The Five Rejoicings at the Feast

Thank you very much for that beautiful special music. So nice to see all of you. And what a beautiful place to have this feast of tabernacles. This is the first time for myself, my wife, and the rest of our family who are here. Four daughters, four son-in-laws, and 11 grandchildren. So very thankful and honored to be able to enjoy with all of you this wonderful feast.

One thing I have learned is that after all this time, you never cease to be marveled at everything that comes out of studying God's Word, nor of discovering these marvelous and new things. It seems like every time as you study, new things come out.

And I have something to share with you. Hopefully it has greatly encouraged me, as I hope it will do so for you as well. What is new is something that has to do with this wonderful feast of tabernacles, and with four special words that are used in the scriptures that define this feast of tabernacles. We've heard that word time and time again, but have we ever studied into these four words in scripture that have to do with joy and rejoicing? So I want to share with you a bit about these four different words, two in the Old Testament and two in the New Testament.

And so the two main words for joy in the Old Testament are, first the noun, it's called simka. It sounds like simcard, so you can almost remember that way. Simka, that's the noun, and the verb is samak. So simka and samak. Simka is where we get the word joy, and samak is where we get the word rejoice. So remember simka is the noun for joy, and samak is the verb for rejoice. Let's notice in the scriptures how samak is used regarding the Feast of Tabernacles. In Leviticus 23 verse 40, Leviticus 23 verse 40, and this is the last part of verse 40. It says that's a person that's far away from me. But in Leviticus 23 verse 40, it says, you shall rejoice, samak, before the Lord your God for seven days. The brown driver Briggs Lexicon and Strong's dictionary both indicate that the term samak, the root word, means to brighten up like a face, lighting up a smile that comes deeply within you rather than just a passing emotion. This is much deeper type of joy than you see in the world where people are entertained and they're joyful. This is something that comes from deep inside. For instance, last night as I met two friends we hadn't seen for years in the feast and I can't help but remember how the lady came up and her face was beaming when she said hello and gave a nice hug. You could just see even at night that beaming light coming out from inside of her. Now the term simka is used in Numbers chapter 10 verse 10 where it talks about the blowing of the trumpets during these feasts and it says it calls God's feasts your times of rejoicing. The word here simka. The new international version says also at your times of rejoicing simka and this is these are the times it says your appointed festivals and new moon feasts you are to sound the trumpets.

Thus this word simka became synonymous with God's festivals and that's why they can be called God's joyous feasts or God's feasts of joy and this came embedded into the Jewish culture to such a point that they use the word simka when they're talking about God's feasts. They go to a simka. They go to a joyful place and it also now extended in Jewish culture to weddings and any joyous occasion.

Let's look now at Deuteronomy chapter 16 verse 14 and 15 about the feasts of tabernacles.

It says in Deuteronomy 16 verse 14 and 15, and you shall rejoice samach in your feast. You and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant and the Levite, the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are within your gates. Seven days you shall keep a sacred feast to the Lord your God in the place which the Lord chooses because the Lord your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands so that you surely rejoice samach. Other translations have it because it says surely so that this is even a more intense expression. Other translations have it and you will have nothing but joy. So notice this isn't just a personal rejoicing, but it's also a collective one. It's about an atmosphere of joy where we can share the blessings with family, with those who are new to the faith. How many have this is their first feast of tabernacles. Can I see some of your hands? Some? Yes, that's great. Also, how many newly baptized that are coming? Got some too. And also those that are needy among us or lonely members among us.

We can share the blessings and our faith with them. Then in the New Testament we have the other two words. Remember, two in the Old Testament, simcha and samach. Now we have two in the New Testament that the writers used to translate simcha and samach into what? Into the word kara, c-h-a-r-a. And also to the term which is kairo, like the place in Egypt, kairo, which is again, one is the noun, kara, the other one is the verb, but it's the same word. Now, it is virtually the same as what the Old Testament says, but it adds something new because it expands the joy to include that vision of the kingdom of God. It identifies godly love and joy, particularly joy, as a fruit of God's spirit. That's something that comes from the New Testament revealing that it actually comes from God.

