On each day of the week of Tabernacles (Sukkot), the priest, along with his first century praise band, would take a golden pitcher to the pool of Siloam. It was a joyous and very noisy procession. As the water was drawn into the pitcher, the focus would be on Isaiah 12:3 With joy we shall draw water out of the wells of salvation, remembering the water in the desert drawn from a rock. Paul would later say that rock was Jesus.
Another band of priests would go to the Kidron Valley and gather special branches that were used to build a small tent over the tabernacle (and later the Temple) altar.
Just before the sacrifice of Tabernacles, the first priest would ascend the steps to the altar and pour the water from the golden pitcher over the sacrifice. Simultaneously, a second priest would ascend the other side of the altar and pour wine over the sacrifice. Water, the symbol of salvation. Wine, the symbol of joy.
This was done every day of the week amidst great celebration of music, spiritual choreography (the "D" word for us church of Christ people), and praising God almost unrestrained. And all of this just to get some water and pour it over the altar.
The Levites (ancient praise team, four-part harmony of course and using shaped notes) would sing the great Hallel psalms (113 – 118) and at certain verses the people would wave their willow and palm branches and cry for the salvation of God, praying for Messiah to come.
Think about this: Tabernacles was the shadow of Christianity. Just anticipating Messiah would elicit ecstatic celebration! Dancing. Waving branches. Songs. Music. Joy. We live in the reality of Tabernacles and our churches are in turmoil because some of us want to celebrate Messiah! Hmm . . . . .
Stay tuned. If you want some context for how Jesus fulfills Tabernacles in his ministry, read John 7. I’ll give you some great points of emphasis tomorrow.
thanks!
have a great day!
I remember when you did this series at the Rock and I enjoyed it from a purely “gathering new info for my History Channel brain.”
Now I anticipate the link to Jesus with great joy! Keep it coming my ancient praise band brother.
I was just struck with a brilliant though (well, maybe). I could be all wet. So many people in the world have issues with baptism. You referred to the water as the symbol of salvation, going back to the rock in the desert and Jesus as the rock. Could it be that’s the “why” for baptism (other than simply being told to do it)……………that the symbol of water goes all the way back ? I’m probably saying this all wrong, but hopefully you understand. Sometimes when I’m struck with a new thought, my words tumble over themselves!
just remembered
is today the day, your girl , is on her way home!
praying for a safe trip home!
I gotta go get me some palm branches….
I recently was a part of an interdenominational meeting where I worshipped with people who don’t feel restrained. I can’t describe the Spirit in that place. There are just not enough words to tell you. I just know it was freeing, liberating, and exciting. There was no shame or nervousness in any of those people. If they had “hang-ups,” I was unaware of them. They are human and within various churches, so I know they had them, it just was not there in this meeting. Awesome!!
I look forward to the day when we can worship uninhibited and not worrying about our hangups. Do you think it’s possible?
I too want to say that if we really–i mean really–felt like we were in God’s presence, how would we really act?