Sukkot – Dwell with the Lord
Summary
Discover the meaning behind this Feast and how it can encourage your faith.
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Beholding God’s Beauty
“One thing have I asked of Adonai, that will I seek: to dwell in the House of Adonai all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of Adonai, and to meditate in His Temple.”
––Psalm 27:4
How many times has a fantastic sunset made you stop what you were doing to stand and watch it for a moment? Have you ever seen a nature photograph that made you linger over it? Maybe you’ve driven around a curve to discover a spectacular landscape in front of you.
How do you feel and react when you see something extraordinarily beautiful? Does your breath catch, your jaw drop, your eyes tear? Does it leave you momentarily speechless and stunned with awe? Beauty can do this to us. We want to more than see it; we want to behold it – to remain in its presence, taking in as much of it as we can.
Part of David’s longing to dwell in God’s presence was about beholding His beauty. We may not often think of God as beautiful. All-powerful, loving, good and pure, of course, but beautiful? David thought so. And when you think about it, certainly all the world’s beauty sprang forth from the beautiful nature of our Creator God.
Beauty is the love that spurred God to make a way for us to be with Him. Beauty is the grace and mercy that draws us near. Beauty is the God of the universe hearing our prayers, bending down to answer, strengthening and helping us in His great kindness.
How do we behold the beauty of God? By lingering in our praise of Him and meditating on who He reveals Himself to be. Like in the presence of a striking sunset or magnificent view, we let our jaws drop at the overwhelming, beautiful nature of our God.
As we consider what it means to dwell with God during this Sukkot, let’s remember that we live in the presence of His spectacular beauty. One day, however, we will fully see Him – and we won’t be able to contain ourselves at His glorious loveliness. In the meantime, as we wait for that day, let’s behold as much of Him as possible. Let’s fix our gaze on Him, linger long over His beauty and rejoice because of the stunning gift that He has given us – Himself.
“Splendor and majesty are before Him. Strength and beauty are in His Sanctuary.”
––Psalm 96:6
Dwelling with God amid COVID-19
It’s hard to believe that so much of the world is still undergoing the changes and restrictions inflicted by COVID-19. As we live in varying degrees of diminished activity and limited social interaction, we may miss some of the things that fill us up and feed our souls. But we can make the most of this unusual time by intentionally looking for beauty, particularly God’s beauty. Look for creative ways to take in more beauty. Browse the internet for beautiful nature photography. Look up the wonders of the world. Gaze out your windows with fresh eyes to spot extraordinary beauty hiding within your everyday view. Go on a hike to breathe in His beauty. Take time to read the Bible and note the qualities of God that are beautiful and lovely. Spend time thanking Him for the beautiful ways He has loved you.
The first Sunday of every October is the Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem. The Bible calls us to pray for Israel, and in Psalm 122, it specifically talks about praying for Jerusalem.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem— “May those who love you be at peace!”
––Psalm 122:6
In Isaiah, we are urged to pray fervently and give God no rest in our prayers for Jerusalem.
On your walls, Jerusalem, I have set watchmen. All day and all night, they will never hold their peace. “You who remind Adonai, take no rest for yourselves, and give Him no rest until He establishes and makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.
––Isaiah 62:6–7
Here are five ways to pray for Jerusalem’s peace, along with some Scriptures to inspire your prayers for peace in Jerusalem.
Peace at and within her borders
Israel is surrounded by several nations who deny her right to exist and want to destroy her. Israelis living near the Gaza border know that emergency sirens could sound at any moment, meaning a Hamas or Islamic Jihad rocket is coming their way. Within Israel’s borders, and in Jerusalem, there are Palestinian areas that are home to many people who wish harm to Israelis. Pray for peace both at and within Israel’s borders.
No more will violence be heard in your land, devastation nor destruction within your borders. But you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise.
––Isaiah 60:18
He puts shalom within your borders. He satisfies you with the finest wheat.
––Psalm 147:14
Let the mountains bring shalom to the people, and the hills righteousness.
––Psalm 72:3
Peace in Homes
Our homes are our sanctuaries, our places of shelter from stresses of the noisy outside world. We all want peace in our homes – security and peaceful relationships where each family member can flourish in a safe, nurturing, restful environment. Pray for peace within Jerusalem’s homes.
