The Feast of Tabernacles
 The Significance of The Feast of Tabernacles
Summary
The Feast of Sukkot (Tabernacles) is the most joyous feast celebration, lasting a whole week. It marks a time of rest, remembrance and reflection on God’s divine sovereignty and providence, His goodness and power. It is celebrated at the end of the harvest season.
The feast has a dual significance: historical and agricultural. Historically, it commemorates the forty-year period during which the children of Israel were wandering in the desert, living in temporary shelters, or booths. Agriculturally, it is a harvest festival, and is sometimes referred to as the Festival of Ingathering.
As the Pilgrims who came to America were looking for a way to express their gratitude towards God for their survival and for the harvest, it was this feast described in the Scriptures that inspired their celebration—what has become the American tradition of Thanksgiving.
Messiah satisfied the debt for our sins. He redeemed us from dead works. He lifted the burden of guilt and condemnation. He invited all who believe to be joined with Him, and receive His peace. “Come to me, all of you who are struggling and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.? 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew11:28-30 JNT)
Life Application Questions
How much rest time do you devote to remembering and reflecting upon all that Messiah has accomplished for you, and all the ways God has blessed you? In what ways do you apply Messiah’s yoke and truly rest in the Lord?
Scripture References
Leviticus 23:33-44; Psalm 63:6; 77:6-12; 119; Hebrews 3:7-4:13
Book References
Faith and Fables: p. 30-32; 52-53; 133-134
Sons and Servants: p. 9-10; 52-57; 99-104
The Practice of The Feast of Tabernacles
Summary
The Feast of Sukkot (Tabernacles) is the most joyful celebration, lasting a whole week. It commemorates the children of Israel dwelling in booths—small temporary shelters—during the low state of their wilderness journey.
It marks a time of rest from the work of gathering in the harvest—toils of our labor. It also marks a time to relate to one another about God’s goodness, and reflect upon His grace and mercy. At the same time, Tabernacles serves to remind us that our earthly life is just temporary. A permanent life with God will be our eternal Promised Land. We should, therefore, guard ourselves from materialism and maintain a life of balance.
Those who have received Messiah’s redemption have entered into His permanent and eternal rest—peace with God! For, He has redeemed us from the curse of dead works that cannot justify us before God. The blood of Messiah has accomplished that. We, therefore, celebrate His fulfillment of this feast by gathering in fellowship with other believers, reflecting on His amazing grace, and relating with one another the testimonies of His interaction in our lives. We also look forward to a time of celebrating fellowship with Messiah at His return; and permanently in heaven at His banquet table.
Life Application Questions
How do you celebrate your peace with God? With whom do you rest and reflect on God’s goodness, His grace and mercy, and share testimonies of His interaction in the lives of fellow believers?
Scripture References
Leviticus 23:33-44; Acts 2:46, Colossians 2-3
Book References
Faith and Fables: p. 29-34; 54-60; 82-83; 90-93; 133-135; 183-187
Sons and Servants: p. 38; 99-104; 156-161
Messiah's Fulfillment of The Feast of Tabernacles
Summary
The week long Feast of Sukkot, Tabernacles, marks a special time for resting in God’s peace. It was established to, “rejoice before the Lord for seven days.”
(Leviticus 29:40 NKJV)
It was a Sabbath’s Sabbath! On the one hand, it marked the time to rest from enduring the work of gathering in the harvest. On the other hand, it served to remind the people of God’s favor and care extended through the long wilderness journey before crossing into the Promised Land.
The feast also pointed forward to the permanent peace Messiah offered to those who would believe in Him, and accept the yoke of His righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. As He declared, “Come to me, all of you who are struggling and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
(Matthew 11:28-30 JNT)
Paul further encouraged believers to be strengthened in faith, for it is by faith that we have access to the grace of Messiah’s rest. “So, since we have come to be considered righteous by God because of our trust, let us continue to have shalom (peace) with God through our Lord, Yeshua the Messiah. 2 Also through him and on the ground of our trust, we have gained access to this grace in which we stand; so let us boast about the hope of experiencing God’s glory.”
(Romans 5:1-2 JNT)
Life Application Questions
How do you celebrate the peace Messiah has settled for you and offered to you? Do you strive to find peace? Have you received His peace?
Scripture References
Leviticus 23:33-44; Hebrews 3-4; Luke 1:68-80; John 14:25-31; Romans 5:1-5
Book References
Faith and Fables: p. 30-34; 51-53; 85-91; 133-135; 146-147
Sons and Servants: p. 52-57; 84-85; 129-130
The Believer's Heartfelt Response to The Feast of Tabernacles
Summary
Sukkot, Tabernacles, is the most joyous of the feasts. Scripture prescribes seven days for gathering in small booths, resting and remembering God’s testimonies. It is a special time to be grateful for God’s faithfulness in keeping His promises and sustaining our lives.
