Leviticus 23:33-44
Leviticus 23:33–44: The Feast of Tabernacles This section describes the Feast of Tabernacles, also called the Feast of Booths. It was one of the three main festivals that all Israelite men had to attend. It was the most joyful of all the feasts, coming after the Day of Atonement and lasting for eight days. During this time, the people remembered how God took care of them in the wilderness and celebrated the harvest with great thankfulness and happiness (Leviticus 23:33–44 a). vv. 34–36, 39: The Feast of Tabernacles began on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, five days after the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 23:34 b). It lasted eight days. The first and last days were special sabbaths for rest and worship (Leviticus 23:35,36,39 c). During the first seven days, the people lived in booths made from tree branches, especially palms (Leviticus 23:40,42 d). This showed joy and thankfulness, and everyone, even leaders, took part in celebrating before God. – – vv. 37–38: God gave these feasts as special times, separate from the regular sabbaths and free-will offerings. Even during feast weeks, the normal sabbath was to be kept. God wants His people to keep both regular and special times for worship (Leviticus 23:37,38 e). – v. 39: The feast was also called the Feast of Ingathering because it came after all the crops had been gathered. The people were to thank God for all He had provided that year (Exodus 23:16; Leviticus 23:39 f).Spiritual meaning: Many believe Jesus was born around the time of this feast, because He “tabernacled” among us (John 1:14 g). In the New Testament, worship is also described as keeping the Feast of Tabernacles (Zechariah 14:16 h). Christians are reminded to live as strangers on earth, not getting too attached to worldly things (Hebrews 13:13,14 i), and to always rejoice in Christ (Philippians 3:3 j). v. 40: The people were told to rejoice before God during the entire feast. Tradition says they did this with singing, dancing, and playing instruments, not just regular people, but also their wise men and leaders (Leviticus 23:40 k). – – v. 43: The purpose of living in booths was to remind every generation how God cared for Israel in the wilderness, when they lived in tents. This helped them remember both their humble beginnings and God’s great mercy. After the feast, when the people went back to their homes, they would appreciate their settled life even more . v. 44: Moses told the people exactly what God commanded about the feasts. He did not add or take away from God’s instructions. Christians today can be thankful that God’s holy days are fewer and more spiritual, pointing forward to the great celebration in heaven (Leviticus 23:44 l).
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