Sukkot – The Promise of a Permanent Dwelling Place

It is the 3rd of 3 Appointed Times that all males are required to travel to Jerusalem to participate in annually.

Known in Judaism collectively as

The Three Pilgrimage Festivals.

In Hebrew:

Shlosha Regalim  שלושה רגלים

They are:

Pesach, Passover

Shavuot, Weeks or Pentecost

and

Sukkot, Tabernacles, Tents or Booths –

and relate in order to: our Physical Salvation

our Spiritual Salvation and our

Joyful Thanks to God for His Encompassing Protection and for the future when He will be Dwelling, Tabernacling with His people forever.

The secret place of the Most High/El’yon is the shield and surrounding wall of His Truth; it’s not a fictional location made up from imagination it’s a real place to be found in His presence.

The scripture says

Yeshua/Jesus is the Truth and when we are

IN Him

then we are in that secret place.

This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit.

And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us.

1John 4:13 also Psalm 91

When the ancient Israelites were living in the Kingdom of Judah they would make a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem, as commanded by the Torah.

And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of beautiful trees, branches of palm trees, the boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days.

You shall keep it as a feast to the LORD for seven days in the year. It shall be a statute forever in your generations. You shall celebrate it in the seventh month

You shall dwell in booths for seven days. All who are native Israelites shall dwell in booths, so that your descendants may know that I made the Israelites dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.’ ”

Lev 23:40, 42-43

Feast of the Tabernacles

in Hebrew סֻכּוֹת

Chag haSukot,

also Succouth, Sukkot or Sykkot.

This post includes links to previous ones that have covered most of the relevant information on this season. It is hard to not repeat the wonderful nuances and types and shadows of what we have ahead of us and also to ponder on all that Our Heavenly father/Av has prepared for us.

1 Corinthians 2:9 Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.”

And 2Tim 4:8 for those who love His appearing Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.

So here follows some thoughts and Hebrew greetings for this glorious appointed time.

Sukkot is a joyous holiday celebrating the fall harvest.

The booths, called sukkahs,

that are built during this week-long festival, are reminiscent of the booths ancient farmers used to sleep right in their fields during harvest season. They also commemorate the 40 year period during which the Israelites wandered in the wilderness, sleeping in tents.

This appointed time calls for a temporary dwelling here, meaning it’s not a permanent structure.

Part of Sukkot is spent in synagogue at prayer, and much of it is spent eating, drinking, sleeping, and generally dwelling in the sukkah.

But wherever you happen to meet people during this particularly joyous holiday, it’s nice to know how to greet them.

It is still considered appropriate at this time to wish each other a Happy New Year or Shana Tovah in Hebrew, just as people continue saying Happy (Gregorian) New Year for many weeks into January and beyond.

To wish someone a Happy Sukkot in Hebrew simply say

Chag Sameach which means Happy Holiday.

Moadim L’simcha Moh-ah-DEEM Le-sim-CHAH

This is used on both Sukkot and Pesach/Passover, particularly the intermediate days of the festival

Chag Sameach is Hebrew for joyous festival.

The traditional response is

chagim u’zmanim l’sasson 

khag-EEM oo-zmahn-EEM le-sah-SOWN.

The individual who initiates the greeting says: Mo’adim l’simhah!
and the one who replies says: Hagim u’z’manim l’sasson!

Here is a hint about pronouncing the greetings: Each of the Hebrew words above puts emphasis/stress on the last syllable.

Chag Sameach pronounced khahg sah-MAY-akh

literally means happy holiday

and applies to most Jewish holidays.

Gut Yontiff pronounced goot YUHN-tiff

is a yiddishized version of the Hebrew phrase 

yom tov meaning good day

and referring to any major holiday on which work is traditionally forbidden.