All your children will be taught by Adonai. Your children will have great shalom.
––Isaiah 54:13
Thus you will say: ‘Long life! And shalom to you, shalom to your house and shalom to all that is yours.
––1 Samuel 25:6
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
––Psalm 4:8 NIV
May there be shalom within your walls— quietness within your palaces.
––Psalm 122:7
Peace on the Streets
For decades, Palestinian enemies of Israel have committed acts of violence – terrorism – on Israel’s streets. Random stabbings, car-rammings and other assaults among them. Pray for God’s protection and that He would grant peace on Israel’s streets.
… Adonai, You will establish shalom for us, for all our works You have done for us.
––Isaiah 26:12
The streets of the city will be full of boys and girls playing in its streets.
––Zechariah 8:5
[Of wisdom:] Her ways are pleasant ways, and all of her paths are shalom.
––Proverbs 3:17
… those promoting shalom have joy.
––Proverbs 12:20b
Peace in the Government
The Bible commands us to pray for those in authority over us so that we can live in peace. King Solomon knew the responsibility on his shoulders. When God invited him to ask whatever he wished of Him, Solomon requested wisdom. And God gave Israel peace in the land because of it throughout Solomon’s reign. Pray for wisdom and peace within Israel’s government.
Therefore, first of all I urge that requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made on behalf of all people— for kings and all who are in authority—so we may live a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and respectfulness. This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior.
––1 Timothy 2:1–3
…administer the judgment of truth and shalom in your gates.
––Zechariah 8:16
Adonai gave Solomon wisdom as He promised him, so there was shalom.
––1 Kings 5:26
Peace in Spirit – Knowing Yeshua (Jesus)
What good is momentary earthly peace if the end is suffering an eternity apart from God, where there is no peace. Jerusalem, Israel and Jewish people worldwide need Yeshua (Jesus). He is the only means God established to reconcile our sin-scarred relationship with Him. Pray for spiritual peace for Jewish people everywhere.
Indeed, I will bring it health and healing, and I will surely heal them. I will reveal to them an abundance of shalom and truth.
––Jeremiah 33:6
Therefore, having been made righteous by trusting, we have shalom with God through our Lord Yeshua the Messiah.
––Romans 5:1
But He was pierced because of our transgressions, crushed because of our iniquities. The chastisement for our shalom was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
––Isaiah 53:5
Shalom I leave you, My shalom I give to you; but not as the world gives! Do not let your heart be troubled or afraid.
––John 14:27
The Shelter of God’s Presence
“Let me dwell in Your tent forever. Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings.”
––Psalm 61:5
For more than 20 years now, Israel has required that all new construction include a safe room to protect people from enemy rocket fire. When a warning siren sounds, people dash into their shelter to hunker down behind a heavy steel door and surrounded by about five inches of concrete.
In 2012, an Israeli couple emerged unhurt from the safe room of their top-floor apartment and discovered the rocket had made a direct hit on their home. Their apartment was totaled, but, as a soldier later noted, the books hadn’t even fallen out of the safe room’s bookcase. The rocket tore through three of the apartment building’s six floors but caused no serious injuries because everyone was in their safe rooms.*
God is our safe room. He is our shelter when life’s rockets hurtle our way.
The psalmist David ran to God’s presence often, seeking shelter from the distresses he faced. In it, he found such peace and safety that He longed to dwell there forever. We have God’s presence with us always, yet we can easily forget to turn our attention to recognize that we can come under the shelter of His wings. Too often, we spend needless moments, hours or even days, chased by anxious thoughts and concerns. When at last we run into the shelter of our ever-present God, we find that either our troubles have bypassed us or God equips us with what we need to face and overcome them.
On this second day of Sukkot, meditate on some ways God has come to your rescue in the past, how He has kept you safe or strengthened you amid distressing circumstances. Thank Him, and rejoice over the protective, sheltering power of your loving God.
“For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His sukkah, conceal me in the shelter of His tent, and set me high upon a rock.”
––Psalm 27:5
“But let all who take refuge in You rejoice! Let them always shout for joy! You will shelter them and they exult—those who love Your Name.”
