The Feast of Tabernacles: What is it and how to celebrate
- Randall Crawford
- Sep 25
- 5 min read
The Feast of Tabernacles or Suh-koot is a holy holiday observed during the week of the Fall Equinox. It is mentioned in the book of Leviticus Chapter 23. After being freed from bondage under the regime of Pharaoh, the Jews were led into the wilderness by Moses and Aaron. As they journeyed through the wilderness, God dwelt over his people as a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. As the Israelites set up camp, they dwelt in tents or booths. While in the wilderness, God instructed them on how to properly worship Him, leaving specific instructions on how to build a tabernacle of worship.
And ye shall keep it a feast unto the LORD seven days in the year. It shall be a statute forever 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 23:39
You can even find booths today; the Jewish community still celebrates this very high sabbath. Many will pitch tents outside of their homes, like the image below, in celebration of the Feast.
Why should Christians celebrate this high sabbath when we are currently under the covenant of grace?
It is important to understand that Jesus Christ walked the Earth, died on the cross, and rose again with the purpose of fulfilling scripture, not abolishing it. Jesus spoke of this during the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew Chapter 5. Therefore, it is important to understand that Christ is the bridge between the Old Testament and the New Testament.
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. -Matthew 5:17
When is the Feast of Tabernacles observed?
The book of Leviticus gives us an in-depth study of Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles, two high sabbaths that occur annually. Specifically, Leviticus chapter 23 divulges the specific dates associated with the Feast.
“ 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.” -Leviticus 23:39
For a deeper understanding of this scripture, let's take a look at the Jewish Calendar. You will see the seventh month of the year called 'Tishri' beginning at the Autumnal Equinox. The Autumnal Equinox always occurs in September, but its date can shift each year, typically landing on September 22nd or 23rd.
Christ our LORD and Saviour was born at the beginning of the Feast of Tabernacles and circumcised on the eighth day. Dates regarding the conception of Christ require further study, which can be found on our website under the audio message titled 'Christmas'.
As a modern-day Christian, the Feast of Tabernacles is a high sabbath that we should observe. By accepting what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross, we invite his Holy Spirit to tabernacle or dwell in us.
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." -Matthew
Abide is shah-kahn in Hebrew, meaning to lodge, reside, stay, or abide. This refers to the dwelling of God with his people. In the Greek, abide is pronounced meh'-no also meaning to stay, be present or dwell. As Christians, our bodies are the dwelling place for the Holy Spirit; the concept of a booth or dwelling place is no longer thought of in a physical context, but thought of in a spiritual one, as Christ died, rose, and left the promise of His Holy Spirit to his children. The Feast of Tabernacles is a time to focus on establishing your mind, body, and spirit as a temple worthy of dwelling the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul talks about our flesh bodies in this context in the book of Corinthians.
“What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy [Spirit] which is in you. Which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” -I Corinthians 6:19-20
What should I do to celebrate the Feast?
During this high sabbath believers should be partaking of Holy Communion, participating in deep reflection and prayer and also reading God's word. A communion service will be posted on our home page this week and next week.
Conclusion:
In the grand scheme of it all, as the Israelites were freed from Egypt and given the law, it opened the door to salvation and the gift of the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ came and died for us all, leaving the promise of His Holy Spirit to comfort and guide His children. The Bible provides us with God’s law, instructing and informing us of important dates and times to commune with Him. While on Earth, Christ acted as a bridge between the Old and New Testaments, reminding us that he is the living and breathing embodiment of the Word of God. After Christ’s death and resurrection, he left the gift of the Holy Spirit, and it is our job as Christians to embody that temple where the Holy Spirit can dwell.