Mo’adim = moments, festivals, appointed times.
Singular: mo’eid

l’ = for/to

simhah = joy, gladness, happy occasion

Hagim = holidays, celebrations.
Singular: hag

u’ = and

z’manim = seasons, times
Singular: z’man

sasson = joy, happiness

ברכות סוכות

sukkah: a thicket, booth

Strongs #5521

סֻכָּה

pronounced: sook-kaw’

booth, cottage, covert, pavilion, tabernacle, tent

Deuteronomy 16:13 
HEB: חַ֧ג הַסֻּכֹּ֛ת תַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה לְךָ֖
NAS: the Feast of Booths seven
KJV: the feast of tabernacles seven
INT: the Feast of Booths shall celebrate seven days

Other titles used for this feast:

Time of Our Joy – Zman Simchatenu–  זמן שמחתנו

Moadim L’Simcha – Appointed Times for Joy

Zman Simchatenu Time of Our Joy – זמן שמחתנו

Simchat Torah – the Joy of the Torah – שִׂמְחַת תורָה

Shemini Atzeret – Eighth Day of Assembly – שמיני עצרת

Hoshanah Rabbah – Great Salvation – הושענה רבה

Chag Assif – Harvest Festival – חג אסיף

Sukkah is the Hebrew term for the temporary building that is constructed for this holiday.

Sukkot(h) is the Hebrew name of the holiday,

the moed

and usually translated as

booth or small hut and 

to tabernacle with someone, is to dwell with them.

Yehoveh/Adonai, tabernacled with the children of Israel as they wandered in the desert for 40 years, manifesting Himself as a cloud by day and fire by night.

The Hebrew word for tabernacle is sukkah. It means a booth, a hut, a covering, a pavilion or tent.

The Greek word for tabernacle is sk’en’e, which also means a tent, hut, or habitation; and the context by which the word tabernacle is used in the New Covenant /Brit Hadashah.

This Greek word, sk’enos, means ‘tabernacle, booth, shelter, or covering’ and also appears in Rev. 21:3.

This same word, sk’enos, is used to speak of Yeshua/Jesus during His first coming, John 1:14. here we can see the protection provided in Rev. 7:16, corresponding to Isa. 4:5-6, and the fountain of living waters in Rev. 7:17 and 21:4.

It is interesting to note that as these were set in place by the Father through Moses and have been followed and celebrated annually ever since.

 Luke 2:41 states that Joseph and Mary and Jesus/Yeshua made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem every Passover.

Joseph and Mary went to the Passover celebration in Jerusalem every year: Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover

Also, Luke records Paul

“hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible,

on the Day of Pentecost” Acts 20:16 Acts 20:16

all went up to Jerusalem… indicating they are not done away with after Jesus/Yeshua ascended?

Sadly western Christianity detached itself from the observance of our Heavenly Fathers’ Appointed Times/Jehovehs Moedim; and those then in power changed the dates and days to ones we have become more familiar with as easter and Christmas etc.,

This could be the ‘feasts’ that God says He hates as prophetically declared in Amos 5;21  I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. As well as those they had adopted from Babylon. Some scholars say the dates were messed up from that era and when they returned from captivity they did not rectify the changes…

In the modern Gregorian calendar we label all years with B.C. (before the birth of Christ) or A.D. (anno domini or “in the year of our Lord”) There is no zero year. In our modern system, the year Christ was born is supposedly A.D.1 and the year preceding it is 1 B.C. The most favored view amongst Bible scholars is that Messiah Jesus/Yeshua, was born in 5 B.C. which agrees with this timeline which was due to Herod the Greats death occurring in 4 B.C. If Jesus/Yeshua was born in 5 B.C. possibly on Tabernacles, then our current year should really be the year A.D. 2023 and not 2021! And as noted in a previous post this year is 5782 according to the Hebrew calendar count. Notwithstanding the possible fudging of dates and missing centuries (200 years) that would put the date from Genesis closer to 5982! Could this be the reason for Yeshua/Jesus statement that no man knows the day of His coming???

It seems that not only did the early Roman Catholic Church get the year of Yesua/Jesus’ birth wrong but it seems they got the month wrong as well. Some of the evidence that Yeshua/Jesus might have been born earlier in the year is the fact that it would be highly unlikely for shepherds to still be in the field with their sheep in December. This is in the middle of the winter and they wouldn’t be in the fields at this time of the year. Click link for more on this:

https://www.minimannamoments.com/a-lambs-tale-and-a-mysterious-tower/

https://www.minimannamoments.com/endings-are-simply-new-beginnings/

The Feast of Tabernacles symbolizes

the restoration process,

which will be completed with the return of

Messiah Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach.

