What Is the Feast of Tabernacles?
The Feast of Tabernacles is a seven-day biblical festival followed by the Last Great Day. It celebrates God’s provision, pictures the coming Kingdom of God, and reminds us that our present physical lives are temporary.
A Feast Established by God
At the time of the great fall harvest, God established the Feast of Tabernacles. He instructed the children of Israel to observe the festival for seven days beginning on the fifteenth day of the seventh month.
“The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the Lord. On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.”
The first day is a holy convocation, and the eighth day is also observed as a Sabbath. God instructed His people to rejoice before Him and to keep the Feast throughout their generations.
Why Did Israel Dwell in Booths?
God instructed the Israelites to dwell in temporary booths so future generations would remember that He made the children of Israel dwell in booths when He brought them out of Egypt.
“Ye shall dwell in booths seven days…that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt.”
The temporary dwellings served as a physical reminder of God’s deliverance, protection, and continuing provision for His people.
What the Feast Pictures
The Feast carries meaning far beyond an ancient agricultural celebration. It teaches essential truths about human life, conversion, and the future Kingdom of God.
Human Life Is Temporary
Like a temporary booth, the physical human body is not permanent. The Feast reminds Christians to look beyond this present life to the eternal inheritance God has promised.
God Is Creating a Family
God places His Spirit within those who repent and receive the Holy Spirit. Conversion begins a new spiritual life and the creation of a new person in Christ.
God’s Kingdom Is Coming
The festival looks forward to the reign of Jesus Christ and the restoration, peace, abundance, and righteous government associated with the coming Kingdom of God.
A Festival of Rejoicing and Harvest
The Feast of Tabernacles occurred during the gathering of the fruit of the land. Its timing emphasized harvest, abundance, and thanksgiving for God’s blessings.
This physical harvest also points toward a much greater spiritual harvest. God’s plan extends to all mankind, and the Feast pictures a future time when the knowledge of God will fill the earth.
“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.”
God’s Holy Spirit works with the human spirit and begins a new spiritual creation. Conversion is more than a change in attitude; it is the beginning of a new life in Christ.
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