Christ in all the scriptures The feast of tabernacles

 Christ in all the scriptures

Sukkot...the feast of tabernacles  Leviticus 23v33-44

Scripture references:  Numbers 29v12-34; Deuteronomy 16v13-15; Zechariah 14v16-19; John 7v2v8v10-14,v37-39.

We come now to the final feast of the calendar year in Israel, the feast of tabernacles, or Sukkot as it is officially known.  This was a most solemn occasion, yet a supremely joyous one, when everyone in Israel celebrated the gracious and hallowed provision of God.  This took place following the repentance of all Israel, and prior to the "eighth day" the sabbath of rest.  Commencing on the fifteenth day of the seventh month (Tishri), and lasting seven days, the procedure for each day is recorded in Numbers 29v12-34.  What is detailed there is the every day sacrifices and offerings to the Lord.  We recall that the seven feasts are actually appointed times of the Lord, where He sets out the important time marks for His people in their association with Him.  They were the feasts of the Lord, not of Israel or any other people.  They all have prophetic implications beyond the chosen nation, and relate directly to Christ.  The first four are fulfilled in the first advent of Christ; the final three are yet to be fulfilled, as they will be in Christ, and relate to His second advent.  Beginning with the sounding of trumpets for the completion of the Church (harvest), and the regathering of Israel; then the spiritual awakening of Israel to the acknowledgement of Christ as Messiah; now culminating in the tabernacle of God dwelling among them.

Sukkot comes from Succoth, the place where they first encamped following their deliverance from Egypt (Exodus 12v37-51).  Succoth means booths or tents (temporary dwelling places).  They were pilgrims on a journey and this was their mode of living until they entered the promised land.  The symbolism of the tabernacle, however, was much more than just a dwelling place, it symbolised God dwelling with people on the basis of sacrifice.  The visible representation of the invisible God with them was the pillar of cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night-Exodus 25v8, "Let them make me a sanctuary that I may dwell (tabernacle) among them".   Thus the feast of tabernacles was a commemoration of Divine deliverance from Egypt's bondage.  They were never to be allowed to forget this amazing release from 430 years of slavery.  This feast was one of three mandatory feasts;  to perpetuity, all males in Israel must travel to Jerusalem for the feast.  We see it in John chapter 7, when Jesus proclaimed Himself to be the provider of living water to all the thirsty, on the last great day of the feast; we see it even in Zechariah 14, when in the great millennial kingdom of Christ, it will be mandatory for all nations to attend the feast of tabernacles at Jerusalem every year at the same time (15th day of the seventh month), failure to do which will result in severe Divine sanctions.  We ponder the character of such an event that all must attend, from Israel and from all nations of the earth, for this will continue through 1000years!

The festival of tabernacles is a reminder that GOD IS WITH US.

It was to be a statute forever in all generations of the nation (Leviticus 23v41).  The New Testament commences with the birth of Emmanuel (God with us-Matthew 1v23).  The same gospel ends in chapter 28v20 with the promise from the all powerful Christ to be with the disciples "even unto the end of the age"-this in the context of teaching all nations of the earth.  The last book of the New Testament declares "The tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God"-Revelation 21v3.

It is a declaration of absolute PEACE AND SECURITY.  No one opts to dwell in tents under the threat of invasion from their enemies.  Israel, as a nation, has suffered more opposition and persecution in their history.  They are surrounded by and swamped by numbers who wish their extermination.  Yet, here they are celebrating the festival of tabernacles in absolute peace, with not an enemy in sight.  It is this peace and security that rile the confederation of Gog (the northern kingdom and its allies( to attack them in the future, "Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee...and thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages, I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars or gates"-Ezekiel 38v9-11.  The marauding northern kingdom, led by Russia, will invade Israel.  There was no need for walls or bars or gates, and the only protection they needed was the knowledge that the Lord of heaven declared "I am against thee, O , Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal..."-Ezekiel 39v1.  The prophecy says that the enemies of God's people will be annihilated-the KJV says that one sixth of their armies will be spared, but most other versions suggest complete annihilation).  More than that, the nations of those who take part in this atrocity will suffer the immediate judgment of God.  This is the protection, the security, the peace, the rest of those who are the Lord's, and this will be fulfilled in due time.  And what shall we say about the great eternity to come, when all God's people shall be at rest.  We can enter into now, for Jesus said, "I will give you rest...and ye shall find rest for your souls"-Matthew 11v28-29.  He is also the "Prince of peace"-who will bring all wars to an end, and rule in righteousness (Isaiah 9v6).

It will be a time of great rejoicing and celebration in Israel   "Ye shall rejoice before the Lord your God seven days.  And ye shall keep it a feast unto the Lord seven days in the year.  It shall be a statute forever in your generations: ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month" (Lev.23v40-41).  They had great cause for celebration, for deliverance from centuries of slavery in Egypt; for protection from their enemies which were many; for His gracious provision in the full harvest; for His gift of the promised land (those who oppose this fact, in the present day, need to realise this is God's decree promised over more than 3500 years ago, and who can fight against God?).  Above all the rejoicing and celebration is for the spiritual blessings granted to them in the symbolism of the offerings, that were engaged for each of the seven days of festivities.  These are recorded in Numbers 29v12-34: on the first day a burnt offering consisting of 13 young bullocks, 2 rams, and 14 lambs of the first year, without blemish; also a grain offering, and a sin offering...", and so on each day until the seventh day.  All these offerings symbolise the one offering of Christ in its different aspects. Who can compute the numberless spiritual blessings that come to all believers through the one offering of Christ-cause for rejoicing and celebration indeed!  All through seven days there was a memorial of the rich meaning of the burnt offering and the grain offering and the offering for sin, and the drink offerings.  What God has done for Israel and all of us in Christ will never be forgotten!

All this before the eighth day of sabbath rest, pointing to the eternal state, when there will be rest and peace forever with God and His people in blest union and communion forever.  The fourth verse of Horatius Bonar's hymn seems relevant:

"We thank thee for the hope, so glad and sure and clear;                                                            It holds the drooping spirit up                                                                                                Till the long dawn appear                                                                                                          Fair hope with what a sunshine does it cheer                                                                            Our roughest path on earth, our dreariest desert here".