The Tabernacle of New Jerusalem,

descends from Heaven to Earth to

tabernacle, dwell or shelter His people with His presence.

The Feast of Tabernacles, Sukkot, is the last of the seven Moedim/ Feasts of the Lord and the most joyful, occurring on the 15th day of Tishri and lasts for eight days.

It is sometimes referred to as the 

feast of booths

or feast of ingathering

The word ingathering is in reference more to people than crops, as the wheat and most of the fruit has already been harvested by this time of the year.

It is noteworthy according to Numbers 29:15,32 that on each of the 7 days of Tabernacles, they were to offer 14 (7×2) lambs without blemish. There is an interesting parallel in Matthew where he lists the genealogy of Messiah, the Lamb of God. The generations from Abraham to David are 14, from David to the Babylonian captivity are 14, and from the captivity to Christ are 14. Matthew traced the genealogy back to Abraham and divides Israel’s history into 3 sets of 14 generations. However, there were probably more than those listed here. Genealogies often compressed history and not every generation of ancestors was specifically listed, especially if they were evil. The Tenakh/ Old Testament genealogies are much more precise such as in 1 Chronicles chps. 1-9.

In Zechariah 14:16-19. it is stated that everyone will learn about this Moed/Appointed Time:

And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.

The Feast of Tabernacles is also a picture of the judgment of the inhabitants of the earth who live during the 1,000 years according to Isaiah 2:4  And he shall judge among the nations,

So it is something that will still be celebrated in the future so whether we learn now or later, it will be part of life/chaim, for those in the millennial kingdom as we understand the scriptures to indicate.

This may have been what Peter was referring to at the Mt. of Transfiguration?

Their experience must have been overwhelming and we are told they were terrified. The presence of God in the form of His Glory Cloud, overshadowed them, engulfing them, and they heard His voice in its midst.

Mark 9:2 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.

3 And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.

4 And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.

5 And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

6 For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.

7 And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

8 And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves.

A little intimidating to put it mildly!

They must have thought the Kingdom had come and wanted to build Booths/Sukkah to them in celebration of the event. Their thoughts would have been flying wildly in all directions trying to make sense of what was happening to them.

Sukkot is about remembering God/Yehoveh’s provision in the 40 year wilderness journey and His protection while they travelled. It’s celebrating His ever-presence Yehovah Shammah, His guidance and care of His people who were chosen to be His Challah/Bride and as we are kallat mashiach/Bride of Messiah; we are His K’doshiym/His Holy Ones. He made covenant with them and called them His own precious treasure.

Through Yeshua/Jesus, all is being fulfilled, the Moedim/ Appointed Times of the Lord, reflect Yeshua/Jesus as we have seen in previous posts. Sukkot is the one that will never end as it is the climax of Yehoveh/Gods plan to be reunited with His children and dwelling together with the Bride of Messiah. At One, following the AtOnement of Yom Kippur, the celebration of Sukkot Tabernacles/Booths/ is preparing us for when He permanently Tabernacles with His people, not in frail booths or in these frail temporary bodies, but in the fullness of His presence in the new Jerusalem/Yerushalyim.

Literally Heaven on earth! Nothing we try to accomplish ourselves on this fallen earth can even begin to be like the restoration Yehoveh/God will implement . We are spiritually returning to Eden and to the Holy Mountain of God which scripture says is Jerusalem/ Yerushalyim from above; the location of Mt. Moriah where all the pivotal events have occurred through the ages past.

Whether we have yet or not, one day we will all go up to Jerusalem/Yerushalyim to the city of Adonai, His chosen location where He has put His Name. The apple of His eye, His First fruits, the land of promise; and the glory of His presence will one day be for all to see. It will not be hidden from view in a sanctuary of the Holy of Holies for just 1 man to experience once a year, but for all to behold Him in majesty and splendor.

