The Feast of Tabernacles

While Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is Judaism’s holiest day, Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles, is the most fun. For a whole week, people across Israel camp in tents and celebrate the time God led Israel out of Egypt and lived among them in the Tabernacle (Leviticus 23:33-43).

Sukkot also points to Jesus as the Light, Life, and Saviour of the world. During the feast, the priests lit four massive menorahs atop Jerusalem’s Temple hill, evoking the pillar of fire God sent as Israel travelled through the wilderness. Our dark world desperately needs light. Jesus is that light, and His glory never fades (John 8:12). We can look forward to the day when He erases darkness forever and only His light remains (Zechariah 14:6-7).

Sukkot also reminds us of the vital role water played during Israel’s time in the wilderness. God purified foul water and brought water from rocks on multiple occasions, sustaining the tribes of Israel. The priests commemorated these miracles by bringing water to the altar. Yet the water God provided in each story was limited. Zechariah prophesied of a time when God’s life-giving water would flow without limit (Zechariah 14:8). Jesus is that endless spring of living water (John 7:37-38), and His Spirit gives us strength whenever we seek Him.

Finally, Sukkot reveals who Jesus really is. During the celebration, people waved bundles of branches toward the north, south, east, and west, expressing that God isn’t just Israel’s God, but the Sovereign and Messiah of the entire world (Zechariah 14:9).

Canadian Thanksgiving falls shortly after Sukkot. As you celebrate this North American holiday, take time to reflect on how seasons of feasting and gratitude point us to Jesus as the Light, Life, and Saviour of the world.

You can watch the full sermon here.