Understanding The Feast of Tabernacles
Today is a very special day that is not celebrated by the world, is ignored by religious institutions, and even hidden by some churches. We speak of the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). Here we will learn and understand what the Feast of Tabernacles is, why we celebrate it, when it happens and where you can find this Feast in your Bible.
In today’s world we have all kinds of celebrations. With the world’s influence inside religious institutions, the pressure to participate in the world’s celebrations is great. They celebrate and promote Christmas, Easter, Mother’s Day, Back to School Day, Thanksgiving, Patriotic Days, New Year, Valentine’s Day, Halloween, Palm Sunday, Holy Week, Father’s Day, Grandparents’ Day, Lent, etc. Not all of these celebrations are evil or problematic. The problem is that these festivities were not established in the Bible and/or were designed to distract you or as a replacement of the biblical festivities established by the one you call the LORD.
What is Sukkot?
Sukkot (סוּכּוֹת) is the Feast of Tabernacles. It was established in perpetuity and in the year of 2021 (Hebrew year 5782) begins at sunset on Monday, September 20, 2021 and ends at dusk on Monday, September 27, 2021. Sukkot is a biblical holiday celebrated on the 15th of the month of Tishrei (end of September to end of October) for seven days.
This appointed festival of the LORD celebrates the provision of the God of Abraham during the migration of the Hebrews from Egypt to the promised land. And it also celebrates the great harvest.
Why Celebrate The Feast of Tabernacles?
Sukkot is indeed a celebration of God’s provisions. It’s a time to thank the LORD for what he has done and continues to do for us. It’s a time to admit that everything we have, comes from the LORD.
He is the provider of the desert, the water and the daily food.
The Bible Says
“‘So beginning with the fifteenth day of the seventh month, after you have gathered the crops of the land, celebrate the festival to the Lord for seven days; the first day is a day of sabbath rest, and the eighth day also is a day of sabbath rest. On the first day you are to take branches from luxuriant trees—from palms, willows and other leafy trees—and rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days. Celebrate this as a festival to the Lord for seven days each year. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come; celebrate it in the seventh month. Live in temporary shelters for seven days: All native-born Israelites are to live in such shelters so your descendants will know that I had the Israelites live in temporary shelters when I brought them out of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.’”
Leviticus 23:39-43
While the LORD’s people were in the wilderness, daily provisions came from Him. Just as every breath you take is a gift from God, all your friendships, love, family, children, all are a gift given by the God of Abraham. This biblical Feast is a celebration of the LORD’s provision.
Action and Reaction
The LORD knows that we are on this world, full of pandemics and heartaches, and HE gives us provisions to let us know that HE is the only provider. The action required of us is the action of gratitude. Rejoice in the only and sufficient provider, our LORD – The GOD of Abraham. This action will yield a reaction that is desirable. Think of it this way: The quicker you realize that only the LORD is your provider – and act as such – the fastest you will leave the perils of the desert and enter the promised land.
What Would Yeshua Do?
Your bible tells us that during this biblical Feast there was singing and dancing and a walk to the pool of Siloam. In the pool, the preacher carried a jar and everyone praised the LORD.
The reason for taking the water back to the temple was to pour it on the altar. The symbolism was the rain to come for future crops. An expectant attitude towards the One True God who provided and will provide.
In John 7:37-39, the Savior of the world, YESHUA during His participation in this Feast said something very important:
On the last and greatest day of the festival, Yeshua stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Yeshua had not yet been glorified.
John 7:37-39
This portion of the bible recorded by John describes a special ceremony that took place on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles – Hashanah Rabbah.
The Sukkot Message
The bible teaches us that Yeshua was present and participating on the Sukkot celebration. We know He celebrated this biblical Feast and said “Come to me” as He is the only provider of living water. In this teaching, Sukkot tells us that the invisible realm is more real and present than the visible realm. So, I urge you to study further to understand this message. When you do, you will realize that you must refocus your priorities. Forget your circumstances. Because, your problems are not what you see but what you don’t see. The distractions of this world were created to destroy you. And despite the fact that the world has infiltrated the church, the responsibility to stay focused is yours and no one else’s.
Don’t fight yourself or those close to you. Your fight is against the invisible realm.
Conclusion
Probably, your church and pastor didn’t tell you anything about this during the Sunday service. If this is the case. Understand that the biblical Feasts are Holy Days that bring us back into alignment with the LORD. The holidays of the world are for the world. If you are not of the world, and consider yourself a follower of the LORD and his Word, you need to celebrate the biblical celebrations as written in the bible you profess to believe in.
During the journey from Egypt to the promised land, every day, the community of Israel waited in the LORD for new manna and water. This attitude of dependence is a beautiful thing to cultivate. For when you believe that your own needs have been met by your own efforts, you only thank God with your mouth. Then you forget that without the LORD, you are just a target for the enemy.
Shalom!
Rabbi Douglas