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Feast of Tabernacles-Day Five-A Society and Community Based in Love
October 14, 2022

We celebrate abundance that comes from God during this celebration, and in this present age we link abundance to scarcity, because with our current frame of mind without scarcity, there is no abundance. Scarcity and abundance were themes given to the children of Israel, and even before they took possession of the promised land, they were told by God to consider those who were faced with scarcity, because those faced with scarcity were still part of their community.

They were given specific instructions in farming to not thoroughly harvest the land, and to leave the unharvested crops for the poor who were to have free access. They were told to be honest in their dealings not using claims of religious persuasion to hide shady deals. They were also told to treat people with disabilities with respect, to only have righteous judgment, to not gossip about people, to not hate others, and never to seek revenge.

Leviticus 19:9-18
And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest. And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the LORD your God. Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another. And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD. Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning. Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumblingblock before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I am the LORD. Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour. Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD. Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him. Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.

Looking around the world in which we live, we know that is not the way how things currently are. While some people are generous with what God has given them, many are selfishly focused. We live in a society where we try to maximize every possible use of space, be as energy efficient as possible, so that there is no waste. God tells us to do things differently so that in being somewhat inefficient the poor among us can have something. We live in a time where some employers try to exploit their workers by having them work and not get paid for it. People with disabilities may have certain civil rights provided to them where they live, and sometimes individuals and governments effectively curse at the deaf and put a stumbling block before the blind by not protecting those civil rights. Imagine how much better society would be if everyone did what is taught in this passage from Leviticus, that all people would love their neighbors as themselves.

But that doesn’t represent the reality of society today, even though people claim to be religious. People claim to be religious while exploiting people who work for them, and use their religious claims to exploit others keeping them down. Isaiah writes that this type of thinking is sinful and that instead of seeking to oppress others, we are to help those in need. It is only when we, individually and as a society, do this and help others to see the need to do this that we are crying aloud, sparing not, and lifting up our voice like a trumpet, showing people the sins of hypocrisy and callous indifference. It is when we help others that we find our righteousness going before us.

Isaiah 58:1-14
Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God. Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD? Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward. Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

As we seek the Kingdom of God and God’s righteous during this feast when we focus on the abundance that is of God, we are reminded that we must love others if we are to love God. Without loving others there is no seeking first the Kingdom of God and God’s righteousness. Without loving others, there is no basis other than hypocrisy to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. If we love God we will love others also.

1 John 4:17-21
Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

We are to remember the words of Paul who wrote to the Romans.

Romans 12:9-18
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

We celebrate being a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a peculiar people, knowing that all of this will be made manifest to the world at the return of Jesus Christ. We know we have been called out of darkness to bring to light all that is worthy of praise about God. We celebrate having been given mercy, knowing that while we seek the Kingdom of God and seek God’s righteousness, we are still living in the present age.

1 Peter 2:9-17
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

Imagine what the Kingdom of God will be like when what is done is not done for political expediency, but as servants of God that honors all people. The Kingdom of God will be unlike any nation known to mankind today. It is with this hope that we are part of the faith, knowing that we are equal before God. Equity and Equality are only ideals of society today. Equity and Equality will be part of the Kingdom of God in as much as we are today one in Jesus Christ.

Galatians 3:26-29
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Jesus spoke of the new commandment that He gave to the disciples, of the need to love one another. Imagine a society that is driven by love, and not by lust and greed.

John 13:34-35
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Hebrews reminds us of the need to let brotherly love continue. In the Kingdom of God, not only will we have never-ending life, but the love that we have for each other will also be never-ending as a society is created based on the law and love of God that doesn’t arbitrarily exclude as the world excludes today.

Hebrews 13:1-3
Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

The Kingdom of God will be a time when the concept of being bound or suffering adversity will be strange to all who part of the kingdom. We look back in history and see past societies that to us are strange, like a serf living in feudalism serving the Lord of the estate. If these people could take glimpse at our world today, they would see our society equally as strange. In the Kingdom of God all that man has done will be looked on as being strange and backwards. No more will people be judged as rich, poor, or middle class, because wealth as we know it today won’t be the focus. All will have freedom through Jesus Christ.

