Undeserved Rest
God delights in rest, and from the beginning of Israel’s history, God had guaranteed them rest in the Promised Land if they would obey Him (Gen 12:1-3; Deu 12:1-10). They were given seven annual feasts to observe, beginning with the Passover and ending with the Feast of Tabernacles, setting the entire scene of their redemption, restoration and rest. Observing Israel presently, one would have to agree that they are in conditions that are far from restful! It’s a wonder to any student of Israel’s history that God has been so exceedingly long-suffering. Never in the history of humanity has there been a nation so immensely privileged. Yet, in spite of all of God’s faithful dealings and His desire to bless His people, their response has been such that it should cause anyone to blush. How tragic that, after the promised Abrahamic blessings in Genesis, they would end up as slaves in a foreign land. In the record of that grand Exodus, we read that the Lord, by His mighty arm, brought them out of Egypt through the impossible predicament of the Red Sea. And yet, with a dead idol before them, this “stiffnecked” people cried, “These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt” (Exo 32:8-9).1
No sooner do we have the instructions of the offerings concerning Christ in Leviticus than we find Nadab and Abihu offering strange fire and being struck dead. In Numbers, though they had both material and spiritual provision supernaturally delivered to them (Neh 9:19-21), they began to “loathe” the manna that spoke of Christ (Num 21:5). Despite the Law being repeated again in Deuteronomy, and the nation being given the fresh reminder of the promise of rest (Deu 12:1-10), they fell into the same sins.
The book of Joshua finally records their crossing of the Jordan, entrance into and distribution of the land. Although they experienced a brief taste of restful conditions (Jos 21:44), they launched into the tempestuous and ever-changing period of Judges, where they resorted to doing that which was “right in their own eyes” (Jdg 17:6; 21:25). On and on this nation would go – so much promised to them, so much to look forward to, only to throw it away when it was theirs to have.
With the kingdom divided, 10 tribes scattered, and the promise of the Messiah on the horizon, one would have thought that a new generation would be only too glad to herald a change. But when their own promised Messiah came, the One who had unfailingly led them to this very point, they spat in His face, desiring a murderer instead, and killed the Prince of Life (Act 3:14-15). Yet, it would be following all this that Matthew would take his pen, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and indelibly record our Lord’s impassioned plea, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Mat 11:28-30). It’s a testament to the fact that God keeps His Word. Nehemiah, having recorded the sad catalogue of Israel’s history, states, “Nevertheless for thy great mercies’ sake thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for thou art a gracious and merciful God” (9:31). As we consider such grace, who of us would not say, “He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us” (Psa 103:10-12).
Undiminished Rest
As mentioned, the Feast of Tabernacles marked the conclusion of Israel’s religious calendar that had commenced in the spring with the Passover. This seventh and final feast required all males to appear before the Lord in Jerusalem (Deu 16:16), that they may give unto the Lord according to how He had blessed them (v17). This feast was seven days of rest, wherein the Lord and His people would enjoy uninterrupted fellowship (Lev 23:34-43). The people were to take branches of specific trees to make booths (Lev 23:42; Neh 8:15). The seven days of dwelling in these temporary shelters would give time for reflection so that successive generations may never forget the great redemption from the land of Egypt (Lev 23:42-43).
Arriving at Ezekiel chapters 44-46, we are taught that the Feast of Tabernacles will be celebrated in the Millennium. Zechariah 14:16-19 confirms that year by year for one thousand years “every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain. And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.”
Although Israel has been so rebellious, God will keep His promises to that chosen nation. They will be the people who claim the Promised Land. The throne, temple and Messiah Himself will be in their midst (rest nationally). No more shall the enemies of God’s people cause them fear. With the Prince of Peace in their midst, they shall sing aloud to God their strength (Isa 26:1-4, rest personally). “They shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it” (Mic 4:4, rest spiritually). Gathering in safety, the people shall keep the Passover and offer sacrifices unto the Lord (Eze 45:21).
Unsurprisingly, it was during the Feast of Tabernacles that our Lord stood and cried, saying, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water” (Joh 7:37-38). Although Israel had “forsaken the fountain of living waters” (Jer 2:13; 17:13), they will enjoy the promised rest, and it will be through Christ alone. “For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it” (Psa 132:13-14).
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the KJV.
