The Feast of Tabernacles
Pastor Phil Derstine 10-5-25
Pray for Israel – Today is International Day of Prayer for Peace of Jerusalem
- Psalm 122:6 “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.”
- Genesis 12:3 “I will bless those who bless you, and curse those who curse you; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
The Feast of Tabernacles
- Leviticus 23:34 “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. (36) For seven days present offerings made to the LORD by fire, and on the eighth day hold a sacred assembly and present an offering made to the LORD by fire.”
- Historically: Commemorates 40 years Israel spent in the wilderness, living in makeshift shelters; God’s presence marked by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.
- Today: Jews build booths outside their homes, roofed with branches, remembering wilderness-life of their ancestors.
- Prophetically: The coming of the Lord and His presence with His people forever.
- Dwelling in Booths
- Feast of Sukkot (Heb.) – huts, booths, or tabernacles
- Leviticus 23:42“All native-born Israelites are to live in booths (43) so your descendants will know that I had the Israelites live in booths when I brought them out of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.”
- The temporary booth symbolizes the need to depend upon God for His provision of food, water, shelter.
- God wants to "Tabernacle" with us (dwell in our hearts permanently)
- John 1:14 “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” (Gr) Skenoo: to tent or encamp
- Ephesians 3:16-17 “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” (Gr) Katoikeo: to house permanently, inhabit.
- Psalm 22:3 “The Lord inhabits the praises of His people.”
- II Corinthians 4:7 “We have this treasure (Holy Spirit) in earthen vessels (temporary sukkahs) to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”
- We are sojourning in this earthly Tabernacle until Christ returns!
- Psalm 91:9-11 “IF you make the Lord, the Most High, your dwelling, Then no evil will befall you, neither shall any plague come nigh your dwelling. For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.”
- A continual abiding residence vrs. temporary stay!
- Rejoicing before the Lord – Singing, dancing, clapping, processionals, pageantry
- Deuteronomy 16:14 “Be joyful at your Feast – you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levites, the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns."
- Nehemiah 8:10 “…For the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
- Celebrating the Harvest – Feast of Ingathering - Unusual number of sacrifices (offerings)
- Deuteronomy 16:15 (NIV) For seven days celebrate the Feast to the LORD your God at the place the LORD will chose. For the LORD your God will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete. (16) No man should appear before the LORD empty-handed: (17) Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you.”
- John 7:37 “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. (38) He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (39) (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)”
