11/10/2022
YESHUA HAMASHIACH
THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES
Matthew 26 41
'Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. '
There are so many times that we have a Spirit filled with so much energy but the body does not co-operate. It brings our attention sometimes to regardless how much effort you put in, only a small number of people recognize or take it to heart.
The entire personality of Yeshua HaMashiach expresses his purpose. While he came to bring people to salvation, many ignored him or simply chose not to partake in anything he offered.
It takes so much time to bring a message across and it takes less time to be misunderstood. It is not that Yeshua's messages were not clear, but because the people preferred to follow the world and do the same as the world of people do.
Yeshua chosen his desciples for a purpose. These desciples were to learn the truth and the way, but also be committed in taking part of the body. In today's life it is familiarly the same. Many partake, but who is the greatest? The purpose and plan YHVH has for us is not to he the greatest but certainly to be most blessed. Being chosen is not a choice but honor.
Yeshua dwelled on earth in his temporary dwelling, he did not build himself a palace or erected a building for people to come to him. Rather Yeshua chosen to go out and enter homes, places in the field, synagogues and hospitals. Everyone who opened for him and welcomed him in, made their home his dwelling.
John 1:14 relates to Yeshua’s body as temporary dwelling like a tabernacle.
And the Word was made flesh, and “tabernacled” among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
The expression of a "tent” is to “to encamp.” Yeshua literally came into the world to give new life and offer his body as a covering. As a Sukkah that offer a covering and protection. The appointed time YHVH has planned for the birth of His Son was in the to Succoth. Yeshua was indeed born on the first day of Succoth!
The story of Yeshua’s birth started by yet another desciple appointed in showing what a new birth is through baptism. John was known as the Immerser who had a role to play. John's mission was to prepare the way for Yeshua HaMashiach.
What an honor it is to be appointed to have a duty to bring the truth to those who have ears and willing.
Prior to the birth of John, Zacharias and Elizabeth did not yet have any children. YHVH had a by far higher purpose and most Divine plan to prepare the way for Yeshua. It can be seen in the light of a miracle upon a miracle. The Scriptures reveals to us in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias (Zachar’yah) of the course of Abia (Abiyah): and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth (Elisheva)”.
Three very important pieces of information are given to us in this verse.
• Zacharias was a priest,
• He performed Temple service according to the course of “Abia”
which is in the Hebrew month Sivan (May), and
• Zacharias’ wife was from the daughters of Aaron, the priestly
family.
The principal duties of the priest were those connected with the sacrificial service of the Temple in Jerusalem, as well as teaching the people the instructions of Torah. In the course of time, the number of priests increased to such an extent that it was necessary to divide them into twenty-four divisions (1 Chronicles 24:1-18) serving in the Temple in rotation, each for a week at a time.
The cycle begins on the first Sabbath of the Hebrew month Abib (also called Nisan), and each division (mishmar) was subdivided into several families of priests who served one day a week. This gave every priest an opportunity to discharge his duties.
During the three great annual festivals known as Pilgrimage Festivals (Passover, Weeks, and Tabernacles), all twenty-four divisions are said to have officiated simultaneously.
Zacharias did his duty during the middle festival season known as Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost in Greek); this was the course of Abia.
The requirement was that whenever a sacrifice was offered in the Temple, the owner had to be present. The priests offered the Daily Sacrifices which were offered on behalf of all the nation of Israel; but it is impossible for all the people to be constantly present in the Temple.
The solution was to appoint “mamados” (duties). There were 24 shifts of duties, which was comprised of devout appointed people who were representatives of Israel.
These appointed representatives would go to the Temple for one week duty and would say special prayers, representing all of the
Nations by the offering of the sacrifices. Zacharias was part of these this house of representatives:
The Scriptures explained that it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before YHVH in the order of his course, According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of YHVH ”.
The Scriptures reveal the practice of casting lots as a means of arriving at a decision on a variety of circumstances. These may be grouped into two main categories:
1. The selection of one or more members from a group
2. The division of goods among the members of a group.
This lot was used extensively during the Second Temple Period and particularly in the Temple itself in order to determine the allocation of duties among the priests.
The First Lot was for the cleansing of the altar, the Second Lot was for slaughtering the lamb, sprinkling the blood, removing the ashes, and trimming the lamps of the menorah; (Hebrew for seven branched candelabra.) and the Third Lot was for the burning of incense at the Golden Altar right in front of the veil where the Holy of Holies were. Zacharias did the duties of the last lot.
