The Feast of Tabernacles

The Bible outlines seven major feasts given to Israel by God in Leviticus 23. These feasts were more than just religious observances—they were divine appointments that pointed to God's plan of redemption. Each feast carries deep spiritual significance, with many fulfilled in Jesus Christ, while others still point toward His second coming.

The seven feasts, outlined in Leviticus 23, are divided into two seasons—Spring and Fall. The Spring feasts (1-4) were fulfilled in Jesus' first coming. They were prophetic shadows of His death, burial, resurrection, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Let's take a deep dive into the Feast of Tabernacles, and see how this biblical feast points to God's redemptive plan. ​

The Feast of Tabernacles is God's promise to dwell with His people. Also known as Sukkot, it is the seventh and final feast, and it's bursting with prophetic significance, present encouragement, and future hope. In 2025, the Feast of Tabernacles will take place on October 5–12. It's a time to recall that God is with us and He’s coming again to dwell among His people!

Let's examine the biblical foundations of the Feast of Tabernacles. In Leviticus 23, God commands the Israelites to dwell in temporary shelters (booths or “sukkot”) for seven days, commemorating God's provision during their wilderness journey.

​"And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 'Speak to the people of Israel, saying, On the fifteenth day of this seventh month and for seven days is the Feast of Booths [or Tabernacles] to the Lord. On the first day shall be a holy convocation; you shall not do any ordinary work. For seven days you shall present food offerings to the Lord. On the eighth day you shall hold a holy convocation and present a food offering to the Lord. It is a solemn assembly; you shall not do any ordinary work.

These are the appointed feasts of the Lord, which you shall proclaim as times of holy convocation, for presenting to the Lord food offerings, burnt offerings and grain offerings, sacrifices and drink offerings, each on its proper day, besides the Lord's Sabbaths and besides your gifts and besides all your vow offerings and besides all your freewill offerings, which you give to the Lord.

On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the produce of the land, you shall celebrate the feast of the Lord seven days. On the first day shall be a solemn rest, and on the eighth day shall be a solemn rest. And you shall take on the first day the fruit of splendid trees, branches of palm trees and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God seven days. You shall celebrate it as a feast to the Lord for seven days in the year. It is a statute forever throughout your generations; you shall celebrate it in the seventh month. You shall dwell in booths for seven days. All native Israelites shall dwell in booths, that your generations may know that I made the people of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.'” Leviticus 23:33-43

Deuteronomy 16 describes the Feast of Tabernacles as a time of rejoicing, celebrating the blessings of harvest and God’s faithfulness. “You shall keep the Feast of Booths [Tabernacles] seven days, when you have gathered in the produce from your threshing floor and your winepress. You shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow who are within your towns. For seven days you shall keep the feast to the Lord your God at the place that the Lord will choose, because the Lord your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you will be altogether joyful” (Deuteronomy 16:13–15).

In 1 Kings 8, King Solomon chose this feast to dedicate the Temple, further emphasizing the theme of God’s dwelling with His people. "And all the men of Israel assembled to King Solomon at the feast in the month Ethanim, which is the seventh month....So Solomon held the feast at that time, and all Israel with him, a great assembly, from Lebo-hamath to the Brook of Egypt, before the Lord our God, seven days." 1 Kings 8:2, 65

We see three themes play out in this feast:

1. Provision – God faithfully provided for Israel in the wilderness, and still provides for us today.
2. Presence – The booths symbolized God’s nearness and care, just like the pillar of cloud and fire that guided Israel through the wilderness.
3. Joyful Rejoicing – The feast was a harvest festival filled with thanksgiving and joy.

So, how is the Feast of Tabernacles fulfilled in Jesus Christ? 

• John 1:14 says, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” The Greek word skēnoō means to pitch a tent or tabernacle—Jesus literally “tabernacled” among us! He is the ultimate fulfillment of the Feast of Tabernacles.
• During the Feast of Tabernacles, in John 7:37–38, Jesus stood and declared, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”—pointing to Himself as the source of living water, echoing the water-pouring ceremony performed during the feast.
• At the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1–8), Jesus appeared in glory, a foreshadowing of His reign and dwelling with us in splendor.
• Finally, Revelation 21:3 gives us the clearest picture of fulfillment: “Behold, the dwelling place [or tabernacle] of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.”

The prophetic future of the Feast of Tabernacles is Jesus’ Second Coming. 

• Zechariah 14:16–19 prophecies that in the Millennial Kingdom, all nations will go to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles and worship the King.
• Revelation 7:9–17 shows a multitude before the throne with palm branches—an echo of the Feast of Tabernacles traditions—proclaiming salvation belongs to our God.

Three key prophetic themes we see play out in the Feast of Tabernacles:

• Jesus' Return – Tabernacles points to His coming Kingdom, where He reigns with His people.
• Eternal Dwelling – God’s presence will be our eternal home (Revelation 21:1–3).
• Global Worship – One day, every nation will join in celebrating the King during this feast.

What is the spiritual significance for us as believers today?

• God Dwells With Us – Just as He did in the wilderness, God is present in our everyday lives.
• Jesus, the Living Water – He quenches our spiritual thirst and offers abundant life.
• A Call to Rejoice – Unlike solemn observances, this feast is a time of joy and celebration!

The Feast of Tabernacles celebrates God's provision, presence, and promise. It was fulfilled in Jesus’ First Coming, experienced spiritually by believers today, and will be fully realized when Christ returns at His Second Coming to dwell with us forever.

How does the promise of God's future dwelling with His people during the Feast of Tabernacles shape the way you experience His presence in your life today?

Read more about the 7 Biblical Feasts That Point to God's Redemptive Plan:

• ​The Feast of Passover
• The Feast of Unleavened Bread
• The Feast of Firstfruits
• The Feast of Pentecost
• The Feast of Trumpets
• The Feast of The Day of Atonement​

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