The Feast of Tabernacle (Part I)
39 “Remember that this seven-day festival to the Lord—the Festival of Shelters—begins on the fifteenth day of the appointed month, after you have harvested all the produce of the land. The first day and the eighth day of the festival will be days of complete rest. (Leviticus 23:39)
The last of the seven feasts of the Lord is that of the Festival of Tabernacles. The term shelters is oftentimes changed for terms such as booths or shelters. This is a joyous celebration of the greatness that is Yahweh: a time to recollect and rejoice in His holy name. To understand the joy and the elements that come with this final feast - which will be separated in two parts with Thinking Twice - there must be an understanding of the history behind this feast. Where does this feast come from? Why does it need to be celebrated? What are the spiritual implications of this feast?
The origins of this feast begin in the books of the Torah. While Genesis and Numbers have no mention of it, the other three books all speak about the feast. Exodus speaks of this feast as being one that is agricultural in nature “[...] celebrate the Festival of the Final Harvest at the end of the harvest season” (Exodus 34:22). This falls perfectly in line with the fact that even as a semitic culture, the ancient Isrealites needed to know when to harvest. The book of Leviticus expands on this concept, adding the length of the feast and how to celebrate it (Leviticus 23:33 - 36, 39 - 43). The book of Deuteronomy tells us all to rejoice in this feast and in the Lord who made it possible (Deuteronomy 16:13 - 15). The Bible is filled with elements that present where it comes from, but it also presents why it should be celebrated as well.
The ancient Isrealites celebrated the feast of the Tabernacle for many reasons. As it was a part of the Law that was given to them by Yahweh, it was only natural for them to celebrate it. However, the Lord is explicit in His reasoning as to why they should celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles, saying: This will remind each new generation of Israelites that I made their ancestors live in shelters when I rescued them from the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God. (Leviticus 23:43). Through the lens of the modern follower of Christ, the following of the Feasts of the Lord is narrowed down to simple concepts, the first of which being that they must be lived in perpetuity (Leviticus 23:4). Secondly, Paul said that we should be like Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1), who celebrated the feasts, this one specifically in John 7:2. Whether you be an ancient Israelite, a modern Israelite/Jew or a follower of Christ, Yahweh is open with His reasoning as to why we should all celebrate with Him.
The spiritual implications of the Feast of Tabernacle are so vast. While one could stick to the simple explanation that you are walking within God’s Time, it’s deeper than that. By celebrating with Him at His appointed time, you are taking hold of the blessing that He has in store for you. God works in seasons (Ecclesiastes 3:1-22), and in the season of joy that He has proclaimed, why not take advantage of it to be in His presence? It is time to harvest the blessings that you sowed throughout the year.
There is power in the Feast of Tabernacle: it is a period of joy and understanding. Time to think back and thank the Lord for all of the good things that He has done for you throughout the year. The Feast of Tabernacle is the end of the feasts for the year, but it is not the end of your blessings.