant us patience to wait on you, strength to endure the waiting, and faith to believe that what you have in store is worth every moment of anticipation. Align our hearts and actions with your divine schedule, trusting that you are never late, never early, but always precisely on time.
Speaker 1:Amen, lord Jesus, bread of life and living water. We come to you acknowledging our deep spiritual thirst and hunger In a world suffering, in a world offering temporary and unsatisfying solutions. Remind us that true fulfillment and eternal life are found only in you. Fill us anew with your living water, the Holy Spirit, that we may overflow with your love, joy and peace. May our souls be satisfied in your presence and our lives reflect the abundance of your grace to those still searching for what only you can provide.
Speaker 1:Amen, holy Spirit, guide and counselor, illuminate our paths with the light of Jesus' truth, enabling us to navigate the complexities of this world with clarity and wisdom. Help us to discern your will, resist the temptations of darkness and walk in the freedom of Christ's light. Empower us to be beacons of your truth in our communities, reflecting the love and grace of Jesus in our words and actions. Strengthen our resolve to live in the light that our lives may be glorified God and lead others to the truth that sets us free. Amen. I hope this has been a blessing to you this week and hope that you can find something here that will give you some insight and moment for the week as you move through it. And again, if you want to purchase a copy of the In His Footsteps devotional, I'll have a link to that in the show notes and I'll see you again next week.
