Israel Prepares for Sukkot

I know I was in the middle of a series on immigration, but right now my heart keeps going back to Israel. I feel remiss that I have not cared in the past, that I didn't understand the importance of the Israeli people to God. They are still His chosen. They are STILL precious to Him. They are the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

All throughout the Old Testament God smites Israels's enemies. Until they turn away, as in the time of the judges. It seems as if Israel would just go down hill, start worshipping other gods, become deeper entrenched in sin than the time before, and God would send a judge to whip them into shape.

Judges 2:17-19 (NKJV) says, "Yet they would not listen to their judges, but they played the harlot with other gods, and bowed down to them. They turned quickly from the way in which their fathers walked, in obeying the commandments of the LORD; they did not do so. And when the LORD raised up judges for them, the LORD was with the judge and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for the LORD was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who oppressed them and harassed them. And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they reverted and behaved more corruptly than their fathers, by following other gods, to serve them and bow down to them. They did not cease from their own doings nor from their stubborn way."

Ezekiel 36:17b-19, 22, 24-28 (NKJV)
“Son of man, when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled it by their own ways and deeds; to Me their way was like the uncleanness of a woman in her customary impurity. Therefore I poured out My fury on them for the blood they had shed on the land, and for their idols with which they had defiled it. So I scattered them among the nations, and they were dispersed throughout the countries; I judged them according to their ways and their deeeds.... “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name’s sake.... For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God."

Pretty darn clear, eh? God scattered them, and God WILL bring them back together for HIS Holy Name. And what happens to the people who oppose Israel?

We find the answer in Ezekiel 38:18-23 (NKJV)“And it will come to pass at the same time, when Gog comes against the land of Israel,” says the Lord GOD, “that My fury will show in My face. For in My jealousy and in the fire of My wrath I have spoken: ‘Surely in that day there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel, so that the fish of the sea, the birds of the heavens, the beasts of the field, all creeping things that creep on the earth, and all men who are on the face of the earth shall shake at My presence. The mountains shall be thrown down, the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.’ I will call for a sword against Gog throughout all My mountains,” says the Lord GOD. “Every man’s sword will be against his brother. And I will bring him to judgment with pestilence and bloodshed; I will rain down on him, on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, flooding rain, great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. Thus I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the LORD.”’

Right now the nation of Israel is preparing for Sukkot, which is also called The Feast of Booths or the Feast of Tabernacles. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the Jewish month of Tishrei (which would be like from late September to late October on our calendar...the 15th being a bit before the 15th of our month of October.)

Jews celebrate this seven day festival to remind themselves of the fragility in which their anscestors lived in the desert as they wandered it for 40 years. All their meals are eaten in the living area of the house, which becomes their "sukkah" (home) for those 7 days.

From israelinationalnews.com, Maayana Miskin reports that "Violent riots began several days ago, shortly before the Sukkot holiday. Rioters have primarily targeted policemen and Jews in the neighborhoods of Mei Shiloach (Silwan), A-Tor and Ir David. Several Jewish homes have been pelted with rocks and firebombs, and at least one home and one sukkah have been burnt. Eleven civilians have been wounded by rioters' violent attacks."

Israel is constantly under one kind of attack or another. They have been since the beginning of time.

I ask again that you pray for the nation of Israel, for they are God's chosen ones, and I believe it would please Him. Notice that is is not because of THEM or anything THEY do, but because God said by His Holy Name it would be so.

I would also ask that you remain in prayer for OUR country, as "we" in our government are not supporting Israel as we should be. Re-read Ezekiel 38:18-23. I do not think this is allegory. I think that God will rain down fire and brimstone. On us, and anyone else who has opposed His people.