Our Heavenly Father is a loving one, and as we come to the final Moed – Appointed Time of the spiritual year, this whole week is designated to be a time of rejoicing. For those working the land, the final harvest of the year has been gathered in; and as the season changes we can relax a little, and know the abundance provided by our Father will be our supply through the coming winter months.
As an agricultural nation, Israel depended on the harvests throughout the year and the cycle of life set in back in Leviticus 23, was their calendar and indicated the correct times of planting and when to harvest. The final moed is Sukkot, sometimes spelled Sucot/Sukot/Sukkoth/Sukkuth, also known as Tabernacles or Booths; and for new readers, several earlier posts containing detailed studies can be accessed through the links include below and on Homepage. For those who regard Sukkot and build sukkas to dwell in this week, and for those who don’t build but remember the reason for this moed, we will take a very brief look at this festival.
Sukkot/Feast of the Tabernacles – Chag haSukkot is usually celebrated in the 7th month on the 15th to the 21st day, for a full 7 days. Reference to this moed can be found in Leviticus/Vayik’ra 23:33-36 and 40:43. It is also called Chag haAsif – Feast of the Ingathering for the reason that it occurs at the outgoing of the year, when you gather in the fruit of your labor from the field. Sh’mot 23:16/Exodus. Also [you shall observe] the Feast of Harvest (Weeks, Pentecost, or First Fruits), acknowledging the first fruits of your labor, of what you sow in the field. And [third] the Feast of Ingathering (Booths or Tabernacles) at the end of the year when you gather in [the fruit of] your labors from the field.
For more on the Lulav see earlier posts through homepage under category for 7 Appointed times. Some links below:
https://www.minimannamoments.com/what-is-the-significance-of-the-day-of-the-lulav/
https://www.minimannamoments.com/days-of-ingathering-for-the-final-harvest/
https://www.minimannamoments.com/seasons-of-the-lord-moedim-rhythm-of-life-part-2/
https://www.minimannamoments.com/sukkot-the-promise-of-a-permanent-dwelling-place/
Similar to the Spring Moed of the Feast of Matzah/unleavened bread, Sukkot lasts 7 days and is a time of great celebration. However unlike the Feast of Matzah, only the first day of Sukkot is a holy convocation. On this day Israel is commanded to do no regular work, and to rest. Sukkot, begins just 5 days after Yom HaKippuriym/Yom Kippur. The obvious feature of this week is of course the sukkah or booth or tabernacle, which is to be built from using different trees and foliage surrounding Yerushalayim/Jerusalem. Also referenced in Leviticus 23:40 and Nehemiah 8:14.
If you are ever in Jerusalem at this time of the year you will see sukas everywhere.
The purpose of the sukkah is to remind us that Adonai caused the people of Israel to live in sukkot when He brought them out of Egypt. Spiritual themes of our Heavenly Fathers protection, deliverance and provision can be drawn out from this moed. The temporary and flimsy nature of the sukkah itself should also remind us of our own weaknesses, our frailty and our temporary stay on this earth as long as we remain in our physical bodies. We are simply passing through on our way to a permanent dwelling with our Father in His Heavenly Realms.
The sukkah is a symbol of how our Heavenly Father cares for us, how He shades and hides us from the natural elements of weather, which although beneficial in many ways can also be very destructive. At the time of the final ingathering, we are to celebrate with extreme joy that He has delivered us, watched over us; and will soon be taking us to dwell with Him in the sukkah that is eternal in nature. It is for this reason some think Messiah will return at this moed, season. In Judaism the seventh day of Sukkot came to be known as Hoshanna Rabba, and was clelbrated with a huge water libation ceremony to ask the Father for abundant rain over the next season.
It was on this day, during this pouring out of water ceremony, that Messiah cried out to all within the sound of His voice. On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.” John 37:39.
This Living Water is available to us every day of the year, not just on one special day. Messiah Yeshua/Jesus is the living water of new life in Him. It is this living water that is to be pouring out through us to the hurting lost world around us. We are to call out to them ‘come and drink of Messiah,’ the waters of life – chaim mayim, are free and will never dry up. Let us rejoice for all that our Father has accomplished through His Messiah and the wonderful works to the children of men. Ps.107:31
Also known as the Eighth Day Assembly – Yom haSh’miyniy ‘Atzaret. The commands for this day are simple, do no regular work, rest – and assemble/come together. This day is a time to say ‘goodbye’ to Sukot and the past years’ Moedim. It’s a time to rest and reflect, but also a time to look forward to the future, because in 6 months the cycle of Moedim begins once again. The annual reading of Torah and haftorah is complete and we are about to begin again. His Word is our guide, our joy, and as Messianic believers we read portions of the brit chadashah/renewed covenant as well; and the whole of the scriptures are brought together for our benefit and instruction. 2 Tim.3:16.
This feast can be extremely meaningful and we are encouraged to look back at the years journey now completed and also to look forward to the times the Father has for us in the coming months.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. He in fact did fulfill Sukkot by tabernacling for a short season with us, with a promise He will return in due season, the fulness of time! Let’s be ready to share the goodness of our Heavenly Father and the joy of our salvation that it is indeed for whosoever will … to choose Him, to choose life.
Shalom mishpachah/family
and cheverim/friends!
It’s all about Life and Relationship,
NOT Religion.
You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.
NOT SURE?
YOU CAN BE..
SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…
Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past.
I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name. Amen.