There are seven feasts or festivals of Yahweh. These feasts are to be celebrated every year at the time God specified in His word. The last three feasts happen in the fall season. They are Yom Teruah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot. These feasts are known as the “season of t’shuvah,” the season of repentance from all of our sins, transgressions, and iniquities and turning back toward the Almighty Elohim, agreeing to do things His way. Sukkot is the last of the fall feast days. Here is what scriptures says about it:
ADONAI said to Moshe, “Tell the people of Israel: The designated times of ADONAI which you are to proclaim as holy convocations are my designated times.” ADONAI said to Moshe, “Tell the people of Israel, ‘On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the feast of Sukkot for seven days to ADONAI. On the first day there is to be a holy convocation; do not do any kind of ordinary work. For seven days you are to bring an offering made by fire to ADONAI; on the eighth day you are to have a holy convocation and bring an offering made by fire to ADONAI; it is a day of public assembly; do not do any kind of ordinary work. These are the designated times of ADONAI that you are to proclaim as holy convocations and bring an offering made by fire to ADONAI — a burnt offering, a grain offering, a sacrifice and drink offerings, each on its own day — besides the Shabbats of ADONAI, your gifts, all your vows and all your voluntary offerings that you give to ADONAI. But on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered the produce of the land, you are to observe the festival of ADONAI seven days; the first day is to be a complete rest and the eighth day is to be a complete rest. 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. You are to observe it as a feast to ADONAI seven days in the year; it is a permanent regulation, generation after generation; keep it in the seventh month. You are to live in sukkot for seven days; every citizen of Israel is to live in a sukkah, so that generation after generation of you will know that I made the people of Israel live in sukkot when I brought them out of the land of Egypt; I am ADONAI your God.'” Thus Moshe announced to the people of Israel the designated times of ADONAI. (Leviticus 23:1-2, 33-44 CJB)
On the fifteenth day of the seventh month you are to have a holy convocation. You are not to do any kind of ordinary work, and you are to observe a feast to ADONAI seven days. You are to present a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, bringing a fragrant aroma to ADONAI. It is to consist of thirteen young bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs in their first year (they are to be without defect), with their grain offering — fine flour mixed with olive oil, six quarts for each of the thirteen bulls, four quarts for each of the two rams, and two quarts for each of the fourteen lambs; also one male goat as a sin offering; in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain and drink offerings. On the second day you are to present twelve young bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs in their first year, without defect; with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams and lambs, according to their number, in keeping with the rule; also one male goat as a sin offering; in addition to the regular burnt offering, its grain offering and their drink offerings. On the third day eleven bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs in their first year, without defect; with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams and lambs, according to their number, in keeping with the rule; also one male goat as a sin offering; in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain and drink offerings. On the fourth day ten bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs in their first year, without defect; with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams and lambs, according to their number, in keeping with the rule; also one male goat as a sin offering; in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain and drink offerings. On the fifth day nine bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs in their first year, without defect; with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams and lambs, according to their number, in keeping with the rule; also one male goat as a sin offering; in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain and drink offerings. On the sixth day eight bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs in their first year, without defect; with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams and lambs, according to their number, in keeping with the rule; also one male goat as a sin offering; in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain and drink offerings. On the seventh day seven bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs in their first year, without defect; with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams and lambs, according to their number, in keeping with the rule; also one male goat as a sin offering; in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offerings. On the eighth day you are to have a festive assembly: you are not to do any kind of ordinary work; but you are to present a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, giving a fragrant aroma to ADONAI — one bull, one ram, seven male lambs in their first year, without defect; with the grain and drink offerings for the bull, the ram and the lambs, according to their number, in keeping with the rule; also one male goat as a sin offering; in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain and drink offerings. You are to offer these to ADONAI at your designated times in addition to your vows and voluntary offerings — whether these are your burnt offerings, grain offerings, drink offerings or peace offerings.” Moshe told the people of Israel everything, just as ADONAI had ordered Moshe. (Numbers 29:12-40 CJB)
Sukkot
Sukkot is known by two other names: the Feast of Booths and the Feast of Tabernacles. It is the last of the fall feast days of the YHVH and rightly so because it is a week-long celebration, expressing the joy received after repenting and being redeemed.
