Nougat 8

The news headlines are filled with news of yesterday’s surprise attack on Israel by Hamas.

The attack surprised most, especially Israel – it’s Sukkoth, the Feast of Tabernacles – and too many civilians are caught in this epic battle. And it was on the sabbath, a day of rest from every kind of work. Regardless of what may have provoked this attack and counter attack, it invites considerable attention as we attempt to discern whether these are the birth pangs of the End.

As we consider today’s Holy Nougat, I urge us to pray for peace in Israel, and around the world.

“Speak to the Israelites and say to them: When you enter the land that I am giving you and harvest its produce, you must bring the first bundle of your harvest to the priest. You will count off fifty days until the day after the seventh Sabbath. Then you must present a new grain offering to the LORD. On that very same day you must make a proclamation; it will be a holy occasion for you. You must not do any job-related work. This is a permanent rule wherever you live throughout your future generations. Say to the Israelites: The Festival of Booths to the LORD will start on the fifteenth day of the seventh month and will last for seven days. For seven days you will offer food gifts to the LORD. On the eighth day you will have a holy occasion and must offer a food gift to the LORD. It is a holiday: you must not do any job-related work.” ‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭23‬:‭10‬, ‭16‬, ‭21‬, ‭34‬, ‭36‬ ‭CEB‬‬

Sukkoth

If God ordained that on ‘the eighth day you will have a holy occasion and must offer a food gift to the LORD. It is a holiday: you must not do any job-related work’, should the military be observing the sabbath also? And would an attack be considered an attack against God? What does this mean for us as believers and is this the battle of Armageddon?

Sukkoth is not traditional camping but it does invite an entire nation to live in tents for several weeks. Not only are they living in tents, they are celebrating the barley harvest and the safe entry into the Land of Promise. Without a doubt, it is a festive season and Sabbath observance is high. In our nougat, we note that there is special emphasis on the holiness of the season. Though celebratory, it is a season wholly dedicated to God. One Jewish organization explains it this way:

“In modern times, besides building the sukkah, Jews celebrate Sukkot by the waving of the lulav during service in synagogue. During the Temple period, our people used to make a daily procession about the Temple with the lulav. Today, we process with our lulavin the synagogue, once daily, while reciting Psalm 118:25 and special prayers called Hoshanot. On the seventh and final day of Sukkot, Hoshanah Rabbah, our people made seven processions about the Temple. One author writes: “On the seventh day of Sukkot, the procession would circle the altar seven times. At the conclusion, the participants would cry out: ‘Thine O Altar is the beauty! Thine O Altar is the beauty!’”6 In our own day, we make seven processions with the lulav in synagogue with additional prayers on Hoshanah Rabbah, as well as beating a bundle of five willow branches on the ground during this climactic ceremony.” (Source https://jewsforjesus.org/jewish…/jewish-holidays/sukkot)

For some Messianic believers, this feast is symbolic of Jesus Christ’s return. They look to Zechariah’s prophecy, stating

According to the prophet Zechariah, this holiday also has a prophetic dimension that is yet to be fulfilled. When Messiah returns and establishes His Kingdom, all the nations will be required to keep this holiday by coming up to Jerusalem to celebrate Sukkot. (Zechariah 14:16–17). In that day, Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) will become Israel’s sukkah (tabernacle). His presence will shelter Israel and she will no longer be oppressed by the nations. (Source https://free.messianicbible.com/…/sukkot-feast…/)

Whether this is an accurate interpretation of Zechariah may be open to debate, but it is true that Jesus spoke about Himself as Living Water during this festival. Moreover, while Christ’s return might be ushered in by this festival, the great battle (of Armageddon) is generally expected after the Tribulation. This attack that has sparked a fresh war in Israel-Palestine does not fully align with Biblical prophecy for the times and seasons.

One could also say it is a most vulnerable time, as tents are not indoors and so those living in the tents are at the mercy of the elements. An air strike would have caught many out in the open, unarmed and unprotected from the battle. Without a doubt, many are questioning their belief in God.

Does this mean that we ignore what is happening? Certainly not. Rather, we watch and pray, recognizing that we must be ready to meet our Living Water at any moment. Most of all, having missed the celebration, perhaps we should consider giving ourselves daily to God.

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May all we seek be found in Christ