The season of our joy and October 7th

Sitting here in Israel, looking out over the desert, it is the perfect setting to share some thoughts on the Feast of Sukkot, which is translated as the Feast of Booths or the Feast of Tabernacles. Sukkot is the last feast in the list of Appointed Times by the Lord, as He gives them to Israel in Leviticus  chapter 23. Sukkot is also called the season of our joy because God commanded Israel to rejoice during this feast. ...And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days (Lev 23:40b). But there seems to be a contradiction in all of this. I will explain.

Israel is commanded to live for seven days in booths so that your generations may know that I made the sons of Israel live in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt (Lev 23:43a). But living in booths isn't so enjoyable... you are exposed to the elements: wind and cold. Even to rain, because the kosher Sukka will have a roof through which you can see the stars. Those of us who enjoy camping (and since my trip in the camper van, I count myself among you!), we know how enjoyable being in the nature is and even being somewhat exposed to the elements. But I think we can agree that we all want our caravan/camper/tent to be waterproof. The Jewish Sukka is not. It touches more at the precariousness and uncertainty of life.

But within the precariousness of life, Israel had things to rejoice in. One of them is God's provision for them all along the way. Water out of the rock, meat falling from heaven, bread being found daily, and clothes and shoes that didn't wore out. The greatest reason to rejoice was God dwelling (tabernacling) among His people. He helped them prepare a place for Him (Ex 25:8) so that He could dwell among them. At the end of times, this will become again a reality (Rev 21:3), this time with an even deeper impact:

And God will wipe away all tears from their eyes. And there will be no more death, nor mourning, nor crying out, nor will there be any more pain; for the first things passed away (Rev 21:4).

This year, the first day of Sukkot was October 7th. (I feel there should be a silence here... ). How do you do this: rejoice and remember October 7th at the same time? I don't have a clear-cut answer for this. I think everyone has tried to live this in his own way, juggling these very different, deep emotions. For me, it was very important to keep hold of the deep truths of Sukkot: God's provision and God's dwelling with men in the midst of the brokenness and uncertainties of this life, knowing that in the end He will wipe away all tears. Of course, there is a choice to be made. A choice to believe in God and His presence among us and promises to us, even if we don't see it or feel it.

It is the same choice Israel has to make on a daily basis, especially since October 7th: to choose life even though you feel crushed by the pain of loss and mourning. I think one of the statues of the Fountain of Tears depicts this really well: the Holocaust survivor is crushed under the mantle of death. He feels the need to continuously remember the dead, and it is as if they have said to him: in your hands, we commit our spirit and our memory. Israel has been living this in a new way since October 7th.

And now there is the hope of the release of the remaining hostages. They are said to be released on Monday, October 13th, on the eve the Feast of Simchat Torah, the same day on the Hebrew calendar that they were kidnapped two years ago. This physical release will also release flood waves of emotions, going from deep joy and gratitude to even deeper sorrow and mourning. How can we pray for Israel in these days? I would like to propose Psalm 29 and share some thoughts about it.

A Psalm of David. Give to the LORD, O you mighty, give to the LORD glory and strength. Give to the LORD the glory due to His name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. The voice of the LORD [is] on the waters; the God of glory thunders; the LORD [is] above many waters.

Waters in biblical language is a symbol of the nations who are not walking with God. So here you could even say: The Lord is above Hamas...

The voice of the LORD [is] in power, the voice of the LORD [is] in majesty. The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; yea, the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon.

Lebanon and the cedars of Lebanon is a picture of our  pride and of human securities. God will break them!

He also makes them to skip like a calf, Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild ox.

Think of how calves jump around crazily when they are released from the stall. God will make the proud jump around that silly ;-).

The voice of the LORD goes through flames of fire. The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

God will shake the places where there is no abundance of life (and in Him is abundance of life, see John 10:10)

The voice of the LORD causes the does to calve,

He brings forth life and uncovers the forests; and in His temple all of it [is] saying, Glory!

In the end, He will receive all glory!

The LORD sits on the flood; yea, the LORD sits as King forever.

Even there, where the waters (the ungodly) are out of control, God is in control!

The LORD will give strength to His people; the LORD will bless His people with peace.

In some translations, another word is used rather than peace, but in Hebrew, it says shalom, which is peace, fullness and wholeness.

— Psalm 29:1-11

When I was in Bretagne i had a really cool experience while on the season shore with my friend. We were looking at the strong waves rolling in and smashing upon the rocks. It was an impressive sight. And it reminded me of this Psalm, so I read this Psalm out loud. The moment I spoke the word Shalom (God will bless His people with Shalom), the sea became calm, and for at least half a minute, there were no big waves crashing on the rocky seashore... This was a very powerful moment, and I want to pray that same shalom over Israel in these days.

In order to be kept posted, click here