Merry Tabernacles?

Dear Doves,

The Feast of Tabernacles has been my favorite pick for the birthday of Christ for a few years now. Just picture the many nativity scenes that people place on their lawns at Christmastime. Literally, a replica of a Jewish family living outside in a temporary shelter. Isn’t this an accurate depiction of the celebration of Tabernacles? But there is even more to this picture: in the Bible, the first mention of the word "sukkah" (i.e. tabernacles) is in reference to livestock shelters. "Jacob, however, went to Succoth, where he built a place for himself and made shelters for his livestock. That is why the place is called Succoth." Genesis 33:17. Remember, that the holy family was forced to stay in a shelter for livestock because there was no room at the inn. If it was the time of the Feast of Tabernacles, Jerusalem and thereabouts would be packed because Tabernacles is a pilgrimage festival – which would also explain why there was no room at the inn.

Significantly, if Jesus was born on the Feast of Tabernacles, he, Mary and Joseph actually kept the festival by dwelling in a literal sukkah or livestock shelter. How exciting that this very festival may prophetically point to the first few days of Jesus on earth! People are also to dwell in booths for 7 days. If you think about it, since Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day, he and His family may have stayed in their sukkah for only seven days. The requirements of the feast seem to track the movements of the holy family.

“Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine: And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates. Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD shall choose: because the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the works of thine hands, therefore thou shalt surely rejoice. Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty.” Deuteronomy 16:13-16.

“Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days: on the first day shall be a sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a sabbath. And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days. And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days. And ye shall keep it a feast unto the LORD seven days in the year. It shall be a statute for ever in your generations: ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month. Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths: 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: I am the LORD your God.” Leviticus 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: I am the LORD your God. 23:39-43.

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:7.

“And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.” Luke 2:21

The Feast of Tabernacles is important to God because it will continue to be celebrated in the Millenium Kingdom:

“And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain. And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.” Zechariah 14:16-19.

Why is the Feast of Tabernacles so important? I can only guess that it represents something that God wants to be remembered. Is it the birth of Christ? Or the marriage of the Lamb – in a seven day or year ceremony, when God will tabernacle with the Bride forever? It is supposed to be a festival of joy.

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11.

I wish I knew. Remember that the Messiah was revealed to Anna and Simeon at the temple when Jesus was taken there by his parents (see Luke 2:25-38.). Those of us who are also faithfully waiting for the coming of the Messiah, like Anna and Simeon, may also be rewarded with His appearance at the same time of year.

This year the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles will be October 17. Time will tell if it will be a Merry Tabernacles. Okay, enough with the speculation. I pray that you all will be blessed this new year. It’s nice to know that I am not the only one who enjoys thinking about these things. I hope that there will be a Five Doves table at the Wedding Supper. It’s going to be a mighty long table. We’ll be able to laugh at each other’s theories at that time. Can’t wait.

Maranatha,

– Lisa Taylor