You may continue to locate me at Pool of Bethesda if my column can no longer be found at this spot. The eight day feast of Sukkot known also as the Feast of Tabernacles and the Feast of Booths is celebrated this year October 18th through the 25th.Sukkot is a feast of rejoicing, when Jews build small huts or booths at the conclusion of Yom Kippur. When Tabernacles begins five days later, they can begin spending time in the booths. Appropriately, the Book of Ecclesiastes, with its beginning and concluding refrain of "vanity of vanities, all is vanity," is recited in synagogues and Messianic houses of worship during Sukkot. In Old Testament times men were required to journey to Jerusalem for this harvest festival as recorded in Leviticus 23:33-43. The commemoration reminded them of the wilderness wanderings when the Israelites dwelt in temporary dwellings or tents. It also declares their total dependence upon God.
Interestingly, the Book of Ecclesiastes expresses futility as well as faith. It tells us that life is temporary. It also tells us that without God life is meaningless, while with God it is a gift (Ecclesiastes 3:13 and 5:19). While the booths today are temporary, one day, Messiah will unveil a utopia of peace and sacred prosperity to His people which will be permanent. For now, a total dependence upon the salvation provided by Messiah is mandatory to enter God's eternal sanctuary.
This temporary condition of life is expressed in the symbolism of the Sukkah. A Sukkah is highly symbolic. It reminds us that Earth is only our temporary home, and that our bodies are temporary like the Sukkah is temporary. It also teaches us not to be dependent on personal belongings as they are fleeting and must be left behind. There are no pockets in a shroud! And finally, it is a reminder to look to God for provisions and not to man.
This brings to mind what the new director of FEMA so boldly declared to the Nation on National Television after Katrina, "In the future, plan to look after yourself for the first four days of a calamity, and not to us." This blatently tells us that we cannot and should not depend on man, for man is NOT dependable. Only God is dependable and the One with whom we should tabernacle.
During the 40 years of wandering in Egypt, God dramatically demonstrated to the children of Israel His protection and provision. The Sukkot, a dwelling place, is a symbol of God's presence and His promise that He will deliver His people from suffering and sin. One day, a permanent place will be had. When Messiah returns, the only feast required of all nations will be the Feast of Sukkot as found in Zechariah 14:16-21. Zachariah chapter 14 prophesies about Sukkot. He writes when Messiah comes the second time, after there are judgments against the nations that come up against Israel, this holiday of Sukkot will become something that all the remaining nations celebrate.
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