––Psalm 5:12
Dwelling with God amid COVID-19
In the height of the pandemic, most of us were ordered to “shelter in place” in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Throughout the re-openings and resurgences, some around the world are experiencing renewed restrictions and lockdowns. You may feel isolated, spending so much time in your home, but know that you can be hunkered down with God. He is your shelter and refuge from the discouragements of life. He is your cheerleader and strength giver for facing the challenges and sometimes wearisome inconveniences of this COVID-era lifestyle. Know that you are not alone. The shelter of His presence is ready to receive you, but you must say yes to His invitation into His presence. His mighty wings will then guard you with His power, love and peace.
*Sources:
The Safest Room in the House, Times of Israel, November 28, 2012
Dwelling with Truth
“The Spirit of truth…. You know Him, because He abides with you and will be in you.”
––John 14:17
After King David sinned with Bathsheba and devised a plan to ensure her husband would die in battle, David went about his business. He ignored the heavy burden of his guilt, though, according to Psalm 32, it plagued him day and night. Months went by. A child was born of the adultery, and God sent the prophet Nathan to finally confront David about the evil he had done. (See 2 Samuel 11–12).
In Psalm 32, David revealed the misery he felt when he refused to acknowledge his sin. When Nathan forced him to be honest, David confessed before God – and God forgave him. David could rejoice once again in the presence of God because he lived openly with the truth.
God wants us to dwell with Him in truth. He even says that our worship of Him requires truth. One of the roles of the Holy Spirit is to teach us and lead us into all truth. He is the Spirit of truth.
Sometimes, we don’t like the truth. But as worshippers of the one true God, who is “the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6), the truth is a vital part of dwelling with God. And Jesus said that the truth would set us free, as it did David.
This Sukkot, as we explore the blessings of God dwelling with us, let’s also remember that to live in unhindered fellowship with Him, we are to live in the truth – about Him, about ourselves. Ask Him to show you truths about yourself, others and Himself that will bless you and help you live more richly and honestly in your relationships.
“Surely You desire truth in the inner being. Make me know wisdom inwardly.”––Psalm 51:8
“Yeshua said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life! No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”
––John 14:6
“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
––John 8:32
“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
––John 4:24
“But when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth.”
––John 16:13a
Dwelling with God amid COVID-19
One thing that has made this global pandemic frightening is not being sure what the truth is about it. As scientists and doctors learned more, information changed about its contagiousness, symptoms, and how to avoid and treat it. We can rest assured that, even when we don’t know what’s going on, God does. He knows the full truth about COVID-19 and everything else that concerns us. Trust Him with the unknowns in your life and lean in to receive peace, wisdom and guidance from Him.
God with Us
“Adonai went before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead the way and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light. So they could travel both day and night. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night never departed from the people.”
––Exodus 13:21-22
One of the things we are celebrating during the Feast of Sukkot is God dwelling with us. In the wilderness, Israel had a visible manifestation of God’s presence with them day and night: pillars of cloud and fire. At one point, when God was displeased with His people’s faithlessness, Moses pleaded with Him that He would not send them forward if His presence did not go with them.
Thousands of years later, in a humble Bethlehem stable, the Messiah was born as Immanuel, God with us. After Yeshua’s (Jesus’) resurrection and ascension, dwelling with God took on a whole new form. God’s presence came to Believers through the Holy Spirit, given not among us, with us or near us, but right inside us.
Can we fathom the depths and extent of this gift? God is as close as our thoughts, and He will never depart from us. He is there to guide us as He did the Israelites in the desert. He reveals Himself, teaching us and showing His compassion as Jesus did when He lived on Earth. And He comforts and helps us, empowering us to walk in God’s ways.
As we focus this Sukkot on God dwelling with us, take some time to reflect on what it means to you that God dwells within us. Consider how you could become more aware and engaged with His presence. And rejoice at the wonders of God dwelling with you every day!
“Therefore Adonai Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive. When she is giving birth to a son, she will call his name Immanuel.”
“…which means ‘God with us.’”
––Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:23
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.”
––Revelation 3:20
“Yeshua answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling with him.”
