Messiah in Sukkot Chapter 4
- Eliyahu (Elijah) will come
- The Heart of the Fathers will be restored to the hearts of the children
- The Heart (Living Torah) of the Seven Shepherds
- Leviticus 23:34-36
- Reclining with the Patriarchs during Sukkot
- Honored Shepherd (Tishri 15) – Heart of Father Avraham
- Honored Shepherd (Tishri 16) – Heart of Father Yitzchak
- Honored Shepherd (Tishri 17) – Heart of Father Ya’akov
- Honored Shepherd (Tishri 18) – Heart of Father Yosef
- Honored Shepherd (Tishri 19) – Heart of Father Mosheh
- Honored Shepherd (Tishri 20) – Heart of Father Aharon
- Honored Shepherd (Tishri 21) – Heart of Father David
Eliyahu (Elijah) will come:
הנה אנכי שלח לכם את אליה הנביא לפני בוא יום ה’ הגדול והנורא׃והשיב לב־אבות על־בנים ולב בנים על־אבותם פן־אבוא והכיתי את־הארץ חרם׃
הִנֵּה אָֽנֹכִי שֹׁלֵחַ לָכֶם אֵת אֵלִיָּה הַנָּבִיא לִפְנֵי בֹּוא יֹום ה’ הַגָּדֹול וְהַנֹּורָֽא׃ וְהֵשִׁיב לֵב־אָבֹות עַל־בָּנִים וְלֵב בָּנִים עַל־אֲבֹותָם פֶּן־אָבֹוא וְהִכֵּיתִי אֶת־הָאָרֶץ חֵֽרֶם׃
“Behold I am going to send you Elijah, the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of Adonai, And he will restore the heart of the patriarchs (לב־אבות-forefathers) to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers (על־אבותם-fatherhood) lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.”
The Heart of the Fathers will restore the hearts of the children:
The Fathers Of Israel: To understand this passage of Scripture we need to define the terms being used here from a corporate context. “Fathers” here applies to all Israel. The fathers of Israel (אבות-patriarchs) are Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (etc.). We are not the Fathers of Israel. The patriarchs of Israel are the fathers who are prophetically in view here.
Abraham – the Father of our Faith: Therefore, God is not talking about the two Jewish fathers David and Charles. If you are a Jewish father He is not talking about you either. The fathers that are being referenced to here begins with the father of us all—-Father Abraham (האב אברהם). He is the first among the fathers.
The “Friend” of Adonai Elolheinu: Father Abraham is most blessed because the LORD our God called him His “Friend.” Father Abraham is both our physical father and our spiritual father. And as the “Father of many nations” he shall one day be the spiritual father of over ninety per cent of all the nations, families, and children of the world! So the “Heart of the Fathers” is not a reference to all fathers; rather it is a specific reference to “The Heart” of our patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph (etc.)
The Heart (Living Torah) of the Seven Shepherds:
The Seven (Ushpizin) Honored Patriarchs of Sukkot: In our celebration of the Festival of Sukkot—in addition to our fathers Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph—we recognize (honor) three other patriarchs These three additional fathers are: Moses, Aaron, and David. These latter three spiritual leaders are counted among the patriarchs of Israel because they represent the three offices instituted by Adonai Eloheinu.
Prophet, High Priest, and King: These three offices are that of Prophet, High Priest, and King. All three of these offices are now held jointly by our heavenly Messiah. So during the seven days of our Jewish celebration of Sukkot we give special recognition to seven guests of honor. These seven most honored guests are called the seven “Ushpizin” (אושפיזין-“Honored Guests”). These Seven Shepherds of our faith are:
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Aaron, and David.
The Hearts of our Forefathers: During the seven days of Sukkot each of these Seven Shepherds act as an Honored Guest of the Day. The order begins with father Abraham and is completed on the great last day of the festival with King David. In Malachi 4:5-6 there is a reference to the Torah of the Patriarchs (the “Heart” of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, etc.) captivating our hearts: the hearts of the children.
