Feast of Tabernacles
by Pastor Richard Tow
September 27, 2015
Text: Leviticus 23:39-43
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Description: Does the Feast of Tabernacles have relevance for the Christian today? This sermon demonstrates that relevance by explaining the feast’s purpose and applying the spiritual reality of this celebration to believers today. The Feast of Tabernacles will be celebrated by the whole world during the Millennial Reign of Christ (Zech. 14:16-19) and eternally in heaven as pictured in Revelation 7:9-17. Learn from the words of Jesus, as He celebrated this feast in John 7-8. Understand the response God in inviting by Jesus’ interpretation of the event.
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OUTLINE
Feast of Tabernacles
Intro:
A. The essence of the Feast of Tabernacles:
“Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits” (Ps 103:1-2).
B. Leviticus 23:33-36
Sukkot (booths) – 7 day celebration beginning this evening at sunset.
Shemini Atzeret – 8th day separate holiday immediately following Sukkot
C. Celebrated during Millennial Reign of Christ (Zechariah 14:16-19).
> Significant for Gentiles as well as nation of Israel
> Relevance not end with Old Testament
I. Feast of Tabernacles is about REMEMBERING!
A. Israel went into captivity because forgot God (Hosea 2:13; 13:5-6)
B. Moses warned the nation about this (Deut. 8:11-20)
(America has been warned and is being warned)
C. This feast is particularly a remembrance of God’s provision during wilderness wanderings.
> Physically dwell in booths (sukkot) tabernacula.
> Leviticus 23:39-43 emphasizes this remembrance of Israel’s beginnings.
> America needs to remember “God shed his grace on thee.”
> Individually we recall God’s goodness (Psalm 103:1-5).
II. Feast of Tabernacles is about REJOICING!
A. Is also called Feast of Ingathering (Harvest) Exodus 23:16
B. Deut. 16:13-17 – Rejoice
C. On the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles Jesus gave the spiritual reality behind the Jewish water ritual
when he cried out with a loud voice, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me,
as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:37-38).
D. Joel 2:23-26
E. Revelation 7:9-17 (Eternal celebration of the Feast)
In verse 9 “with palm branches in their hands” symbolic of Feast of Tabernacles.
Conclusion:
A. Have seen reference to the feast in the Pentateuch, in the Prophets, in the Gospels, in the book of
Revelations.
B. Today we embrace and enjoy the spiritual reality of this feast.
QUESTIONS
- Do you think there is a danger that we as a nation would forget God and fail to
appreciate how He shed His grace on America?
- Do you think individual Christians need times to pause and remember God’s care
over in the past? How might this strengthen our faith for the present and the future?
- What are some ways we can count our blessings and celebrate God’s goodness in our
lives? Is there anything special you would like to do during the next seven days in
this regard?
- What stood out to you most in the message today?
