Experiencing the Feast of Tabernacles

We are now in the season for the Feast of Tabernacles. This feast commemorates the time when God’s presence dwelt among the children of Israel in the wilderness. His presence manifested as a canopy to protect them from the sun, and as a pillar of fire to give them warmth and light at night (Ps. 105:39, Neh. 9:19). Every Feast of Tabernacles, families were to live in booths, like they did in the wilderness, and celebrate His presence with them (Lev 23:34–43).  

As Christians, it is at this time that we remember the words of Jesus’ disciple, John the beloved. Speaking of the Son of God, he said, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . . And the Word became flesh, and dwelt [tabernacled] among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:1, 14). God tabernacled among the families of Israel through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Today, as believers in Jesus we have become part of God’s household. We are built up together as a holy sanctuary, “as a dwelling of God in the Spirit” (Eph 2:22). We become the tabernacle of God’s presence among all of the families of the earth!

This great reality brings me back to the Day of Atonement, the prelude to the glorious Feast of Tabernacles. In the 2^nd chapter of Ephesians Paul tells us that because of the love of God Jesus sacrificially died on the cross and freed us from sin, bringing us near to the Father. Because of Jesus, we all have “access in one Spirit to the Father” (Eph 2:18). How much God loves us that He reconciled us into His household and made a dwelling place for His Spirit (Eph 2:19–22).

Jesus says that if we love Him and walk obediently in His teaching, He and the Father will dwell with us (John 14:23). Don’t let this just be another saying of Jesus to remember from time to time. Develop an awareness of His Spirit that resides within you.

The feast of Tabernacles is a great time for families to remember that where two or three are gathered in Jesus’ name, there His presence abides with them (Matt 18:20). Make little booths to sit in and talk about God’s presence dwelling with His people in the wilderness. Talk about how God tabernacled with His people in Jesus. And talk about how much God loves us and tabernacles with us today. Recognize Jesus’ presence with you as a family and that He resides in your hearts (Col 1:27). Together, invite Jesus into the tabernacle of your home (Rev 3:20).