The Living Torah of God: For we are to love the Living Torah (teaching) of the Holy One that proceeds out of the Patriarchs of Israel’s teaching. As just stated previously during the seven day period of Sukkot (the Festival of Booths) there is an honored patriarchal guest for each day. Our receiving – hearing, understanding and obeying – the unique Living Torah lessons of each of these honored guests is what is meant by “restoring” the children’s hearts to the Heart of the patriarchs; the fatherhood of Israel. As we celebrate Chag HaSukkot and study the D’var HaShem (Word of God) together keep in mind the following passage:
Leviticus 23:34-36:
דבר אל־בני ישראל לאמר בחמשה עשר יום לחדש השביעי הזה חג הסכות שבעת ימים ל ה’׃ ביום הראשון מקרא־קדש כל־מלאכת עבדה לא תעשו׃ שבעת ימים תקריבו אשה ל ה’ ביום השמיני מקרא־קדש יהיה לכם והקרבתם אשה ל ה’ עצרת הוא כל־מלאכת עבדה לא תעשו׃
דַּבֵּ֛ר אֶל־בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לֵאמֹ֑ר בַּחֲמִשָּׁ֨ה עָשָׂ֜ר יֹ֗ום לַחֹ֤דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִי֙ הַזֶּ֔ה חַ֧ג הַסֻּכֹּ֛ות שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִ֖ים לַ ה’׃ בַּיֹּ֥ום הָרִאשֹׁ֖ון מִקְרָא־קֹ֑דֶשׁ כָּל־מְלֶ֥אכֶת עֲבֹדָ֖ה לֹ֥א תַעֲשֽׂוּ׃ שִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֔ים תַּקְרִ֥יבוּ אִשֶּׁ֖ה לַ ה’ בַּיֹּ֣ום הַשְּׁמִינִ֡י מִקְרָא־קֹדֶשׁ֩ יִהְיֶ֨ה לָכֶ֜ם וְהִקְרַבְתֶּ֨ם אִשֶּׁ֤ה לַֽ ה’ עֲצֶ֣רֶת הִ֔וא כָּל־מְלֶ֥אכֶת עֲבֹדָ֖ה לֹ֥א תַעֲשֽׂוּ׃
[Tishri 15] Speak to the children of Israel, saying, on the *fifteenth day of this seventh month and for seven days is Chag HaSukkot to Adonai. On the first day shall be a mikra-kodesh; you shall not do any ordinary work. On each of the seven festival days you must present offerings to Adonai by fire. On the eighth day you must gather again for holy assembly and present another offering to Adonai by fire. It is a solemn closing assembly; you shall not do any ordinary work.
*Tishri 15 – Sukkot Day 1: The actual birthday of Messiah Yeshua ben Yosef.
Reclining with the Patriarchs during Sukkot:
אני אומר לכם, רבים יבואו ממזרח וממערב ויסבו עם אברהם ויצחק ויעקב במלכות השמים. פ
אֲנִי אוֹמֵר לָכֶם, רַבִּים יָבוֹאוּ מִמִּזְרָח וּמִמַּעֲרָב וְיָסֵבּוּ עִם אַבְרָהָם וְיִצְחָק וְיַעֲקֹב בְּמַלְכוּת הַשָּׁמַיִם. פ
“I say to you, many will come from east and west and recline (sit down) with Avraham, Yitzchak, and Ya’akov in the kingdom of Heaven.”
Honored Shepherd (Tishri 15) – Heart of Father Avraham:
הֶאֱמִ֖ן בַּֽ ה’ וַיַּחְשְׁבֶ֥הָ לּ֖וֹ צְדָקָֽה׃
“He believed in Adonai, and He counted it to him as tzedakah.“
The Heart (Torah) of father Abraham is one of believing in and loving God our Father. Father Abraham’s teaching is about our heavenly Father. In Abraham’s life we see that it was Adonai Avinu who sent His beloved Son, the Messiah ben Yosef (ben Isaac) to sacrifice his life for our salvation (Genesis 22). A great deal of father Abraham’s Torah (heart) is devoted to teaching us that Jew and Gentile are Justified by faith in God.
