The Feast of Tabernacles or Sukkot
The word sukkot means "booths." Throughout the holiday, Jews observe this time by building and dwelling in temporary shelters, just like the Hebrew people did while wandering in the desert. This joyous celebration is a reminder of God's deliverance, protection, provision, and faithfulness. It is common to decorate the sukkah with flowers, leaves, and fruits.
Sukkot begins
five days after Yom Kippur. The observance of the Feast of Tabernacles is
recorded in Exodus 23:16, 34:22; Leviticus 23:34-43; Numbers 29:12-40;
Deuteronomy 16:13-15; Ezra 3:4; and Nehemiah 8:13-18.
Agriculturally,
Sukkot is Israel's "Thanksgiving." It is a joyous harvest festival
celebrating the completion of the agricultural year.
It was during
Sukkot that Solomon’s temple was dedicated:
Jesus and the
Feast of Tabernacles: During the Feast of
Tabernacles in the Bible, two important ceremonies took place. The Hebrew
people carried torches around the temple, illuminating bright candelabrum along
the walls of the temple to demonstrate that the Messiah would be a light to the
Gentiles. Also, the priest drew water from the pool of Siloam and carried it to
the Temple where it was poured into a silver basin beside the altar.
The High Priest
on the Last Great Day of the Feast, went down to the Pool of Siloam, brought a
silver jugful of water with crowds of people singing and dancing, and poured it
on a silver bowl next to the Altar in the Temple. On that Great Day, as the
High Priest was coming up with the crowds of people, Jesus stood at the top and
said with a loud voice these remarkable words:
"If
anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the
Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."
(John 7:37-38)
The Jews went
around the Temple seven times with torches, indicating that the Messiah would
be a light to the Gentiles. The next morning, while the torches were still
burning Jesus said: "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me
will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life." (John
8:12, NIV)
Some believe
that Jesus was born in a Sukkot, not in a dirty, smelly cowshed, and he was
circumcised on the last Great (8th) Day.
We also know
that Jesus will Tabernacle with his people as their King of kings and Lord of
lords and the Law shall go forth from Jerusalem. There will be no more seas. “But
the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the
water covers the sea.” So, we will be going to Jerusalem to meet the King
either walking or on oxcart or donkeys as there will be no polluting transport
available at the time. On the way, we will stay in Tabernacles. The curse of
the land will be removed, and the earth will produce abundant food, fruit, vegetables,
milk, and honey, so, boarding and lodging will be free.
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