John 7:1-2, The Feast of Booths

1 After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him. 2 Now the Jews’ Feast of Booths was at hand. 

As chapter 7 begins, John turns to the last year of Jesus’ ministry. John organizes the teaching section of chapters 7-10 around two major feasts: Tabernacles and Dedication. Because plans for his murder are being crafted in Judea, Jesus has returned to the safer north. Yet the Feast of Booths, also known as Tabernacles, is near, and Jesus will eventually return to Jerusalem. God gives Moses the requirements for Tabernacles in Leviticus 23:33-44. Numbers 29:12-40 and Deuteronomy 16:13-17 give further details for its celebration.

Tabernacles is associated with the ingathering of the harvest. It recalls Israel’s 40-year wandering in the wilderness during which God provided for their needs. Running for seven days, the feast was highly popular among the Jewish people. During the week they lived in temporary shelters constructed of branches and leaves. The people made food offerings to God and thanked him for his provision of food and rain. It also looked forward to the time when God would pour out his Spirit on all people at the coming of his kingdom. The feast had two primary rituals: water-drawing and lamp-lighting, which John will show are fulfilled in Jesus.

Take some time today to thank for God for providing for your needs, especially through the work of Jesus on the cross and the confirmation of that work in the Resurrection.