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October 4, 2012

SUKKOT: THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES

By Pastor Larry Wallace

Read Leviticus 23:34-43
Sukkah is the Hebrew name for temporary shelter, or tabernacle. Sukkot (the plural of Sukkah) is the Hebrew name for this feast. The Israelite were to feast in these shelters for an entire week and rejoice before YHVH (Yehovah). YHVH instructed His people to live in tabernacles for seven days so their descendants will know that YHVH had Israelite live in tabernacles when He brought them out of Egypt. When YHVH's people came out of Egypt they lived in tabernacles (sukkot). YHVH told them to build a tabernacle for Him also, so His glory could come down and dwell in their midst. ( Ex. 25:8). The Feast of Tabernacles celebrated YHVH's glory living with His people as they dwelt in tabernacles.

In the Bible, there are actually five tabernacles where YHVH's glory is manifested. This feast celebrates all five of these tabernacles:
   *1st Tabernacle is the Tabernacle of Moses. After Moses set up the Tabernacle, the glory of YHVH filled the tabernacle and dwelt in the midst of His people. Because YHVH's glory dwelt with them, they enjoyed perfect provision and complete protection. And total health. Not one among them was sick, weak, or infirm!
   *2nd Tabernacle is the Tabernacle of David. David set up a tent for the Ark of the Covenant, surround it with praise 24/7, and YHVH's glory came down. In Psalm 63:2, David writes of this tabernacle, "I have seen You in the sanctuary and beheld Your power and glory!" YHVH's blessing was poured out, and Israel enjoyed incredible prosperity and victory over every enemy.
   *3rd Tabernacle is Yeshua. John 1:14 says,"And the Word became flesh and tabernacles among us and we beheld His glory." In Yeshua, YHVH dwelt among His people and manifested His glory, releasing life, healing, salvation and deliverance!
   *4th Tabernacle is the Eternal Tabernacle. Rev. 21:3-4 says, "Now the Tabernacle of YHVH is with men and He will live with them." The result is continual blessing. It says, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain." Isaiah 4:5 says that over everything YHVH's glory will be a tabernacle. 
   *5th Tabernacle is the Church (the Body of Believers). Acts 15:16-17 describes the church as the restoration of David's tabernacle. YHVH intended the church to be the place where YHVH's glory is enthroned on the praise of His people. When the church is fulfilling its call, the glory of YHVH dwells in our midst and great blessing is released in the earth.

All five of these tabernacles have this in common: At the Tabernacle, YHVH's presence, His GLORY, dwelt among men. From the place of YHVH's presence, YHVH's life and blessing were released to His people. that's what the Feast of Tabernacles celebrates! YHVH doesn't want His glory to be a rare occurrence. He wants us to seek His presence, to dwell in His presence, to live with a continual experience of His power and goodness!
One week a year YHVH asks His people to tabernacle with Him. He promised a special blessing for those who would do this. Tabernacle is a time to enjoy YHVH. Leviticus 23:40 says," Rejoice before YHVH your Elohim (God) for seven days." Deut. 16:14-15 says, "Be joyful at your feast for YHVH your Elohim will bless you and your joy will be complete."

As you celebrate Tabernacles, call out to YHVH for His glory to come and dwell with you. Here are some ways to celebrate Tabernacles:
   * Set aside time to "tabernacle" with YHVH
   * Find times to meet with Him
   * Spend relaxed times in His Word
   * Get together with family and friends
   * Share testimonies of His goodness
   * Eat your favorite foods
   * Thank Him for His blessings
   * And especially if you have children or grandchildren, build a Sukkah!

Nehemiah 8:15-17 says, "Go out into the hills and bring back branches from olive and wild olive trees, from myrtles, palms, and shade trees, to make Sukkahs...so the people went out and brought back branches and built Sukkahs on their roofs and in their courtyards...the whole company built Sukkahs...and their joy was very great." Today you can do whatever you want to do in your sukkah. picnicking, decorating, sleeping, or even partying!

Remember to always include three things:
   * Remember that YHVH’s TABERNACLES with His people
   * Enjoy the fun of celebration with YHVH
   * Anticipate YHVH's glory. Expect His presence to visit you as you seek Him!

Yeshua gave a very important promise at Tabernacles. In John chapter 7:37-38 says, "On the last day of the feast, Yeshua said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, rivers of living water will flow from his innermost being." One of the key elements of Tabernacles is outpouring. Every year at Tabernacles, the High Priest performed a prophetic act. He would bring water from the pool of Siloam, carry it up to the temple, and pour it out beside the altar. This symbolized an appeal to YHVH for the latter rain to fall on the land. It also symbolized an appeal to YHVH for the outpouring of His Spirit, the "spiritual rain" spoken of in the second chapter of Joel: "I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions." This action of pouring out water was repeated every day of the festival. Finally, they came to the last day, the "great day" of the festival. As the huge crowd gathered together to watch the priest pouring out the water, Yeshua stood and cried out in a loud voice, "If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, from his innermost being shall flow RVERS OF LIVING WATER!"

Another event occurred during the Tabernacles. The torchlight parade, brilliantly illuminating the temple at night, stood out, possibly reflecting from one of the Hallel Psalms:"YHVH is Elohim, and He made His light shine upon us." (Psalm 118:27) Yeshua chose this event to highlight His mission as Messiah. As the torches lit up the temple, He shouted,"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." (John 8:12)

Sukkot is the feast in which we also celebrate the birth of Yeshua, who is the Son of the living Elohim and who is our Salvation and Provision, Our Tabernacle, and our Provider. This feast day is the most joyful of all.

© Copyright 2012. By Larry Wallace. All Rights Reserved. No part of this article might be re-printed or posted online without permission.   

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