One of the functions of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer is to bring the words of God Most High to our remembrance. Would you agree that not forgetting God is a huge deal? You would especially think that after reading passages like Psalm 9:17? I don’t know about you, but I have no desire to have any part of this ‘forgetting God’ business. It’s common spiritual sense to take heed to the Word of God along this line. While doing so, also note of some of the feasts in the Bible, like the seven feasts of the Old Testament as well as the one feast, Communion, of the New. Some of these feasts have as their center of attention the astounding secret of not forgetting God. Not forgetting God, that’s our focus in this week’s blog.
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Not Forgetting God: The Feast of Booths
Leviticus 23:34–36 (ESV) — 34 “Speak to the people of Israel, saying, On the fifteenth day of this seventh month and for seven days is the Feast of Booths to the LORD. 35 On the first day shall be a holy convocation; you shall not do any ordinary work. 36 For seven days you shall present food offerings to the LORD. On the eighth day you shall hold a holy convocation and present a food offering to the LORD. It is a solemn assembly; you shall not do any ordinary work.
- The Feast of Booths, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles was one of the three primary feasts of Israel.
- Primary because they were only three feasts where the men were required to appear before the Lord.
- These three feasts were known as solemn feasts.
- The other two primary Feasts were the Feast of Unleavened Bread and the Feast of Weeks aka the Feast of Pentecost
Jesus and the Feast of Booths
- Jesus attended this feast in John seven.
John 7:1–2 (ESV) — 1 After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him. 2 Now the Jews’ Feast of Booths was at hand.
Not Forgetting God: Historical Background On the Feast of Booths
- So, what was the Feast of Booths about?
- It was one of Israel’s three great annual festivals, celebrated at the time of the agricultural harvest, in gratitude for Yahweh’s present and historical provision.1
- The Feast of Booths was an eight day celebration in Jerusalem.
- Jewish pilgrims from throughout the Roman and Parthian world would gather.
- The men would live in booths constructed on rooftops or elsewhere, commemorating God’s faithfulness to his people when they lived in booths in the wilderness (women and children were not required to live in the booths). This feast was known for its joyous celebration.2
- So, the Feast of Booths was a way God had Israel to remember where He had brought them from.
- It was a way for them to be thankful for what they had today versus what they used to have yesterday when God brought them out of the land of Egypt.
Remembering Where God Brought You From
- This ‘remembering’ is a good practice for all believers today.
- Are you prosperous today?
- Then, remember where you came from and how the Lord allowed you to increase.
- These seven verses in Deuteronomy say it better than anyone can.
Deuteronomy 8:11–15 (ESV) — 11 “Take care lest you forget the LORD your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today, 12 lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, 13 and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied, 14 then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, 15 who led you through the great and terrifying wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water, who brought you water out of the flinty rock,
The Great Warning
Deuteronomy 8:16 –18 (ESV) — 16 who fed you in the wilderness with manna that your fathers did not know, that he might humble you and test you, to do you good in the end.17 Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ 18 You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
- Remember, that if you have enjoyed any blessing in life, it’s because God gave you the power to get it.
- It is God who gives the power to get wealth.
- The tendency in the human is to forget this fact.
The Source of All Real Blessing
- That’s why we have the warnings in scripture to remember who the source of blessing is.
Psalm 77:11–14 (ESV) — 11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. 12 I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. 13 Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? 14 You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples.
- The Bible itself is a remarkable record of all that God has done.
- We can read Exodus and see the miraculous deliverance of God’s people at the Red Sea.
- Are you looking for a healing miracle?
- Look no further than the first Passover God instituted while Israel was in Egyptian bondage.
- On that memorable night, God’s power swept through the entire Israeli nation and healed every single person so that when they left Egypt, there was not one feeble one among their tribes.
- Just like this account or any other Bible story, the astounding way God set you free is a tale to be told.
- It’s a message that needs a voice, your voice.
- God is a great God, and His works are worthy to be known, not only for you but for the generations to come.
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