The Feast of Tabernacles or Sukkot. What is it all about?
Bible References to read: Leviticus 23:34-36; Numbers 29:35; Deuteronomy 16:13; John 7:37,38
In the Bible, God spoke about keeping several celebrations, called "Moedim" or "appointed times," where His people could meet with Him and celebrate fellowship with Him. Many might say, "Well, this was under the Law; we are not under the law anymore." So, why should we celebrate these?" Well, every festival is a "shadow that points to Messiah Yeshua/Jesus but from a Hebraic perspective. Whether or not a person chooses to celebrate is a personal decision, but I would like to tell you what this festival is about, even if it is for the sake of knowing.
We are in the months of the High Holy Days. The Hebrew month of "Elul" goes from August to September. It is considered a "Time of Repentance and soul-searching. A time to "Turn back to God" (Teshuvah) and realize where we have gone astray, where we have wandered off the straight and narrow path, and get back on the "right path."
The first of the High Holy Days (Fall Feasts) is "Yom Teruah" or "Rosh HaShannah." It is the time for Shofar blowing, announcing a new calendar year from the time of creation up to the present. The next sacred day, 10 days later, is "Yom Kippur." A day of fasting and soul searching. According to tradition, it is the day that God's books of judgment are closed, and our fates are sealed. We know, however, that God's grace and mercy extend 24 -7, 365 days a year. The last of the High Holy Days is now. The Feast of Tabernacles, or "Sukkot. This year, it started on Oct 7th, and continues for 8 days and ends on Oct 14. The "8th" day is special, as Yeshua was there on the 8th day and said,
"If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water" John 7:38
This is a time for joy and happiness; we are commanded to rejoice during these 8 days. We have reason to rejoice since you are alive and well, you have food on the table, and you have Spiritual food, which is the Word of God. Above all, we have salvation. Eternal life with God.
The festival time is also known as "Zeman HaSimchateinu" (Time of rejoicing) and also "Hag HaSif" (Harvest Festival) when the last crops are harvested, like the grapes, pomegranates, olives, dates, etc. It is believed that the Pilgrims celebrated the first Thanksgiving, thinking of Sukkot. It lasted 3 days, and they celebrated a bountiful harvest with the help of the Wampanoag Native American Tribe.
It is also customary to wave the "LuLav," which consists of an "Etrog" (similar to a lemon), a "Palm frond" (branch of the palm tree)
"Hadas" or "Myrtle branches with leaves, and "Aravah," which are "willow branches with leaves."
These are symbolic as they represent the "heart" (the etrog or lemon), the "eyes" (myrtle leaves, since they are shaped like eyes) "the mouth" (Aravah, or willow leaves, since they are shaped like a mouth), and "our backbone" (the palm frond, or the young shoot) since it is straight.
The message here is that our faith must be strong and straight like our backbone, and that our eyes and insight, vision, always are concentrated on God and his Word, and that from our mouths will only proceed wholesome and positive words and blessings.
There is the libation service, when the priests brought forth water from the Pool of Siloam and poured it out on the altar at the Temple, while blood from an animal sacrifice was also poured out on the altar. The blood and the water would come together and mix.
This reminds us of the death of Messiah Yeshua/Jesus when the Roman soldier pierced the side of Yeshua with the spear and out came "blood and water," proving that he was indeed dead. Yet we all know that he rose from the dead on the third day. This is celebrated today by pouring out grape juice with water from two separate containers, and they mix.
Remember that we ourselves are "living tabernacles," our bodies encase our spirit and soul. Our "tabernacles" are wearing down and someday will return to the ground, yet will be resurrected someday in the near future, as incorruptible bodies. We await that blessed day.
Sukkot also celebrates the coming of Yeshua to dwell among mankind for 30-some years. God as man on Earth. God came to "Tabernacle" among men. The first time He came in fire and smoke on Mt. Sinai, then He came to dwell in the Mishkan (The Tabernacle in the desert) and was with the Children of Israel for 40 years. Then He moved to the Temple. Then He came to Earth as a baby in Bethlehem, "Beit-Lechem" (The House of Bread). It is only fitting that the "Bread of Life" be born in the "House of Bread." Then He came back to Earth after the resurrection as the Holy Spirit on Shavuot or Pentecost. And He is STILL HERE WITH US.
If you want to find out more about Sukkot or the Feast of Tabernacles, you can go to the "Hebrew 4 Christians.com" website and look for "Holidays" and then scroll down to "Fall Holidays" and find "Sukkot" or "Feast of Tabernacles"
This is also the time when we start reading the Bible from the beginning again, from Genesis 1:1. The Bible is a never-ending study of God's wisdom for all of us.
Please keep me in prayer as it is time to return to the USA (to Miami, FL) for 3 weeks to spend time with family. I will write again in the first week of November.
