Covenant Reading of the 7th Year Sukkot

OFFICIAL DOCTRINAL THESIS From the Headquarters of First Harvest Ministries International From the Desk of the Apostolic Founder: John Shane Vaughn "A Witness Against Thee" - The Covenant Reading of the 7th-Year Sukkot Foundational Scripture Texts: - Deuteronomy 31:10-13 - Deuteronomy 31:26 - Exodus 24:7 - Joshua 24:26 Thesis Summary: The command to read 'this law' every seven years at the Feast of Tabernacles is not a mandate to read the entire Torah, but a covenantal act of renewal focused on the Book of the Covenant - a compact body of law designed to remind Israel of: - Who they are (a chosen, covenant people) Page 1 OFFICIAL DOCTRINAL THESIS From the Headquarters of First Harvest Ministries International From the Desk of the Apostolic Founder: John Shane Vaughn - What is required (obedience, faithfulness, justice) - What will happen if they forget (curses, exile, judgment) What Is the Book of the Covenant? We affirm the Book of the Covenant includes a compact selection of covenantal texts, likely comprised of: - Exodus 20-23 - The Ten Words and civil commandments - Leviticus 25-26 - Sabbatical, Jubilee, blessings and curses - Deuteronomy 4-31 - Moses' covenant sermons and prophetic warnings - Joshua 23-24 - Joshuas final covenant charges and renewal Placement and Purpose: - The two tablets (Ten Words) were placed inside the Ark (Deut 10:5). - The Book of the Law written by Moses was placed beside the Ark (Deut 31:26), not as part of the eternal law, but as a witness and record of the covenant terms. Covenant Renewal vs. Torah Seminary: The covenant reading is not academic - it is prophetic and personal. Yahweh was not commanding Israel to read Genesis through Deuteronomy, but to recite the terms they had sworn to keep. This is a marriage vow renewal - not a classroom exam. Application for Today: The modern remnant of Israel, awakened to covenant identity, must rediscover this seventh-year practice as a sacred appointment. We affirm that in the seventh year of every Sabbatical cycle, during the Feast of Tabernacles, the camp of Israel is to assemble corporately and hear aloud the Book of the Covenant. SIDENOTE (Confession and Grace Appeal): As this truth continues to unfold and increase in our understanding, we walk in the light we are given, moving from glory to glory. Last year marked the true seventh year of our Sukkot cycle, and we acknowledge with humility that we failed to obey this command at that time. Knowing that the next appointed reading will not occur again for another seven years - and that our Master Page 2 OFFICIAL DOCTRINAL THESIS From the Headquarters of First Harvest Ministries International From the Desk of the Apostolic Founder: John Shane Vaughn Yahshua may return before then - we cannot let this cycle pass unobserved. Therefore, at this year's Sukkot gathering, although we are technically entering the first year of a new seven-year cycle, we will read aloud the Book of the Covenant throughout the camp week as a sacred act of repentance, remembrance, and restoration. We ask Yahweh for grace in our imperfection and we pledge, by His Spirit, to keep the true seventh-year reading in perfect obedience when the cycle comes around again. Page 3