וּבְכֵן, מָה נֹאמַר עַל אַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ, מָה הִשִּׂיג בִּזְכוּת מַעֲשָׂיו הוּא? אִם אָמְנָם הֻצְדַּק אַבְרָהָם בִּגְלַל מַעֲשִׂים, כִּי אָז יֵשׁ לוֹ בְּמָה לְהִתְפָּאֵר, אַךְ לֹא לִפְנֵי אֱלֹהִים. מָה אוֹמֵר הַכָּתוּב? “וְהֶאֱמִן אַבְרָהָם בֶּאֱלֹהִים וַיַּחְשְׁבֶהָ לּוֹ צְדָקָה”. וַהֲרֵי שְׂכָרוֹ שֶׁל עוֹבֵד אֵינוֹ נֶחְשָׁב לוֹ כְּחֶסֶד, אֶלָּא כְּחוֹב הַמַּגִּיעַ לוֹ. אֲבָל זֶה שֶׁאֵינוֹ עוֹבֵד, אֶלָּא מַאֲמִין בַּמַּצְדִּיק אֶת הַחוֹטֵא, אֱמוּנָתוֹ נֶחְשֶׁבֶת לוֹ לִצְדָקָה. פ
Justification by Faith in Adonai: What, then, shall we say about Abraham our father—what did he achieve through his own deeds? If Abraham was indeed justified by works, he would have grounds for boasting—though not before God. What does Scripture say? “And Abraham believed in God, and He counted it to him as righteousness.” For the wages of a worker are not reckoned as a gift of grace (chesed), but as a debt owed to him. But as for the one who does not work, but rather believes in Him who justifies the sinner—his faith is reckoned to him as righteousness (tzedakah).
הַאִם הָאֺשֶׁר הַזֶּה רַק לַנִּמּוֹלִים, אוֹ גַּם לָעֲרֵלִים? וַהֲרֵי אָנוּ אוֹמְרִים כִּי אֱמוּנָתוֹ שֶׁל אַבְרָהָם נֶחְשְׁבָה לוֹ צְדָקָה. מָתַי נֶחְשְׁבָה לוֹ? כַּאֲשֶׁר הָיָה נִמּוֹל אוֹ כְּשֶׁהָיָה עָרֵל? – לֹא בִּהְיוֹתוֹ נִמּוֹל, כִּי אִם בִּהְיוֹתוֹ עָרֵל. הוּא קִבֵּל אֶת אוֹת הַמִּילָה כְּחוֹתָם לַצְּדָקָה שֶׁזָּכָה בָּהּ בִּגְלַל הָאֱמוּנָה בְּעוֹדֶנּוּ עָרֵל, כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּהְיֶה אָב לְכָל הַמַּאֲמִינִים הַבִּלְתִּי נִמּוֹלִים, לְמַעַן תֵּחָשֵׁב גַּם לָהֶם צְדָקָה, וְאָב לַנִּמּוֹלִים, לְאוֹתָם שֶׁאֵינָם נִמּוֹלִים בִּלְבַד אֶלָּא גַּם הוֹלְכִים בְּעִקְּבוֹת הָאֱמוּנָה שֶׁהָיְתָה לְאַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ בְּטֶרֶם נִמּוֹל. פ
The Father of the circumcised and the uncircumcised: Is this blessing only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? After all, we say that Abraham’s faith was reckoned to him as righteousness. When was it reckoned to him? When he was circumcised or when he was uncircumcised? Not when he was circumcised, but rather when he was uncircumcised. He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness he had attained through faith while still uncircumcised, so that he might be the father of all uncircumcised believers—that righteousness might be reckoned to them as well—and the father of the circumcised: specifically, of those who are not merely circumcised but also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham possessed before he was circumcised.
לָכֵן עַל־יְדֵי אֱמוּנָה, כְּדֵי שֶׁכָּל זֶה יִהְיֶה בְּחֶסֶד וְהַהַבְטָחָה תָּחוּל עַל כָּל הַצֶּאֱצָאִים, לֹא רַק עַל בְּנֵי הַתּוֹרָה, אֶלָּא גַּם עַל בְּנֵי אֱמוּנַת אַבְרָהָם, שֶׁהוּא אָב לְכֻלָּנוּ, 17כְּפִי שֶׁכָּתוּב: “כִּי אַב־הֲמוֹן גּוֹיִם נְתַתִּיךָ.” הוּא הָיָה לְאָב לְעֵינֵי אֱלֹהִים אֲשֶׁר בּוֹ הֶאֱמִין, הָאֱלֹהִים הַמְחַיֶּה אֶת הַמֵּתִים וְהַקּוֹרֵא בְּשֵׁם דְּבָרִים בְּעוֹד אֵינָם בְּנִמְצָא. פ
The Father of us all: Therefore, it is through faith—so that all this might be by chesed and the promise apply to all the descendants, not only to those who follow the Torah but also to those who share the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all—as it is written: “For I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.” He became a father in the sight of the God in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into existence things that do not yet exist.
Honored Shepherd (Tishri 16) – Heart of Father Yitzchak:
The Heart (Torah) of father Isaac is about loving the Messiah.
