Feast Of Tabernacles, in the light of new covenant

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BarlyGurl

Guest
#1
In another thread, the Feast Of Tabernacles has come up and I would like to explore this topic regarding the NT Covenant in Christ. I know others have some knowledge and understanding to share... so I thought we could catalogue it here.

**** This is my thread so I am going to specify... the intention is to have a DISCUSSION... so if anyone has "other" intentions, choose another thread or MAKE YOUR OWN!... thank you in advance for your cooperation*****
 
K

KennethC

Guest
#2


[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD]Origin[/TD]
[TD="width: 435"]7. Feast: Succoth (Tabernacles)[/TD]
[TD="width: 435"]Fulfilment[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 435"]Celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days after you have gathered the produce of your threshing floor and your winepress.(Deut 16,13)[/TD]
[TD="width: 435"]Harvest festival: The harvest is brought in!Feast of joy!
[/TD]
[TD="width: 435"]Jesus returns : The harvest is brought in!Great joy and thankfulness.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 435"] [/TD]
[TD="width: 435"]On each day, Psalm 113 - 118 are being recited: HALLEL
Readings on the first day:
Exodus 12,31-51 / Numbers 29,12-16 / Zechariah 14
Zechariah writes about the last battle for Jerusalem, and that afterwards al nations will come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.
[/TD]
[TD="width: 435"] [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 435"]Say to the Israelites: On the fifteenth day of the seventh month the LORD's Feast of Tabernacles begins, and it lasts for seven days.(Leviticus 23,34)[/TD]
[TD="width: 435"]The Jews live in a Sukkah (or tabernacle) to commemorate the time when Israel lived in tents during their 40 years in the desert. In these days, also God lived in a tent right between the people: the Tabernacle.[/TD]
[TD="width: 435"]7 days takes a Jewish wedding feast: Wedding feast of the lamb?![/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 435"] [/TD]
[TD="width: 435"]After a Jewish tradition, the Messiah will come on Succoth (others say on Passover).[/TD]
[TD="width: 435"]Jesus was born around Succoth![/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 435"]The 7. feast in the 7. month takes 7 days.[/TD]
[TD="width: 435"] [/TD]
[TD="width: 435"] [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 435"]Beginning with the fifteenth day of the seventh month, after you have gathered the crops of the land, celebrate the festival to the LORD for seven days; the first day is a day of rest, and the eighthday also is a day of rest.(Leviticus 23,39)[/TD]
[TD="width: 435"]The eighth day: Final feast - Simchat Torah (the Rejoicing of the Law)/the weekly Torah readings are finished and start again with Genesis 1,1.Water libation:
In the times of the temple, a priest went to the pool of Siloam to fill a golden pitcher with water. He then came back to the temple accompanied by a joyous procession of trumpet sounds and worshipers, and poured out the water near the altar. At the same time, he recited Isaiah 12,3 ff.: With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation ....
Today, prayer for rain in the Mussaf - prayer corresponds to the biblical water libation.

Readings on the eighth day:
Deuteronomy 33,1 - 34,12

[/TD]
[TD="width: 435"]On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him". (John 7,37-38)Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.( Rev 22,1-2) see also Ezekiel 47,1-12
The number eight symbolises a new beginning. The eighth day of the week is the day after Sabbath. Now the work starts anew. On this day of the week, Jesus did rise from the dead. With HIM, God did create something new:
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (1.Corinthians 15,20)

The number of the name Jesus (Greek ΙΗΣΟΥΣ) is 888.
After a (Jewish) tradition, the Messiah shall come for the seventh millennium (according Jewish calendar), and establish the „Sabbath", the Kingdom of peace, which will last for thousand years. (Revelation 20). Afterwards, on the eighth day, there will follow something new:
Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. (Isaiah 65,17) see also Rev 21

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
 
Mar 4, 2013
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#3
I have studied the foliage and the count of offerings. I'll share one step at a time as not to overwhelm others as I was. LOL

The Bible seems to record a discrepancy in the foliage used for building the "booths" but as I found out later it was according to what was available in the locations at the tie. Basically ( despite these seeming differences) the foliage is representing the same spiritual meaning in parable examples.


Leviticus 23:40 Direct from Hebrew to English

And you shall take on the first day, citrus fruit branches of palm trees, and a tree branch - thick, and eve - river, and shall rejoice before the LORD your God - for seven days.

