Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, and to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles. Zechariah 14:16
Constable in his Commentary on Zechariah writes, “… the Jews in Jesus’ day associated the feast of Booths with the beginning of Messiah’s kingdom, the same connection that Zechariah made here.”
On the mountain when Jesus was transfigured, Peter said, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah” (Matthew 17:4). Peter suggested building shelters or booths because this was how Jews celebrated the Festival of Tabernacles. Peter thought Jesus was about to commence his reign. He made the connection between the Messiah’s kingdom beginning and the Festival of Tabernacles.
Peter had the right idea. Jesus was the Messiah and one day he will reign. Peter knew the Scriptures and the prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah, but his timing was completely off. God doesn’t rebuke him but simply interrupts, “While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!’” (17:5). I suspect God loved Peter’s enthusiasm and his desire to see God’s kingdom come but he didn’t understand God’s timing.
This isn’t easy, like Peter we can have the right idea and understand what God wants to do in a situation but our timing may be wrong. Sometimes the reality is that God is simply preparing us for a future time.
Before rushing into a plan of action take the time to listen to Jesus.
