7th month 22nd day – Torah portion Vayikra 23:36 39.
Vayikra means “And [He] called” and it is found in Leviticus 1:1
The culmination of Sukkot /Tabernacles/Booths –
Immediately following the 7 day feast of sukkot is the closing moed/appointed time of the year, called:
yom haSh’miyniy Atzaret or
Shemini Atzeret
שְׁמִינִי עֲצֶרֶת —”Eighth [day of] Assembly”
This year it is on 7th October.
The commands for this day are very simple
do no regular work, rest and assemble.
In short the 8th day is a time to say good bye to sukot and the past year’s mo’adiym.
It’s a time to rest and reflect but also a time to look forward to the future because in just 6 short months it all starts over again.
Though this moed is often dismissed as being insignificant it can be an extremely meaningful time if we allow it to be. We are encouraged to look back at the journey we will have completed but also to look forward to the times that lie ahead.
The following day is known as Simchat Torah where this extra biblical jewish holiday celebrates the word of God.
The Mo’adiym are so much more than times to practice any Hebrew /Jewish traditions, or days to ponder what they indicate prophetically without actually participating in them. The Mo’adiym/Appointed times of the Lord, offer us a special opportunity to allow His Spirit to disciple us; as we walk in the ways of the Son towards maturity and our full potential in Messiah. These are times to learn and develop our usefulness for the Fathers Kingdom.
As we devote ourselves to living out the fullness in the meanings of the Mo’adiym, those who are of Israelite descent will more fully understand their calling as the people chosen by our Father. Chosen that is, to tell the world about Him and His redemptive plan for all who choose to believe in His Messiah. For those who are already believers in Messiah Yeshua/Jesus, they will draw closer to Him becoming more effective and victorious disciples for Him.
As we walk through the Mo’adiym/Appointed Times each year, it is an opportunity allow His Spirit to plant into us the deep truths that each moed/Appointed Time is designed to help us remember. This is so that the Father may bring in a bountiful harvest through us, for His glory and for the name of His Son, our Savior master Lord and soon returning King…the Messiah Yeshua/Jesus.
in Him we live and move and have our being. Acts 17:28
These Mo’adiym/Appointed Times were set in place for the children of Israel to follow as an annual life cycle of preparation for the unfolding plan of the ages. Prophetic in nature and so full of meaning, they are an essential aid to more fully understanding and appreciating all that was completed and fulfilled in Messiah’s time on the earth. His statement that He did not come to abolish or do away with the (law) teaching and instructions of his Father but to complete and to fulfill them. Matthew 5:17. And furthermore, it was to show us how to live a life according to His Fathers and His words; and not all the added restrictive laws and doctrines inspired by demonic, unclean spirits and added by men. Matthew 23:4. All the extra laws and rules that were given to the people not only overburdened them but caused them to be controlled by corrupt leadership.
The season of our rejoicing this weekend is that of
rejoicing in His Word and the freedom it has brought to our lives;
and on the 8th day reminds us of the hope of our salvation being completed.
Yeshua Messiah, His Word made flesh, dwelt /tabernacled among us and then sent His Spirit to be with us, to abide within us always, even to the end of this age; when He will return in all His Glory and forever tabernacle with us in fullness. Revelation 21:3-8
The 8th day rejoicing is coming as the reign of Messiah for 1000 years. Until then we have His Spirit of Holiness dwelling, abiding, tabernacle-ing within. We rejoice in His Word living in us, making us alive.
The promise for us all is looking unto Jesus, Messiah, the Word; Who is the author and finisher of our faith. Heb. 12:2
This years feasts, fasts, His Appointed Times, the Mo’adiym are completed. These are more than prophetic pictures of Yeshua/Jesus, they are set in the calendar as a reminder to His chosen ones; and are calling us to un-compromised devotion to only Him and by our obedience, our lives are changed. Not only are they an annual reminder of the Father’s miraculous history with the children of Israel, but also the story of our lives in Christ/Messiah are embedded within them.
They teach us about who we are supposed to be in Him; and we are led into a deeper walk with Him as we take the time to learn of them and their meanings. By our obedience and faithfulness to be a doer and as He told us to ‘learn of Me’; Matthew 11:29. He, through His Word, makes us into His disciples so that in turn we might share His truth that will make others free.
For every believer in Yeshua/Jesus Messiah, this Season of Joy שִׂמְחָה – simchah: joy, gladness, mirth is ongoing and we can rejoice continually and not just on one day of the year: for we are the sheep of His pasture and
He is the shepherd. John 10:14
Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of hispasture. Ps.100:3 Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will praise you forever; from generation to generation. Ps.79:13
Shalom aleikhem chaverim and mishpachah! Peace to friends and family. Shavua Tov, Have a blessed week. Make certain Messiah Jesus/Yeshua is your Redeemer, Savior, Lord and soon returning King and that you have a personal relationship with Him. It’s all about Life and Relationship, NOT Religion. You are very precious in His sight. Not sure ..you can be… SIMPLY SAY THE FOLLOWING MEANING IT FROM YOUR HEART..don’t delay one more minute, SAY IT RIGHT NOW… Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past. I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name.
This Season of Joy
