The entire country literally shuts down from sundown Friday to sunset Saturday. People fast, and pray, and some will sacrifice chickens as an atonement for their sins. But even in the Old testament when God ordained this holiday the atonement was only partial and painfully temporary. It pointed to something greater that has now come.
As I sat watching the sunset on Yom Kippur, listening to the Shofar signal the end of the day I couldn't help feeling overwhelmed by the knowledge that final atonement has been made for me. Permanently. How wonderful that because of Messiah the solemnity of Yom Kippur finds its end in joy. I've been freed to sin no more!
This morning in keeping with Sukkot tradition the ladies of IBEX gathered in the Sukkah IBEX students built in our park for a Praise Fest. As we sang and read Psalms of praise I was reminded of Heaven. God's people are still sojourners. Having been grafted into the family of God I am just passing through this earth - which is just a rickidy, broken tent in comparison to what is to come.
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| Sunset on Yom Kippur |
I love this tangible reminder of the grace bestowed to me.
On the heels of Yom Kippur comes the week long celebration of Sukkoth, or the feast of Booths.
In the villages and cities all over Israel rickidy shanties and plastic tents went up. Palm branches were supplied for Roofs, and colorful streamers, Christmas lights, and paper lanterns were hung.
This past week families have gathered in their Sukkahs regularly to eat, and talk, and cook. This is done so that they will remember that they once lived in temporary tents as sojourners and nomads in the wilderness, but the Lord was faithful to bring them into a good land, The Promised Land.
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| Dinner in the IBEX Sukkah l Photo Credit: Caleb Donato |
I love this visible reminder that this is a temporary state.
The past month or so has been very stretching for me. Moving to a new country. Learning a new job. Trying to figure out how to live intentionally in a new setting. Realizing that I am all too finite and have no hope of managing on my own. Learning to draw my strength from the infinite.
This last week has ushered in it's own new set of challenges for my new-found IBEX family.
There have been days since I've moved here when I can barely wrap my mind around all that's going on. There are days of exhaustion. There are days when I don't know what to pray. There are days of saddness days of confusion.
There have been days since I've moved here when I can barely wrap my mind around all that's going on. There are days of exhaustion. There are days when I don't know what to pray. There are days of saddness days of confusion.
In Israel we pray for rain as much as anything else - it is just as tangible a demonstration of God's faithfulness as any holiday. In the summer months Israel becomes something of a dry and weary land, but this week God brought the early rains. In the midst of my own weariness and concern, Abba reassured my soul that He is still good. Because I am His, even the days of trail can be days of hope.
I love this comforting reminder that my God is ever faithful, and strong.
I'm so thankful to the One who wove these simple reminders into culture that I now find myself surrounded by. He must know how much I need them.
