John 7:37On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink
This passage opens with the identification of the times. The Feast of the Tabernacles was an ordinance given by God to be kept by the children of Israel. It commemorated their deliverance out of Egypt, when they lived in huts (or booths) as they traveled through the wilderness. They were to look forward to the coming King and Messiah who would save His people from the bondage of sin.
The Feast of Tabernacles lasted 8 days. During the first 7 days, water from the Pool of Siloam was carried in a golden pitcher and poured out at the altar to remind everyone of the water God miraculously provided to quench Israel’s thirst while they were in the wilderness. On the 8th day there was no pouring of water; instead, they prayed for water, as a reminder that they had entered the Promised Land and were thankful that their water supply would continue in ‘a land of springs of water’.
“This was the last feast-time Jesus would spend in Jerusalem before the Passover of His death. This
was the last day of the last feast; the last time He would speak to many of them before His crucifixion.”
Jesus stood and cried out: What Jesus was about to say was of great importance b/c of:
-where He said it (standing in the temple courts, right outside the temple itself).
-when He said it (at the last day of Tabernacles, after water had been poured out on the previous days). -how He said it (crying out, even shouting — in contrast to the general tone of His ministry) See Isaiah 42:2
The celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles emphasized how God provided water to Israel in the wilderness on their way to Canaan. Jesus boldly called people to Himself to drink and satisfy their deepest thirst, their spiritual thirst.
It was a broad invitation – open to anyone (regardless of race, class, nationality, political party. It was a narrow invitation – open to the thirsty who recognized their (emptiness and) need. Jesus spoke these words on the last (8th) day to show a contrast. It was as if to say that ‘The water at the temple and in the practice of rituals cannot quench your thirst. I have the water you need.’
Essentially Jesus said, “Put your loving trust in Me, enthrone Me in your heart, and life and abundance will flow out.” (David Guzik) For those who believe in Jesus, the Holy Spirit will flow out of their innermost being (their spirit); this would not be a one-time event but perpetual rivers of living water would be released. And not only would this bless the individual, but also a source of blessing to others. The overflow of rivers of water within would pour out onto others. It was prophesied that water will flow from the throne in Jerusalem where the Messiah will be enthroned.
The Jerusalem Talmud connects the ceremonies and this scripture with the Holy Spirit:
Guzik, David. (2018). Study Guide for John 7. www.BlueLetterBible.org.
‘Why is … it called, The drawing out of water? Because of the pouring out of the Holy Spirit,
according to what is said: “With joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.”’” (Leon Morris)
The outflowing
Jesus was introducing the third member of the Godhead that would come after He Himself was glorified on the Cross and then the Resurrection. The giving of the Holy Spirit would happen once He completed His work and returned to heaven. He spoke in general terms of what would occur on the Day of Pentecost. When the believers experienced the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, they would exhibit the outflowing of the river of the Living Water.
https://www.blueletterbible.org/comm/guzik_david/study-guide/john/john-7.cfm