With the coming of Shmini Azteret (Convocation of the Eight Day), Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) is over. The Eighth Day represents a time when all people who have been called and heeded the call will know God.
Category: Appointments With God
Daniel explores foreshadowing of all seven ‘feasts to the LORD’ in Genesis 2–5. For example, hints of Passover are seen in Adam and Eve’s hiding from God in the garden; Firstfruits, in Eve’s dedicating her firstborn; Atonement, in God’s marking Cain to wander with vengeance taken against him.
Daniel reflects on his hasty building of a sukkah for the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) amid sickness in his family. He learned from the four species symbols of Sukkot and the design of the sukkah about God’s dealing with him via his heart, soul, mind, strength and spirit.
God requires us to “bear fruit.” This is not optional. Yeshua got so angry at the Pharisees because of their failure to produce righteousness that he said God would give the kingdom of God to another nation that produces it.
Ecclesiastes is customarily read during Sukkot, the festival of Booths or Tabernacles, to pour a bucket of reality on the rejoicing of the promised time when God will dwell with mankind.
We look for an explanation for the misery and battle between good, bad and evil explored in the book of Ecclesiastes both from the beginning of history and the end. Revelation 21–22 assures us that God will wipe away all tears and there will be no death, mourning, pain or frustration. All those things will pass away. That is what we are all looking forward to when Yeshua will tabernacle with men forever.
Sukkot, the festival of Booths or Tabernacles, is more than just remembering Israel had to live in tents between deliverance from Egypt and entrance into the Promised Land. Part of preparing to live in God’s presence is learning how to keep ourselves “clean” and holy — set apart from the evil of the world while in the world — so that we can prepare for a prophesied time when God’s people will teach the nations.
How would you explain the “feasts to the Lord” to someone who asked you why you observe them (1Tim. 3:15)? What is so important about observing Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) for believers in Yeshua as the Messiah?