“Laughter” and his Miracle Birth: Isaac (lit. “Laughter”) was born into this world as a result of a miraculous conception (Genesis 21:2). Isaac’s Torah (teaching) illustrates the birth, death and resurrection of the Messiah. The life of father Isaac (האב יצחק) also illustrates the Messiah ben Avraham taking a woman (gentile) convert to be his bride. This bride (Rebekah) is taken into the tent of Sarah (Genesis 24:61-65). This represents the gentiles being grafted into the faith of Father Abraham and being reborn as citizens of the Jerusalem “above“—heaven; the “tent of Sarah.”
אֲבָל יְרוּשָׁלַיִם שֶׁל מַעְלָה בַּת חוֹרִין הִיא, וְהִיא אֵם לָנוּ; שֶׁהֲרֵי כָּתוּב: “רָנִי עֲקָרָה לֹא יָלָדָה, פִּצְחִי רִנָּה וְצַהֲלִי לֹא־חָלָה, כִּי־רַבִּים בְּנֵי־שׁוֹמֵמָה מִבְּנֵי בְעוּלָה.”פ
“But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother; for it is written: “Sing, O barren woman who has borne no child; break forth into song and shout for joy, you who have never travailed—for the children of the desolate one are more numerous than the children of the married woman.”
Meaning: “But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother” is an allegory. It means that a believer’s spiritual identity and freedom in Adonai come from a heavenly source under chesed, God’s loving-kindness; not from earthly religious rules.
Hagar and Ishmael: Hagar (the slave woman) represents the old covenant under Mount Sinai and the earthly city of Jerusalem. Hagar symbolizes—people trying to earn God’s favor through strict obedience to religious laws. They are like the child Ishmael born to a slave; they remain in spiritual slavery.
Sarah and Yitzchak: Sarah (the free woman) represents the new covenant, the “Jerusalem above”—people accepting God”s free gift of chesed, loving-kindness and promise of redemption (forgiveness of sin) and the gift of the Spirit (eternal life).
Why is She our mother? Just as a mother gives birth to physical children, the heavenly Jerusalem (the Sarah above) is the spiritual source that gives rebirth in the Spirit of God to believers through their accepting the faith of Abraham; that includes his faith in his descendant the Messiah Yeshua ben Yosef ben David.
Citizens of heaven above: Because this heavenly mother is “free,” her children are also free, living by God’s chesed under the freedom of the new covenant. By trusting in the same faith that Abraham originally exercised in Adonai when he was “counted righteous,” both Jewish and Gentile believers are together spiritually counted as the offspring of Sarah—free citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem above.
Converts to the Faith & Family of Abraham: The converted (now) Jewish bride Rebecca is representative of the body of the Messiah ben Yosef composed of a remnant of both Jews and believing Gentiles. As to the meaning of the bride of Isaac being taken into the tent of Sarah (heaven) we recommend you study further the mystery of the resurrection and translation of the Bride of Messiah in the document, “Messiah in Rosh HaShanah” (cf. chapters 9, 10, 11, 12).
Prophetic role-play: Isaac was sacrificed on Mount Moriah during a prophetic role play that was acted out by his father Abraham. Three days after Isaac’s mock death was acted out on Mount Moriah the beloved son Isaac returned to his father Abraham’s house (Genesis 22). Later, after an unknown period of time had elapsed, Isaac took his converted (gentile) cousin Rebekah into his mother’s tent—to be his one and only bride—-who would bear him two twin sons. The eldest son being Esau and the youngest son being named “Jacob.”
The Favorite Son: Ultimately Rebekah’s favorite son was Jacob. One day all the (converted gentile) followers of the Messiah Yeshua will favor “Jacob.”
The return of Messiah with his heavenly Bride: The Assembly of Messiah will not truly be the Rebekah of the Moshia HaOlam (the Savior of the World) until all its (gentile) members treat with kindness and favor the people and nation of Israel. Regretfully, this will not happen to the fullest extent required until our heavenly Messiah (who Isaac is a type of) returns from Sarah’s Tent (heaven) on a future observance of Yom Kippur with his bride (who Rebekah is a type of) to finally establish Adonai our God’s kingdom rule on earth; thereby fulfilling all of His promises to our Jewish Patriarchs and His Prophets—-the restitution of everything (“all things”).
