By Melissa McLaughlin
The Feast of Tabernacles is the last of three fall feasts appointed and initiated by God in the Old Testament. The Feast (or Festival) of Tabernacles is also referred to as: The Feast of Booths / Ingathering / Shelters or in Hebrew “Sukkot”.
The word Sukkot is the plural form of “sukkah” which means dwelling, booth or tabernacle. During The Feast of Tabernacles, the Israelites build temporary booths or huts to dwell in, as a remembrance of God’s provision for them during their 40 years in the wilderness and our continued dependence upon Him through the ages.
The Fall Feast Days
The fall Feast Days set forth by God come in quick succession. On the 1st day of the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar, called Tishri, The Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah) begins with repentance before the Lord. On the 10th day of Tishri, The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) is held. This is the tenth and final day of repentance and asking the Lord for forgiveness of sins.
The Feast of Tabernacles begins on the 15th day of Tishri, around the time of the fall harvest in late September-October. It begins with a day of Sabbath rest, continues for 7 days and is then followed by another Sabbath rest on the 8th day.
The Feast of Tabernacles
The Feast of Tabernacles is the most joyous of all the fall feasts. It is one of three Biblical pilgrim feasts, when Jewish males were directed to appear before the Lord. This meant the people traveled to Jerusalem to build and dwell in their booths. In addition, they brought tithes and offerings from their fall harvest to present to the Lord at the Temple.
God established The Feast of Tabernacles in: Exodus 23:14-17, Exodus 34:21-23, Leviticus 23:33-44, Numbers 29:12-40, Deuteronomy 16:13-17.
God Dwells With Us
Incredibly, the seven Biblical feasts all point to Christ and The Feast of Tabernacles is no exception. The apostle John wrote these words in John 1:14 – And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
The meaning of the word “dwelt” used in this verse is also understood as tabernacle, which means to “dwell in a tent”.
When God first dwelt with His people in Exodus, the Presence of God resided in the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle consisted of a carefully God-designed tent that could travel with the people as they journeyed through the wilderness. When Jesus arrived to dwell with us, He came clothed in a human tent.
When Jesus returns for His second and final coming, He will dwell with His people forever. Revelation 21:1-3 We will shed our human tents and take on our divinely forgiven and resurrected bodies. 2 Corinthians 5:1-5
Therefore, as we consider The Feast of Tabernacles, we look back and remember God’s provision and Presence among us through the centuries. Stunningly, at the same time, we also look forward to His coming again to dwell with us forever!
The seven feasts of the LORD, listed in Leviticus 23, foreshadow Christ with incredible prophetic power.
Seven Feasts of the LORD
The Spring Feast Days
The Passover (Leviticus 23:5) – Jesus died on the cross on this day. He was the sacrificial Lamb whose blood covered the wooden posts on the cross, that our sins would be atoned for and the wages for sin, which is death, would pass over us. 1 Corinthians 5:7 Romans 6:23
The Feast of Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:6) – This begins the first night of Passover and continues for seven days. God’s people do not eat anything with leaven, remembering their delivery from the bondage of slavery in Egypt and quick exodus that did not allow for bread to rise. Additionally, leaven is often a Biblical symbol for sin. We remember that likewise, Jesus, our sinless Savior, delivered us from the bondage of slavery to sin. We symbolically eat of His body when we celebrate communion, as He commanded at the Last Supper. 1 Corinthians 11:23-25
The Feast of First Fruits (Leviticus 23:10) – Jewish believers celebrate The Feast of First Fruits the Sunday after Passover, commemorating the day Jesus arose from the grave, His resurrected body, the first fruit of the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 15:20
The Feast of Weeks or Pentecost (Leviticus 23:16) – This is held fifty days after Passover and pointed ahead to the great harvest of souls. The Holy Spirit was poured out on the believers and the church was initiated on this day. Acts 2
Clearly, at Jesus’ first coming, He fulfilled His purposes aligned with these appointed Feast Days, on the literal dates of the spring feasts. Therefore, many believe Jesus’ second coming will coincide once again with the fall feasts. Though Jesus made it clear, no one would know the day or hour of His return, it certainly makes one wonder.
The Fall Feast Days
The Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah) (Leviticus 23:24) – This begins on the 1st day of Tishri. It foreshadows Christ’s gathering up of His church (rapture) that scripture declares will be announced with a trumpet sound. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 1 Corinthians 15:52
The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) (Leviticus 23:27) – This falls 10 days after The Feast of Trumpets. Many believe this symbolizes Christ’s return where He will judge the earth and the remnant of Israel will recognize Him as Messiah, repent and be saved. Zechariah 12:10 Romans 11:1-6, 25-36
The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) (Leviticus 23:34) – Many regard this Feast as a prophecy of the day the Lord Jesus will dwell with His people and reign forever in a new heaven and new earth. Micah 4:1-7
What does this mean for Christians today?
