The LORD said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites: ‘On the fifteenth day of the seventh month the LORD’s Festival of Tabernacles begins, and it lasts for seven days. The first day is a sacred assembly; do no regular work. For seven days present food offerings to the LORD, and on the eighth day hold a sacred assembly and present a food offering to the LORD. It is the closing special assembly; do no regular work.’”
In light of this, there is a heightened theological significance of John 1:14: “And the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us.” I believe Yeshua-Jesus was born on Sukkot, for He is Emmanuel, God among us, the presence of the Lord dwelling among His people once again like He did in the desert.
Rejoicing is the fundamental word that summarizes Sukkot. In Hebrew, Sukkot means “the time of our rejoicing.” Jewish tradition says that if you did not have the opportunity to go to Jerusalem during Sukkot in the days when the temple stood, you have never seen true rejoicing. It was not material pleasures but a pure spiritual joy that illuminated the people and the city for eight days and nights—a true celestial celebration. What was the reason for the season?
We remember to learn from, honor, and celebrate what God has done for us in the past. We also remember to anticipate and get excited about what God is going to do for us in the future. Sukkot is the party that recalls God’s presence, protection, and provision when our ancestors exited Egypt and wandered the desert for forty years. What better reason to rejoice?
Can we experience joy on command? While it may seem odd to be commanded to rejoice, it is worth exploring if there are practical ways to position ourselves for joy. It is important to recognize that joy is not merely an emotion but an action, something we can actively engage in.
One key aspect that can contribute to our ability to experience joy is gratitude. Cultivating a genuine sense of gratitude may require deliberate effort initially, but as we consistently practice gratitude, it can become a more natural part of our lives. The more we maintain an attitude of thankfulness, the more likely we are to find ourselves filled with joy.
Another factor that can influence our ability to be joyful on command is being filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit has the power to produce joy as a fruit in our lives. When we allow ourselves to be filled by the Holy Spirit, we open ourselves up to experience an abundance of joy. This involves being open to surrender and allowing the Holy Spirit to work within us.
Furthermore, obedience plays a significant role in experiencing joy. Just as we can choose to rejoice before God, offering our thanks, worship, and celebration even when we don’t feel like it, our obedience to this command can lead to genuine joy. It may take time and consistency, but as we continue to willingly follow God’s command to rejoice, our hearts will gradually become filled with true and lasting joy.
He is the unchanging, unwavering Abba (Papa God) and lover of our souls. Because of this awareness, the Jewish people live in an environment of expectation. Maybe that is why they are so successful. As a people and nation, they are small. However, their accomplishments per capita are off the charts. Why? They know they are blessed, and because of this, they are expectant of good.
It is impossible to separate God’s presence from His protection. The manifest presence of God was the glory that led the Jews during the desert days, forming a canopy of clouds over them. The presence of God enclosed Israel on all six sides—top, bottom, north, south, east, and west. His presence formed a cocoon of protection from all the natural threats of the wilderness—sun, sandstorms, scorpions, and snakes. By night, He shielded them against the cold and lit their way as a column of fire.
Sukkot, or sukkah (singular), that observant Jews construct during the holiday are temporary shelters. Each has a roof and at least three walls that are made of plywood or canvas. These shelters represent the canopy of clouds of glory that sheltered God’s people during their forty years in the wilderness. Sukkot is symbolic of His tangible presence.
God not only was present and protected the children of Israel, the Bible says that neither the Israelites’ clothes nor their shoes wore out for forty years (Deut. 8:4). The harsh conditions would have ruined those items in forty days had it not been for God’s covering. He also turned a stone into a spring. Additionally, Abba/Father gave them the provision of bread from heaven. God meant for the manna in the wilderness to not only feed their bellies but also test their faith. There was only enough manna for each day. Every morning, they had to go out and collect it. If they tried to accumulate manna for multiple days, it would spoil. Only on Shabbat were they able to collect for two days without spoilage to observe the Sabbath. Part of the lesson to Israel was that they had to trust Him every day for their provision. In the Lord’s Prayer, Yeshua asks, “Give us today our daily bread” (Matt. 6:11/NIV). Not this week, month, or year. Today. We have to trust him daily.
We remember the past; we thank God for the past. However, we have to trust Him for His daily presence, protection, and provision here and NOW.
This commentary is an excerpt from my latest book, Aligning with God’s Appointed Times: Discover the Prophetic and Spiritual Meaning of the Biblical Holidays, now available from our FusionGlobal.org website.
How does the Bible instruct us to celebrate the Feast of Booths?
Adonai spoke to Moses saying: “Speak to Bnei-Yisrael, and say, 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—you are to do no laborious work. For seven days you are to bring an offering by fire to Adonai. The eighth day will be a holy convocation to you, and you are to bring an offering by fire to Adonai. It is a solemn assembly—you should do no laborious work.
“These are the moadim of Adonai, which you are to proclaim to be holy convocations, to present an offering by fire to Adonai—a burnt offering, a grain offering, a sacrifice and drink offerings, each on its own day, besides those of the Shabbatot of Adonai and besides your gifts, all your vows and all your freewill offerings which you give to Adonai.
“So on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the fruits of the land, you are to keep the Feast of Adonai for seven days. The first day is to be a Shabbat rest, and the eighth day will also be a Shabbat rest. On the first day you are to take choice fruit of trees, branches of palm trees, boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook, and rejoice before Adonai your God for seven days. You are to celebrate it as a festival to Adonai for seven days in the year. It is a statute forever throughout your generations—you are to celebrate it in the seventh month. You are to live in Sukkot for seven days. All the native-born in Israel are to live in Sukkot, so that your generations may know that I had Bnei-Yisrael to dwell in Sukkot when I brought them out of the land of Egypt. I am Adonai your God.”
What materials do I use to build a Sukkah?
The Sukkah, a shelter designed to stimulate contemplation and reflection, utilizes various materials in its construction. Drawing inspiration from God’s creative wisdom evident in both the natural world and the divine laws, the construction of a Sukkah involves careful considerations. Traditionally, a Sukkah must have at least three walls, typically constructed using wood or other suitable materials. The roof of the Sukkah is crafted using natural elements like palm fronds, allowing the night sky to be visible through the gaps. These specific materials are chosen to create an environment that harmonizes with nature and encourages deep thought and introspection within the structure of the Sukkah.
We remember to learn from, honor, and celebrate what God has done for us in the past. We also remember to anticipate and get excited about what God is going to do for us in the future. Sukkot is the party that recalls God’s presence, protection, and provision when our ancestors exited Egypt and wandered the desert for forty years. What better reason to rejoice?
Aligning with God’s Appointed Times: Discover the Prophetic and Spiritual Meaning of the Biblical Holidays, we introduce ourselves to our faith’s Jewish roots and gain a heightened biblical perspective as we practice the same traditions and rituals Yeshua-Jesus embraced. We begin to see His life and ministry from a different viewpoint, through Jewish eyes.
Understanding and celebrating Jewish biblical holidays is transformational. We can ignite a fire that renews and transforms us as we combine Old Testament tradition with a fiery desire to go more deeply into the blessings God has for us and abide more deeply in Jesus Messiah.
Journey Deeper with me, Rabbi Jason Sobel, through Aligning with God’s Appointed Times: Discover the Prophetic and Spiritual Meaning of the Biblical Holidays.
