The Feast of Tabernacles

“The LORD said to Moses, ‘Say to the Israelites:  'On the first day of the seventh month you are to have a day of rest, a sacred assembly commemorated with trumpet blasts.’ ’ ”

Leviticus 23:23-24

Beginning sunset today, Jews and Christians were celebrating the seventh and final feast that God gave to Israel.  In Leviticus 23:34, God spoke to Moses, “Say to the Israelites:  ‘On the fifteenth day of the seventh month the LORD’s Feast of Tabernacles begins, and lasts for seven days.’ ”  It is also called Sukkot, the Feast of Booths, or the Feast of Ingathering (Exodus 23:16).  The feast lasts seven days and occurs on the 15^th day of the seventh month, five days after the most solemn Day of Atonement.

In verses 39-41, God instructs Moses that after they have gathered the crops of the land, they are to celebrate this feast.  The first day is a day of rest, and the last day is a day of rest.  They are to take the choice fruit from the trees, palm fronds, leafy branches, and poplars and rejoice before the LORD for seven days each year.  In verses 42-43, God commands them to “live in booths for seven days…so your descendants will know that I had the Israelites live in booths when I brought them out of Egypt...”

This feast is celebrated annually as a reminder of God’s provision in the wilderness for 40 years.  During the feast, booths were built commemorating God’s provision of shelter for the Israelites following the exodus from Egypt.  In the wilderness, the Israelites lived in temporary lean-to’s as they traveled.  The most joyful and festive of all Israel’s feasts celebrates God’s past provision and goodness during the wilderness years and His present provision and goodness with the harvest.  It was one of the three feasts requiring a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.  From the second night until the final night, there was a light celebration or temple–lighting ceremony.  This light celebration was reminiscent of the descent of the Shekinah glory in Solomon’s day and looked forward to the return of the Shekinah in the days of the Messiah (Ezekiel 43:1-6).

Previously, I have told you that God has told the story of Messiah and the story of the Jewish people through these feasts.  Colossians 2:16-17 says that the feasts were a shadow of the things to come that were found in Messiah.

Zechariah 14 speaks of the end times when God will go and fight against the evil nations and those who have come against Israel.  Verses 6-7a say, “On that day there will be no light, no cold or frost.  It will be a unique day without daytime or nighttime.”  Then verse 9 says, “The LORD will be king over the whole earth.  On that day there will be one LORD, and his name the only name.”  Lastly, verse 16 says, the people “will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.”

Revelation 21:1-6 speaks of when God will finally dwell with man.  It says there will be a new heaven and a new earth.  The Holy City of Jerusalem will come down out of heaven, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.  Then a loud voice from the throne will say, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them.  They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.”

Messiah will set up the messianic kingdom and tabernacle among men.  His plan has always been to tabernacle among men, to tabernacle with us.  Then He will begin His Millennium reign on earth from Jerusalem.  Countless prophecies speak of God’s desire to dwell with man, but one of my favorite is Ezekiel 37:27, “My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people.”

As Revelation 21 says, He will wipe away every tear.  There will be no more mourning, crying, pain, and death!  He makes all things new.  We will celebrate and dance for joy!  Do you see why the Jewish celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles is just a foretaste of the fulfillment of the feast and the celebration that we will have when Jesus returns, when we dwell in the Holy City of Jerusalem and rejoice and celebrate for our God has won the battle.  We will dwell with Him forever!  Hallelujah!

Pray with me:  Lord Jesus, come quickly!  We long for Your return and Your reign as King.  We long for You to defeat Your foes and set up Your reign in the New Jerusalem.  We long for the day that there will be no more tears, no more death, and no more pain.  We long to dance down the streets made of gold in Jerusalem and celebrate the seventh feast.  Most of all, we long to dwell with You forever!  In the mighty Name of Jesus we pray, Amen.