39 ‘Also on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the fruit of the land, you shall keep the feast of the LORD for seven days; on the first day there shall be a sabbath-rest, and on the eighth day a sabbath-rest. 40 And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of beautiful trees, branches of palm trees, the boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days. 41 You shall keep it as a feast to the LORD for seven days in the year. It shall be a statute forever in your generations. You shall celebrate it in the seventh month. 42 You shall dwell in booths for seven days. All who are native Israelites shall dwell in booths, 43 that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.’ ”
44 So Moses declared to the children of Israel the feasts of the LORD.
Leviticus 23:39-44
This feast is reminiscent of the Jews wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. Jews construct shelters in their backyards, though in the high-rise condominiums and apartments of Jerusalem and New York City, it is easy to spot sukkahs (booths) on the small patios, as well. Modern-day technology has changed this tradition, as many Jews order a pre-made sukkah to erect, rather than needing the skills of basic carpentry. Yet rabbis have requirements for a kosher sukkah, especially in regard to the roofing (s’chach). The branches must be earth-grown, from the plant kingdom, and unattached to the ground. For example, branches still attached to a tree would not suffice. One of the requirements is to ensure that there is space between the branches placed on top of the shelter, to reveal the stars in the sky, allowing wind to blow through and remind the Jews of the wilderness.
Lastly, there are four species in the procession, which are often used in the roofing. Many believe these species point to the four types of Jews: Citrus (etrog), which has a good fragrance and taste, represents a person with both wisdom and good deeds. Myrtle (hadassim) has a good fragrance, but cannot be eaten, representing a person with good deeds, but who lacks wisdom. Palm (lulav) is edible, but has no scent, representing a person with wisdom but without good deeds. Lastly, willow (aravah) has neither taste nor smell, thus representing the person who lacks both good deeds and wisdom. This sounds similar to the soils of Matthew 13!
Sukkot was one of three compulsory, yearly pilgrimages to Jerusalem for all able-bodied men. Any booth shorter than 31 inches would not allow people to sit comfortably, so would not meet the requirements, while a structure larger than 31 feet tall would make it too much of a permanent structure, as it needs to be temporary. Interestingly, Peter offered to build booths for Jesus, Moses and Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration!
28 Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening. 30 And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him. 33 Then it happened, as they were parting from Him, that Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said.
34 While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” 36 When the voice had ceased, Jesus was found alone. But they kept quiet, and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen.
Luke 9:28-36
As Christians, we are not required to keep the Jewish feasts, though this sounds like a fun one! Sleeping under the stars can be so peaceful, though rain is much more of a concern for the Jews around the world than it was for those in the desert. Most Bible scholars believe that the Jewish feast days are incredibly significant, especially in symbolic fulfillment, pointing out that the three falls feasts were fulfilled in the first coming of Jesus, the middle feast was fulfilled in the beginning of the church, and the three spring feasts will be fulfilled in the second coming of Jesus.
16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.
Colossians 2:16-17
Some Bible scholars believe the Feast of Tabernacles points to the rapture, the return of Jesus for His church, as those celebrating this feast leave their temporary dwellings for permanent ones on the 8th day, but most scholars believe that the Feast of Trumpets points more accurately to the rapture, while the Feast of Tabernacles points to the return of Jesus at the end of the Great Tribulation for all remaining believers. At that time, every remaining person on the earth will have a relationship with the Lord. John taught us:
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.
John 1:14
The word used for ‘flesh’ in the passage above is tabernacle. The Word became flesh and was “tabernacle” among us, is what the verse says more specifically. Jesus lives with us. Jesus dwells inside of us, as believers. That is the most exciting part of the Feast of Tabernacles. While the Jews commemorate a time when the Lord led them as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, as Christians, this is a festive week to remember that Jesus not only lives, but He lives inside each of us! What trials can conquer us with God dwelling in us, leading our defense? Jesus was crucified on the Feast of Passover, buried on the Feast of Unleavened Bread and was resurrected on the Feast of Firstfruits! The Holy Spirit came to empower us and remain with us on the Feast of Pentecost. What will happen on the three fall feast days? No wonder many Christians are filled with anticipation this time of year!
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
Romans 15:4
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