 

For now we see through a glass darkly, but then all eyes will see Him face to facebut for now we are the containers of the glory of His presence, we are the living stones, we are the sanctuary of His Ruach HaKodesh/Spirit of Holiness. The Holy of Holies resides within each of His called apart ones/ecclesia/body. As darkness increases and the times of the gentiles are fulfilled, we will all shine so much more brightly. He has always wanted to be with us from the Genesis and soon this will be completed.

On the last day of the feast John 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Yeshua/Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

This was right in the middle of the water pouring ceremony.

This was the last day of the seven-day long

Sukkot/Feast of Tabernacles celebration;

known as:

the Last Great Day, in Hebrew Hoshana Rabbah.

On this day, a joyous festival occurred called the Water Pouring Ceremony, where the Jews prayed for rain for the upcoming agricultural season resulting in a bountiful harvest.

Click link below for more on this:

https://www.minimannamoments.com/sheltering-presence-god/

Messiah said: I AM the living water All who come to Him will never thirst again.

During these few days, let’s especially remember He has led us through our wilderness. How He has provided and cared for and protected us along His Way then available as our Israelite family celebrates and rejoices in His Torah; let’s give thanks that His Word is so freely to us.

He is the Word made flesh and if we follow the annual cycle of reading the Bible in a year ..its time to start over…a new beginning. Whatever day of the year it’s always a good time to read the Word of God/Yehoveh! Sometimes, things are simply traditions of men, but the Moedim/Appointed times, are set in by our Heavenly Father and understanding them and their meanings enhances our knowledge and appreciation of Who He is and Why Yeshua/Jesus came; and why we can be certain He is coming back!

The clouds in the wilderness are called ‘the clouds of glory’ and the wilderness experience is a picture of the future Messianic age, the Millennium.

Jesus/Yeshua tabernacle/sukkot among us John 1:14.

Peter spoke about his body being a tabernacle 2 Peter 1:13-14.

The apostle Paul told us that our earthly bodies were earthly houses or tabernacles in 2 Corinthians 5:1-5.

Jesus/Yeshua was the true tabernacle of God according to Hebrews 9:11.

In Hebrews 8:1-2; Revelation 13:6; 15:5; the Scriptures speak of a heavenly tabernacle . Revelation 21:1-3 says this heavenly tabernacle will come to earth.

Links to the posts for Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret they are:

https://www.minimannamoments.com/sheltering-presence-god/

includes The Four Species: Arba Minim

https://www.minimannamoments.com/in-the-end-its-all-about-yeshua-jesus/

At this season of Sukkot, Isa.12:3 was often quoted, as it is written, ‘Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.’ Jesus/Yeshua in Hebrew means ‘salvation.’

Note again the statement in John 9:5.

This is the last day of the feast,

Hoshana Rabbah.

John 9:14; Lev. 23:34-36.

The post Endings Are Simply New Beginnings

includes reference to Jesus/Yeshuas birth.

https://www.minimannamoments.com/endings-are-simply-new-beginnings/

The final, 8th day, of this feast is known as 

Shemini Atzaret, Yom haSh’miyniy’Atzaret,

The 8th day assembly.

In Israel, the 8th day is a day that speaks of eternity and the Bible ends in Revelation with that same day, the day of eternity where we will reign forever with Him.

The 8th day is about resurrection and leaving the old life, a day of transcending, of breaking out of the limitations of the finite and into the realm of the infinite. Of transcending the old, overcoming the ultimate limitation, death, and thus every limitation.

The day after the end of the old life, the old existence and gaining the power to live beyond it in and through Yeshua/Jesus.

So the day of the resurrection and the day of the beginning of eternity are in inevitably joined together.

The Sheltering Presence of God Abides With Us Always.

may we all remain in the Sukkah of His Loving Protection.

In sharing about the Moedim/feasts/Appointed Times and having done much research a brief disclaimer is needful only because
there are many Hebrew Roots, Messianic and Messianic Jewish believers who are under the impression that the modern Rabbinical calendar tabulated by Hillel II is the same as the Biblical calendar. It would seem that unfortunately, this is not the case and although it is true that the modern Rabbinical calendar is very close, the two calendars are calculated using entirely different methods, because of this, there are minor and major variations.

Why is this important?

