Jesus Is The Better Light (John 8:12-13; Lev. 23:33-44; Exodus 13:17-22) Series

Which means two things. First, we get ripped off-- at least at first. I'd really like to hear Jesus explain how he is the light of the world. But the Judeans messed that up for us.

And, second, if we are going to try to figure this out, we are going to have to look elsewhere for help. A more patient person would wait and see if AJ explains this himself, somehow, if we kept reading. Honestly, that's probably a better approach. But I've been itching to get back to the OT, and I decided today I'm going to scratch that itch. The OT is full of imagery and language about light, and some of that language helps us appreciate Jesus' words more. So, understand that what I'm teaching today, isn't actually the most helpful thing I could do. Instead, it's more like filling in the background-- creating a flannel board-- that will help you understand Jesus and his words better later.

So let's start by reading Leviticus 23:33-44. I think this passage would make a great sermon-- it's hard to go wrong anywhere in Leviticus, right? But I'm going to restrain myself, a little at least. At any rate, this passage is where God gives his instructions about how He wants the "Festival of Booths/Tabernacles" to be celebrated:

(33) And Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

(34) "Speak to the sons of Israel, saying,

"On the 15th day of the seventh month, this [shall be] a festival of booths for seven days to/for Yahweh.

(35) On the first day, [it shall be] a holy/dedicated assembly.

Any/All the work of labor you shall not do.

(36) Seven days you shall bring/present an offering made by fire to Yahweh.

On the eighth day, a holy/dedicated assembly it shall be for you,

and you shall bring/present an offering made by fire to Yahweh.

An assembly , it [shall be].

All the work of labor you shall not do.

(37) These are the appointed times of Yahweh,

which you shall call them holy assemblies to bring/present offerings made by fire to Yahweh, a

burnt offering, a grain offering, a sacrifice, a drink offering, each on its proper day,

(38) besides the Sabbaths of Yahweh,

and besides your gifts,

and besides all your vows,

and besides all your free will offerings

that you give to Yahweh.

(39) Surely, on the 15th day of the seventh month, when you gather the produce of the land, you shall

celebrate the festival of Yahweh seven days.

On the first day, a complete rest, and on the eighth day, a complete rest,

(40) and you shall take for yourselves on the first day, the fruit of the land, majestic branches of palm

trees, and boughs of leafy trees, and poplar trees, and you shall rejoice before Yahweh your God/Elohim

seven days,

(41) and you shall celebrate it [as] a festival to Yahweh seven days each year.

A statute forever, for [all]your generations, in the seventh month, you shall celebrate it.

(42) In booths/tents you shall dwell seven days.

All the native-born in Israel shall dwell in booths/tents

because in booths I made to dwell the sons of Israel when I brought them out from the land of