Jacob is the Favorite Son of Rebecca: Jacob, therefore, in addition to being a prophet, is a type of the Nation of Israel. Rebekah is a type of the body of Messiah. The Assembly of Messiah, Kallat HaMashiach (כלת המשיח), the “Bride of Messiah” is composed of both Jews and Gentiles who believe in Adonai Avinu through faith in His Messiah ben Yosef. This international body of believers represents a ‘prototype’ of things to come.
Abraham “Father of Many Nations”: One day this remnant of Messiah Yeshua’s followers will grow into the very great kingdom of God that our prophets spoke of. Presently the Kallat HaMashiach represent a minority of the human population. We believe at present that less than ten percent of the global population really believes in the God of Israel and His Messiah.
Over 90% of the world populace will believe in Adonai: Later, in the restored kingdom of Israel and the (future) Commonwealth of Israel we believe over ninety percent of the world population will believe in the God of Israel and His Messiah (הושיעה נא-“Save us now!”).
God’s Immortal Shepherds: One day these global ambassadors—representatives from every nationality and ethnic group—will be resurrected or translated in glorified bodies and they will ascend into heaven (for a time). As the Holy One’s perfected servants this remnant of God’s messengers (שליחים-shlichim, emissaries) will one day return from Sarah’s Tent (Heaven) to assist the Messiah in his leading over ninety per cent of the earth’s populace to a saving faith in Adonai our Father and our God.
Ezekiel’s Temple in Shiloh: The Messiah ben David will build a Temple in the center of Israel at the ancient site of Shiloh and the entire world’s populace will acknowledge that their God is El-Yisrael (the God of Israel) and that during the age of the messianic kingdom there will be only one capitol city for all the world (Jerusalem) and one Temple for all the world (at Shiloh). See: Messiah in Rosh HaShannah II and Chanukkah II, “Shiloh the Place,” Chapter 4.
The Great Harvest in all of Human History: We believe when the millennial harvest season has been completed over two-thirds of humanity—all the men, women, and children who have ever lived on earth will have been saved (received the gift of eternal life). This means that the final number of elect persons (children of God) who will live forever with God will exactly correspond to the number of the righteous holy angels who have remained faithful to God. This also means the number of those who will not be saved—who will refuse to be delivered from their sin by the grace of God—will exactly correspond to the number of the unrighteous angels who have rebelled against God.
*Two-thirds of the holy angels have remained faithful to the rule of God.
**One-third of the holy angels have rebelled and followed the evil one.
Honored Shepherd (Tishri 17) – Heart of Father Ya’akov:
Supplant the Evil World System: The Heart (Torah) of father Jacob (האב יעקב), who is protected and preserved by Adonai, he is the one who “Supplants” the evil world system. He replaces the evil world system on earth with the rule of God. Jacob is about loving the Spirit of the Holy One and overcoming—hating and replacing the evil world system.
The Wrestler: We observe in Jacob’s life the struggle of growing up as one called to live for God. Jacob was elect of God to struggle with Him about his elect calling from childhood through adolescence, from maturity to death. In his life-long process we discover what experiencing God is really all about.
Replacing the Evil System with God’s Rule (Yisrael): After Jacob wrestled with and was blessed by God he received a new name—Yisrael. The meaning of Jacob’s new name means “God’s Rule.” So after Jacob supplants the evil world system it is his high honor and that of his family to replace it with “God’s Rule.”
Honored Shepherd (Tishri 18) – Heart of Father Yosef:
בַּחֲצִי יְמֵי הֶחָג עָלָה יֵשׁוּעַ לְבֵית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ וְלִמֵּד. תָּמְהוּ הַיְּהוּדִים וְאָמְרוּ: “כֵּיצַד זֶה יוֹדֵעַ סֵפֶר בְּלִי שֶׁלָּמַד”? הֵשִׁיב לָהֶם יֵשׁוּעַ וְאָמַר: “תּוֹרָתִי אֵינָהּ שֶׁלִּי כִּי אִם שֶׁל שׁוֹלְחִי. פ
In the midst (middle) of the festival [Day #4 of Sukkot], Yeshua went up to the Temple and began to teach. The Jews were amazed and said, “How does this man know the Scriptures without having studied?” Yeshua answered them, “My teaching is not my own, but belongs to the One [Adonai] who sent me.
The Resurrected Glorified Son: The Heart (Torah) of Joseph is about the glorification of the Suffering Servant, the Messiah ben Yosef and the entire kingdom of God by the Spirit of the Holy One. In the Jewish besorat (good news) of the “Chesed of Adonai” we read: “But when it was now the midst (middle) of the Festival (of Sukkot) Yeshua went up into the Temple and began to teach.” The Messiah ben Yosef timed his appearance at Jerusalem very carefully. He made certain that he did not appear at Jerusalem until the day of Yosef’s Torah.