Because we all have freedom today, and because all will have freedom in the Kingdom of God, we will live in a society that has no need to compete for wealth in status because everyone’s needs will be easily met. Because there will be an overabundance, people will not have a need to edge out another person. It will be like if you have a fruit tree in your yard, and in a year where it produces little fruit, you may need to go buy fruit at the grocery store. In the Kingdom of God these fruit trees will produce so much fruit, you will no longer need to buy fruit, and because everyone else’s fruit tree is also producing so much fruit, there will be little value in even selling the excess fruit that you have. The kingdom of God will be a time when the birds and insects will have their fill of fruit from the trees and there will still be more than plenty left over for the people. In the Kingdom of God, everything that is done will be done from focus that is removed from the self, giving favor to others.

Philippians 2:1-4
If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

In the Book of Psalms, we are told that it is good and pleasant for the brethren to dwell together in unity, not a false type of unity that is so common in society today. Imagine how good and how pleasant it will be to be part of the Kingdom of God.

Psalm 133:1-3
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

Imagine a society that does more than claim the value of individual people. Imagine a society that also ensures anything that could be a burden, is no longer a burden to any person, a society in which all people are empowered to live their life. That will be the Kingdom of God.

Galatians 6:1-5
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden.

The Kingdom of God will be a time when society will value what is good and will never allow evil. It will be a time of incredible happiness, where sorrow is not known, and it will be a time that is focused on God.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-22
And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.

The Kingdom of God will be a society that is fueled through good works. The truth of the Bible will be easy for all to see and will permeate every corner of the planet. All that people do will glorify God similar to what Jesus spoke of as recorded in Matthew.

Matthew 5:13-16
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Unlike the political division of today, there will be no division within the Kingdom of God. Just like Paul warned the Corinthians against division of the Church of God, the Kingdom of God will be a kingdom of unity.

1 Corinthians 1:10-17
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

Peter wrote of the need to have love for each other and to be hospitable to each other using wisdom in how we speak. These will be prevalent in the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God will be a kingdom of love. It will be a kingdom where because of abundance, hospitality will be commonplace, and it will be a time where people will use discretion and wisdom with what they say.

1 Peter 4:7-11
But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

The Kingdom of God will not be a kingdom where there is dissent. There might be some initial reluctance to be part of the Kingdom of God among some nations, but all nations will become part of the Kingdom of God, and at that time, there will be no dissent. There will be unity and peace within the Kingdom of God, much like what Paul wrote to the Ephesians.

Ephesians 4:1-6
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

The Kingdom of God will be a society where blessings will abound as blessings will grow and magnify. It will be a time when blessing follows blessing as all pursue peace. While Peter stresses the need for this today, this will be the reality of the Kingdom of God.

1 Peter 3:8-12
Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

Even though the Kingdom of God will be a time of great abundance, it will also be a time of mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. The Kingdom of God will be unlike any experience we have had today.

Colossians 3:12-17
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

The Kingdom of God will be a time when the exceeding grace and kindness of Jesus Christ is finally understood by us. While we know we are saved by faith and not by works, our understanding of what Jesus and God are doing in us is limited by our human experience. In the Kingdom of God, we will understand exactly the type of grace and kindness we have been shown.

Ephesians 2:1-10
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, by grace ye are saved; And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

The Kingdom of God will be a time when the patience and comfort of scriptures is fulfilled as we move beyond hope to experience. It will be a time when all will with one mind and voice glorify God the Father through Jesus Christ.

Romans 15:4-6
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Kingdom of God will be a time when there will be jealousy among people. It will be a time when all recognize their unique place within the Kingdom.

1 Corinthians 12:12-31
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

The Kingdom of God will be a time when love, Godly love, not the lust and coveting of today’s world, will be foundational in all that is done.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

We celebrate this Feast of Tabernacles looking beyond the society in which we live, looking forward to a time when love will be the foundation society, of all that is done, and this Godly love, will create the strongest ties of community that has ever been known.

All verses are from the King James Version.
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