And there appeared unto him an angel of YHVH standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him”. While serving as priest Zacharias saw an angel of YHVH standing on the right side of the Golden Incense Altar. “ But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elisheva shall bear you a son, and you shalt call his name Yochanan.
The promise that Elisheva would bear a son required a supernatural act of YHVH. The son was to be named Yochanan, which means “YHVH is gracious”.
The graciousness in motion is the Amazing plan of redemption through the Messiah. YHVH's Grace is sufficient.
And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished (the course Abia in the Temple were over), he departed to his own house. And after those days his wife Elisheva conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, Thus has YHVH dealt with me in the days wherein He looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.
Elisheva was attractive in her young age and it has always been a beautiful and a privilege sign to see a woman in her younger youth being in expectance of a child. YHVH blessed Elisheva in this aged part of her life, showing yet again His miracle.
We expected the return of Yeshua HaMashiach in much earlier days, but as a cycle of duties the body has to be prepared in accordance to the Sabbath's and appointed time.
Once again, there is critical information given to us:
“…as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished“, meaning after Zacharias has done his Temple duty of Abia (towards May/June)
“…his wife Elisheva conceived” – that is, after Zacharias completed his Temple duty, Elisheva became pregnant during the period of May/June.
“…hid herself five months” – It is a custom not to tell anyone other than immediate family about your pregnancy until you enter
your fifth month.
And in the sixth month (of Elisheva’s pregnancy) the angel Gabriel was sent from YHVH unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, (27) To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary (Miriam)”.
This is one of the most valuable clues given of Yeshua’s foretold timing of His birth. It is said that Gabriel visited in the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. Elisheva was conceived after the Priestly Course of Abia, which is in the Hebrew month Sivan (May/June). Six months from Elisheva's conception in Sivan takes us to the Hebrew month Kislev (December), that is when Yeshua was conceived in Miriam’s womb (not born)—meaning late in December.
At the time of John’s birth, now nine months later from the month Sivan brings us to the Hebrew month Adar (February/March). At John’s birth, Miriam is three months pregnant with Yeshua. Let’s study Luke 1:35-41 carefully:
“And the angel answered and said unto her (Miriam), The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of YHVH. And, behold, thy cousin Elisheva she had also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her (Sivan, May/June), who was called barren … And Mary (Miriam) arose in those days (when she was conceived with Yeshua and Elisheva was 6 months pregnant – Keslev/December), and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; And entered into the house of Zacharias, and greeted Elisheva (who was six month’s pregnant). And it came to pass, that, when Elisheva heard the greeting of Mary, the baby (John) leaped in her womb.”
And three months later was the time of John’s birth, and that would be approximately Pesach (Passover). This is very important as the religious Jews at that time (even today), expected that Eliyah would appear during Passover (Malachi 4:5). Remember, John came in the spirit of Eliyah (Matthew 11:7-14) and not in the flesh.
Luke described to us clearly that Elisheva was six months pregnant when the angel Gabriel visited Miriam.
The beginning of Elisheva’s sixth month would have been the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, which is the first day of Chanukah. Chanukah is known as the “Feast of Lights” or the “Feast of the Dedication”. (John 10:22) This date is considered, by some, to be the first day of the dedication of the Wilderness Tabernacle and of the First and Second Temples as well as the rededication of the Second Temple after the Maccabean revolt. Except for the rededication following the Maccabean revolt, it is not completely clear from Scripture what role the day of Kislev 25 played in the dedication—but Scripture tells us that the foundation of the Second Temple was laid on Kislev 24. (Hag 2:18) It is, however, clear that Miriam was being dedicated for a purpose of enormous magnitude.
If Miriam conceived on Chanukah, the feast of the Dedication of Lights, then John 1:6-9 makes perfect sense:
“There was a man sent from YHVH, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world”.
Miriam could have conceived on Kislev 25, then Yeshua would have been born on the first day of the Succoth (the Feast of Tabernacles), approximately 280 (max 285) days later.
Note: 25 Kislev to 25 Tishri is 9 full Hebrew months; a Hebrew month is shorter than a Gregorian month. Deduct 10 days from the 25 of Tishri to the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles, which is exactly on the 15th of Tishri, Yeshua’s birth date!
YHVH ordained a appointed time that 15 Tishri, the very first day of the Feast of Tabernacles, should be celebrated with unrestrained feast of joy and happiness!
Lesson continue
Be blessed and stay blessed 🌷