Our heavenly Father has commanded us to follow His Moedim/ feasts/Appointed Times according to His calendar, not one calendar that estimates it. The modern Rabbinical calendar rarely has Moedim/Appointed days at the same time as the Biblical calendar, this can lead even the most faithful followers of Yeshua/Jesus to observe days that have not been divinely ordained and neglecting days that have been.

We are reminded that Messiah said if you love me keep my commandments and that He did not come to destroy or do away with but to fulfill them.

We must remind ourselves that these Appointed Times are not exclusively “Jewish” Moedim/feasts.

These are Yehoveh/God’s Moedim/feasts and Appointed Times; and that it is His calendar that determines, not ours. His calendar is the only one that truly counts. It should be noted that there are several differences of opinions in how to decide the exact days of the calendar as written in Leviticus 23. As we are all on the WAY and learning as we travel, everyone is encouraged to do their own research in studying about the calendar according to the Scriptures, which our Heavenly Father has set in place. We still keep the 10 sayings/commandments that were given through Moses and Jesus/Yeshua quoted them on several occasions in answer to peoples questions on what we sould follow keep and do; so why do we humans think that we can choose which parts of the Bible we want to follow and which parts are no longer important??

So what is the purpose of Sukkot?

The sukah serves to remind us that our trust is NOT to be in what we call, permanent structures made with human hands; but in the One who has the power to protect us against every form and type of adversity. This is another opportunity for us to remember that we dwell in safety not because we have the security of 4 well constructed walls, but because our Heavenly Father is protecting, providing and caring for us each and every day. In the end, even the most reliable shelter is just a sukkah! One day it will be gone but instead, we will have a permanent home with Him forever. 

This is the spiritual truth true and most important aspect of the meaning of sukkot. This is the focus we are to have, that of our future hope and home; when He will dwell with us and we will be with Him forever. Now that’s something worth celebrating and being joyful over as we await the final ingathering!

The Sheltering Presence of God

Abides With Us

Always!

May we all remain

in the

Sukkah of His Loving Protection.

Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved (Acts 16:31).

The cry for salvation at Tabernacles

is heard

and answered through

Yeshua/Jesus the Messiah,

for He came to

save His people from their sins (Matt. 1:21).

Shalom shalom

‘Mishpachah’

‘Family/Tribe’

משפחה

Mish-pa-KHa,

friends, visitors and every reader…

Blessed are You, HaShem, Who spreads the Sukkat Shalom upon us, upon all of His people and upon Israel.

Please don’t leave this page before making certain Jesus/Yeshua is your Redeemer, Savior, Lord and soon returning King and that you have a personal relationship with Him.

4 times throughout the book of Revelation Jesus says

“Surely I am coming quickly”

He is coming back very soon – so let’s keep looking up!

You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.

Its all about Life and Relationship, not Religion.

NOT SURE? YOU CAN BE..

SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…

Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past.

I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Sheltering Presence of God

Feast of the Tabernacles

in Hebrew Chag haSukot,

also Succouth, Sukkot or Sykkot.

Part 1

Special Note:  This Feast has already begun and takes place over 8 days. As there are so many important, pertinent and fascinating facts that point our focus to Jesus our Messiah; the post has been divided into 3 parts, which will be posted consecutively during the next few days.

 These Appointed Times of The Lord follow the Calendar Cycle of the life giving harvests and Sukkot completes the 7th of the Holy festivals in the 7th month of Tishrei. (Deut. 16:13; Lev. 23:34)Fall is the end of the harvest seasons, its themes include:

The Return of Messiah,The sounding of the trumpets announcing His comingThe Ingathering (agriculture and souls.) (Chag haAsif) and

Re-gathering and return of His people to Israel.

The repentance,

God and man face to face,

The Judgment of the Nations\separation of the sheep and goats,

The redemption,

The Kingdom of God and everything returning back to Him.

It’s the closing. The finish line.

As the Spring Appointed Times speak prophetically of Jesus 1st coming, so the fall speaks of Jesus 2nd coming; in which the end will reveal God’s final chapter. The completion of the harvest of souls and culmination of His plan of the Ages.

Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Jam. 5:7

 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2Pet. 3:9 

In the Spring cycle, we are reminded that Messiah is the Lamb of God, who came to seek, serve and save.