––John 14:23
Dwelling with God amid COVID-19
With God, there’s no social distancing required. No masks, no advance appointments and no pre-ordering necessary. You can be as spontaneous as you want. He is always ready to meet with you and ever eager to carry your burdens. Spend extra time with Him. As singles and families have found creative ways to spend time productively, we can apply that idea to our relationships with God too. You could read through a book of the Bible you seldom turn to. Go for walks with God, praying for things you’re typically too busy to address. Praise Him for something before you ask Him for something. Choose a chapter of the Bible and read it each day for a week. What are some other ideas you could do to freshen things up in your time with Him each day?
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.””
Philippians 4:19 NIV
Our week started with Yom Kippur and on Friday we begin Sukkot, the last of the annual Feasts for this calendar year. Sukkot reminds us of God’s provision for the Israelites in the wilderness and also of all He has provided in our lives today.
Let us together thank God for His provision for the Jewish people and also ask Him for protection and to provide a way out of the coronavirus crisis the world is experiencing. Again, this past week we are seeing record numbers of new cases in Israel, including an increase in patients needing ventilators. Hospital parking lots have been converted into temporary wards. The entire country is in a second lockdown to stop the spread of the virus.
There is good news regarding peace between Israel and other Arab countries, as you’ll read about in the news stories below concerning both Saudi Arabia and Sudan. Meanwhile, the U.S. has imposed sweeping new sanctions on Iran to curb the country’s nuclear, missile and conventional arms threat.
Thank you for continuing to stand with and pray for Israel and her people, especially in regard to the coronavirus.
Israelis mark Yom Kippur with second lockdown
On Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar, Israeli life comes to a halt. Businesses shut down, roads empty, even TV and radio stations go silent as they faithfully fast for 25 hours and go to God with prayers of atonement.
This year a second lockdown to try and contain the spread of the coronavirus has already closed non-essential businesses and Israelis have been ordered to stay within 1,000 yards of their homes. This lockdown continues through mid-October.
The government responded to a significant spike in the number of daily cases and fear of hospitals being overwhelmed with this nationwide lockdown. Israel is experiencing one of the most severe outbreaks in the world, currently reporting more than 7,000 new cases a day – with a population of just 9 million, according to The Times of Israel.
In the spring, a lockdown largely contained the outbreak. The new daily cases dropped to around a dozen in May. Authorities then reopened schools and businesses quickly, leading to a surge in new cases. At the same time, the economy struggled to recover. An emergency government was formed at that time to manage the crisis caused by the pandemic. Unfortunately, infighting has only increased the public sense of despair.
Saudi king takes aim at Iran, talks of support for Middle East peace
During his debut last week at the annual United Nations meeting of world leaders, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman called for a united front to contain Iran and stop it from getting weapons of mass destruction.
"A comprehensive solution and a firm international position are required," the Saudi king, told the 193-member General Assembly in a video statement that was pre-recorded due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to U.S. News & World Report.
In reference to U.S. peace efforts in the Middle East, Salman said, “the kingdom supports all efforts aimed at advancing the peace process.”
Salman did not explicitly express support of the recent normalization agreements between both the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain with Israel, but it is believed both countries likely received Saudi Arabia’s blessing, The Times of Israel reported.
Sudan and U.S. discuss Arab-Israeli peace
A Sudanese delegation and American officials met in the UAE and discussed how peace could stabilize the region, according to the Reuters news agency.
The discussions were held on the future of Arab-Israeli peace, which would lead to “stability in the region and preserve the right of the Palestinian people to establish their state according to the vision of a two-state solution,” a council statement said after the return of the delegation.
The two sides also discussed “the role that Sudan is expected to play in achieving this peace,” it said. Further details were not provided.
U.S. imposes sweeping new sanctions on Iran
After asserting that the United Nations arms embargo on Iran be reimposed indefinitely, the United States imposed sweeping new sanctions on Iran to curb the country’s nuclear, missile and conventional arms threats.
President Trump’s administration is imposing new sanctions and export control measures on 27 entities and individuals connected to Iran’s nuclear weapons program, according to VOA (Voice of America) News. Iran's Defense Industries Organization (DIO) and its director, Mehrdad Akhlaghi-Ketabchi, and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro are among those being sanctioned.
