OH 7{The passover feast had its antitype at the cross. (1 Cor. 5.) Pentecost was fulfilled when the Holy Spirit descended. (Acts 2.) The feast of Tabernacles has yet had no fulfillment, but will have when the harvest and vintage of Israel has come, and Israel can look back and celebrate all the way by which the Lord hath brought them. The eighth day, the great day of the feast, will be when God's rest has come.
It was therefore impossible that the Lord should go up to Jerusalem to keep this feast, and not proclaim Himself the King and Judge, and it was not yet, in the purposes of God, the time for this. He would go up to Jerusalem to teach those who had ears to hear of the Father who had sent Him, and in spite of man's enmity and opposition, show Himself to be the Fountain of living waters to the soul that thirsted for God, and to make such a soul rivers of living waters to others.
Verse 1. He is aware that they want to kill Him.
Verse 2. The feast is called the Jews feast of tabernacles. Jehovah could not delight in it.
(Isa. 1:10-1510Hear the word of the Lord, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah. 11To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. 12When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? 13Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. 14Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. 15And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. (Isaiah 1:10‑15).)
Verses 3-5. His brethren did not believe on Him, and He cannot explain His actions to them. They could not understand.
Verses 6-9. They were of the world, and could go as they pleased, but He must abide his time to do the Father's will.
Verses 10-13. Afterward He goes up, but it is not to show Himself, but as it were in secret and to teach them.
Verse 14. He is outside of all that was going on at the feast. He, the Son of God was outside as in fellowship with the Father, a heaven-sent Messenger to wait on their need. if the Father was rejected, so was He, but they were of the world.
Verses 15-24. They are surprised at His teaching, they do not see beyond the human vessel. "How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?" They know not that His teaching came with Him from heaven. Like the blind leaders of the blind of the present hour of greatest apparent attainment. What is the reason? Christ alone can satisfy. He who made known the Father, alone can fill and satisfy the heart. This is to have His peace and His joy. What else can compare with it? Can you do without it?
"O worldly pomp and glory
Your charms are spread in vain;
I've heard a sweeter story,
I've found a truer gain.”