Appointed Times: The Fall Feasts
During the second temple period, Hossanah Rabbah came to be a day when the Jewish nation came to the temple waving palm fronds and praying for God to provide the rainy season. The fruit harvest of grapes, pomegranates, citrus, and so on, had just come to and end. Now, Israel needed rain to provide the next growing season, the grain harvest that coincides with Passover and Pentecost.
The High Priest would gather living water into golden vessels from the Pool of Siloam and carry them up to the holy altar. This water was poured out, with wine, as the priests and people prayed for God to send the “latter rains.” As they prayed, readings would be made about rain and about God pouring out His Spirit (synonymous to rain in the Jewish mind).
Ask rain from the LORD at the time of the spring rain—The LORD who makes the storm clouds; and He will give them showers of rain (Zechariah 10:16).
For I will pour out water on the thirsty land and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring And My blessing on your descendants (Isaiah 44:3).
It was at this service, as the water and blood of grapes were poured out, as the people prayed for God’s Spirit that Yeshua cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’ But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Yeshua was not yet glorified” (John 7:37-39).
When Yeshua offered up Himself as a sacrifice for our sin, both water and blood flowed from His pierced side. It is He who promised that all who believe in Him would have rivers of Living Water bubbling up from within them. As Yeshua is now glorified, believers are experiencing that promise of being immersed in the Holy Spirit just as John the Immerser (John the Baptist) prophesied, “I indeed baptize you with water, but One greater than I is coming … He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit …” (Luke 3:16).
Summary
Having had the great privilege of sharing in these Fall Feast for over a decade, I can only say, it is a blessing I wish all my brethren would share in. As adopted sons of Abraham7, as grafted-in olive branches, understanding and being enriched by these festivals is a part of our God-given inheritance. These appointed times of God contain many treasures waiting your exploration.
PR
Category: Biblical Studies, Winter 2000
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