Sukkot is one of the 7 commanded feasts in Leviticus 23. In fact it is one of the 3 main pilgrimage feasts where everybody went to Jerusalem to celebrate. A harvest festival and a time for rejoicing in the Lord and celebrating God's presence and provision for us.

The Water Libation Ceremony

In Jesus time every night of the feast, there was a candle-lit parade with music and singing. In the Temple area, 3 golden candlesticks nearly 75 ft high were lit by young boys climbing tall ladders, the light seen throughout all Jerusalem. As the priests went down and filled a golden pitcher, at the pool of Siloam, carrying the water up to temple and pouring it out over the alter in the courtyard. Respected men of faith danced and sang, the shofar would be blown 3 times.

Therefore you will joyously draw water From the springs of salvation. - Isaiah 12:3 (LSB)

The water was taken from the Pool of Siloam, whose water came from the Gihon Spring. It was this water, used to anoint the kings of the house of David, that was mixed with ashes from the red heifer to create "living water" which would cleanse from sin. Water written of by the prophet Isaiah:

For I will pour out water on the thirsty ground
And streams on the dry land;
I will pour out My Spirit on your seed
And My blessing on your offspring. - Isaiah 44:3

This water had became symbolic of the Holy Spirit coming upon an individual (1 Sam. 16:13). Prophecy stated an outpouring of the Holy Spirit was to take place during the days of the Messiah, the anointed one, a descendant of King David, through whom salvation will come to Israel.

Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out (shouted), saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’”- John 7:37-38

Any Jew hearing this during the Water Ceremony understood. Jesus was announcing that He was Messiah! The true life giver through whom the Holy Spirit would be given.

Happy Sukkot – Rejoice in the Lord’s Providence and Presence.