Hey friends, did you know Israel is gearing up for the most joyful feast of the Jewish calendar? Yes, after recently commemorating the Feast of Trumpet and Yom Kippur (the most solemn day of the Jewish year), the Feast of Tabernacles will begin at sundown tonight! In Hebrew, it is called Sukkot, and it commemorates the Israelite’s journey through the wilderness, living in temporary tents (tabernacles), as they made their way to the Promised Land. All Jews, both observant and secular, look back fondly to the season in history when Moses led their forefathers out of Egyptian bondage.

The fall Feast of Tabernacles is an “ingathering,” a celebration of harvest, and of thanksgiving for the provision God has given. In Israel, families will spend the week of celebration living in, or at least gathering in, temporary dwellings, rejoicing together while remembering the days of old.

But, as you know, every Jewish feast finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ! In fact, God instituted the seven major feasts as a calendar of His plan of history. Jesus was the Passover Lamb who became the personification of the other spring Feasts of Unleavened Bread and First Fruits. The Holy Spirit was given and the church was born fifty days later, on Pentecost. In Colossians, Paul describes festivals as shadows of the substance, Jesus Christ! (Colossians 2:17)

The fall feasts represent future events and fulfillment at Jesus’ Second Coming (Feast of Trumpets), Yom Kippur (Israel’s national salvation) and the Millennial Kingdom (Feast of Tabernacles)! That’s the overview, but let’s focus on the feast at hand, the Feast of Tabernacles. Enjoy!