A Modern Feast
Leviticus 23:40 (KJV)
And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.
God gave to the Jews both holy days, such as the Sabbath and the Passover, and feasts, such as the feast of tabernacles. This feast was a yearly event when the Jews would make a tabernacle, a rough tent, and “camp” in it for a full week. It was to be a time of rejoicing and it was to remind them of the heritage of their forefathers who tabernacled in the wilderness between Israel and the Promise Land.
I doubt many of us would think of a modern camping trip as being in any way similar to the Jewish feast, but perhaps it can be in more ways than we imagined; especially if we choose to think of it in this way.
It is a time of rejoicing
Just getting outside, away from routine duties and pressures can be a celebration. Perhaps there are friends who join you.[1] Sitting around a campfire in fellowship is pleasant to say the least.
It is a time of reflection
The Jews used the feast of tabernacles to remind them from where they had come. Getting out of our routine can help us remember things we might otherwise take for granted.
It is a time of thanksgiving
Whether we camp in a tent, a camper or some other sort of rough shelter, this serves to make us thankful for those things we have at home. Running water, a well-lit and warm house, storage, photos on the walls, etc.
Modern Christians would do well if they took a week every year to get away, breath in the fresh air, and reflect on what God has done for them.
[1]This would have certainly been true of the Jews who all practiced their feast at the same time.
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Leviticus 23:40 (KJV) A Modern Feast
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As always thanks for letting me discuss things with you!
I have a couple of thoughts on this post.
You said.."God gave to the Jews both holy days..." Well Judah was there but also the other 11 tribes.
From here we can see that they are not Jewish but God's, as He says they are His. Now can we in this day and age truly keep this Feast...no, there is no temple or priests to take the required sacrifice to.
With that being said I totally agree when you said.."Just getting outside, away from routine duties and pressures can be a celebration. Perhaps there are friends who join you. Sitting around a campfire in fellowship is pleasant to say the least." There are many many groups around the world that do this every year and the number is getting even larger! Even if you don't think you should have to observe the Feast of Tabernacles I still would encourage you to see if there are any groups in your area that is doing it and go and check it out first hand! If you do, this site will be useful. https://www.119ministries.com/resources/fellowship-finder/
Let me ask you this...do you think we will be keeping the Feast of Tabernacles in the Millennial Kingdom?
Again..always enjoy that we can discuss back and forth from time to time!
I too appreciate our exchanges. I especially appreciate that you offer more than an "I agree" or "Amen." It is good for the head to have a bit more to chew on than that.
One of the interesting things to ponder, at least in my mind, is how one's foundational paradigm impacts everything else he understands. You and I have I, I think, have differing foundational premises. Because of that we tend to interpret the same concepts differently. I am thankful that, so far anyway, we have been able to differ pleasantly. :-)
First, regarding the term, Jews, While it might be true that the term Jew is derived from the word Judah, not every etymologist agrees. It may not have any relationship to Judah. It is an English word, made to refer to the people of Israel and has a few potential roots, Judah being just one of them. Let's assume though, that it does derive from Judah, By the time we find the term used in the Bible, it is obviously being used to refer to more than the tribe of Judah. Jesus was born more than the King of Judah, but the King of Israel. Yet we find the term "King of the Jews" used repeatedly in the N.T.
1 Corinthians 10:32 (KJV)
Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
The word Jews in this verse obviously references all of the people in Israel just as Gentiles references all of the nations not belonging to Israel.
I used the word Jews in the most normal sense today, not in the strictest sense.
Regarding observing a group observing the Feast of Tabernacles today - I think that is an excellent idea! There would be great insights to be gleaned. I would suggest though, that they would not be Biblical insights. The Jews have long ago lost any real Biblical insights and merely practice tradition. After these many thousands of years I do not believe they have any better understanding of how the Feast of Tabernacles is to be practiced than I do because I have the only fully preserved set of instructions in my Bible.
I do not believe "we"who are Christians today, will be keeping the Feast of Tabernacles in the Millennial Kingdom. We will have been changed, we will have taken the likeness of Christ and will be joint heirs with Him. We will rule with Him. I do believe that, for the 1000 years of the Millennial Kingdom, the Jews (who survived the seven year Tribulation and the judgment in the valley) will observe Temple related holy days and feasts. I can assume that would include the Feast of Tabernacles. But whatever Temple practices they have will have a different significance because of the presence of Jesus Christ. Every holy day, feast, and sacrifice was a type of Jesus Christ and finds its fulfillment in Jesus. None of them are necessary today - or in the Kingdom - because they have been finished in the work of Christ.