33 And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,
Leviticus 23:33 – 36
34 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto Jehovah.
35 On the first day shall be a holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work.
36 Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto Jehovah: on the eighth day shall be a holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto Jehovah: it is a solemn assembly; ye shall do no servile work.
When I first set out to honor Yehovah’s instruction concerning the Feast of Tabernacles, I had a question that may sound familiar: How am I supposed to do this?
I like so many others, was at a loss. I had no idea how it was to be done.
First things first, relax: Yehovah isn’t looking for perfection. He is looking for participation. It is more about our attitude than our expertise.
Leviticus 23 tells us when the feast begins and calls us to gather, rejoice, and dwell in booths. It also tells us why:
“That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt.”
Leviticus 23:43
But knowing that Yehovah commanded it did not mean I knew what my first celebration would look like. If you are in that same place, take a breath. Begin with the Word, and take the steps you can take. Yehovah is looking for a willing heart.
Sukkot is Symbolic
As with many things that are of Yehovah, Tabernacles is rich in symbolism. At the center is the sukkah, a temporary dwelling that can range from a tent to a simple wooden structure. It is a booth that was originally used as a temporary shelter for animals. It, like the body we now dwell in, was temporary.
During the week of Sukkot, people stay in these sukkahs, often sleeping in them throughout the festival.
The point of Sukkot is to remind us of our passing station in this present world as well as a time of rejoicing and gratefulness for Yehovah’s provision and blessings for His people (us). It looks back at His provision for the Israelites in the wilderness and to today at His provision for us.
It is also intended to teach us that Yeshua will be living among his people for a thousand years before we see New Jerusalem.
2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.
Revelation 21:2 – 3
3 And I heard a great voice out of the throne saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall dwell with them, and they shall be his peoples, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God:
How do I celebrate Sukkot?
If you are alone as I was the first time I celebrated Sukkot, it’s OK to keep it simple. And looking at the Scripture can make it a little confusing.
The first question we bump into is typically what about the sacrifices?
The fact of the matter is that all sacrifices having to do with substitutionary offerings for sin were satisfied when Yeshua offered himself for our sins.
It is not necessary to make any such offering today. Consider your time, your effort, and the expense you go to in demonstrating the significance of this Moedim to others as an offering.
What is a sukkah?
A sukkah is a temporary shelter. During the Feast of Tabernacles, it gives us a place to remember how Yehovah cared for Israel in the wilderness. It also reminds us that the life we know now is temporary and that our hope rests in His coming Kingdom.
Your first sukkah does not have to be elaborate. Some families build a structure and cover it with branches. Others use a canopy or tent. You may decorate it with greenery and lights, share meals there, read Scripture, pray, and invite others to join you. Let the shelter help you remember what Yehovah has done rather than allowing the building project to become the whole feast.
How do I build a sukkah?
You can literally build a simple structure with branches and bows if you like, but it is also acceptable to go a simpler route.
Many people choose to use tents. Others use PVC pipe so that the structure can be stored easily and used year after year.
Some choose to decorate their sukkah with foliage, lights, ribbons, flowers, and so forth.
40 And ye shall take you on the first day the fruit of goodly trees, branches of palm-trees, and boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before Jehovah your God seven days.
Leviticus 23:40
The majority of the people desiring to celebrate Tabernacles will not have the species of trees described in Leviticus 23 available to them.
Use what is available, once again it is more about attitude than perfection.
What if I am celebrating alone?
The first year I kept Sukkot, my wife was still studying it. She wanted to understand what Scripture said before she began observing it, and I respected that.
She didn’t want to do it just because I was. She wanted to do it because she saw it in scripture and wanted to be obedient to Yehovah. And that’s the right reason.
So that year, it was just Yehovah and me.
I put up a canopy, pulled out the grill, and brought my Bible outside. I spent time reading, praying, and thinking about the Kingdom to come. It was simple, but it was meaningful. The next year, my wife was ready, and we celebrated together.
You do not need a large gathering to begin. If you have family or other believers who can join you, enjoy that fellowship. If you are alone, you can still make room to meet with Yehovah.
I took time under that canopy, reading the verses having to do with the second coming, the installment of the Kingdom of God in the earth. That really is what Tabernacles is about.
Do I have to sleep in the sukkah?
If you are able, spending at least one night in your sukkah can be a wonderful experience. But consider your health, your family’s needs, and the weather.
there is no sin in making accommodations for those who simply can’t.
Here in Louisiana, we know that outdoor conditions do not always cooperate! The weather here is much warmer than in Israel at the time of Sukkot. I spend hours in our sukkah reading, praying – and let’s not forget the grill!
Even if sleeping in your sukkah is not an option, you can still spend meaningful time there reading, praying, eating, and rejoicing.
If you are able to locate individuals who wish to fellowship during this season, I would strongly suggest you join them.
The celebration takes on another dimension when you are able to share it with others.
Do only men need to be involved in Sukkot?
Many arrive at this conclusion because the bible commands all males to appear before Yehovah three times in the year, the fall feast being among them.
The command for males to appear before Yehovah at the appointed times does not mean women and children have no place in the celebration. This is an opportunity for the whole household to learn and rejoice together
In reality, this is everyone’s celebration. We are all entering into the Kingdom. We all need the object lesson and the blessing.
Do I need to celebrate for seven days?
7 days is the time prescribed in the word of God.
Leviticus 23:42 – 43
42 Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are home-born in Israel shall dwell in booths;
43 that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am Jehovah your God.
In Scripture, the number seven speaks of completion, of fulfillment. It points to the end of all that is wrong in this world and the birth of another world in which righteousness reigns.
It speaks of the deliverance from Egypt (past tense) and the deliverance from the bondages of this present.
Scripture gives seven days for the Feast of Tabernacles, followed by an assembly on the eighth day (Leviticus 23:34–36, 42–43). Start planning with that full span in mind. You may not be able to spend every hour in a sukkah or take the entire week away from your usual responsibilities, but you can give the feast a place in your days. Read the Scriptures with your family. Eat a meal outdoors. Gather with believers when you can. Make time to rejoice before Yehovah.
Will I be able to take off work or miss school?
If you need time away from work, ask your employer about a religious accommodation as early as you can. If your child will miss school, speak with the school ahead of time about its attendance and makeup work policies.
In the United States, you can request a religious accommodation to observe Sukkot. We have found that most employers will work with you when you submit a written request well in advance. For employees, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 may apply, along with applicable state laws and workplace policies. If your child will miss school, contact the school ahead of time about its religious absence policy and makeup work.
How do I make the most of Sukkot?
Read Leviticus 23 and remember Yehovah’s care for Israel. Thank Him for His provision in your own life. Invite someone to share a meal. Give the children something they can see and touch as you teach them why you are there. And take some time away from the usual noise of the world so you can pray and look forward to what Yehovah has promised.
The sukkah is temporary. That is part of its lesson. We remember the wilderness, rejoice in Yehovah’s provision today, and anticipate the day when He will dwell with His people (Revelation 21:3).
If this is your first Sukkot, you do not have to have every detail figured out before you begin. Open your Bible. Make a little space. Come and rejoice before Yehovah.
The bottom line is this. Turn off the world, the social media, doomscrolling, all of it, and make a space and a time to spend with Yeshua. Come together with family, friends, and believers and enjoy the life He has given you as we ponder the life to come.
As awkward as it may be at first, you will find the celebration of sukkot to be deeply rewarding.
All the busy stuff of life will be there when you return, but you will be refreshed and strengthened – and more fit for the journey.
Shalom.
Pastor Mayberry
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