This evening at sundown is the beginning of the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkoth). Jewish families around the world will build “tabernacles” and take their meals inside them for the next eight days (see the featured photo). This will commemorate Israel’s release from Egypt when they lived in temporary shelters for forty years of wandering before reaching the land of Canaan, the Land promised to their ancestor Abraham, and to his descendants “forever” (See 1 Chron. 16:14-18).
Joining the Jewish families will be many Gentile believers in Yeshua (Jesus), who understand that we have been grafted into the family (See Rom. 11:17). Our celebration will also rejoice over past victories, as well as look forward to the time when we will “tabernacle” with God.
Zechariah tells us that during the millennial reign of Jesus on earth, when He sits on His throne in Jerusalem, that all the nations will annually have their representatives in Jerusalem for this Feast of Trumpets (See. Zech. 14:16. That’s already good, but I want complete fulfillment of this feast, the time in eternity future when we “tabernacle” together with God face to face through all eternity. John tells us that heaven and earth are joined again – the New Jerusalem descends from heaven – and that “the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people and God himself will be with them and be their God” (Rev 21:4-5). We will be returned to a Garden of Eden state, walking with God, having been redeemed through the blood of God Himself in Jesus His Son.
Feast of Tabernacles – a time to rejoice!
I personally will include in my celebration a time of reflection that this season is the time of the birth of Yeshua/Jesus. John the apostle said that “The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us” (John 1:14 TLV). I believe John had put the pieces of Scripture together and knew that this is the season of Jesus’ birth. Jesus took on flesh at this season. If this is true, then he was conceived somewhere in what we call the Christmas season, when the darkest time of year has past and the light begins to get brighter.
Why would I believe that Jesus was born at this season? We know that Zechariah was on duty in the Temple during the rotation of Abijah, in later part of the 4th month on the biblical calendar (See Lk. 1:5 and 1 Chron. 24:7-19). The Biblical calendar begins in the Spring during the season of Passover (See Ex. 12:2). Six months following Zechariah’s announcement from the angel and Elizabeth’s pregnancy began, the angel Gabriel came to Miriam (Mary) in Nazareth to announce that she would conceive Yeshua (See Lk. 1:26-27). This would be the end of the 10th Biblical month. Jesus would be born nine months later because of Miriam’s pregnancy. So, from the time of Zechariah’s announcement to Jesus birth was 19 months, which is last part of the 7th biblical month as the time of Yeshua’s birth. The Feast of Tabernacles always happens during the last part of the 7th biblical month, the month of Tishri.
Tabernacles!
Israel was spared and lived under God’s sovereign provisions.
Yeshua made His appearance during this season.
We will one day tabernacle with Him face to face!
Rejoice!