"For nearly two years, corrupt officials in Tehran have worked with the illegitimate regime in Venezuela to flout the U.N. arms embargo. Our actions today are a warning that should be heard worldwide. No matter who you are, if you violate the U.N. arms embargo on Iran, you risk sanctions," said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, alongside other top U.S. officials from Trump's national security team, last week during a press briefing at the State Department.
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Sukkot is the last of the three Fall Feasts and begins five days after Yom Kippur. The word Sukkot means “booths” or “tabernacles,” so the seven-day holiday is also known as the Feast of Booths and the Feast of Tabernacles.
Sukkot is one of three pilgrimage feasts in which all physically able Jewish men traveled to Jerusalem to make their offerings. The holiday falls around the time of the year’s final harvest and is associated with the ingathering of crops and God’s provision for His people. Therefore, Sukkot is sometimes called the Feast of Ingathering.
Sukkot is also a commemorative holiday in which God commanded the Jewish people to build and live in booths for seven days. These temporary structures consist of at least three sides and a loosely woven, leafy roof through which the stars can be seen at night. The sight serves as a reminder that God has kept His promise to make Abraham’s descendants as countless as the stars in the sky. Families build their sukkot in backyards, on porches or balconies depending on their type of home. Sukkah (singular of sukkot) decorations often include hanging fresh fruit from the ceiling and incorporating other natural beauty that reflects God’s bountiful provision. A family will typically have meals in their sukkah, often inviting guests to join them. Some families choose to sleep in their sukkot.
Sukkot remembrances
Along with the reminder of God’s faithfulness to His covenant to Israel, Sukkot stirs our memory about God’s provision for the Israelites in the wilderness. He performed wonders to provide His people with food and water in a dry and barren land. Aside from this, for 40 years, their clothing and shoes did not wear out.
God with us
Looking back to the Israelites life in the desert, we also remember that God’s presence dwelled with them. He never left them, day or night. He had called them out to be a people unto Him and promised that He would be their God. He dwelled among them in a pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night. He commanded the building of the tabernacle as a place for His glory to dwell among them. The booths of Sukkot speak of God’s presence with us today.
Sukkot is celebrated at harvest time, adding to the array of reminders of God’s bountiful provision for us.
Sukkot rejoicing
The Torah spells out God’s commands for Sukkot in Leviticus 23, Numbers 29 and Deuteronomy 16. Sukkot is unique in that it is the only feast in which God commands us to rejoice. Israel was to do no work on Sukkot’s first day, and God instructed them to rejoice for seven days. One symbol of this rejoicing is called “the waving of the lulav.” God told Israel, “take choice fruit of trees, branches of palm trees, boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook, and rejoice before Adonai your God for seven days” (Leviticus 23:40). Today, this bundle of vegetation is called a lulav and includes an etrog, a large lemon-like fruit, and branches from each of the three kinds of trees God commanded.
Celebrating for the future
Like all the biblical Feasts of the Jewish year, Sukkot contains a prophetic image of God’s plans to complete our redemption. As a harvest feast of gathering in crops, Sukkot depicts the fulfillment of God’s promise to regather the Jewish people to the Land of Israel, something He began in an exciting way in 1948 when the State of Israel was reborn overnight. He continues calling His people from the corners of the Earth, placing in them a burning desire to go “home” to the Land of their forefathers. Sukkot also depicts His final gathering together as His family at the end of the age when we will dwell with God forever.
The seven days of Sukkot 2020 begins at sunset Friday evening, October 2 and ends at sundown Friday, October 8. God gave commandments for an eighth day as well. The seven-day period of rejoicing and living in a sukkah is finished, and on this eighth day, God commanded a Shabbat rest and a holy assembly, as He did on the first day of Sukkot. This eighth day is called Shemini Atzeret, and serves as a conclusion to the Feast of Sukkot. Shemini Atzeret is observed one day in Israel but two days in the Diaspora. The second day is called Simchat Torah. Shemini Atzeret 2020 begins at sundown Friday, October 8 and ends at sunset on October 9 as Simchat Torah begins.