The Autumn cycle of Appointed Times (Mo’adiym) reveals that Messiah is also from the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the King, the Great High Priest and The Lord of all. 

We are in fact, living now in the time between the Lamb, His first coming and the Lion, His second coming. Let’s live with joy and excited anticipation for the return of the One we love, serve and worship. The One who has a plan to completely reveal the mystery of the Autumn/Fall Calendar Feasts. 

The month of Tishrei is the most intense of the Hebrew calendar as it is during this month the closing end of the sacred spiritual year is celebrated.

As this month holds the secret mystery to the Autumn cycle, could it also hold the mystery to the closing of the age?The observance of Sukkot is the 15th-21st of Tishri (September/October). Most people consider it an 8 day holiday. The first 6 days are known as Sukkot. The 7th day takes upon itself a new name known as Hoshanna Rabba, (the huge water libation ceremony). The 8th day is known as Shemini Atzaret, Yom haSh’miyniy’Atzaret, The eighth day assembly. In Israel, the 8th day is also Simchat Torah (rejoicing in the Torah scriptures). Sukkot frequently called the Feast of Tabernacles. A better English translation would be the Feast of Booths, which is the meaning of Hebrew word Sukkot, celebrating the fall harvest with the third first fruits of the growing season. Leviticus 23:39  

The Hebrew word chag comes from the Hebrew root word chagag, which means ‘to move in a circle, to march in a sacred procession, to celebrate or dance.’ The joy of Sukkot was so great that it became known as ‘THE Feast.’  The word tabernacle refers to a temporary dwelling place, which is the purpose of the sukkah.

Other names for this season are:

The Season of Our JoyThe Festival of Ingathering Hag HaAsif,

The Feast of the NationsThe Festival of DedicationThe Festival of Lights

(Ex. 23:16, 34:22; Num. 29:12-39; Neh. 8:14; Zec. 14:16-19; Heb. 2:2; 2:5; Jn 7:2-52)         In contrast to the serious tone of Rosh HaShanah and the Day of Atonement, the 3rd feast in Tishrei was a time of joy because Israel had passed through the season of repentance and redemption.
ISRAELITES Past FULFILLMENT: Celebrate the Harvest and Entering the Promised Land with Great Rejoicing to be Celebrated Yearly Forever.MESSIANIC Future FULFILLMENT: (Prophetic) The Messianic Era or Millennium. The Kingdom of God on Earth. (Athid Lavo.) The Two become One.  SPIRITUAL APPLICATION: (Halacha) A daily rest (Shabbat) in the Messiah and having the rest, (menuchah) of His Kingdom in our hearts.Not coincidentally, the same time period marks the beginning of the construction of God’s sukkah, the mishkan, the sanctuary or tabernacle in the desert (Ex. 25:8-9). Tabernacle, is the word mishkan in Hebrew. According to tradition, Moses again ascended Mount Sinai for 40 days and nights to receive the second set of tablets and descended on Yom Kippur, carrying them as a sign of God’s forgiveness of Israel for the sin of the golden calf, and as a symbol of the lasting covenant between God and Israel (Ex.24:12-18; 34:1-2; 27-28).

The following day Moses relayed God’s instructions for building the mishkan, a dwelling place. Material for this portable structure was collected during the days before Sukkot, and work then began on it. (Ex. 35; 36:1-7).        Sukkot is also called the ‘Season of Our Joy.’

It is also known as the Feast of our Rejoicing, the Season of our Rejoicing, and He-Hag (the Holiday).

One reason Sukkot was a time of joy was that after the season of repentance, (Teshuvah) and the redemption of Yom Kippur, came the joy of knowing your sins were forgiven, of walking, knowing, and being obedient to Him.

Historically, Sukkot also commemorates the days in the wilderness of Sinai, after coming out of Egypt (Mitzayim). According to all natural laws, the Israelites should have perished, but were instead divinely protected by God. Prophetically, Sukkot is the festival that teaches on the Messianic Kingdom and the joy of that Kingdom. Spiritual application in Messiah: a daily rest and having the rest, ‘menuchah’, of His Kingdom in our heartsSukkah is the Hebrew term for the temporary building that is constructed for this holiday. Sukkot(h) is the Hebrew name of the holiday, the moed and usually translated as booth or small hut and to tabernacle with someone, is to dwell with them.

