If you remember some of last week’s blog, Jesus knew that he had a “bounty” on His head as the religious leaders in Jerusalem were already plotting to kill Him. After spending time in Galilee, his half-brothers wanted Him to return to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Booths (or Tabernacles) which celebrated God’s gracious provision for the Israelites during their 40 years of wandering in the dessert. If you recall, Jesus declined the invitation to travel with his half-brothers, but later decided to go with His disciples “secretly,” because He did not want to draw attention to Himself, which is what His half-brothers were wanting Him to do. 

Because the Feast of Booths was so important for the Jews of Jesus’ day, let’s spend a little more time looking at this Feast, which is the seventh and the last of the Feasts, and is mentioned in Scripture more than any of the other feasts. Interestingly, it was held in the seventh month, and it was to last for a total of seven days. It is also called the “Feast of Ingathering” because it was held at the end of the harvest season (September/October) when God’s bounty and provision were clearly evident (Exod 23:16). It was (and still is for many Jews) a joyous harvest festival celebrating the completion of the agricultural year. The nation realized that after this festival, there would be a period of about six months until Passover, the first of the Spring Feasts. This is one reason why this Feast was traditionally the most anticipated and joyous of all the feasts. In fact, it was so important for the nation to celebrate that it was often referred to simply as “The Feast.”

During the Feast, people would build temporary shelters, or booths, to commemorate God’s provision during the forty years that they spent in the wilderness prior to entering the Promised Land. The people actually spent a significant amount of time living and eating in their booths during the week of the festival. Thus, the Feast had both commemorative as well as prophetic aspects. It looked back in celebration of God’s provision during Israel’s wanderings in the wilderness when they lived in temporary shelters; and it also looked forward to the “age of Messiah” when the presence of God would once again dwell with Israel as He did in the tabernacle during their years in the dessert. 

Although not prescribed in Scripture, the Israelites added a special ceremony of “water libation” (or sacrifice) on the day following the seven-day Feast. Every day during the Feast, a priest would draw water from the Pool of Siloam and walk up to the altar in the Temple and pour it into a silver basin and then call upon the Lord to provide rain for their crops the following year. This was also a time when the people also looked forward to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon them.  

Interestingly, the water libation was offered at night, and it became a jubilant occasion because three golden candlesticks standing 75 feet high were lit in the Temple area, and the light emanating from them could be seen throughout Jerusalem. The light celebration was reminiscent of the descent of the Shekinah glory in Solomon’s Temple on the day of its dedication, and the people anticipated the return of the glory of the Lord. 

On this last day of the feast, both the water libation and light ceremony were intimately linked when Jesus entered the Temple. The Apostle John wrote: 

In the last day, that great day of the Feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink. He that believes in Me, as the Scripture said, out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water” (John 7:37-38).

While the people debated the meaning of His invitation to “come and drink,” Jesus then stood amidst the lights from the candlesticks and said: 

“I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12).

On this night, the last night of the Feast, Jesus extended an invitation for everyone to come and drink of the water that He would give them, and to also follow Him so that they would never walk in darkness. If you have never had a drink of “spiritual” water from His bottomless supply, then at this Thanksgiving time, it would be a good time to “take a drink.” The Psalmist said, “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Ps 34:8). And, if you are not following the One who is the “Light of the World,” then you are actually walking in darkness. Just ask the Lord to guide your life into a life of righteousness. But first, you must ask Him to be your Savior and Lord, setting you free from the penalty and power of sin. It’s never too late. 

Peggy and I are so grateful for each one of you! We wish you a very blessed and happy Thanksgiving.