Leviticus 23:40 (Complete Jewish Bible)

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.

Nehemiah 8:15 (KJV)

[SUP]15 [/SUP]And that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written.

Nehemiah 8:15 Direct from Hebrew to English


Which will sound, and the sound will transfer all - their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying: - Take the mountain and brought me - olive leaves - tree oil and myrtle leaves and palm leaves and tree leaves thick: they should keep the Studs, as it is written.

Nehemiah 8:15 (Complete Jewish Bible)

15and that they were to announce and pass the word in all their cities and in Yerushalayim, "Go out to the mountains, and collect branches of olives, wild olives, myrtles, palms, and other leafy trees to make sukkot, as prescribed."
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
56,318
26,343
113
#4
Feast of Tabernacles: the raison d'être of creation.
We were made to be in full relationship with God.

Love is the organizing principle of progress and the crux of consciousness.


God is love. We will be fully inhabited by that which (Whom)
we inexorably move toward. He draws us. How can we resist?

That expresses the simplicity of my faith.
 
Mar 4, 2013
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#5
Trees=6086 16-18=[ets] tree (from its firmness) hence wood, or timber, firm, sticks, carpenter.
Studs 15-11-22 as a support to the structure
Pine=There is no Hebrew word for pine in this instance, but there is a relationship to the olive tree. It can be translated as studs, or uprights from the olive, or cedar trees. This could be large foliage from either species.

In every case, the physical creation has spiritual meaning, and the wide scope portrayed in the meaning of studs and trees points directly to the framework that supports all the vegetation used to make the tabernacles/booths/sukkot. By living within this framework, ordained by our Lord, our life is seen as a journey that hunts for equity, and justice, while weaving our way through the disorder of this world. We recognize the love of God that offers protection in a hostile environment, while keeping our focus on the promise shown to us by the light. We rest, ceasing from our own works, and commence doing His work by the instructions given. The cross of Jesus is the framework, and the cross that we bear becomes a significant spiritual journey. In Mark 6:3a we see that Jesus knows woodworking. “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us?”
 
Mar 4, 2013
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#6
This is the first Boughs listed in the KJV
Boughs=6529 פרי=[periy] citrus fruit, reward,
Goodly, and citrus =1926 הדר= [hadar] magnificence, i.e. ornament or splendor, beauty, comeliness, excellency, glorious, glory, goodly, honour, and majesty.
Branches=3709 כפ [kaph] the hollow hand or palm in the form of a tablespoon.
Palm=8558=תמד=[tamar] to be erect.
Palm leaves/dates תמריק [Tamari] the spice from a palm tree representing "to be clean." The true church as the bride of Christ, and Tamar, and Tamari are of a feminine persuasion capable of conception by the planted seed. The bride is not the root itself, but a representative of the nourishing root of this palm standing tall and clearly seen. This citrus represents new birth, and the Tamar (the church) nourishes the individual children of God. Isaiah 40:11 prophesies of the New Testament birth when he says “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.”

The vegetation of citrus fruit presents a sweet aroma of freshness under duress. This fruit is acquired from the tree previously mentioned. This cleansing aroma is given by substantial words of enlightenment, and our Lord’s creative works continue for all mankind. Humans are unique among all of His creation, in that we have been given the capability of choice to respond to His loving kindness and protection. He has given His testimony in sacrifice, and it is for us to reciprocate in a responsible manner according to His instructions. He has revealed His power that assures us of victory. By His grace, through Christ Jesus, He judges and gives instructions to lead us to salvation. Knowing where to find the light, we go to where it surrounds us, and we are called to worship Him in spirit, and in truth. His light protects us from apostasy, depravity and rebellion that are recognized via His instructions in righteousness. Paul said in Galatians 3:19, “Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.”

He also tells us in 2 Timothy 3:16 that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” To worship Him is to properly respond to His call, recognizing His majesty and love for us. When reading John 1:16-17 we understand that God’s grace was in the law, and this same grace can be seen to its completion through His only begotten Son. John says: “And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” We are purchased with the price of His sacrifice.
Ephesians 1:18, Psalm 29:2, Psalm 111:9, 1 Chronicles 29:11, and Isaiah 56:1

It is because “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.” So “give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name. Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.” And “Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.”
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
30,709
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#8
IMHO, the Jewish feasts given to Israel do not apply to the Church (from Pentecost in Acts to the Rapture). Following the rapture those Feasts may once again have some significance as God begins re-dealing with mainly Israel as He did in days of old.