God tabernacled with the children of Israel as they wandered in the desert for 40 years, manifesting Himself as a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.

 In order to make following God easier, the Israelites lived in simple booths.

It is also symbolic of the protection that the Israelites received from God in the desert after they were freed from bondage in Egypt (Lev. 23:43). It reminds us that our survival is dependent upon God.

The symbolism is intended to remind us of being homeless, the feeling of living somewhere on a temporary basis. It is to serve as a reminder to us not to become over confident with our wealth or influence and that we need to look to God for our provisions, not man and that this earth is not our permanent home.

The sukkah or booth, symbolizes man’s need to depend upon God for his provision of food, water, and shelter. This is true in the spiritual realm as well.

The booth is the physical body, which is a temporary dwelling place for our souls and spirits. (1 Cor. 6:19-20).

We need the food that the Word of God provides (Matt. 6:11; 4:4; John 6:33-35); the cleansing, rinsing, and washing that the Word of God brings to our lives (Eph. 5:26); and the shelter of God’s protection over our lives from the evil one (Matt. 6:13; Ps. 91). Our physical needs will be provided for by God if we seek Him spiritually (Matt. 6:31-33)The Hebrew word for tabernacle is sukkah. It means ‘a booth, a hut, a covering, a pavilion or tent.’ The Greek word for tabernacle is sk’en’e, which also means ‘a tent, hut, or habitation.’ and the context by which the word tabernacle is used in the New Covenant (Brit Hadashah).

This Greek word, sk’enos, means ‘tabernacle, booth, shelter, or covering’ and also appears in Rev. 21:3. This same word, sk’enos, is used to speak of Yeshua during His first coming, (John 1:14). here we can see the protection provided in Rev. 7:16, corresponding to Isa. 4:5-6, and the fountain of living waters in Rev. 7:17 and 21:4.

In Isa. 4:3, it is written ‘And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy…” (also see Zech. 14:4,6-9,16-17,20-21). Those who are called ‘holiness unto the Lord’ in Zech. 14:20 are the same people in Is. 4:3 who are called Holy.
The clouds in the wilderness are called ‘the clouds of glory’ and the wilderness experience is a picture of the future Messianic age, the Millennium.

The sukkah was built to teach and understand the thousand-year millennial reign of the Messiah, the Messianic age, the Millennium, or the Athid Lavo in Hebrew eschatology. 

 

 Jesus/Yeshua tabernacled (sukkot) among us (John 1:14).

Peter spoke about his body being a tabernacle (2 Peter 1:13-14).

The apostle Paul told us that our earthly bodies were earthly houses or tabernacles (2 Corinthians 5:1-5).

The tabernacle of Moses (Moshe) was a tent of habitation (Acts 7:44; Hebrews 9:2-8).

Abraham Isaac and Jacob lived in tabernacles (tents) (Hebrews 11:8-9).

The tabernacle of David was a tent or dwelling place (Acts 15:16; Amos 9:11). This tabernacle was the temple of Solomon (1 Kings 5:2-5; 8:1-21).

Jesus/Yeshua entered the temple on the Feast of Sukkot (Tabernacles) (John 7:2,27-29).The Bible speaks of a heavenly tabernacle (Hebrews 8:1-2; Revelation 13:6; 15:5). This heavenly tabernacle will come to earth (Revelation 21:1-3).

Jesus/Yeshua was the true tabernacle of God (Hebrews 9:11).
The sukkah remain standing for the entire 8 days of the holiday.

On a clear night, a person can sit inside the Sukkah and look through the sparsely placed branches

to the stars and be reminded of the promise God told Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the heavens (Gen. 26:4).Sukkot is the plural of Sukkah (more than one hut or booth) and sometimes the holiday is referred to as Sukkot

This name reflects the final harvest of the year attributed of the holiday. Sometimes it is also referred to by the Hebrew name Shemhateinu. The Feast of Tabernacles has an agricultural meaning, because it reminds us of how the farm laborers in ancient days lived as they worked to bring in the harvest.

