Holiday Calendar: Sukkot / Feast of Tabernacles
Sunday Twilight | 23 September ~ Sunday Twilight | 30 September 2018
Sh'mini Atzaret (Eighth Day Special Sabbath)
Sunday Twilight | 30 September 2018 ~ Monday Twilight | 1 October 2018
Article about Sukkot following brief commentary on our Parsha
As we draw to a close another year's rotation of reading through the Scriptures, His Word becomes ever more precious.
In the encroaching darkness, His glorious light is indeed our wisdom, our understanding, and our lifeline, as this week's portion says:
"Take to your heart all the words with which I am warning you today, which you shall command your sons to observe and to do carefully, even all the words of this law.For it is not an idle word for you; indeed it is your life." Deuteronomy 32:46-47
His light reveals that there are no grey areas for His children.
Live in His light, or perish with the world.
It is likely that trying times are ahead.
Yet His Word is replete with encouragement, and His Spirit within able to make even the meek an overcomer.
Yeshua told us that “the way is narrow that leads to life...”
The word narrow in Greek is θλίβω thlibō.
It means “trouble, afflict, to press hard (as grapes), suffer tribulation.
Which is consistant with other promises:
Yeshua told us that “the way is narrow that leads to life...”
The word narrow in Greek is θλίβω thlibō.
It means “trouble, afflict, to press hard (as grapes), suffer tribulation.
Which is consistant with other promises:
“In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
John 16:33
“Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
2 Timothy 3:5
2 Timothy 3:5
The Festival of Sukkot reminds us of our utter dependance upon YHVH, and that this world is not our home.
Houses built of brick and mortar give the illusion of security, but they, too, will perish with the new heavens and the new earth.
Ever since the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election, many believers have become swept up in the issues—and the problems America and the world are facing.
In doing so, many may have chosen to trust in the arm of the flesh—a man who promises to solve the problems, rather than trusting in God.
The 2016 Presidential debates were prefaced with a warning "NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN TO WATCH" This was a DISGRACE.
No longer are there warnings, as the mainstream media is awash with an unending stream of obscene and scandalous "news," which is little more than tawdry tabloid gossip—not fit for the ears of the upright, much less children.
And media programming has been tainted with indecent and immoral twists—classics revamped in order tear down the morality of this generation.
What is to come of this? Adonai alone knows.
We need to trust in Him.
In doing so, many may have chosen to trust in the arm of the flesh—a man who promises to solve the problems, rather than trusting in God.
Although the U.S. Administration has accomplished many beneficial things, such as mending grievous wounds in our relationship with Israel, and our Vice-President is clearly a wonderful man of faith and integrity, the 2016 election season opened a door to vulgarity, rage, and deception that has disastrously rent the fabric of America.
The 2016 Presidential debates were prefaced with a warning "NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN TO WATCH" This was a DISGRACE.
No longer are there warnings, as the mainstream media is awash with an unending stream of obscene and scandalous "news," which is little more than tawdry tabloid gossip—not fit for the ears of the upright, much less children.
And media programming has been tainted with indecent and immoral twists—classics revamped in order tear down the morality of this generation.
What is to come of this? Adonai alone knows.
We need to trust in Him.
We, like the great saints of the Hebrews 11 roll call of faith, as aliens and strangers, must hold loosely to the things of this world.
Whether in plenty or in want, let us hold fast to that which is eternal and lift the Name of the LORD!
"Let my teaching drop as the rain,
My speech distill as the dew,
As the droplets on the fresh grass
And as the showers on the green plants.
For I proclaim the name of the LORD;
Ascribe greatness to our God!
The Rock! His work is perfect,
For all His ways are just;
A God of faithfulness and without injustice,
Righteous and upright is He."
Deuteronomy 32:2-4
The Feast of Booths—Sukkot
Leviticus 23:34-44 | Zechariah 14:16-21
When I met my wife, my education in the Old Testament was sorely lacking. Sarah and I have sometimes mused over why our Lord would bring two people of such diverse backgrounds together—she being Jewish and me a Gentile. Not to wonder so much any more, however. One reason for certain is that Adonai has used this woman’s love and knowledge of the Old Covenant to fill in so much of what I did not give enough attention to in the past. And the joy of that impartation never stops as I am introduced to more and more...
This week, as the sun sets on Sunday, September 23rd, and for eight days following, Sukkot/the Feast of Tabernacles or Booths, is to be celebrated. This is an event that is recognized and honored around the world by most Jewish people. Whereas this once had no significance for me as a Gentile, it now does, and has for several years. And here in part is why.
Sarah had educated me regarding having a booth in our backyard and has now reminded me that it is once again time to get with the construction. It will be a three-sided, structure with a roof through which the stars can be seen. We will sometimes eat our meals in it and perhaps even sleep there a night or two. Sounds like a great “camp out,” but what heavenly significance does this have for me? Well, with a little direction from this family’s Jewish sector it is time once again to review some spiritual truths.