After Messiah had ascended to heaven, the disciples remained in a state of worship and fellowship, meeting often in an upper room. “These all devoted themselves single-mindedly to prayer.” (Acts 1:14 JNT) Scripture also reports in Acts 2:44-45 the magnitude of their cooperation with one another. They became “their brother’s keeper.” (Genesis 4:9) They continued living faithfully towards God and one another with singleness of purpose, in a state reflecting the genuine love of Messiah.
The context of Scripture truly has in view a spirit of real covenant love; intimacy, mutual affection, care, and concern for one another. They shared what they had. They supported one another. They lived with a genuine sense of community. The glimpse we have from their engagement, in essence, is a real knitting of hearts: between God and man; and one another.
Life Application Questions
What kind of fellowship do you maintain with other believers? Are you part of a small group that prays for one another, supports one another—emotionally and physically, and fellowships in Messiah—in the Word and His Spirit?
Scripture References
Acts 1-2; 5:42; Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 16:19; Philemon 2
Book References
Faith and Fables: p. 25-26; 32-33; 177-185
Sons and Servants: p. 114-115; 147-172
The Spiritual Reality Behind The Feast of Tabernacles
Summary
Sukkot, Tabernacles, is the most joyous of the feasts. It is celebrated over a week-long period, and is designed to facilitate active times of celebration and relating with God and one another.
It, in essence, served as a shadow pointing forward to the type of life and dynamic fellowship experienced by the early believers as recorded in Acts. They had simple hearts, childlike faith, and walked in childlike obedience to God.
They pursued an active, passionate relationship with God, and strong dynamic, covenant relationships with one another. The high level of engagement they maintained with God and one another further points forward to the great wedding feast of Messiah and His Bride—the marriage supper of the Lamb. (Revelation 19:9)
As a result of the active engagement with the Holy Spirit, the prophecy in Isaiah 61 began to be fulfilled: good tidings were preached, many broken-hearted and lame were healed, those in captivity to sin were set free—God was glorified!
God’s covenant community, therefore, grew by leaps and bounds. People were certainly witnessing His wonders. Revival broke loose. God still seeks such vibrant, active communities of believers glorifying His name and accomplishing His purposes in the earth.
Life Application Questions
How are you maintaining an active engagement with God? In what of kind of dynamic fellowship do you participate? How is your personal spiritual life growing? How is your covenant community growing? In what ways are you witnessing the power of God in your midst? Are you seeing souls being set free of bondages? Are you seeing people committing their lives to Messiah?
Scripture References
The book of Acts
Book References
Faith and Fables: p. 151-187
Sons and Servants: p. 145-172
The Covenant Values of The Feast of Tabernacles
Summary
Sukkot, Tabernacles, marks the time of completing the cycle of covenant feasts. Having gathered in the fruits of the harvest, Tabernacles was a time to express gratefulness to God for His provision and increase. It was a time to rest in contentment, reflect on God’s goodness, and celebrate with joyful hearts.
Messiah satisfied the debt for our sins. He redeemed us from dead works. He lifted the burden of guilt and condemnation. He invited all who believe to be joined with Him, and receive His peace. “Come to me, all of you who are struggling and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.?? 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew11:28-30 JNT)
The peace of Messiah is very precious, and most valuable. It is the true antidote for anxiety. To some, real inner peace and God’s shalom may be hard to comprehend. But, it is real. It is available to experience.
How to find it? “Don’t worry about anything; on the contrary, make your requests known to God by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving. 7 Then God’s shalom (peace), passing all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with the Messiah Yeshua. 8 In conclusion, brothers, focus your thoughts on what is true, noble, righteous, pure, lovable or admirable, on some virtue or on something praiseworthy.” (Philippians 4:6-8 JNT)
Through his labor and trials, Paul learned how to have contentment in Messiah. He confessed that, “I have learned to be content regardless of circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in want, and I know what it is to have more than enough — in everything and in every way I have learned the secret of being full and being hungry, of having abundance and being in need. 13 I can do all things through him who gives me power.” (Philippians 4:11-12 JNT)
In a world that finds it hard to find satisfaction with the simple things of life, contentment in Messiah is to be greatly valued. For this reason, the writer of Hebrews reminded believers that Messiah was their source of sufficiency and peace. Even in the face of the threats and pressures of life, we are exhorted to find our confidence and faith in Messiah, whose presence is always with us. “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5 NKJV)
The early community of believers valued the peace and presence of the Holy Spirit. They also valued studying God’s Word and maintaining fellowship with one another in the Spirit. They valued enjoining and engaging with one another in rich communication, and earnestly cared for one another.
