The Feast of Tabernacles

Photo by Polina Rytova on Unsplash

The Bible describes seven special feasts that God gave to Israel (Leviticus 23): Passover,

Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Pentecost, Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles (also

called Booths).

The first four came in the spring of the year — Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, and

Pentecost. Together they looked back to Israel’s deliverance from Egypt and forward to the

first coming of Christ, the true Passover Lamb and the first fruits of the resurrection.

The last three came in the autumn — Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles. These pointed ahead to God’s final work of restoration: His call to repentance, His forgiveness of sins, and His promise to dwell with His people in the Kingdom Age.

What Was the Feast of Tabernacles?

The Feast of Tabernacles was the final feast of the year, a week-long celebration of joy and

thanksgiving. The Israelites built temporary shelters from branches and leaves, and lived in

them for seven days (Leviticus 23:39–43). This reminded them of the years they spent in the wilderness after leaving Egypt, when they had no permanent homes but God still provided for them.

Why It Still Matters Today - for Christians

Most of us do not live in tents for a week or celebrate the feast in the way Israel once did, but the message is still relevant.

• Life is temporary. Just as Israel lived in fragile shelters, we are reminded that our lives and possessions are not permanent. True security is found in God.

• God provides. The feast looked back to a time when Israel had nothing, yet God sustained them. This gives us confidence that He can provide for us too.

• A greater harvest is coming. The feast celebrated the end of the harvest year, but the Bible points forward to the day when Christ will gather His people into God’s kingdom — the final and eternal harvest.

During the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem, Jesus himself declared: “If anyone thirsts, let

him come to me and drink” (John 7:37). He claimed to be the true source of living water, the one who fulfils the joy and provision that the feast symbolised.

Looking Ahead

The Feast of Tabernacles teaches us that we are pilgrims, life is fragile, but God provides —

and He will one day dwell with His people forever. As Revelation 21:3 says: “Behold, the

dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people.”

That is the true hope the feast points us toward.