And so, as we rejoice, it should be the chief characteristic at the Feast of Tabernacles. And we are in a spiritual bubble that God has created where our faces can shine and show gratitude and that inner godly joy toward God and those that are with us.

Now, does that mean that everyone's supposed to force themselves to be joyous? What about negative things that have happened this year? Illnesses, accidents, serious problems, etc.?

Well, godly joy or rejoicing doesn't mean problems won't exist, but that we should remember who is on our side and what he is doing and will do about it by being with us. As it says in Scripture, if God is for us, who can be against us?

So, in looking forward to that kingdom of God and becoming an eternal, Spirit-composed member of God's family in that first and best resurrection, is that good enough to be joyous? I believe so. As David said in Psalm 31 verse 7, Psalm 31 verse 7, I will be glad and rejoice, Samach, in your mercy, for you have considered my trouble. You have known my soul in adversities and have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy, especially Satan. You have set my feet in a wide place, which means a peaceful place. God brings us through trials to a peaceful place. I like what the expository dictionary of Bible words emphasizes about joy. It says, tracing the concepts of joy through the Bible helps us to realize that our happiness, like our hope, is founded on realities that are unaffected by the present conditions in this world.

So this spiritual rejoicing describes a deep, heartfelt joy directly connected to our relationship with God the Father and Jesus Christ, their presence in our lives through God's Spirit, their plan of salvation that they're carrying out, their wonderful commandments to guide us, and their glorious coming kingdom. Therefore, it's a profound joy based on the unchanging holy and perfect righteous character of God the Father and Jesus Christ. That's where our anchor is. That's where our foundation is. It's unmovable, unshakable, rather than on a passing mood or based simply on one's material possessions. Those are fleeting. In fact, godly joy can be described as the calmness at the bottom of the ocean. And here we have part of the Gulf and the Atlantic Ocean and its depth. And although there are sometimes raging storms and the waves pounding up, if you go down to the bottom of the sea, it's calmness and stillness there. Joy is the same way. Even with all the agitation might be up in the surface deep inside, we've got that commitment with God. He is with us. As a result, going to the feast means to worship God based on our relationship with God the Father and Jesus Christ, having fine fellowship with like-minded brethren, enjoying ourselves, also with others of like minds, and finding comfort in time of need. It's a message of hope and joy that we find here. So let's briefly look at five rejoicings at the feast that we should remember. Five rejoicings at the feast we should remember. First, let's rejoice for having been invited to this feast. We have been called to observe it, and we are heeding the call. We are heeding the invitation.

We first come based on obedience to a commandment. It is not a suggestion from God. Notice in Luke chapter 14, Luke chapter 14, in verse 16, it says, Then he said to him, A certain man gave a great supper, and invited many. The word here is kaleo in the Greek, from where we get to English, to call, to invite, to summon kaleo. The term ekklesia is ekk, outside, and then kle from kaleo and sia. It means the called out ones. These are God's people. In Hebrews 11, in verse 13, Hebrews 11, verse 13, we see God's people. It's Hebrews 11, verse 13. This is the chapter of faith of men and women, and it says in verse 13, These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, were assured of them, embraced them, and confessed that there were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland, talking about God's kingdom. Their faith was just like some people, and God calls and gives them that vision. It doesn't matter what age it is. Do you remember when you first saw that vision of that coming kingdom and you wanted to be part of it? I call it, it's like having a spiritual spyglass. Notice here, it says that they saw these promises afar off, but they were assured of them. The rest of the people don't see that. They don't see God's kingdom as something concrete and physical that is going to happen to this world, but those that have faith do. They have a spiritual spyglass. They can see farther. They can see that coming kingdom. That's what God gives us to be able to see beyond the today, to see the tomorrow.

These are people who can glimpse at that future rain and want to be part of it. Those are the ones answering the call.

