The Spirit of Self Sacrifice in the Celebration of Succoth (Feast of Tabernacles)
by Marshall Beeber
Introduction
This study is a combination of two studies given to a small group of believers by Marshall Beeber at Congregation Beth Messiah of Philadelphia, pastored by Rev. Herb Links in Sept and October of 1990. The initial study "The Spirit of Self Sacrifice in the Celebration of Succoth" is followed by "The Logic of Self Sacrifice". I updated this study with reference links to an online NIV Bible translation, although you may want to bring your own Bible if you are more comfortable with your own translation.
Study
This study is a combination of two studies given to a small group of believers by Marshall Beeber at Congregation Beth Messiah of Philadelphia, pastored by Rev. Herb Links in Sept and October of 1990. The initial study "The Spirit of Self Sacrifice in the Celebration of Succoth" is followed by "The Logic of Self Sacrifice". I updated this study with reference links to an online NIV Bible translation, although you may want to bring your own Bible if you are more comfortable with your own translation.
Study
1. 0ld Covenant references to the celebration of Succoth:
a. Lev. 23: 34-43
b. Ex. 23: 16
2. Significance of Succoth celebrations in relation to the right sacrificial attitude:
a. Yom Kippur (5 days after)
b. Gathering of the fall harvest and a sacrifice of first fruits
c. A day of rest (Sabbath)
d. Joyous celebrations
e. Seven days
f. Holy convocation (trumpet blown, water poured, singing of Great Hallel (Ps 113-118)
3. Significance of the tabernacle, booth or succoth
a. Vulnerable
b. Of this earth (temporary)
c. Dependent upon God for food, water, and shelter.
d. Fruits and plants covering booth (God's provision)
4. Messiah's teaching during Succoth
a. John 7:16-18 Authority to teach and wisdom are not his own.
b. John 7: 24 Stop judging by appearances
c. John 7: 37-43 "lf anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink...
5. Significance of Yeshua's teaching
a. Done one the 7th day of Succoth, signifying God's perfection, completion and rest from his work. Messiah Himself is that rest, perfection and completion. Yeshua will bring rest to the believer (no more striving in in the flesh) and one day soon He will bring rest, perfection and completion to this entire world. (Is 35: 1-2, Zech. 8:23, Gen. 49:8-16)
b. Succoth has a strong reference to the Millennium and the reign of Messiah over all the earth. Succoth will one day be celebrated in the Millennium throughout the earth. (Zech. 14: 16-19)
6. Summary: In the Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) we can be confident of our redemption and rejoice, being at rest with God. Succoth signifies to those believers in Messiah, the joy, thankfulness and peace we can all have through Yeshua's atoning sacrifice.
7. The Logic of Self Sacrifice
a. Self Sacrifice In A World Dying 0f Selfishness
"He is no fool, who will give up what he can't keep to gain what he cannot lose" quote by Jim Elliot
b. Why the world is dying to hear the Gospel!
c. Why believers in the Messiah Jesus must have the right sacrificial attitude to truly have any effect on the world.
d. Counterfeits 0f Godly Self Sacrifice
hedonistic sacrifice
secular humanistic sacrifice
luke-warm sacrifice
legalistic sacrifice
impure sacrifice
vicarious sacrifice
fearful sacrifice
e. Presenting one's "free will offering"
f. Presenting an acceptable "sacrifice for sin"