The Feast of Tabernacles (also known as Sukkot) (Lev. 23:24): This feast occurs on the 15th day of Tishri the seventh month (usually late September to mid-October), only five days after the solemn Day of Atonement. In the Bible it is also called the Feast of Booths as the Israelites were instructed to construct "booths" or temporary shelters (that they abide in for the duration of the Feast) made of branches of various types of trees, including the palm tree (Nehemiah 8:15-17) and it is considered a time of great joy.
The biblical requirement of this feast was for the Israelites to dwell in tabernacles or temporary shelters for seven day unto the Lord, as a reminder of their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness; a reminder of God's provision and goodness to them during the wilderness journey that was past and a time of thanksgiving for His provision of a successful harvest at the present time. This feast is one of only three feasts that require a "pilgrimage" to the Temple (the other two are the Feast of Unleavened Bread and the Feast of Weeks), many sacrifices were offered during these seven days of the Feast of Tabernacles, and all who came to the Temple were not to "appear before the Lord empty-handed" (Deut. 16:16-17); so tithes and offerings were brought along as well on this pilgrimage. It was during the Feast of Tabernacles that Solomon dedicated the newly built Temple to the Lord, and God responded with His Shechinah glory that descended from heaven and lit the fire on the altar of sacrifice. His glory filled the Holy of Holies. (1 Kings 8; 2 Chronicles 7:1-10).
Rainfall was vital to the successful sprouting of new crops at this time of year for Jerusalem and its surrounding areas; thus, part of the ceremony of the Feast of Tabernacles eventually became a visual prayer for rain – life-giving rain (I found no scripture backing this up, only Jewish tradition that says it happened so). It involved a pouring out of water onto the altar. It is fitting, therefore, that John chapter 7 speaks of Jesus' actions during the time of the Feast of Tabernacles (it would be valuable to read that chapter again after you've read this posting). It was during that time that Jesus revealed truths about the "living water" which is the Holy Spirit that was yet to come (John 7:37-39). When the Comforter arrived, along with Him came joy, such as is represented by this feast. Jewish Rabbinical writings connected the drawing of water to be poured onto the altar with the Holy Spirit:
"Why is the name of it called, the drawing out of water? Because of the pouring out of the Holy Spirit according to what is said: 'With joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation." (Ruth Rab. 4:7)
This final feast of the year is also known in Scripture as "the Feast of Ingathering" (Exodus 23:16) as it occurred after all the crops had been harvested and gathered. The prophetic future of this feast will be the day of final judgment when God gathers His people to Himself (Hosea 6:11; Matthew 13:30) and burns up the wicked like chaff and stubble (Malachi 4:1-2; Matthew 13:40).
The Feast of Tabernacles is mentioned in prophecy as a feast that will be kept by both Jew and Gentile in the millennial kingdom:
"And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, on them there will be no rain." (Zechariah 14:16-17)
Just as God dwelt in the wilderness tabernacle with the Israelites, so will His tabernacle be ever-present in the future kingdom:
"My tabernacle also shall be with them; indeed, I will be their God, and they shall be My people. The nations also will know that I, the Lord, sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forevermore." (Ezekiel 37:27-28)
"Then the Lord will create above every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and above her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night. For over all the glory there will be a covering. And there will be a tabernacle for shade in the daytime from the heat, for a place of refuge, and for a shelter from storm and rain." (Isaiah 4:5-6)
But most interesting to me is that all three of the last of the feasts of the Lord, all awaiting future fulfillment by the Lord Himself, occur in the seventh month. Seven is seen biblically to be the number of completion. And with the fulfillment of this last feast, the Lord's work on behalf of His creation will be complete. Man will be restored to his proper place having dominion over the new earth and unbroken fellowship with the Lord.
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