Some Jewish and Gentile Christians do celebrate these feast days. Many Gentile Christians do not, as we consider Jesus the substance of the shadows that were cast toward Him in the Old Testament. Colossians 2:16-17
However, we can all remember and symbolically observe these sacred days, as our faith is strengthened by deepening our understanding of the breathtaking precision with which our Savior fulfilled each Old Testament prophecy. From this, we can rest in absolute assurance that Jesus will once again fulfill every prophecy of His second coming with the same astonishing accuracy and glory. And we will dwell with our Savior and King forever!
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. Revelation 21:1-3
Additional Resources:
This year The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) will be from sundown, September 22-29, 2021. To read more information about Feast Days and dates, check out the Messianic Sabbath website.
What is the Feast of Trumpets in the Bible? By Melissa McLaughlin
What is The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) and 10 Days of Awe? By Melissa McLaughlin
What is Passover? How is Jesus the Final Passover Lamb? By Melissa McLaughlin
What is the Tabernacle? 8 Ways Jesus is Our Tabernacle By Melissa McLaughlin
As I read today’s post, my spirit soared within me as I pondered how the Lord orchestrated all of these holidays observed for millenia to give us a map of Jesus’ arrival on earth to save us from our sins and his coming return to tabernacle with us forever and ever. I have these days marked on my calendar, and your explanations of each one were informative and faith strengthening. Think of all the work our God went through to orchestrate these realities so that his people would recognize their Messiah, as so many did, and so that his redeemed church comprised of every nation and tribe and tongue on earth will recognize the signs of his return. Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Oh Melinda, your words made my eyes well up with tears! Truly, I am in utter awe, that the God of all creation would love us so, that He sent His beloved Son to shed His blood to save us. That we could dwell with Him forever! And then to think that He wrote His Word with such intricacy, precision and detail so that we could recognize our suffering Savior at both His first coming AND His second coming… I am speechless.
A friend said it to me this way, “Every jot and tittle, is either the shadow, the type, or the actual substance of the Lord Jesus Christ. From Gen 1:1 to Revelation 22:21.” The more I study the Bible, the more I stand in total wonder before our Mighty God and the more I treasure and love our Messiah, Jesus Christ! Come quickly, Jesus!
This brought to mind the Transfiguration when Peter suggested building three booths: one each for Jesus, Moses and Elijah. I always thought it strange but now it makes a little more sense. Of course, Peter didn’t know what he was saying.
Wow, Tom. That is profound. I never made that connection but it is something to ponder deeply now that you mention it. Certainly Peter felt the Presence of God on the mountain and so building booths or “tabernacles” makes more sense. Thank you for sharing your thoughtful insights!
Thank you for sharing about the Feasts. There is always room for learning and I learned some new information from your message. 🙂
Thank you for reading and sharing a word of encouragement, Melissa! I agree, there is always more to learn and the Bible is an unending source of wisdom and truth. It is truly enriching for the mind and spirit to study the Bible.
I have learned so much from these post. Thanks Melissa, you have shared a wealth of information.
Thank you, Yvonne. Glory to God! It has been a blessing to me to learn more about the Old Testament feast days and how powerfully they each foreshadow Christ. God’s Word testifies to His greatness!
Oh, amen. Our God has made the way so beautifully clear for His people to see Him! What a day that will be when they recognize their Savior too. And oh how I long for that day too. “From this, we can rest in absolute assurance that Jesus will once again fulfill every prophecy of His second coming with the same astonishing accuracy and glory. And we will dwell with our Savior and King forever!” Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus!
Yes, it’s true, dear Bettie! God has called to us, to come to Him through HIs Son, in so many ways. What a loving Father. What a wonderful Savior! May many more have eyes to see and ears to hear and enjoy the presence of our Mighty God! The Lord bless you with an even deeper awareness of His presence with you today, dear sister.
Oh, Melissa, I’ve so enjoyed reading these posts on the Fall Feasts. I’ve learned many things I was unaware of including the meaning of “dwelt” as tabernacle from John 1:14. I love that you concluded with Revelation 21:1-3. And I am inspired with this: “…our faith is strengthened by deepening our understanding of the breathtaking precision with which our Savior fulfilled each Old Testament prophecy. From this, we can rest in absolute assurance that Jesus will once again fulfill every prophecy of His second coming with the same astonishing accuracy and glory. And we will dwell with our Savior and King forever!” Hallelujah!
Thank you, Karen, for your kind and encouraging words. All glory to God! I have learned so much myself, studying these Old Testament feast days more carefully. I noticed more and more Christians who are either celebrating these days or at least remembering these days. Now that I understand how much they point to Christ, I finally understand why! God is so amazing and His Word is just one element of His incredible nature, displaying wisdom and knowledge that is so far beyond us. We can most certainly rest in God’s promises. Christ will return, just as He said. May we be waiting and rejoicing, as each day we are one day closer! Hallelujah!