If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
(Heb 7:11-12)
 
Mar 4, 2013
7,761
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#9
IMHO, the Jewish feasts given to Israel do not apply to the Church (from Pentecost in Acts to the Rapture). Following the rapture those Feasts may once again have some significance as God begins re-dealing with mainly Israel as He did in days of old.

If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
(Heb 7:11-12)
Leviticus 23:39-40
[SUP]39 [/SUP]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.
[SUP]40 [/SUP]And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the Lord your God seven days.
[SUP]41 [/SUP]And ye shall keep it a feast unto the Lord seven days in the year. It shall be a statute *for ever in your generations: ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month.

Obviously this is for Israel including the Jews.
Is The Feast of Tabernacles supposed to be observed physically? Not necessarily.
Is The Feast of Tabernacles supposed to be observed spiritually? Absolutely IMHO :)

Jeremiah 31:31–33
[SUP]31 [/SUP]Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that *I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
[SUP]32 [/SUP]Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord:
[SUP]33 [/SUP]But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. Romans 10:12
 
B

BarlyGurl

Guest
#10
Thank you Just-me, I am still working on my perception... so I haven't formulated an opinion I consider comment worthy to post.:)
 
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RachelBibleStudent

Guest
#11
my view of the feast of tabernacles is that it symbolizes the birth of jesus...when God the son came to live with us...

at the beginning of john's gospel when it says 'the word became flesh and dwelled among us'...it literally says in the greek 'and tabernacled among us'

finally if you do the math it is very possible that jesus actually was born during or around the feast of tabernacles...
 
A

atwhatcost

Guest
#12
In another thread, the Feast Of Tabernacles has come up and I would like to explore this topic regarding the NT Covenant in Christ. I know others have some knowledge and understanding to share... so I thought we could catalogue it here.

**** This is my thread so I am going to specify... the intention is to have a DISCUSSION... so if anyone has "other" intentions, choose another thread or MAKE YOUR OWN!... thank you in advance for your cooperation*****
I can't give you anything heavy-duty or scholarly. Just a sense from some experience and trying to figure out God.

The Israelites spent 40 years in the wilderness following God's fire-cloud. They had to constantly be prepared to get up, pack and start walking when the trumpets sounded. (Warning them it was time to move.) Everything they owned had to be easy to pack and ready to go at a moment's notice. 40 years without a land, without a home, without being able to settle down and start something. (No chance at growing anything. Eeek!) The tents were their homes. In the middle of they masses, (and they had a huge mass), was God's tent.

As someone who couldn't move if I wanted to, this amazes me. As someone who almost lost her home, I must remember God is my home.

When there kids got to the Promise Land, they did own land, they did have homes, they could set up permanent businesses and even grow stuff.

I think the feast of the tents was just to remind them that God is in their mist, and nothing he needs to supply but himself and essentials. They were his peeps. God is their home.
 
P

psychomom

Guest
#13
These all died in faith without receiving the things promised, but they saw them in the distance and welcomed them and acknowledged that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth. (Heb 11:13 NET Bible)

we are pilgrims and sojourners here... this is not our home
Abraham, one of the wealthiest men ever, dwelt in tents his whole life.
(wonder what his wife had to say about that lol!)

in addition to Rachel's excellent point about John 1, this is what the feast makes me think of. :)
we live in temporary, temporal dwellings awaiting God's promised final salvation.
 

birdie

Senior Member
Sep 16, 2014
517
93
28
#14
"And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain."

When the Bible says people will keep the Feast of Tabernacles after the great tribulation, it does not mean that they will be ritualistic and hold the ceremony. It means that the true believers will worship the Lord. They will have rain, meaning that the word of God will be there for them to flourish. It goes on to say that those who don't worship the Lord will not have the word (rain) to flourish and prosper. Notice that the terminology is to go up to Jerusalem. That means that in the spirit they are raised up in the inner man to be part of God's group of people. Notice that the Bible here in Zechariah 14 uses the word 'left' to describe those that remain in Christ after the great tribulation. This should be compared with Matthew 24 which mentions some being taken and others left. People have traditionally thought of the word 'taken' meaning taken up to be with the Lord. However, it actually seems to mean taken in judgment. Whereas, those that are 'left' are the one who are still in the Lord.

