by Dwight A. Pryor
“You shall observe the Feast of Tabernacles seven days, when you have gathered from your threshing floor and from your winepress ... Seven days you shall ... surely rejoice.” (Deuteronomy 16.13-15)
“What is the end for which God created the world, and how might we contribute toward that goal?”
Asking this question of ourselves can profoundly impact the way we live. It can reorient our priorities and fill us with a sense of divine purpose in an otherwise mundane and random existence.
But who ever takes the time to reflect on such exalted subjects? So focused are we laboring at our ‘anthills’ and building our ‘barns’ that we rarely stop to “look up!”
There are times we need to get outside our comfortable houses and common routines and lift up our heads to contemplate the awesome wonders of God Most High and His creation.
The God of Israel set apart festal seasons for His people to reflect upon the important things of life. In the spring, we are reminded of His great Redemption wrought in the Passover (Pesach). Fifty days later, at Pentecost (Shavu’ot), we are reminded of the great Revelation given by the Holy Spirit first at Mt. Sinai and then on Mt. Zion. And then in the autumn, we are enjoined to rejoice in the goodness of the Creation by celebrating our Creator during the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot).
In ancient times, these three “pilgrim” festivals drew the people of Israel, including Jesus and His disciples, up to Jerusalem and the House of Adonai to celebrate. Far more than celebrations of agricultural seasons and commemorations of historical events in the life of Israel, the mo’adim (appointed times) were seasons of intense spiritual opportunity – reminding Israel of important truths about the character and conduct of their God.
Tabernacles is named after the sukkot (booths) in which the children of Israel dwelt in their sojourn from Egypt to the Promised Land. The journey from slavery to the place of promise and prosperity had to be made in sukkot – flimsy temporary shelters – with a radical dependence upon God for direction, protection, and provision. One of the lessons of this Feast is that our real security is found not in bricks and mortars, nor in the abundance of our wealth. The Source and Supply for our life and liberty is the Lord!
The scroll of Ecclesiastes (Koheleth) is read during Sukkot. The final harvest of the season is secured; the barns and vats are full of grain, new wine and oil. But at this very moment of prosperity and plenty, the Lord reminds His people that He is the source of their goodness, and that He, not Mammon, is to be their God.
Jewish families construct temporary sukkot in which to dwell during the seven days ofchag sukkot. They take their meals and even sleep under the tabernacle of God’s covering. They get out of their normal routines and focus on the natural wonders of God’s creation and the spiritual calling of their journey of faith. And they rejoice, even as the Lord commands.
A tabernacle must be made of all natural elements and the roof thatched. Sitting under thesukkah, one must be able to look up and see the starry sky, for this is the time to take a “telescopic” view of life. To gaze upon the heavens, the handiwork that declares the glory of an awesome Creator, and to rejoice in His goodness and greatness.
The goal or telos of the creation – the end for which the world was made – is to manifest God’s glory. And His glory is never more magnified than when His creatures delight in Him. When we rejoice in our Maker, He is exalted. This is why Tabernacles is preeminently called "The Feast" in ancient Jewish literature, including the New Testament.
Scripture teaches that God has continuing obligations toward His covenant people, Israel. At the end of the age, when “His-story” comes to its final, glorious consummation, it will be to Jerusalem that all the nations will ascend for the great Feast of Tabernacles (Zechariah 14. 16). On that Great Day, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will be King over all the nations and not alone over Israel. “The LORD will be one, and His name the only name!” (Zechariah 14.9)
This feast has abiding spiritual significance for Christians in our pilgrimage of faith following the Rabbi Jesus and under the banner of His love. How fitting then that we should come up to Jerusalem and celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles in His name. We “surely rejoice” because already we have seen – and by faith believe that one day all the ends of the earth shall see – the salvation of God (Isaiah 52.10). May His great name forever be praised!
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Want to study this subject in-depth? We recommend For Freedom's Sake.
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