The word “sukkot” means “booths” and represents a temporary dwelling place. A good example is the tents the children of Israel dwelled in when they wandered through the desert for 40 years. It was during this time God dwelled with them — guiding, feeding, and protecting them. Therefore, every year people all over the world construct a sukkot and live in it for seven days (or go in it every day to commune with each other and with God), celebrating the goodness of God.
Sukkot follows Yom Teruah (Rosh Hashanah) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). Yom Teruah announced the coming judgment by sounding the alarm with the blowing of trumpets. Yom Kippur was the day of reconciliation with others and the Great I AM. This is definitely a reason to celebrate and personally, I like the idea of having a week-long celebration.
Sukkot is the happiest feast day. We get a chance to live in buildings made by our own hands, gather with those of like minds and eat a ton of delicious food. It’s one big party with the guest of honor being the King of Glory! There are no worries, no job problems, and no craziness — just plain simple enjoyment.
Bring an Offering
We are to bring an offering every day. Since there is no temple building there can be no animal sacrifice. But that’s okay because we are to bring a sacrifice of praise. We are a living temple and our sacrifice is praise from our lips to His ears. We don’t need a building for that.
Through him, therefore, let us offer God a sacrifice of praise continually. For this is the natural product of lips that acknowledge his name. (Hebrews 13:15 CJB)
Everyday praise Yahweh for His goodness, His deliverance, His mercy, His compassion, His redemption, and most of all for choosing us to dwell with.
When Sukkot Begins
This year’s Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) begins Wednesday, September 18, 2013 at sundown and continues until Wednesday, September 25, 2013 at sundown. September 18-20 are yom tov (good day), so they have similar obligations and restrictions to Shabbat in the sense that normal “work” is forbidden.
Did Jesus Fulfill Sukkot?
Many people believe Yeshua (Jesus) did fulfill the requirements for Sukkot because he sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. But once again this is only a partial fulfillment of this feast day. This is another one of the feast days that is still a foreshadow of things to come. So what else can there be? Maybe the total fulfillment is when Yahweh Himself comes to dwell with us like He did with Israel so many centuries ago. He literally guided them day and night in different forms. They saw these forms with their own eyes. He wasn’t just some statue standing inside of a temple. He moved and controlled everything around Him. He was the true and living Elohim, just like He is today.
The whole purpose of Yeshua was to bring us back into right relationship with the Father so that the Father can come and be our Elohim and dwell with us on this earth that He created for us and Himself. He never wanted us to feel pain or cry or lose those we loved. He wanted joy, unspeakable joy, to flourish throughout our whole being. When it’s all said and done He will have His way and a new heaven and a new earth will finally yield the desire results He worked so hard for all of these millennia.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had passed away, and the sea was no longer there. Also I saw the holy city, New Yerushalayim, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud voice from the throne say, “See! God’s Sh’khinah is with mankind, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and he himself, God-with-them, will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will no longer be any death; and there will no longer be any mourning, crying or pain; because the old order has passed away.” (Revelation 21:1-4 CJB)
I saw no Temple in the city, for ADONAI, God of heaven’s armies, is its Temple, as is the Lamb. The city has no need for the sun or the moon to shine on it, because God’s Sh’khinah gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. Its gates will never close, they stay open all day because night will not exist there, and the honor and splendor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure may enter it, nor anyone who does shameful things or lies; the only ones who may enter are those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. (Revelation 21:22-27 CJB)
Sukkot Video
JN1’s Jordana Miller talks to Israelis about the holiday.
Sukkot Conclusion
In closing, Sukkot is a week-long celebration, basking in the joy of Yahweh for all of His goodness, mercies and compassions. It’s a rehearsal of what it will be like when the final Sukkot takes place with a new earth. Enjoy your time of celebration!
Remember, learning more about the feast days and practicing them will allow you to gain a greater understanding of the scriptures, how God operates, and build a deeper relationship with the Father. If you are not sure whether or not you should honor these feast days, then ask yourself the question, “Am I a part of the Messiah?” If so, then yes. For a longer explanation, please read, “The Feast Days of Yahweh.”
How are you celebrating this Sukkot? We would love to see how your Sukkot came out. Please email me (dawn at cswisdom dot com) any photos and I will share them here on Common Sense Wisdom’s Facebook page. What is your happiest moment for Sukkot? Please share your Sukkot happenings below in the comment section.