Feast of Tabernacles

"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

After the gathering of the harvest the Lord commanded the Israelites to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.  They were to take choice fruits, palm frond, leafy branches and poplars and rejoice before the Lord.  To celebrate they were to live in booths to “commemorate the miraculous benefit of dwelling in tents under the clouds of glory” when God brought them out of Egypt. Here, in the wilderness, “the clouds began to protect and accompany them” – God’s presence made his dwelling, tabernacle, with the Israelites

Gills Exposition of the Bible goes on to say, “as Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us at the exact time of the Passover, and the Firstfruits of the Spirit were given on the very day of Pentecost, or feast of Firstfruits; so it is most likely, that Christ was born, or first began to tabernacle in human nature at the feast of tabernacles.”

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”  John 1:14

Before Jesus was crucified, in his desperate hour, he prayed for those who would believe.  His desire – that the love of the Father would be in believers, that he would dwell in all who believe.

“I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."  John 17:26

Through the Spirit believers become a tabernacle where the presence of the Lord, the cloud of His glory, dwells. 

“And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”  Ephesians 2:22

“A day is coming that won't fade to night
There'll be no more hatred to endure, no wars to fight
There'll be no orphans, no prisoners or slaves
And all the tears of death and pain will be washed away

This day is coming
It's surely coming
Jesus, you're coming
But until that day comes

Let Your kingdom come in me
Let Your will be done in me
Here on earth as it is and as it will be in heaven
Show Your glory to the world
Tell Your story to the world
Let my life be a preview of coming attractions
Shine Your light through me
Live Your life through me
Let the world see Your kingdom come in me” 

                   Steven Curtis Chapman “Coming Attractions

A day is coming when the glory of the Lord will surround all and God himself will tabernacle with men.

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.”  Revelation 21:3

_____________________________________

Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) was celebrated from September 22-29, 2010.