Sukkot

Sukkot.... Feast of Tabernacles... 

Do these titles mean anything to you? 

Leviticus 23:33-36

Adonai said to Moshe, “Tell the people of Isra’el, ‘On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the feast of Sukkot for seven days to Adonai. On the first day there is to be a holy convocation; do not do any kind of ordinary work. For seven days you are to bring an offering made by fire to Adonai; on the eighth day you are to have a holy convocation and bring an offering made by fire to Adonai ; it is a day of public assembly; do not do any kind of ordinary work. 

We are currently in the middle of this holiday festival celebration. This holiday was given to the Hebrew people when they were wandering in the wilderness. God gave them this one so they would remember. 

“Remember what?” you may ask.

I have found that as much as God wants us to move forward and let go of the past, He wants us to REMEMBER what HE has done for us. The appointed times that He set up were for His people to do exactly that - Remember Him.

During these seven (plus one) days of celebration, the Jews are to remember all He did for them while they were in the wilderness. He provided places to live, food to eat, and even the shoes did not wear out while the Hebrew people were wandering for 40 years. I have faced several "wilderness seasons" in my life, but nothing for 40 years!

The days of this festival they were told to take time to be thankful for His provision during those times. God told them to take time to tabernacle with Him. Take time to REJOICE, and REMEMBER!

This festival is the only one that God commanded the people to be JOYFUL. 

Deuteronomy 16:14

Rejoice at your festival — you, your sons and daughters, your male and female slaves, the L’vi’im, and the foreigners, orphans and widows living among you. (CJB)

Today, following the command given by God, the Jewish people build a "sukkah" which they use for meals, and some even sleep in them. They are to be three sided, and the top is to be covered with something like palm branches (open to be able to see through) so they can see the majesty of God in the heavens. 

Sukkah means "covering." God wants to be that covering. God wants His people to recognize that HE is taking care of them and that all they have need of is in HIM. As they eat and fellowship in their "temporary dwelling" they remember that God is majestic and watching over them. 

There are other significant pieces to this holiday. When you are in Jerusalem you see them carrying a "lulav." There are four pieces they carry and wave each day. Each has its own spiritual significance. It is easy to google and read about this. Some of this is tradition, but it is based on the verse:

Leviticus 23:40

On the first day you are to take choice fruit, palm fronds, thick branches and river-willows, and celebrate in the presence of Adonai your God for seven days. (CJB)

Sukkot is our time to FELLOWSHIP with Him and ENJOY all His blessings! It is a time to GIVE THANKS and celebrate meals together and FUN. Do you realize that we will have a table feast with HIM someday when we tabernacle with Him forever? Do you know that some believe the first Thanksgiving was based on Sukkot?

I admit that it is so much harder to celebrate these holidays since returning to the US. Today is also Shabbat, and I look forward to taking time to REST with His creation today. I look forward to Remembering ALL He has done for me. I look forward to REJOICING and finding ways to be thankful for the opportunities He has given. He truly was with me in the wilderness and He provided every step of the way.

Today, find ways to REST with Him. Find ways to give thanks and share all He has done for you with those around you. And if you can, take time tonight to enjoy the stars and His creation knowing that He LOVES to tabernacle with YOU.

Shabbat Shalom friends,

Rose