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"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth . . . . . Behold, the tabernacle of God is with
men, and He will dwell with them" (Rev. 21: 1, 3).
In the context of Zech. 14: the nations are compelled to keep the feast of
Tabernacles in Jerusalem or suffer the penalty of drought.
Returning to John 7: 37 our Lord knowing the Jews sought to kill Him, bravely
attended that great feast, and on the last day stood and cried:
"If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink."
These symbolic words are an echo of John 4: 14 where a similar message was given
to the woman of Samaria. It is spiritual water that will pour out for the life of the world.
It is significant in Zech. 14: when "the Lord shall be King over all the earth" then:
". . . . . living water shall go out from Jerusalem, half of them towards the former sea, and
half towards the hinder sea" (Zech. 14: 8).
This spate of fresh water from the depths, will heal the salt Dead Sea and bring life to
all that valley.
Our opening remarks are an attempt to give a background to John 7: through which
we find a common theme, that of the question of man's judgment of the events
concerning, and the claims of the Lord Jesus Christ:
"The world cannot hate you; but Me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works
thereof are evil" (7: 7).
The Jewish leaders had a strong tradition for the interpretation of the Mosaic Law and
many rulings depended on what various Rabbis had declared in the past--much like the
precedent of English Case Law today. For one, who in their opinion was unlearned, to
stand up and express doctrine without reference to tradition was inflammatory and
engendered the hate to which our Lord refers. Where our personal judgments are
questioned pride enters in. All personal opinions and values must be moved from self to
those emanating from the Word of God led by the indwelling Spirit of Truth.
How easy to write a sentence like that but how extremely difficult to put it into
practice. We really have to learn humility and empty ourselves that He may fill us. Only
in that spirit can He use us. If we have personal reservations on the truth of the Bible or
of the completely righteous path of God, we shall fail. Degrees of irritation can arise in
our heart and spoil the glorious appreciation of God's desire, and steps to dwell and
tabernacle with us.
Our Lord's brethren were skeptical and jealous, egging Him on to what they knew
were for Him perilous streets of Jewry.
He replied to them:
"My time is not yet come: but your time is always ready" (7: 6).