Rejoicing in the One Moses Wrote About
At the conclusion of the Jewish Festival of Sukkot (Tabernacles),[1] there are two more days of celebration observed by religious Jewish communities: Shemini Atzeret[2] and Simchat Torah.[3]
Simchat Torah celebrates the conclusion of the annual cycle of the public readings from the Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) and marks the beginning of another annual reading cycle.
Much joy certainly can be derived from the Torah (often translated “the Law”). Yet even greater joy can be experienced by knowing the “One” (the person) to whom the Law was pointing. Rather than one joyous day of prayer and celebration of God’s holy Word, joy is available every day[4] when God puts His law within a person’s heart.
One of the early uses of the Hebrew word simcha (joy) is found in Deuteronomy when God relays the consequences of disobedience to His people Israel. One of His charges against them is they “did not serve the LORD your God with joy and a glad heart, for the abundance of all things.”[5]
We see that it is not only the Law which is a source of joy, but also that the LORD God who gave the Law wants His people to serve Him with joy and a glad heart.
In the Hebrew order of the Scriptures, the Prophets follow the Torah (Pentateuch). In the First Book of Samuel another early use of the word simcha is found. After a young shepherd named David defeated the giant Goliath, resulting in Israel’s defeat of the Philistines, the women in the cities of Israel came out to meet David and King Saul singing and dancing with “joy.”
However, the song they sang ascribed more power and success in battles to David rather than Saul. This event provoked jealousy, anger, and fear in Saul, who previously had disobeyed the LORD’s commands. Scripture says the LORD removed His Spirit from Saul and sent instead an evil spirit that troubled him greatly. All this led to Saul’s attempt to kill David, whom God had indicated was His choice to be Israel’s king.
Approximately 1,000 years later, a different story of the LORD’s choice to become the future King of Israel unfolded. This offspring of King David rode into Jerusalem, mounted on a young donkey. The joyous shouts of “Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD; hosanna in the highest!”[6] resounded in the streets.
Once again, there were those who would seek to destroy God’s choice ruler. Just as with Saul and David, God’s will would be done. It was God’s predetermined purpose for this to happen, as attested to by Samuel and the prophets![7]
Yes, great joy is derived from reading God’s Holy Word. But even greater joy results when one comes to believe in and know the One of whom the Scriptures speak as the giver of eternal life.
A disciple of Jesus named Peter who wrote these words through the Holy Spirit:
And though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls (1 Peter 1:8-9, NASB).
This indeed is the “joy of the LORD!”
Written by Jeff, LIFE Staff
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Footnotes:
[1] Leviticus 23:33-42; Numbers 29:12.
[2] Shemini Atzeret means “the eighth day of assembly.”
[3] Rejoicing in the Torah or Joy of the Torah.
[4] Jeremiah 31:33.
[5] Deuteronomy 28:47.
[6] Matthew 21:1-11; Isaiah 62:11; Zechariah 9:9; Psalm 118:26.
[7] Acts 2:22-36; Acts 3:11-26.