This week the Feast of Tabernacles is being celebrated.  Just as they did in the days of Moses, the Jewish people build shelters from palm leaves and branches, decorating them with fruit.  

 

Why are they to do this?  It is a time to remember how they lived in tents when God brought them out of Egypt.  In some ways it is like a visual aid, so they would never forget that God  dwelt among them in the wilderness, overshadowing the tabernacle and their campsite with his glory.  Yet it is more than that!  It points towards the coming of Jesus.

 

When Jesus came he was described as  ‘The Word who became flesh and made his dwelling among us’.  The glory of God was revealed as a man.

Have you ever had your hopes raised, only to find them broken to pieces?  We have been following the story of the Shunammite woman in 2 Kings 4.  Elisha had said she would have a son, but now her son was dead.

 

She had journeyed to Mount Carmel by donkey.  On seeing Elisha she fell at his feet and cried out,  “Did I ask you for a son, my lord?  Didn’t I tell you don’t raise my hopes?”  Those hopes now lay in ruins.  Yet she held on in faith.  

 

Elisha sent his servant Gehazi to lay his staff on the boy.  When he did nothing happened!  Why not? 

Does it seem as if the promises God has given you have died?  The woman, whose story we have been following in 2 Kings 4, must have felt like that.  God had promised her a son, and now that son lay lifeless in the room she had built for the prophet Elisha. She told no-one, not even her husband, as she rode from the village of Shunem to Mount Carmel on her donkey. 

 

Elisha saw her coming and sent his servant to meet her.  “Are you all right?  Is your husband all right?  Is your son all right?” The woman simply replied, “Everything is all right.”  Incredible!  It wasn’t!