During the Feast of Tabernacles, there was a special ritual known as the Water Libation Ceremony. A priest would lead a solemn procession down from the Temple Mount to the pool of Siloam, where he would draw water using a golden pitcher, then ascend back to the temple mount and pour out the water on the holy altar. They would do this while reading the following verse:
Isaiah 12:3 - Therefore, with joy, you shall draw water from the wells of salvation.
The Water Libation Ceremony was a central part of the feast. During this time, they would pray for rain to come on the holy land. By asking for rain, they were also praying for the Holy Spirit, which is symbolized by rain. The ritual was done on the last day of the feast known as Hoshana Rabbah. Incidentally, it is on this last great day of the entertainment that Yahshua uttered these famous words, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.” (John 7:37)
Most believers do not understand that he said those words, while the Water Libation Ceremony was taking place. The name Yahshua means salvation in Hebrew. While quoting Isaiah 12:3, Messiah said, “Therefore with joy, you will draw water from the wells of Yahshua.” Then he continued,” If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:37-38) Those words must have caught the religious authority of the day by surprise because Yahshua was saying that he is the true life-giver who would give the gift of the Holy Spirit to all that believed in him. He was declaring himself to be the Mashiach of Elohim.
Physically, 75% of the human body is made up of water; therefore, we would die if we lacked it. Spiritually, water represents that which nourishes the heart. Jeremiah 2:13, it is written, ”For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.’’ Oh, how often have we have sought for "water" from other sources other than God? How often have we "hewed out our cisterns," only to find them to be broken, leaking, and ultimately unsatisfying?
Yahshua spoke of "living water" that He would give to those who ask Him. This water, He said, would genuinely satisfy the thirsty hearts and provide everlasting nourishment for life (John 4:14). He explained that this living water would spring forth inside the heart as a result of trusting in Him (John 7:38). Today Messiah asks us to draw everlasting waters from his well.
Isaiah 55:1 - Hey! Come, everyone who thirsts, to the waters!
Yahshua satisfies the craving of the heart for life by graciously imparting His spirit to us. This nourishment enables us to be free from the deceptive snares that entice us to place hope in things that do not give us life.
The human soul can only experience eternal satisfaction by desiring God's satisfaction since it is He alone who can provide "living water." (John 4:14, John 7:38) We all must drink from Messiah's fountain of life lest we suffer spiritual dehydration, and death. God literally 'wired' us to experience deprivation and dissatisfaction whenever we look for spiritual nourishment from the broken and leaking vessels of this fallen world. Apart from him, one can never truly experience spiritual fulfillment.
Yahshua is the Rock that Moses, together with the elders of Israel, struck while at Meribah, and from it came forth water. While on the tree, after being crucified, when the Roman soldier pierced His side, water and blood came forth from his side. (John 19:34)
Messiah gives us the waters of life, which is the Holy Spirit. Just like the blood of the lambs brought forth the Sinai experience on Shavuot (Pentecost) 50 days later. Hence, the crucifixion of the Messiah led to the descent of the Holy Spirit to the followers of Yahshua 50 days on Shavuot, now under the New Covenant of Zion.
Revelation 22:17 - The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” He who hears let him say, “Come!” He who is thirsty, let him come. He who desires, let him take the waters of life freely.
By Felix Wainaina
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