from Israel My Glory, Vol. 59, No.5
The Feast of Tabernacles
in the Days of Jesus, Part 2
by Peter Colón
A second fascinating ceremony associated with the
Feast of Tabernacles involved lights. Each afternoon of the seven days,
priests and pilgrims gathered at the Court of the Women. Four large oil
lamps illuminated the court. It was said that the light from these
lamps was so bright it penetrated every courtyard in Jerusalem.
REJOICING
As the women watched from the upper terraces, the “men of piety and good works used to dance before the oil lamps with burning torches in their hands, singing songs and praises.” Meanwhile, “countless levites played on harps, lyres, cymbals and trumpets and instruments of music” (Mishnah Sukkot 5:4). The light festivities continued all night until dawn.
The illumination from these imposing Temple lamps symbolized two realities. The first was the reality of the “Light of all Lights”—the Shekinah Glory—the visible presence of God that filled the first Temple, which Solomon built (1 Ki. 8:10–11). The second was Ha’or Gadol (the Great Light) who would soon come and bring light to those who were spiritually dead and dwelling in darkness (Isa. 9:2).
Jesus was at the Temple. Perhaps it was during the light celebration or when the lights were extinguished on the eighth day that He said for all to hear, “I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (Jn. 8:12). He proclaimed two truths with this statement: (1) He is the “Great Light” who the prophet Isaiah said would come, and (2) He is God in the flesh and the Glory of the Temple (cf. Jn. 1:14).
The response was threefold. Some religious people rejected Him (Jn. 8:13), others were inquisitive enough to ask Him for more information (Jn. 8:25), and still others believed and received him (Jn. 8:30). The joy associated with the lights and water rituals of the Feast of Tabernacles anticipated Jesus’ coming and bringing light and life to a dark, sinful world.
REST
In ancient times, the eighth day of the Feast of Tabernacles was called the “Last Good Day.” Viewed as a Sabbath, it was designed as a time to rest and reflect on the spiritual significance of the seven-day jubilation. Special activities took place at the Temple. The priests offered the daily and special Sabbath sacrifices (Num. 28:9–10), while others recited Psalm 92, the Sabbath song anticipating the blessings of the Messianic Kingdom. Lingering in the minds and hearts of everyone during the entire weeklong celebration was, no doubt, the expectation that, at any moment, God could establish the great Sukkah Shalom (Tabernacle of Peace).
“For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work; I will triumph in the works of thy hands” (Ps. 92:4). When the festivities had all ceased, Jesus again came to the Temple—this time to perform an awesome work with His hands. He gave sight to a man born blind (Jn. 9). Everyone knew this kind of miracle required divine intervention. After anointing the man’s eyes with clay from the ground, Jesus instructed him, ”Go, wash in the pool of Siloam (which is by interpretation, Sent). He [the blind man] went his way, therefore, and washed, and came seeing” (v. 7).
Jesus sent the blind man to the same pool the priest with the golden pitcher had fetched water from each day of the Feast. Jesus was teaching that it is the Holy Spirit, represented by water and whom He alone can give, who can open the eyes of all who are spiritually blind. The text also states, “And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes” (v. 14).
Jesus performed this miracle to validate everything He had said and done during the Feast of Tabernacles. By doing the impossible, He proved His words could be trusted and that He was God in the flesh, the Messiah of Israel, the true dispenser of the Holy Spirit, and the only source of light and life. Mankind no longer has to fumble blindly in this world. True rest for the wanderer is available in Jesus Christ.
The hopes of the “Last Good Day” culminated with an event that happened six months later. It was Passover, when Jesus died as the Lamb of God. His shed blood, death, and resurrection make the expectation of personal refreshment (Jn. 7:37), rejoicing (Jn. 8:12), and rest (Jn. 9:14), as anticipated at the Feast of Tabernacles, a reality for all who accept Him as Savior and Messiah.
 Peter Colón is the Southeastern States director for The Friends of Israel.
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