When is the Feast of Tabernacles observed?

The Feast of Tabernacles, also known as Sukkot, is a significant and joyous celebration in the Jewish calendar, and it is outlined in the book of Leviticus. Observed in the fall, this feast is a time for remembering God's provision and faithfulness during the Israelites' 40 years in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. It is a festival that combines historical remembrance with agricultural thanksgiving, making it rich in both spiritual and cultural significance.

Leviticus 23:33-44 provides the most detailed instructions for the observance of the Feast of Tabernacles. According to these verses, the Feast of Tabernacles begins on the 15th day of the seventh month, which is Tishrei in the Hebrew calendar. This typically falls in late September to mid-October in the Gregorian calendar. The festival lasts for seven days, with an additional eighth day, known as Shemini Atzeret, which is a separate but connected festival day.

The specific instructions given in Leviticus are as follows:

"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.'" (Leviticus 23:33-36, NIV)

The first and eighth days of the festival are to be observed as Sabbaths, meaning that no regular work is to be done, and sacred assemblies are to be held. The emphasis on rest and worship underscores the festival's purpose of dedicating time to God and reflecting on His goodness.

One of the unique and defining features of the Feast of Tabernacles is the construction of temporary shelters or booths, known as sukkot (singular: sukkah). These structures are meant to be reminiscent of the temporary dwellings the Israelites lived in during their journey through the wilderness. Leviticus 23:42-43 states:

"Live in temporary shelters for seven days: All native-born Israelites are to live in such shelters so your descendants will know that I had the Israelites live in temporary shelters when I brought them out of Egypt. I am the LORD your God."

The act of dwelling in these booths serves as a tangible reminder of God's provision and protection during a time when the Israelites were entirely dependent on Him for their survival. It is a practice that brings the historical experience into the present, allowing participants to physically engage with their heritage and the biblical narrative.

The Feast of Tabernacles is also closely associated with the agricultural cycle, particularly the harvest. It is often referred to as the Feast of Ingathering, marking the end of the agricultural year when crops are gathered from the fields. This aspect of the festival is highlighted in Exodus 23:16:

"Celebrate the Festival of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in your crops from the field."

In this sense, Sukkot is a time of thanksgiving for the bounty of the earth, paralleling the theme of divine provision seen in the wilderness narrative. The celebration includes the offering of sacrifices and the waving of the four species (etrog, lulav, hadas, and aravah), which are agricultural products mentioned in Leviticus 23:40:

"On the first day you are to take branches from luxuriant trees—from palms, willows, and other leafy trees—and rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days."

This act of rejoicing with the four species symbolizes the unity and diversity of creation and the community, bringing together elements from different types of plants to represent the fullness of God's creation.

The Feast of Tabernacles is not only a time of historical reflection and agricultural gratitude but also a prophetic festival with eschatological significance. In the prophetic literature, particularly in Zechariah 14:16-19, Sukkot is portrayed as a time when all nations will come to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, and to celebrate the feast. This vision points to a future time of universal recognition of God's sovereignty and a gathering of all peoples to celebrate His reign.

In the New Testament, the Feast of Tabernacles is mentioned in the context of Jesus' ministry. John 7 records that Jesus went to Jerusalem for the festival and used the occasion to teach about the living water that He offers, which is a fulfillment of the festival's themes of provision and divine presence. Jesus stood and said in a loud voice:

"Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them." (John 7:37-38, NIV)

This declaration connects the physical sustenance provided by God during the wilderness period and the harvest with the spiritual sustenance that Jesus offers, emphasizing the continuity of God's provision from the Old Testament to the New Testament.

The Feast of Tabernacles, therefore, is a multifaceted celebration that encompasses historical remembrance, agricultural thanksgiving, and prophetic anticipation. It is a time for the community to come together in worship, reflection, and joy, celebrating God's faithfulness in the past, His provision in the present, and His promises for the future. The observance of this festival, as outlined in Leviticus, invites participants to engage deeply with their faith and heritage, fostering a sense of continuity and connection with the broader biblical narrative.