The Three Messiahs: Yeshua is all three Messiahs: Messiah ben Yosef (Suffering Messiah); the heavenly Messiah (Ascended and Glorified); and the Messiah ben David (Conquering Messiah).
In the Past: In his first coming Yeshua was the (Suffering} Messiah ben Yosef who was betrayed by his own brothers. Father Joseph (האב יוסף) was the beloved suffering son and at the last the beloved “glorified” son (heavenly Messiah).
Initially his brothers acted in a jealous hateful manner to their brother Yosef because he was the righteous one sent to them by their father to check on their deeds; and their deeds were wicked. So Yosef had to truthfully report to father Jacob of his brothers’ wicked deeds (Genesis 37:2). His brothers hated Yosef for his telling the truth to their father.
Yet Yosef, who was enslaved by his brothers, imprisoned by gentiles, and “declared dead” by his father Israel (Jacob) completely “forgave” his brothers. So at the end the hated one became the beloved one of all of his brothers (Genesis 37-50).
At Present: Now, after suffering bitterly, Yeshua is the heavenly Messiah who like Joseph has been “glorified and ascended” into heaven at the right hand of Adonai; to rule on His behalf over everyone and everything.
In the Future: Eventually Yosef overcame all of his difficult circumstances; eventually ascending to rule over “all of the land of *Egypt;” even riding in the (second) chariot throne of the Pharaoh, acting as his (proxy) ruler over all the *world. This honor enabled Yosef ben Yaakov (Yisrael) to save all of his Jewish family from starvation during a world-wide seven year famine.
*Ancient Egypt in the Torah is a prophetic symbol of all “the world” (HaOlam).
Ultimately, the heavenly Messiah (Yeshua) will return to Israel as the Conquering Messiah ben David who will put down the rebellion of humankind and establish God’s Rule (Israel) on earth.
Joseph’s Torah (Heart) is about God glorifying His ascended Son, the heavenly Messiah Yeshua; revealing who God has favored him to be. He is not only the Messiah of Israel, and-the King of (all) the Nations, he is the HaAdon of all. Our heavenly Father bears witness to His most favored son, His Messiah of “all the world.” He is the one who comes in His name of Adonai. For his name is—the “Salvation of Adonai” (Yeshua).
Honored Shepherd (Tishri 19) – Heart of Father Moshe:
Moshe, Aaron and David: On the fifth, sixth and seventh days of Sukkot, we honor the Heart (Torah) of our fathers Moses, Aaron and David. The messianic teaching of the final three days of Chag HaSukkot are a witness to the three permanent offices that God has assigned to Meshicho (His proxy ruler). These three offices are foreshadowed in the lives of the last three ushpizin (אושפיזין-“Honored Guests”)—-Moses, Aaron, and David.
The Prophet, High Priest, and King: Therefore, the three permanent offices of the Messiah that are celebrated (honored) in the latter time of the Festival of Sukkot are: the Prophet (Moses), the High Priest (Aaron), and the King (David). As to the first teaching (witness) of the three offices of Messiah:
Understanding Moshe: The Heart (Torah) of father Moses is that of the “Prophet.” During the messianic observance of the Festival of Sukkot the Prophet Moses (Hebrew: the “Drawn Out” one; Egyptian: “Son”) is explicitly referred to. In the fourth and final Besorah of the “Grace of Adonai” in the Brit HaChadashah the Messiah rebuked his fellow Jewish brothers for not spiritually understanding the spiritual meaning of Moses’ teachings regarding circumcision, observance of the Sabbath, making righteous judgments, and doing the righteous works of the Spirit of the Holy One:
הֲלֹא מֹשֶׁה נָתַן לָכֶם אֶת הַתּוֹרָה וְאֵין אִישׁ מִכֶּם מְקַיֵּם אֶת הַתּוֹרָה. מַדּוּעַ אַתֶּם מְבַקְּשִׁים לַהֲרֹג אוֹתִי? הֵשִׁיב הֶהָמוֹן: שֵׁד בְּךָ, מִי מְבַקֵּשׁ לַהֲרֹג אוֹתְךָ? עָנָה יֵשׁוּעַ וְאָמַר לָהֶם: מַעֲשֶׂה אֶחָד עָשִׂיתִי וְכֻלְּכֶם תְּמֵהִים. מֹשֶׁה נָתַן לָכֶם אֶת הַמִּילָה אֶלָּא שֶׁלֹּא מִמֹּשֶׁה הִיא כִּי אִם מִן הָאָבוֹת – וְגַם בְּשַׁבָּת אַתֶּם מְקַיְּמִים אֶת הַמִּילָה. וּבְכֵן, אִם נִמּוֹל אָדָם בְּשַׁבָּת כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא תּוּפַר תּוֹרַת מֹשֶׁה, עָלַי כּוֹעֲסִים אַתֶּם מִפְּנֵי שֶׁרִפֵּאתִי כָּלִיל אִישׁ בְּשַׁבָּת?! אַל תִּשְׁפְּטוּ עַל־פִּי מַרְאֵה עֵינַיִם; מִשְׁפַּט צֶדֶק שִׁפְטוּ. פ
“Did not Mosheh give you the Torah, yet none of you keeps the Torah? Why do you seek to kill me? The crowd answered: “You have a demon; who is seeking to kill you?” Yeshua answered and said to them: “I did one deed, and you are all amazed. Moshe gave you brit milah (circumcision)—though it did not originate with Moshe but with the forefathers—and you perform brit milah even on the Shabbat. If, then, a man is circumcised on Shabbat so that the Torah of Moshe is not broken, are you angry with me because I healed a man completely on the Shabbat?” Do not judge by outward appearances; render a mishpat tzedek (righteous judgment).
Calling out the False Shepherds: Messiah accused his opposing Jewish brothers of not adhering to the commandments of Adonai that Mosheh (האב משה) had delivered to God’s people (Israel). Instead, these false teachers—who sat on the seat of Mosheh—falsely interpreted the commandments of God to His people in an oppressive, legalistic way.
For sins of Pride and Self-Promotion: They did this for reasons of their own personal pride and self-promotion; and not for the purpose of sincerely serving Avinu Shebashamayim. Messiah, the holy one of God accused the religious leaders (priests and rabbis) of his day of committing the same *sins toward him as did Joseph’s brothers in the book of Genesis (cf Bereshit Chapter 37).
*Jealousy and hateful envy.
Honored Shepherd (Tishri 20) – Heart of Father Aharon:
The Heart (Torah) of father Aaron is that of the “High Priest.”
The “Light-bringer”; Aaron’s name (lit. the Light-bringer) is not explicitly mentioned in the messianic narrative of Sukkot. It appears that Yeshua knew that the sacrifices of Chag HaSukkot could not happen without the Jewish priesthood. His Jewish audience knows that central to all of the festivals it is necessary that daily and special sacrifices must be offered up to Adonai Eloheinu. Therefore, Messiah’s reference to Aaron (האב אהרון) on Sukkot is both subtle and obvious. Obvious, for we know that the Messiah is the true (permanent) High Priest who brings to us both God’s “Living water” and His “Light of life.” For this reason we assert that if you look closely you will see :
Mission of the High Priest: The theme of the Messiah’s priestly ministry to Israel and the entire world is, in fact, central to his teaching on Sukkot.
Living Torah of the Spirit: How did the Messiah give reference to the Torah of Aaron (the Light-bringer), the High Priest, in his teaching during the Festival of Sukkot? The Messiah addressed several priestly issues when he taught (Israel) about the outpouring of his *Living Torah of the Spirit.
Look at Messiah’s multiple references to his delivery of God’s “springs of living water;” and also, pay attention to his claim that he was the Bringer of (God’s) “Light to the world.” Both of these allusions of the Messiah to the living water and the illuminating light of God are certainly priestly in nature and function. Look to the many priestly activities that are part of the observance of Sukkot.
The Seventy Bulls: According to the Talmud (Sukkah 55b), during the week of Sukkot, 70 bulls were sacrificed in the Temple. Biblical tradition holds that these 70 sacrifices corresponded to the 70 original nations of the world (listed in Genesis 10), serving as an atonement and a priestly intercession for all humanity.
The Water Libation: The daily Nisuch HaMayim (Water Libation) ceremony involved pouring water out on the altar, symbolizing prayers for rain. Prophetically, this pointed to the outpouring of the Spirit of the Holy One not just on Israel, but on all humankind.
