Celebrating Sukkot

What a month we have had!  On the 7th  of October, most of us would have had our thoughts turned to the events of the year before. For two of us from HFINZ it was an honour to be invited to join with others from the Jewish community and supporters at a memorial service in Wellington. A very moving occasion.

Later in the month we heard the good news that Yayah Sinwar had been eliminated. That doesn’t sound like a ‘big deal,’ but it has meant a real change to the situation in Gaza. Hundreds of Hamas fighters are surrendering and the IDF are now ‘clearing’ the north of Gaza with the result that the Erez crossing has now been opened for aid which can be safely kept from Hamas.

It was heartwarming to see the reactions of young people being handed food and water from the IDF soldiers as the civilian population heads south.  There is hope for these brain washed children as they discover love and compassion from their ‘enemies.’

Then towards the end of the month we celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles.

For me, this year was very different as I travelled down to Christchurch to spend some precious time with friends. At the weekend I attended the celebration held by ‘Celebrate Messiah’ at Woodend Christian Camp. What a wonderful time of celebrating, worshiping Adonai and connecting with others. Home again in time for my granddaughter and I to put up a sukkah for the last 2 days of Sukkot.

What did you do for Sukkot?  God’s word tells us these feasts are His feasts. His appointed times.  Three times a year, (7 feasts in all) His people are asked to meet with Him. Standing appointments. And don’t get all super spiritual with me! - I know he’s always with us! However, Elohim made these appointments and one day everyone will be celebrating Tabernacles and all the nations (who survive the tribulation: Zechariah 14:16) will be required to send a delegation to this feast in Jerusalem.

The next feast?  Passover. The prophetically fulfilled feast that encompasses the Feast of Passover (that Yeshua celebrated with the disciples, giving them the new covenant instructions known in church circles as ‘communion.’) The Feast of Unleavened Bread (He was without sin/leaven) and the Feast of First Fruits (He rose again on this Feast)

Let’s give the eggs and chocolate bunnies a miss next year and do it God’s way!

Have a great November,

Praying with you that:

the hostages will be found.

the Palestinians will take up Israel’s offer of a reward for freeing a hostage. Better still, that it will be a conscience or awesome fear of the God of Israel that motivates them

Adonai will give protection for civilians and the IDF as Hezbollah sends 100’s of missiles into Israel, and

Give thanks for the God given ability of the IDF as they seek to protect the people from Hezbollah and its puppet master Iran.

Much to pray about!

Shalom,  Jan.