  Sukkot is the time when the produce of the field, orchard, and vineyard is gathered in. The granaries, threshing floors, and wine and olive presses are full to capacity. Weeks and months of toil and sweat put into the soil have finally been amply rewarded. The farmer feels happy and elated. No wonder Sukkot is ‘The Season of Rejoicing.’ While all of the three pilgrimages are times of rejoicing, Sukkot (Tabernacles) is specifically designated as Zeman simchatenu, the season of our rejoicing.

Sukkot is also considered a harvest festival. One reason is because at harvest time something resembling a Sukkah would be built near the field that the crop pickers were working. This became a temporary place of refuge for them from the sun and even a place to sleep when necessary. The Sukkah is, therefore, symbolic of protection and peace. It also became the one time of the year when most farmers could relax since the crops were just harvested, and it was still too early to plant the next crop.
Olive harvest.

There is also a Messianic meaning in which we find fulfillment in our Messiah.

Passover And Sukkot Connected: In some ways, the Feast of Tabernacles is considered an Exodus holiday.

This passage in Leviticus shows us that these two holidays are connected. Lev. 23:43; so your descendants will know that I had the Israelites live in booths when I brought them out of Egypt. I am the LORD your God. 

Both holidays are related to Israel’s exodus from Egypt and are observed on the 15th of the month.

Passover marks the attainment of the end of bondage and the right of religious freedom.

Sukkot marks the attainment of national and territorial independence (except from God), the essential ingredients of the nations Sovereignty.

The Great Salvation

Hoshana Rabbah (literally, the great hosanna or the numerous hosannas) is the 7th day of Sukkot (Tabernacles). Hoshana Rabbah should have been a full festival day, but is not because of Shemini Atzeret, which follows it. However, it has some special customs that make the day more like a full festival day than any of the intermediate days.

The most important of these (ceremonies) are:

The circling of the altar seven times instead of once while carrying the four species and reciting the Hoshana prayers; and The beating of the willows. Messianic Understanding. In John 7:37-38, Jesus/Yeshua 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.”

 At this season of Sukkot, Isa.12:3 was often quoted, as it is written, ‘Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.’ Jesus/Yeshua in Hebrew means ‘salvation.’
The drama of the water drawing ceremony took on a new dimension of meaning when Jesus/Yeshua attended the Feast of Sukkot (Tabernacles). On the seventh day of the feast, Hoshana Rabbah, which literally means ‘the great hosanna, the great salvation’, the festival activities were different from those of each of the six previous days when the priests circled the altar in a procession, singing Ps. 118:25.

On the seventh day of the feast, the people circled the altar seven times. That is why the day is called Hoshanah Rabbah, as the cry, “Save now!” was repeated seven times. Jesus/Yeshua’s statement in John 7:37-39 was said on Hoshana Rabbah. Spiritually speaking, in the Bible, there is a link between water and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh). Yeshua told the woman at the well to drink of living water (John 4:7-14; 6:35; Matt. 5:6).  
This relationship between water and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is contained in the symbolism of pouring out water. Is. 44:3 links the pouring out of water with the pouring out of God’s Spirit and parallels the thirsty land again links water with the Holy Spirit.The link can also be seen in Joel 2:23,28; Acts 2:1-4,14-17; and Ezek. 39:22,27-29. Zech. 14:8 speaks of living waters. Is.12:2-3 speaks of drawing water out of the wells of salvation. Water and the Spirit are connected in Psalm 42:1-4; Zech. 13:1; and Rev. 7:17. It can also be seen in Ezek. 36:24-27.Jesus/Yeshua was trying to communicate this to Nicodemus in John 3:1-6.

He also was teaching this during the Feast of Sukkot (Tabernacles) in John 4:14, which concluded with His statements in John 7:37-39.At the ceremony of the water drawing, the people’s attention was focused on the pool of Siloam.(Pool full)

It was here that Jesus/Yeshua healed a man who had been blind from birth (John 9:1-7).

Notice again the statement in John 9:5. This is the last day of the feast (Hoshana Rabbah) (John 9:14; Lev. 23:34-36).



To be continued in Part 2