Sukkot: A Feast of the Lord

Last Sunday night the Feast of Tabernacles began, which is "Sukkot" in Hebrew. Our family greatly enjoys celebrating this holiday every year, and I have asked my dad to share what it is all about, and why we celebrate it. If you have any questions or comments for him, feel free to send him an e-mail to the address at the bottom of this post.

And now, here is my father explaining the Biblical feast, Sukkot.

In Leviticus 23:2 God says “these are my feasts” when referring to the festivals Moses presented to Israel to observe. Over the centuries they have been the Guardians of the Feasts of God and developed the practices involved with them. Since these feasts belong to the Lord it benefits any believer that would take the time to know how to celebrate them.

God calls His Feasts “moedim” which means “appointments, memorials, rehearsals”. As such, those who observe these feasts learn more about the Messiah and prepare for things to come.

Without going into a lot of detail about each feast, let it be known that it is self-evident that each one portrays the ministry of the Messiah, Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus Christ). There are three spring holy days that were fulfilled with his first coming and there are four fall holy days or feasts that will be fulfilled with his return.

The Passover/Feast of Unleavened Bread (Pesach pronounced PAY-SOCK) revealed him as the Lamb of God and the matzah without leaven (sin) pierced, bruised and broken for us. (1 Cor. 5:6-8)

Firstfruits (Yom Bikkurim) revealed him as the firstborn from the dead. 1 Cor. 15:23, Rom. 8:29, Col. 1:18

Pentecost (Shavuot) revealed him as the one who writes the law on our hearts. (The Law of Moses was given on the first Pentecost) Jer. 31:33, Rom. 2:15

THESE WERE ALL FULFILLED BY YESHUA!
THESE FALL FEASTS HAVE YET TO BE FULFILLED BY HIM:

Feast of Trumpets (Rosh HaShanah): the resurrection of the dead (the last trump) & the announcement of the King Messiah; reveals him as Giver of Life and King of Kings.

Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur): Final Judgment including that of the scapegoat (Satan) reveals him as the Merciful Judge.

Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot): reveals him as the first Tabernacle God dwelt in; God will dwell in/with all mankind eternally.

The Eighth (Day) of Assembly (Shemini Atzeret): reveals the Age to Come, when the Son will give up all things to the Father (1 Cor. 15:28), when there will be a new heaven and a new earth. (Rev. 21:1)

Particulars about Sukkot: each family builds a sukkah (think manger) and as much as possible, eats and sleeps in it every day for a week. This recalls the 40 years Israel spent in the wilderness dwelling in sukkot. It also recalls the incarnation of the Word of God who was born on this feast day (think Christmas). It is a harvest-time festival and hence a time of thanksgiving (think Thanksgiving).

It is a custom to leave some seats open for heavenly guests (known as Ushpizim): Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, Joseph, and David, who collectively are known as the Shepherds of Israel. Yeshua referred to a future time when this will literally come to pass. (Matt. 8:11)

The 7th day of this Festival is known as Hoshanah Rabbah (The Great Supplication) and was the occasion for something called the Water Libation. Priests would collect water from the Pool of Siloam. They would lead a parade of rejoicing worshippers to the Temple where the water would be poured out on the altar. It was at this occasion that Yeshua said: “If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink. He that believes on me, as the scripture has said, Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” John 7:37,38

In conclusion, I hope that the reader will “search all things, prove those that are excellent”.
“To him is the glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all the generations of the Age of the Ages. Amen.”

Blessings,

Randy (shep98270@yahoo.com)