Note: As we come to the conclusion of this Torah cycle you may find yourselves using a different set of verses than me due to different methods of reading. This is a great opportunity for a lesson in not always being in complete agreement of walk, but rather complete agreement of destination.

Here we are, in the midst of the Fall Feasts. Yom Teruah is behind us. Depending on which calendar you follow as to the day you observe Yom Kippur, we will all, in our own personal way between us and our Father, seek to “deny ourselves”. Days later our Sukkot adventure will begin. Our methods of observance during Sukkot will be as varied as we are. There will be a variety of everything from fancy “Rolling Sukkoth” in a campground with hundreds of people to a single individual eating a meal on their back deck by themselves. This lone worshiper may be wondering when they will have the opportunity to share their celebration with one or many more likeminded followers of Yeshua. The defining factor to bring all of us together around the globe will be the purpose of our Sukkot Feast.

In Leviticus we read of two goats. The first innocent animal was slaughtered and its blood placed upon the ark. The Azazel, scapegoat, was sent out of the camp never to return. These two goats represent an awesome picture of our redemption in Messiah as He has taken our sin upon Himself as well as cast it away to never return. This picture of the revealed work of Messiah is what is meant to set us apart and call us into the Fall Feasts. They are a symbol to give us a picture of our destiny.

What do the appointed times of Yom Kippur and Sukkot imply for us? The vision and attitude we walk into these appointed times with will in the end determine what we receive from them.

Let’s first look at Yom Kippur. We read and understand this set apart time as a day to “deny ourselves.” For what purpose does this sacrifice bring? Many have taught this is to be a day of fasting due to us mourning over our sins against our Creator. Consider the scapegoat. On Yom Kippur our sins are taken away forgotten as far as the east from the west, never to be remembered again. Could the reason we deny ourselves the basic necessities of our being is because on that future Yom Kippur our physical needs will not even enter our minds as we gaze into the face of the One who has taken away our sins? On the other hand there will no doubt be regret on that day as we see how in light of His work in our lives, we could have done much more for His Glory.

Let us move on to Sukkot. Whether you will be with hundreds of your very best friends or just camped out on your deck by yourself, what is the significance of your celebration?

I have mentioned a couple of times now about a person observing Sukkot alone. If you are the lone worshipper, have you sometimes struggled with envy over those who have the opportunity to rejoice in the fellowship of plenty? Ironically, it may be you the rest of us should be envious of. How could this be? You will celebrate without distraction of other people’s agendas. For you there will be no game night, talent night, movie night, water sports day, hay ride, horseback riding, thrift store day, antique store day, card games and the list goes on. The lone worshipper will just be you and our Blessed King, alone, dwelling together. And you were thinking you were going to miss what?

Here is the point. The easiest place to miss the true meaning of Sukkot is in a crowd of people who have just gathered for a weeklong vacation get away. Anyone who has been to a large Sukkot understands what I am referring to.

There are those who participate in the spiritual activities yet still they are mentally somewhere else, not fully entering into His Presence. They listen to the afternoon speaker session to hear what was shared the previous year. Attendance at the evening worship is solely to be entertained by the dance before departing to the late night fireside chatter with s’mores.

Do I sound cynical or truthful? You be the judge.

Why have I taken this train of thought just prior to Yom Kippur? I mention these things not to be critical, but rather to help each of us slow down and seek Holy Spirit to evaluate our heart motives to be cleansed of any selfish ways. Yom Kippur is about standing before our King and being awestruck over what He has accomplished for us so we may one day have the blessing of dwelling with Him. We have the opportunity to repent and enter into the remaining Feasts with clean hands and pure hearts to fully focus in joyful worship of our King. As we prepare to gather on Sukkot, let us do so with the commanded joy. Let it not be with the frivolous joy of a Disney vacation, but rather the awesome joy of the redemption that has been bought for each of us with a very high price. (Click to Site)