Let’s start in Leviticus 23. There, as Moses is continuing to receive the Law, Adonai delineates seven holy convocations that the Jewish nation is to celebrate. They are called the “LORD’s appointed times” with His people. They were instituted in the wilderness and carried on through Jewish history, right up to this very time in our history. Each of these celebrations is intended to be a special time of meeting with God.
“Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them,
‘The LORD’s appointed times
which you shall proclaim
as holy convocations—My appointed times are these...”
(v.2)
- Passover (Pesach) Commemorates the Israelites deliverance from slavery in Egypt through the blood of the Passover lamb. Yeshua came as the Passover Lamb who took away the sins of the world. vs. 4-5
- Unleavened Bread (HaMatzot) Commemorates how the Israelites were brought out of Egypt in a hurry. vs. 6-8
- First Fruits Commemorates the dedication of the harvest to the Lord. vs.9-14
- Pentecost (Shavuot) Commemorates the receiving of the Torah (the birth of the People Israel), and the receiving of the Holy Spirit, the birth of the Church. vs. 15-22
- Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah, Yom HaTeruah) Signaled the beginning of the civil New Year. It prophetically looks toward the two resurrections of the righteous dead, and the final return of Yeshua to the sound of the Trumpet. vs.23-25, 1 Cor. 15:52, 1 Thess. 4:16, Matt. 24:31
- Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) Atonement was made for all the sins of the entire congregation of Israel. vs. 26-32
- Feast of Booths or Tabernacles (Sukkot) This is a time to remember God’s care of His people during their forty years of wandering in the wilderness. This Feast has been seen as Messianic by the Jewish People. Psalm 118 is among the holiday liturgies: Note specifically verse 25, “Save us, we pray, O LORD!" ("Hosanna!") This would be proclaimed as water was poured from golden pitchers on the Temple steps by the priests. Yeshua came offering the gift of living water, and on the last day of this great Sukkot celebration, He cried out, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'" John 4:10, 7:37-39
The Feast of Booths or Tabernacles is an eight day celebration, initially established to remember the Lord’s provision in the Fall harvest (v.39) and His deliverance of Jacob’s people from Egyptian bondage (v.43). Added by those same people into this concept of God’s care was His provision for the people during their forty years of wandering, something not initially intended. This feast is so important in Adonai’s thinking that it will be re-instituted in the Millennium. Zechariah 14:16
So now one may ask, “How is this particular celebration significant for me?”
Well first, it reminds me of God’s faithfulness to His people, and that His people are to recognize that faithfulness through substantive actions. That translates for me today in understanding that God is my faithful provider and that I in turn am to be a thankful and productive servant of His.
Not celebrating this observance never served Israel well and indeed was just one more sin that led to her eventual downfall.
Translation? Disobedience to God’s instruction will bring negative results.
Be Ye Joyful!
A third thing that simply has to be so self-evident is that obeying God is joyful! For the Israelite of the Old Covenant the Feast of Tabernacles meant a week’s worth of celebration and time away from the usual rigors of the agrarian life. And for the males it meant a trip to Jerusalem to present themselves to the Lord. Deuteronomy 16:16
Adonai actually commands celebration and joyfulness—not only for the Israelite, but the Gentile as well. “...and you shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter and your male and female servants and the Levite and the stranger and the orphan and the widow who are in your towns.” Deuteronomy 16:14
One really must visit Jerusalem during Sukkot to appreciate the celebrating of it today. I’m still working on my wife for that one. Christians from around the world come together for enormous worship services and have grand processions down the thoroughfares with banners proclaiming Yeshua, as well as their solidarity with Israel and the Jewish People. And the Jewish People themselves construct elaborate and decorative sukkot (plural for sukkah) in every available space—even apartment balconies become sukkot! The atmosphere is charged equally with celebration and reverence as neighbors, family and friends share meals, liturgy, and blessings during this festival of ingathering—a tiny taste of the final ingathering we can all look forward to!
This week the Feast of Tabernacles will be celebrated around the world in different ways. With no Temple standing certainly there will be no animal sacrifices—189 animals in the Temple sacrifices for that one week. (Numbers 29:12-38) Some folks will build a sukkah (booth), or enjoy a community sukkah provided by friends or their local synagogue or congregation. Some will take most of their meals in their booth. Some may choose only to sleep a night or two in it under the stars so easily seen through the preplanned openings in the roof of palm fronds. Others may spend as much time as possible in their temporary shelter, inviting friends, and engaging in daily prayers, Bible readings, and traditional blessings. Messianic and Orthodox Jews are generally in this latter group, and their children look forward to "tabernacling with the Lord" in this unique and festive way each year.
The rhythm of these seven feasts—and two later additions not mentioned here (Purim and Chanukah, neither of which are commanded in Leviticus 23)—is a rich, enlightening, and blessed means of meeting up with our Creator, and simply enjoying who He is and what He has for us.Whether Jew or Gentile (or neither as Paul says—Galatians 3:28) be encouraged to partake of each of these feasts. In doing so one can’t help but grow further in the grace and the knowledge of both the God of the Old and New Covenant and be a better vessel for His service.
May yours be a blessed and joy-filled celebration of the Feast of Booths this year!
Shabbat Shalom!
In Messiah's Love,
In Messiah's Love,
