Oh, this gets good! As we consider the treasures wrapped up in the Feast of Tabernacles, this is one of my favorites: the tradition of guests in the sukkah! (Succah is singular, sukkot is plural.) It is called ushpizin, which is Aramaic, a common language of the ancient Middle East, and spoken at times by Jesus. It was also spoken during the Babylonian captivity.

Throughout Jewish history, the idea of ushpizin became a staple of culture. Even today, Jewish people are some of the most hospitable of all people groups. But let’s go all the way back to David’s day.

¹¹ “On that day I will raise up
The tabernacle of David, which has fallen down,
And repair its damages;
I will raise up its ruins,
And rebuild it as in the days of old;
¹² That they may possess the remnant of Edom,
And all the Gentiles who are called by My name,”
Says the Lord who does this thing.
~Amos 9:11-12

The prophet Amos is talking about the restoration of Israel, yet in the midst of that prophecy God mentions “Gentiles who are called by My name.” Gentiles were known as pagan idol worshippers, so the idea that God would include us in any sort of plan of restoration was a bridge too far for most Jews! Moreover, when the Holy Spirit fell at Pentecost, there must have been significant angst.

The prophet Zechariah also caused quite a stir when, in chapter 14, he clearly proclaimed that ALL NATIONS will be required to go up to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles! (See verse 16.) Then, in the New Testament (Acts 15:16-17), James pipes up, quoting Amos 9:11-12 (above)!

Gentile friends, we are welcome in the sukkah of David! Not only that, we are there along with believing Jews at that point, to welcome Yeshua HaMashiach…Jesus the Messiah…to take His rightful place of honor! The Feast of Tabernacles is all about the Messiah. No wonder there is such celebration!

In the Old Testament, God dwelt in the wilderness tabernacle as a cloud and a pillar of fire. Once the Holy Spirit came down, we could invite Him to tabernacle (live in) our hearts. We know that as salvation. In the future, there will be a tabernacle in which God Himself will dwell once again with His people…Jews and Gentiles. That will be the Feast of Tabernacles…the Millennial Kingdom. We will all enter the sukkah and worship the King of Kings!

What’s my favorite thing about the Feast of Tabernacles? Jewish eyes are open AND believing Gentiles are invited to the feast! Wow! Grace upon grace to us all. Think of these things as we go through these days of Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles)!