Mediator of Living Water: On the final, greatest day of the feast (Hoshana Rabbah), Yeshua stood and proclaimed that anyone who thirsts should come to him and drink. In doing so, he positioned himself as the ultimate priestly source from whom the “Living water,” the Spirit of the Holy One, flows to quench the spiritual thirst of Israel and all humankind.
“If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.’ By this he meant the Spirit whom those who believed in him were later to receive.”
The Light of the World: Following Sukkot’s illumination ceremonies—where massive menorahs lit up the Temple courts—the Messiah declared, “I am the Light of the World.” This expanded his ministry beyond the borders of Israel, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah of being a light to the Gentiles so that salvation may reach the ends of the earth.
“I am the Light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”
All the Nations will celebrate Sukkot: The ultimate realization of this prophecy is found in other witness such as Zechariah (14:16), which foretells a day when all nations will come up to Jerusalem to celebrate Sukkot. In this messianic age, the Messiah’s priestly mediation is fully realized, uniting Israel and the nations in global worship under the blessing of God.
Honored Shepherd (Tishri 21) – Heart of Father David:
Torah of the King: The Heart (Torah ) of father David (האב דוד), the Beloved One whose name means love that is boiling over, is taught to us by our Messiah ben Yosef ben David on the seventh day of his teaching at the Festival of Sukkot. The seventh day is the day of celebrating the Torah of the King.
Culmination of all Human History: This “last and greatest day of the Festival” is a symbol of the culmination of all human history that happily ends with the near edenic rule of the Messiah ben David over all of the nations and peoples of the world (cf. our document “Messiah in Rosh HaShanah II & Chanukkah II”).
The promised Greater son of David: The religious leaders of the first century (CE) were aware that the Messiah had to be a direct descendant of King David and must be born in Beit-Lechem (Bethlehem). They knew both requirements were true of the Messiah Yeshua. In the Temple was a record of every Jewish person’s physical ancestry. The religious leaders who opposed our Rabbi most definitely could have used this genealogical record against him if he were not a true descendant of King David (the ‘Beloved’ One).
These high ranking leaders without a doubt knew that Rabbi Yeshua’s birthplace was Beit-Lechem (the ‘House of Bread’). They even knew about the special events that surrounded Messiah’s birth:
Event #1. The census by Caesar Augustus, the travel of Yosef ben David and Miryam bat David to the city of their ancestor David—Beit-Lechem;
Event #2. The angels’ appearances and announcement of the Messiah’s birth to the priest Zecharyah, and the Messiah’s mother Miryam; and later to the shepherds in Beit-Lechem;
Event #3. The testimony of the wise men from the East;
Event #4. King Herod’s failed attempt to murder the Messiah Yeshua ben David as an infant;
Event #5. The testimony of the elderly Shimon and the widow Anna who both gave forth witness to the truth that Yeshua is the Messiah of God. Thy did this at the Temple 33 days from the day of his circumcision that occurred on the eighth day of Shemini Atzeret (Eighth Day of Extended Assembly) and Simchat Torah (Rejoicing in Torah); these are the two holidays that immediately follow Sukkot.
Opposition to the Messiah of God: The corrupt, elite priestly and rabbinic religious leaders of Rabbi Yeshua’s day knew the truth that Yeshua was by birth the direct descendant and actual heir to King David. Yet, they attempted to oppose the rightful king at every turn.
Like King Saul in his hatred of David: Like King Saul in his murderous hatred of David, the civil (and religious) leaders hated the Messiah ben David and they sought to kill him. The corrupt religious and political leaders of Israel were in one accord – even seeking to kill the promised King of Glory.
Prophetic Parallels: King David and the Messiah Yeshua ben Yosef ben David share deep biographical and prophetic parallels, including their birthplace in Bethlehem, their backgrounds as shepherds, and facing intense persecution and betrayal by close associates before reigning as king.
Literal and Spiritual Shepherds: David worked as a young shepherd protecting his father’s sheep. Yeshua identified Himself as the “Good Shepherd” who cares for and protects His people.
Falsely Accused: Both men lived innocent lives yet faced constant false accusations, harassment, and plots to end their lives by the reigning powers of their eras; King Saul for David, and religious leaders for Yeshua.
Close Betrayal: Both experienced painful betrayals by trusted companions near or on the Mount of Olives; David by his counselor Ahithophel, and Yeshua by Judas.
Victory Over Enemies: David achieved fame by defeating physical enemies and giants like Goliath. Messiah Yeshua ben Yosef ben David conquering three ultimate enemies of sin, Satan, and death.