In much the same way that keeping the Sabbath does not mean going to church every Sunday or Saturday, but rather means to be saved by the Lord so that we rest in him while he does all the work of saving us, so also to keep the Feast of Tablernacles does not mean to keep a ritual, but rather to be in what it represents in its parable language of the gospel.
 
Mar 4, 2013
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#15
During the 40 years in the wilderness there were dwelling places for all of Israel, and also a portable tabernacle (transported by the Levites), which was the dwelling place for the Spirit of God. God's dwelling place isn't really recognized in The Feast of Tabernacles, because God's Tabernacle was made out of totally different material unlike the foliage used in the booths. God's dwelling place is not made from natural foliage, but constructed with precise engineering and different material than the booths (sukkot).

It is good that we know we are the Temple of the Living God according to the New Covenant. It is also important to know that the attributes of the Feast of Tabernacles are made out of natural foliage representing Christ coming to us as a human. In this respect, RachelBibleStudent makes a very good point, this post, so let me expand on this precedence.

“And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees” Leviticus 23:40a

trees = hence wood, or timber, firm, sticks, carpenter. see this post

These uprights, were set first in order to support the rest of the foliage, and they need to be placed firmly in place before anything else could be added to the dwelling. The “trees” represent the life of Christ, from beginning to the end of His earth ministry. He was raised a “carpenter” and was killed on a “tree.”

The tabernacle that the population of Israel lived in are the foreshadowing of being spiritually stabilized by Jesus Christ, and when finished represent our Savior's attributes of our dwelling-place in Him (sukkot) in the New Covenant.

But of him are ye “in Christ Jesus,” who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (1 Corinthians 1:30)

Therefore if any man be “in Christ,” he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Now in the New Covenant, we are the temple of the living God. “God's dwelling-place.”

Know ye not that “ye are the temple” of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16)

So the difference is recognized that the booths spiritually represent God's children living in Christ Jesus, and the Tabernacle (Temple) where God dwells is His Spirit living in us.

When we are in Christ (Sukkot), the Spirit of God is in us. (The Temple of sacrifice) God's Spirit is in Christ.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (Romans 12:1)
 
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KohenMatt

Senior Member
Jun 28, 2013
4,022
223
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#16
From a personal and practical perspective.....

I've celebrated the Feast if Tabernacles (Sukkot) for the last 10 years by literally camping out for 4-8 days. We stay in "temporary dwellings" (tents or campers). A large percentage of our church all camps together with activities during the day, shared meals and teachings at night. It's a great time of fellowship, and my favorite Feast.

Spiritually, it represents God dwelling with man. This can either represent His entering the world via His birth, or the wedding between the husband and the bride.

BTW, we celebrate Sukkot in Colorado. It can get a little cold in October. Makes it even more powerful spiritually because you recognize we're exposed to the elements in our temporary dwellings, just like Israel did.
 
Mar 4, 2013
7,761
107
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#17
From a personal and practical perspective.....

I've celebrated the Feast if Tabernacles (Sukkot) for the last 10 years by literally camping out for 4-8 days. We stay in "temporary dwellings" (tents or campers). A large percentage of our church all camps together with activities during the day, shared meals and teachings at night. It's a great time of fellowship, and my favorite Feast.

Spiritually, it represents God dwelling with man. This can either represent His entering the world via His birth, or the wedding between the husband and the bride.

BTW, we celebrate Sukkot in Colorado. It can get a little cold in October. Makes it even more powerful spiritually because you recognize we're exposed to the elements in our temporary dwellings, just like Israel did.
Excellent contribution. I was thinking today that by smelling and looking at the foliage described in scripture, it would greatly assist in recognizing the awesomeness of out Lord and Savior in parable form. Thanks for your input. Good post. I wish I had a group to share with as you do, but He does supply all of our needs.
 
B

BarlyGurl

Guest
#18
Thank you Kohen.... kinda makes me want to move to colorado;)
 
B

BarlyGurl

Guest
#19
Wondering... for those who "participate" in Sukkot... what are the calendar dates used?
 

KohenMatt

Senior Member
Jun 28, 2013
4,022
223
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#20
Wondering... for those who "participate" in Sukkot... what are the calendar dates used?
There are usually a couple of different times that people start celebrating it, due to their interpretation of when the New Moon is (a whole different discussion). Our church follows a traditional lunar calendar.

So for our church, we will start celebrating the night of Sunday September 27th and will end October 4th.