Teaching Team
The Fallen Sukkot of Denver
This post was written by Michele Bartlett. Michele lives in Colorado and is both a constituent and volunteer editor for FFOZ.
On Shabbat this week of Sukkot in Denver, many people were dismayed to find the wind wreaking havoc on their carefully and lovingly built “booths.” All over the metro area on Sunday morning, families awoke to the ruins of fallen tabernacles.
What leapt to mind as I stood surveying the shambles on my deck was a scripture about HaShem restoring the fallen tabernacle of David. Not for a moment do I believe that He sent the wind to make His servants scramble during the Feast, but we can certainly glean some bits of wisdom as we stand among the ruins.
Psalm 27:5a says in Hebrew that in the day of trouble, the Lord will hide us in His sukkah. Not in His strong tower or His fortress, but in His flimsy booth, because dwelling in a hut with Him is safer than being in a bomb shelter. But lest we take that too literally, we also remember that the safest place is to dwell in the shadow of His wings (Psalms 91). My friend Karen ably described the covering over the children of Israel in the desert as not merely their booths or tents, but the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of smoke by night was the visible, manifest presence of Adonai. (I love how she also said He is able to hide us in plain sight.)
The prophet Isaiah in chapter 4 notes that “in that day”:
Then the LORD will create over the whole area of Mount Zion and over her assemblies a cloud by day, even smoke, and the brightness of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory will be a canopy (chuppah). There will be a shelter (sukkah) to {give} shade from the heat by day, and refuge and protection from the storm and the rain.
In His presence is where we must learn to dwell, secure in His provision and protection.
David’s fallen sukkah – what is that? King David is known for his great love of HaShem, and for his psalms, his paeans of praise to the Lord. The apostle James, quoting the prophet Amos, said in Acts 15 that the outpouring of the Spirit of God on the pagan nations was a fulfillment of prophecy, “so that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, all the Gentiles who are called by My name.” Are we living in such a way that the rest of mankind will see us glorifying and praising HaShem and will be drawn to Him? Is the fallen sukkah of David the place in our hearts where praise and worship should be happening, but instead is it puddled down around our ankles like the camping tents that were hastily packed away this weekend in Denver?
Also, let’s be frank. Most of the Hebraic roots movement is composed of Gentiles—people who were not raised Jewish and who do not have any known “Jewish blood” ancestry. Much as we may wish to be accounted Yeshua’s bretheren according to the flesh, we should rest in the fact that He calls us—Jew and Gentile—to be one in Him. It is our unity and love for each other that also will draw others to the Master. Let us not get into unprofitable arguments about houses, sticks, and genealogies, but let peace rule in our relationships within the Body.
The wind blew our sukkah apart;the Breath of God sometimes blows dramatically into our lives and rearranges the furniture. Today we bought new materials for rebuilding our sukkah, making it stronger and actually more roomy. When the Ruach moves in our lives, may it blow out the chaff, and may we cooperate as it makes us more like the Master, and makes us a dwelling fit for His presence. May our works not be as wood, hay and stubble, but of the precious jewels of a life consecrated to the Master, and of gold refined in the fire.
Now, to borrow a phrase: “Next Year in Jerusalem!”
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Visitor Feedback:
Shalom! What an insight post! I've always been taken by that reference in Amos, quoted in Acts also. Your word play surely added delight to my understanding of it. Being a Messianic-Jewish believer this forum along with Messianic Israel is the only fellowship that I get. I thank HaShem for you and all who take part here that help me on in my journey with Yeshua. L-rd bless you all! Yaakov Bauers Michigan
James Bauers | October 3, 2007 11:08 AM
Thank you for sharing this insightful post! Here in western NE we got the same wind (with rain). We spent Erev Shabbat wondering if our sukkot would make it through the night (it did!). The story you shared is a lovely insight into the bigger picture.
Quote from above: "When the Ruach moves in our lives, may it blow out the chaff, and may we cooperate as it makes us more like the Master, and makes us a dwelling fit for His presence. May our works not be as wood, hay and stubble, but of the precious jewels of a life consecrated to the Master, and of gold refined in the fire."
Ahmain! Thank you for the blessing.
Teddy Miller | October 6, 2007 10:57 PM