Also called Feast of Booths (Sukkot in Hebrew), or Ingathering.

Originated in the Exodus.

It is the final of 3 Major Annual Feasts every male Jew is required to attend at Jerusalem.

Observed Tishri (October) 15-21, 5 days following the Day of Atonement (Lev.23:14-19), and culminates in a Solemn Assembly on the 8th day, 10/22.

It is a Feast of Ingathering and Offerings of Firstfruits of the Fall Harvest of Wine and Oil. A time of celebration and reminder of the Exodus march. ( Deu.16:13)

Temporary booths are erected for the week's dwelling in the fields, open country, courtyards, housetops, even in the precincts of the Temple. It is customary that meals be eaten in them by the families, with only pious men remaining overnight.

Unlike the Sabbath, food preparation and transportation of objects are permitted. All other rules of Holy Days are observed, e.g., fire could not be started, only transferred from flame to flame.

To this day, it is a symbol to all Jews of their fate -- all having been at one time displaced from their home, and some who remain homeless, still under God's protection.

In Jesus' day, 2 major events occurred that He most likely used to make an appeal from, one in Ch. 7 and one in Ch. 8 (that we will discuss there). In our current text, a Priest would daily (morning & evening) fill a Golden Vessel with water from the Pool of Siloam, and in a procession with trumpets announcing, enter the Temple and pour the water into a perforated basin beside the Altar. Mixed with wine, it would flow through conduits out into the Kidron Valley (on the eastern side of Jerusalem). This signified the Water from Horeb in the Exodus. (See Ezk.47 & Rev.22:1 for the Lesson here. Keep in mind our previous teachings on the Water, remembering that Paul said Christ is that Water.)

Thus, with their memories refreshed by this celebration, Jesus makes the Proclamation of 7:37-38 -- He is the Living Water! Same message of John 4. Is there any doubt now?

A Time of Much Excitement and Emotions!

Many explanations have been offered concerning this phrase to deny Mary had additional children:

However, the general consensus of opinions is that they were Jesus' younger siblings, of whom some are named in our New Testament.

As seen in our text, though believing in His ability to perform miracles, they have not yet come to faith in their older brother as the Christ. (Sound familiar today? Also keep in mind that James, Jesus' younger half-brother, who likely wrote the Epistle of James and was the Pastor of the first New Testament Church in Jerusalem, is included among the unbelievers at this point. The same can be said of the author of Jude, if he was Jesus' half-brother as well.

Except for their mother, Mary, His family was absent at the Cross. (Allow your own thoughts here.)

It will take the Resurrection to bring them to faith, and then they appear with the believers and Apostles in Acts. No record is given as to what point this faith occurred. Most are of the opinion that Jesus made a personal appearance to them for this very end.

James will go on and become that great Elder (Pastor) of the First Church in Jerusalem, to whom Paul himself appears after his conversion. His wisdom and Spirit's guidance is seen in his decision that resolved the first schism concerning the practice of circumcision for entry into fellowship. Tradition tells us that he spent so much time in prayer that his knees were severely calloused. Therefore, whatever his obstacles were that prevented an early discipleship prior to his Brother's death, they were certainly removed for a later testimony to anyone who may still be in doubt. His life is but one among many that is accumulative in a compelling witness to any one who examines the record for themselves -- that Jesus, who really did live in the flesh as all men, proved beyond any doubt that He was (because of His physical virgin birth) and remains (because of His Resurrection), the Christ!

In His last visit to Jerusalem, Jesus created open opposition in challenging the Pharisees on the issue of the Sabbath when He healed the lame man. It will ignite again in our text.

It has been some 18 months since that last visit. He has experienced a time of great popularity during His successful Galilean ministry. His fame has spread, with its news undoubtedly, albeit disturbingly, preceding Him to the ruling Jews of Jerusalem who have already determined to kill Him over that last incident.

The stakes are higher now! Tension and fear are running rampant! No man dares to speak openly of Him. Darkness is growing over the city. Satan is unleashing his hordes from Hell to try and stop Him. The Jews are in wait! Will He come or not? His brothers are there; surely He will appear this time. What thoughts must have been running through their minds as the tension mounted!

The mood is "High Noon." Suddenly the silence is broken -- He appears, and the word rings out: "HE'S IN THE TEMPLE!"

And so begins the next scene in the Saga of His march to the Cross that will end in six months; He knows His Hour. He is prepared for this moment. He is confident in the Father and His Plan. See Him act in this confidence in openly accusing the Jews by bringing to light the intent hidden in their hearts. He brings them out in the open and confronts them publicly!

Observe the varied responses of the differing groups in this tense confrontation. Be there as you read. What if it were today? How would you respond? "Just another power-grubbing preacher," you say, as some thought then. Or would you see Him through eyes of faith and not your own reason? Or even still, would the blindness of your closeness, like his brethren, prevent your sight? May God help us to always have a heart and spirit to be perceptive and receptive to His Presence with us.