The last of the Fall Feasts is Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles, or the Feast of Booths. The Feast is a remembrance of the dwelling in temporary shelters in the wilderness after the exodus. During this time, Moses was given the commandments and the pattern of the Tabernacle, and God dwelt with Israel in the camp. A cloud led them by day to provide shade and a pillar of fire by night to keep them warm.
Sukkot begins with remembrance, taking us to present-day communion with the Lord. As Jewish people dwell in their temporary shelters, having meals, studying, and some even sleeping in them, the joy grows with each day.
At this joyous time of year, we are prompted to ask, who may dwell with the Lord? “A psalm of David: Adonai, who can rest in your tent? Who can live on your holy mountain?2 Those who live a blameless life, who behave uprightly, who speak truth from their hearts 3 and keep their tongues from slander; who never do harm to others or seek to discredit neighbors; 4 who look with scorn on the vile, but honor those who fear Adonai;
who hold to an oath, no matter the cost; 5 who refuse usury when they lend money
and refuse a bribe to damage the innocent. Those who do these things never will be moved. (Psalm 15 (CJB)).
Psalm chapter fifteen tells us what kind of person can dwell with the Lord. Now, maybe after reading that, you think, who can live up to that!? That’s the beauty of this holiday and the beauty of the four species used during the celebration. Jewish tradition teaches us the four kinds (a palm branch, two willows, three myrtles, and an etrog (citron)) represent four kinds of Jews, and in our case, I believe they can symbolize different types of Christians as well.
The etrog has a pleasant taste and smell; this represents Torah study and good deeds. The fruit of the tree has a good taste but no smell, representing Bible study but no good deeds as a result of that study. The myrtle has fragrance but no taste, good deeds, but no devotion to your spiritual life. Finally, the willow, which has no taste or smell, represents the one who doesn’t study and has no good deeds. At Tabernacles, all four are bound together, signifying that when we all come together, we help each other and all come higher.1
It can be easy for us to judge the walk of another. However, tabernacles is an opportunity to walk in love with fellow believers. It’s a reminder to pray for them and encourage them instead of speaking down to them. When we come together and lift each other up, we can see our friends shed false teaching, come to a deeper place of prayer, be encouraged in good deeds, and more.
This week, we will look at how to increase our prayer lives, Bible study, worship, and good deeds. We are in an appointed time of growth and connection; let us receive everything the Lord has for us during this week!
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