Then, secondly, we should rejoice for having our names written in heaven in the book of life. What a privilege! What an undeserved privilege for those who have God's Spirit in them. Notice what Christ said in Luke chapter 10 verse 17. Luke chapter 10 in verse 17. He sent his disciples out when they came back in verse 17. It says, then the 70 returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name. And then in verse 20, Christ said, nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven. And when a person is truly converted and baptized and receives God's Holy Spirit, his name is written in that book of life. We should rejoice in that. What a privilege! Less than one in a million persons gets to be called and have his name written in the book of life in this life. And then the third point, we should rejoice for being together in spiritual harmony. Yes, this God produced joy in us, brings a certain amount of peace and harmony and joy. Notice what it tells us in Psalm 133, Psalm 133. It's interesting here that it's as they arrived at the feast that they would sing this hymn. It says in Psalm 133, Psalm 132 was basically sung at that first evening of the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles. And now during that day, time of the first day of the feast, it says in Psalm 133, Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. It's like the precious oil upon the head running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments. It's like the dew of Herman descending upon the mountains of Zion. For there the Lord commanded the blessing. Life forevermore.

Let's go to Colossians chapter 3, since we've had beautiful music with the choirs, but we are all singing to God in Colossians chapter 3 and verse 16. It says, Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, in all wisdom, teaching, admonishing one another, in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. Some translations have it as festive praises. That's what we're doing. We're praising God during these feast days. Festive praises. Singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord, and whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

That's the spirit of joy that we have. Fourthly, let us rejoice for developing that spiritual character through this year's trials. That's funny that when I mentioned this point during the speakers' meeting, some said, Oh, well, I don't know about that one. It's kind of hard to rejoice, right? Developing character through this year's trials. But I said, No, I'm going to leave it, because that is a part of the Christian life.

Notice in 1 Peter chapter 1, 1 Peter chapter 1. And if we don't do any overcoming in a year, we haven't grown very much at all. It's the overcoming part that you have joy, that you are able to overcome certain things.

It brings great joy. 1 Peter chapter 1 verse 6, Peter says, In this you greatly rejoice. And this this word is actually even stronger than kara, but it's also talking about like leaping up. In this you greatly rejoice, though for now, for a little time, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

So that's when you get your reward. That's what we are looking forward to. So overcoming trials is necessary to form that spiritual character, and it will make us stronger and help us keep that inner joy, no matter what. What good is inner joy if it's never tested? If it's a walk in the park?

Anybody can do that, but it's when you go through difficult ones and you stay close to God, and you have that joy because God is there. Jesus Christ is helping you go through it. So we should remember in Romans 8, verse 18 and 28, always remember these verses to encourage and cheer us up in times that are difficult and trying. Romans chapter 8, verse 18, Paul, who certainly suffered so much, but even with all the whippings and clubbing and being sometimes out there in the ocean, floating on a log, he said in verse 18, For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

In verse 28, it says, And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose. There's a workings out that God is doing in every one of our lives. And finally, the last point, rejoice because we understand the spiritual meanings of these feasts, God's plan of salvation. And so, how many out there in these religions ever talk about God's plan of salvation? And basically, from Revelation 19 to Revelation 22, you have the four autumn feasts described in these chapters, starting in Revelation 19, with the coming of Jesus Christ to the earth.

And then in Revelation 20, 1 through 3, it's where Satan is bound. That's what the Day of Atonement has to do. And then afterwards, from Revelation 4 all the way through 6, it tells us about the coming kingdom and the saints who will rule for a thousand years. That's symbolic of this feast of tabernacles. And then afterwards, we have from Revelation 20, from 11 to 13, it talks about the second resurrection and everything involved.

And from that time, which has to do with the eighth day of this feast, after the thousand years, that's going to be the great event that's going to take place afterward. And then, Revelation 21 and 22 is when God the Father brings the New Jerusalem after Christ is taking care of all the enemies. Everything has been judged. Everything has been carried out. And so God the Father comes with the New Jerusalem.

So we should rejoice about having that wonderful plan of salvation and what these feasts are all about. In conclusion, in Philippians chapter 4 verse 4, it is appropriate as a motto for these feasts of joy. When it says in Philippians 4 verse 4, rejoice, Cairo is the word, in the Lord always again I will say rejoice, Cairo, that's the word. So hopefully you have been encouraged by learning these four special words in scripture that describe God's joyous feasts.

Let's put it into action.