Viewing entries tagged
Sukkot

Comment

The Feast of Tabernacles by Richard Maisenbacher Oct. 6th-13th

Richard Maisenbacher

The Feast of Tabernacles – October 6th-13th

Exodus 23:14 says, “Three times a year you shall make a festival to Me.” Those three times are 1) Passover, 2) Pentecost (Shavuot), and 3) Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot or the Feast of Booths). The harvest was over; they no longer needed to toil in the fields. They could now rest and rejoice at the fruit of their labors!

A reminder that the Hebrew calendar days begin at sunset and conclude at nightfall. So, during Yom-Kippur this year (Day of Atonement – October 1-2nd), by the end of the second day at nightfall, the burden of sin is gone. There is a confidence that we have achieved forgiveness through a combination of human repentance and divine mercy. We proceed forward refreshed, optimistic about our power to do good in the world under God’s guidance.

Sukkot is the Hebrew word that also means booths. They are temporary shelters for the wandering in the wilderness. They are looking back, as God reminds them of their wanderings and unbelief, and how He met their every need.

Our English translation of Sukkot is the Feast of Tabernacles, suggesting a connection to the Tabernacle. A sukkah is just a tent. It is not like a Tabernacle. The sukkah is designed to be temporary, while the Tabernacle represented the permanent place of God’s presence. God’s image is tied to His visible presence among His people.  So, in the tent, when David needed to run and hide, he knew where to go. He went to God’s tent, where he felt God’s presence. The temporary sukkah tent served as a shelter, representing the tabernacle that God provided for His people in the wilderness.  

Jesus is the ultimate tabernacle in our hearts! He doesn’t just give us life; He is our life, love, and peace. The Feast of Tabernacles is about coming into the presence of God’s shelter, where we can find His covering and care. Every year, God’s people are to remember His provision and protection, not just in the wilderness, but as a reminder of His ongoing grace throughout each year of our lives.

To see the faithfulness of God in the present is to experience a celebration that connects us with the same God who cared for all the freed slaves. He knows how we need reminders. He knows the chaos of the world and how we can be distracted from His grace and goodness.

You might not have gone into a booth or tent, but you may have memories of a tent from your camping, fishing experience; or if you were in the military, camping during bivouac. Part of the purpose of this Feast is to remember that He is the Lord who brought us out of a house of bondage! Part of this festival is its’ emotional tone. This is a time of rejoicing in God’s goodness during the years of wandering. It is a time to undo bitterness and complaining, focusing on His provision and grace.

Even though the world seems to be in chaos right now, it is a time of thanksgiving; when we as His body honor God’s fulfillment of His promises, and we look forward to His redemptive process. Sukkot is a festival derived from the Hebrew word “hagag” (to feast). It involves dancing, celebrating, eating, leaping, feeling giddy, and making a pilgrimage.
Even though we are presently walking through challenging, and in some cases, devastating circumstances, He wants us to choose to look to Him and find joy in His presence, and to celebrate! God bless and keep you!

 In His Covenant Love,

Richard Maisenbacher

Covenant Outreach Ministries, Inc.
www.thecovenantcenter.com
www.info@thecovenantcenter.com

 

Comment

Comment

Here Come The Fall Feasts by Richard Maisenbacher

Here Come the Fall Feasts

We find described in Leviticus 23, God's feasts or His appointed times of celebration and consecration. The Fall Feasts are a time when God wants His people to learn to rest in Him. Let’s review first: The Feast of Passover teaches about God's peace. The Feast of Pentecost instructs us on God's power, and the Fall Feasts give understanding about God's rest.

Even though the 30 days (Days of Elul) before the Feast of Tabernacles were a time of repentance and reflection, they celebrated the final ingathering of the harvest, whereby God blessed the people for the year. The fruit of the land had been harvested, so the people could now rest from their labors. It was a time of great rejoicing! They would celebrate and thank God in advance for the next harvest.

The Fall Feasts emphasized a rest with the Lord; however, it did not necessarily mean to lie down and do nothing literally. Rest meant to continue to be intimate with Him, staying involved in the everyday work of the Kingdom, while continuing with their occupation, family, study, prayer, and ministry.

The dates for this year’s Fall Feasts 2024 are: 

Rosh Hashanah (Feast of Trumpets) Beginning of the New Year - September 22nd-24th (Mon. – Wed.)

Days of Awe -Include the 10 days from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur, September 22nd- October 1st (Weds. – Weds.)

Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) A Day of Fasting October 1st-2nd (Wed.-Thurs.)

Sukkot or Feast of Tabernacles/Booths – October 6- October 13th - (Mon. – Mon.)

God is working behind the scenes during this time of transition, restoration, and reformation. I know during this Fall season God is going to move in a significant way, increasing His harvest by transforming His people. This will also automatically have an impact on the seven mountains. I do not know how it will play out, but I still believe a correction is coming to level the playing field and begin to restore what has been stolen from His people.

We find in John 7:37-38 the words of Jesus included in John’s letter: “Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.’”

Enjoy the Feasts of the Lord and look forward to this New Year! “Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,” we thank you Lord! (Eph. 3:20)

In His Covenant Love,

Richard
info@thecovenantcenter.com

 

Comment