Lulav

Recently we have been studying the three fall feasts of Israel, and it has been a blessing and revelation for us. The last feast of the series is the Feast of Tabernacles, also know as the Feast of Ingathering. It occurs during the ingathering of the fall harvest. Much can be written about the Feasts, and their importance to Christians, even as they have been practiced by generations of Jewish people. The Feasts are as much apart of our faith as the Word of God. Jesus observed the feasts faithfully. I cannot go into full detail of the feasts, and Tabernacles specifically, as it could fill a book, and I am no expert on the subject, but I would like to look at a particular aspect of it that I thought was extremely precious and important. Tabernacles, being the final feast, seems especially important to the End Times in which we live. 
Part of the observance of Tabernacles is the building of a structure called a "sukkah". It is a four-sided structure that can have an opening on one side. Another part of the feast is gathering together, or bundling, of four types of vegetation called the "lulav". It is taught that the lulav represents the four-lettered Name of the LORD, yod, he, vaw, he. To me, even the sukkah, because it has four sides, can also represent this holy Name. Any time there is a grouping of four in scripture, we should pay special attention to its revelation of God's Name, known as the Tetragrammaton. I believe that when we hold that lulav in our hands, we are holding onto the Name of the LORD. I believe that when we enter into the sukkah, we are entering into the Name of the LORD. This is very important in these times.
It is said that the four components of vegetation that make up the lulav should represent our attitude and practice toward God. I think these same four items can also represent God's character and promises towards us.

In our study we learned that the lulav bundle is made up of the following:
Etrog, a citrus branch and fruit, represents the heart-our love for Him, and His love for us. It is a love that bore, and continues to bear, the fruit of salvation.
Lulav, is a straight date palm frond, and represents the spine, uprightness or righteousness, steadfastness in our relationship with God, and His faithfulness, righteousness and the steadfastness of God's promises to us.
Hadas, three myrtle branches, whose leaf shape represents the eyes, the vision and discernment. Our eyes are always to be lifted up and open to Him, as His eyes are always seeking us out, and seeing ahead to provide for us.
Aravah, two willow branches kept moist (willows grow by the water). They represent victory over the enemy, and, by shape, the lips, particularly when used by us in prayer. Likewise, God's lips are continually speaking into our lives, and Jesus' lips are continually making intercession for us.

It is so important as we enter these perilous End Times, that we understand the power of holding onto, and entering into, the Name of the LORD, as symbolized in these practices of the Feast of Tabernacles.
Scripture tells us the provision that has been given to us within the Name of the LORD:

"The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe."  Pro. 18:10
"May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble; May the name of the God of Jacob defend you."          
"Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the LORD our God."           Psalm 20:1, 7
"Our help is in the name of the LORD, Who made heaven and earth."     Psalm 124:8
"And it shall come to pass: That whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved."
                                                 Joel 2:32, Acts 2:21, Rom. 10:13
"So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him."       Isa. 59:19
There are so many more scriptures about the power and defense found in the name of the LORD, and in the name of Jesus.

In the End Times, many will be desperate to enter into a name, any name, and to be covered by something, anything:
"And in that day, seven women shall take hold of one man saying, "We will eat our own food and wear our own apparel; only let us be called by your name to take away our reproach."
                                                        Isa. 4:1
"And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave, and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!"       Rev. 6:15-16

But for those who have understanding, they will run to another name, to the greatest name, the name that saves and defends, the name that is above every name. They will run into the covering (sukkah) of the name of the LORD:
One will say, "I am the LORD's; Another will call himself by the name of Jacob; Another will write with his hand "The LORD's", and name himself by the name of Israel."   Isa. 44:5

Like the lulav, let us hold His name in our hands. Let us run into His name, and be enveloped and covered by His name, like being covered within the sukkah, in this Feast of Ingathering, in this Feast of Tabernacles.

Our Father's name is in the lulav and sukkah of Tabernacles.


"Sukkot Song-Call Upon His Name"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vrrlktOvU4

"We Will Run"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqgHd7mXYVQ

"The Name of the LORD is a Strong Tower"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9jf0RNfUFc

"Names of God"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5-6gwssX0Y

"Sinnerman"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bn5tiuZU4JI