Such dynamic fellowship enabled them to truly experience the fullness of the Spirit of Messiah. These believers were convicted in their hearts that they needed one another, and needed to support one another through the trials and toil of life. They valued the different gifts, skills, and resources that God had given to them, and in turn, actively engaged in the practice of generously sharing and caring for one another.
Their sense of community was real because the presence of the Holy Spirit was real to them. That presence gave them a sense of confidence and peace. Although external trials abounded, they were exhorted to rest internally in that state of completion in Messiah. “For in him, bodily, lives the fullness of all that God is. 10 And it is in union with him that you have been made full — he is the head of every rule and authority.” (Colossians 2:8-10 JNT)
Furthermore, they learned that prayer and patience work together to see God’s will and purposes accomplished.
Life Application Questions
Is God’s peace and contentment real to you? What blockages could be preventing you from experiencing God’s presence and peace? Do you find peace from God’s Word, and by spending time with Him in prayer? What kind of Messiah-centered fellowship do you have with other believers? How do you engage with God through the Holy Spirit in a real way?
Scripture References
Matthew 11:28-30; Philippians 4:6-7; Hebrews 13:4-6; 2 Corinthians 4:7-18; Acts 2:42-47; Colossians 2:8-10; James 1:3-8
Book References
Faith and Fables: p. 30-34; 58-59; 65-66; 87-93; 133-140; 142-147
Sons and Servants: p. 52-57; 99-104
Real Life in Messiah: I AM the True Vine
After sharing that He is “the way, the truth, and the life,” Messiah continued teaching, adding HOW to live IN THE WAY—permanently a temple—or tabernacle—for the Ruach HaKodesh—Holy Spirit.
“If you love me, you will keep my commands; 16 and I will ask the Father, and he will give you another comforting Counselor like me, the Spirit of Truth, to be with you forever. 17 The world cannot receive him, because it neither sees nor knows him. You know him, because he is staying with you and will be united with you.….25 “I have told you these things while I am still with you. 26 But the Counselor, the Ruach HaKodesh, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything; that is, he will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 “What I am leaving with you is shalom — I am giving you my shalom (peace). I don’t give the way the world gives. Don’t let yourselves be upset or frightened. 28 You heard me tell you, ‘I am leaving, and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would have been glad that I am going to the Father; because the Father is greater than I.” (John 14:15-28 JNT)
He then headed with them towards the Garden of Gethsemane. There He challenged them to tarry with Him and pray. There, He prayed His greatest prayer, as recorded in John 17. Before doing so, however, He shared a great truth about how to live THE WAY OF THE KINGDOM—individually and together as a community of faith.
“I am the real vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 Every branch which is part of me but fails to bear fruit, he cuts off; and every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes, so that it may bear more fruit. 3 Right now, because of the word which I have spoken to you, you are pruned. 4 Stay united with me, as I will with you — for just as the branch can’t put forth fruit by itself apart from the vine, so you can’t bear fruit apart from me.
5 “I am the vine and you are the branches. Those who stay united with me, and I with them, are the ones who bear much fruit; because apart from me you can’t do a thing. 6 Unless a person remains united with me, he is thrown away like a branch and dries up. Such branches are gathered and thrown into the fire, where they are burned up.
7 “If you remain united with me, and my words with you, then ask whatever you want, and it will happen for you. 8 This is how my Father is glorified — in your bearing much fruit; this is how you will prove to be my talmidim (disciples). (John 15:1-8 JNT)
The Feast of Sukkot, or Tabernacles, is in essence a celebration of our relationship—or fellowship—with God. It is a time we remember His faithfulness, and are grateful that He chose us to enter into intimate communion and fellowship with Him. That relationship finds itself and is expressed in its fullness through relationships amongst a community of believers worshiping and living in Messiah’s WAY—in SPIRIT and TRUTH—the WAY of HIS LOVE and FAITHFULNESS. In such a way, we bear His identity and character, and live a part of HIS VINE.
In living in His vine, and experiencing the flow of His sap—His Holy Spirit—we experience His presence! Truly, then He is revealed as Immanu EL—God with us. (Isaiah 7:14)
Enjoy His vineyard! Know His presence! Relate and engage with Him in intimate union and fellowship! Enter into His life—His love, His peace, and His joy—that yours be full!
"The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace."'
"So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them."
(Numbers 6:24-27 NKJV)
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