Shalom
Ben Avraham
Bible References to read: Leviticus 23:34-36; Numbers 29:35; Deuteronomy 16:13; John 7:37,38
In the Bible, God spoke about keeping several celebrations, called "Moedim" or "appointed times," where His people could meet with Him and celebrate fellowship with Him. Many might say, "Well, this was under the Law; we are not under the law anymore." So, why should we celebrate these?" Well, every festival is a "shadow that points to Messiah Yeshua/Jesus but from a Hebraic perspective. Whether or not a person chooses to celebrate is a personal decision, but I would like to tell you what this festival is about, even if it is for the sake of knowing.
We are in the months of the High Holy Days. The Hebrew month of "Elul" goes from August to September. It is considered a "Time of Repentance and soul-searching. A time to "Turn back to God" (Teshuvah) and realize where we have gone astray, where we have wandered off the straight and narrow path, and get back on the "right path."
The first of the High Holy Days (Fall Feasts) is "Yom Teruah" or "Rosh HaShannah." It is the time for Shofar blowing, announcing a new calendar year from the time of creation up to the present. The next sacred day, 10 days later, is "Yom Kippur." A day of fasting and soul searching. According to tradition, it is the day that God's books of judgment are closed, and our fates are sealed. We know, however, that God's grace and mercy extend 24 -7, 365 days a year. The last of the High Holy Days is now. The Feast of Tabernacles, or "Sukkot. This year, it started on Oct 7th, and continues for 8 days and ends on Oct 14. The "8th" day is special, as Yeshua was there on the 8th day and said,
"If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water" John 7:38
This is a time for joy and happiness; we are commanded to rejoice during these 8 days. We have reason to rejoice since you are alive and well, you have food on the table, and you have Spiritual food, which is the Word of God. Above all, we have salvation. Eternal life with God.
The festival time is also known as "Zeman HaSimchateinu" (Time of rejoicing) and also "Hag HaSif" (Harvest Festival) when the last crops are harvested, like the grapes, pomegranates, olives, dates, etc. It is believed that the Pilgrims celebrated the first Thanksgiving, thinking of Sukkot. It lasted 3 days, and they celebrated a bountiful harvest with the help of the Wampanoag Native American Tribe.
It is also customary to wave the "LuLav," which consists of an "Etrog" (similar to a lemon), a "Palm frond" (branch of the palm tree)
"Hadas" or "Myrtle branches with leaves, and "Aravah," which are "willow branches with leaves."
These are symbolic as they represent the "heart" (the etrog or lemon), the "eyes" (myrtle leaves, since they are shaped like eyes) "the mouth" (Aravah, or willow leaves, since they are shaped like a mouth), and "our backbone" (the palm frond, or the young shoot) since it is straight.
The message here is that our faith must be strong and straight like our backbone, and that our eyes and insight, vision, always are concentrated on God and his Word, and that from our mouths will only proceed wholesome and positive words and blessings.
There is the libation service, when the priests brought forth water from the Pool of Siloam and poured it out on the altar at the Temple, while blood from an animal sacrifice was also poured out on the altar. The blood and the water would come together and mix.
This reminds us of the death of Messiah Yeshua/Jesus when the Roman soldier pierced the side of Yeshua with the spear and out came "blood and water," proving that he was indeed dead. Yet we all know that he rose from the dead on the third day. This is celebrated today by pouring out grape juice with water from two separate containers, and they mix.
Remember that we ourselves are "living tabernacles," our bodies encase our spirit and soul. Our "tabernacles" are wearing down and someday will return to the ground, yet will be resurrected someday in the near future, as incorruptible bodies. We await that blessed day.
Sukkot also celebrates the coming of Yeshua to dwell among mankind for 30-some years. God as man on Earth. God came to "Tabernacle" among men. The first time He came in fire and smoke on Mt. Sinai, then He came to dwell in the Mishkan (The Tabernacle in the desert) and was with the Children of Israel for 40 years. Then He moved to the Temple. Then He came to Earth as a baby in Bethlehem, "Beit-Lechem" (The House of Bread). It is only fitting that the "Bread of Life" be born in the "House of Bread." Then He came back to Earth after the resurrection as the Holy Spirit on Shavuot or Pentecost. And He is STILL HERE WITH US.
If you want to find out more about Sukkot or the Feast of Tabernacles, you can go to the "Hebrew 4 Christians.com" website and look for "Holidays" and then scroll down to "Fall Holidays" and find "Sukkot" or "Feast of Tabernacles"
This is also the time when we start reading the Bible from the beginning again, from Genesis 1:1. The Bible is a never-ending study of God's wisdom for all of us.
Please keep me in prayer as it is time to return to the USA (to Miami, FL) for 3 weeks to spend time with family. I will write again in the first week of November.
Shalom
Ben Avraham