THE FEAST OF THE
TABENACLES, THE LORD'S RETURN
Leviticus 23:33-43
In the 23rd chapter of Leviticus, God commanded the
Israelites to celebrate
seven feasts. Each of the seven feasts are fulfilled in the
events of Jesus in the
total redemption of mankind. At the time God gave
instructions for the feasts,
they were the foreshadow of the work of Jesus. They all have
prophetic
significance. Four of the prophecies have been fulfilled. They were commanded
by God in the order in which they would be fulfilled in the
ministry of Jesus Christ.
THE SEVEN FEASTS
The seven Feasts are as follows:
1. The Passover
(Lev 23:5)
a. The blood
of a lamb was placed on the door posts of the homes of
Israelites
before they were released from slavery in Egypt .
b. The death
angel passed over Israelites and killed the first born
of all
Egyptians.
b. Jesus was
crucified for our sins. He is our passover.
2. Unleaven Bread
(Lev 23:6)
a. Represents Jesus
sinless life.
b. Leaven
represents sin. A little leaven in dough if allowed to set will
will
spread through out the whole dough.
c. Likewise, a
little sin corrupts our whole body.
3. First Fruits
(Lev 23:10 ).
a. Represents the
resurrection of Jesus.
b. Jesus is the
first born of the dead.
4.
Pentecost (Lev 23:16 ).
a. Celebrated
fifty days after the resurrection of Christ.
b. Represents
the giving of the Holy Spirit, the birth of the Church
5.
Trumpets (Lev 23:4)
a. The
Rapture of the Church 1 Thes 4:13-18
b. The day when Christ come back for all
believers.
6. Day of Atonement.
a. The actual day when all sins are forgiven
in Jesus Christ. Rom 11:1-6
b. When the Jewish remnant will repent of
their sins. Zechariah 12:10
7. Feast of the
Tabernacles or Booths Lev 23:34
a. A reminder to the Jews of their living in
tents during the 40 years in
the desert.
b. A reminder of the New Heaven when all believers
will dwell with Christ.
THE FEAST OF THE TABERNACLE
V:33-36. " The Lord said to Moses, 34 "Say to the
Israelites: 'On the fifteenth day of the seventh month the Lord's Feast of
Tabernacles begins, and it lasts for seven days. 35 The first day is a sacred
assembly; do no regular work. 36 For seven days present offerings made to the
Lord by fire, and on the eighth day hold a sacred assembly and present an
offering made to the Lord by fire. It is the closing assembly; do no regular
work."
A. It is the Lord's design that we remember and are
constantly mindful of what the Lord
Jesus has done for
us.
1. His work didn't
start on the cross but in Heaven before the foundation of the earth.
2. After Adam was created
in perfect fellowship with the Father. he disobeyed God's
command and cast all mankind into sin.
3. Adam's sin
separated him from God.
B. Jesus Christ is
the bridge that reestablishes our relation with the Father.
1. All of the
festivals required by the Father, are a reminder of the love God
has for us.
2. The required
festivals are a reminder of what Jesus has done, is doing and will do
to redeem us
from our sinful state into perfect fellowship with the Father.
C. The timing of each festival is set by God the Father.
1. Three numbers
are represented in these verses; 15, 7 and 8.
2. Man became
increasingly sinful over time.
a. God did not
send His Son to redeem man until thousands of years later.
b. This
Festival was commanded to began on fifteenth day of the seventh month
of
the Jewish calendar year.
c. We are not
told the significance of the numbers .
We do know
that every thing that God does is an example for us to follow.
2 Peter
2:6, John 13:15
d. I can only suggest that the number 15 represents the
tolerance of the Lord.
e. Fifteen may
represent the significant numbers that came out of Egypt
i. The 12
tribes of Israel
plus the Holy Trinity
ii. The 12
tribes of Israel
plus the Word, The Priest and Moses the Shepherd.
3. Seven is the
number of completion or perfection
Our
salvation is perfected in Jesus.
4. Eight
represents a new beginning.
a. The celebrations started on a Sabbath and concluded
on a Sabbath.
b. The
celebration started at the beginning of one week and concluded
at the
beginning of another week.
c. The
Israelites were commanded to do no work on the Sabbath days.
THE ASSEMBLE OF GOD'S PEOPLE
V: 37 ("'These are the Lord's appointed feasts, which
you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies for bringing offerings made to the
Lord by fire — the burnt offerings and grain offerings, sacrifices and drink
offerings required for each day."
A. The whole congregation of Israelites were commanded to
celebrated the festivals
together.
1. The Israelites
were commanded to make daily offering during the six
day prior to
the Sabbath.
2. The burnt
offering represented the complete surrender of the people to the Lord.
a. The animal
offered for sacrifice was completely consumed by fire.
3. The grain
offering represented the Body of Christ, and His provisions.
4. The drink offering represented
purification of the blood of Jesus.
B. The sacrifice could represent the sacrifice of the Son by
the Father for our
sins.
SEPERATE OFFERINGS FOR THE FESTIVALS
V:38. " These
offerings are in addition to those for the Lord's Sabbaths and in addition to
your gifts and whatever you have vowed and all the freewill offerings you give
to the Lord.) "
A. The Festival sacrifices were not to be mixed with other
required sacrifices to the Lord.
1. The Festival
sacrifices were in addition to all the other sacrifices.
2. We have to
trust that God will make available to us all the resources to make His
required
sacrifices.
3. When we follow
God commands our faith will be strengthen.
B. We have to learn to trust God with all that we have.
1. All that we
have came from God.
2. All that we have will return to God.
GOD SET THE DATES FOR THE FESTIVALS
V:39 "So
beginning with the fifteenth day of the seventh month, after you have gathered
the crops of the land, celebrate the festival to the Lord for seven days; the
first day is a day of rest, and the eighth day also is a day of rest. "
A. Notice, God does not command Israel
to give to Him what He has not provided to
them.
1. Jesus put an end
to all these sacrifices with His death on the cross.
2. We are commanded
to bring God a tithe and an offering into the Church.
B. We are commanded to use what God has blessed us with for
the building of His
kingdom.
1. We are commanded
to show compassion and love to those in need.
2. God expects each
of us to serve in the ministry of the Gospel.
THE ORDER DOING THE FESTIVALS
V:40-41 " On the first day you are to take choice fruit
from the trees, and palm fronds, leafy branches and poplars, and rejoice before
the Lord your God for seven days. 41 Celebrate this as a festival to the Lord
for seven days each year. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations
to come; celebrate it in the seventh month."
A. God commanded the Israelites to cut branches from trees
and use them to make
tents or booth to
live in for seven days as a celebration of their deliverance
from bondage in Egypt .
1. This was to be
a yearly celebration reminding them of the love of God.
2. This was a
yearly celebration reminding them of the grace of God.
3. This was a
yearly celebration reminding them of the mercy of God.
4. This was a
yearly celebration reminding them of the provisions of God.
5. This was a
yearly celebration reminding them of the protection of God.
B. This celebration was instituted as a permanent yearly
celebration for
all Israelites
for all times.
1. Our communion is
a permanent celebration remembering the death and
resurrection of
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
2. Jesus said as often as you serve the
communion, do it in remembrance of Me.
THE BOOTHS, A REMINDER OF THE DESERT EXPERIENCE
V:42-43". Live
in booths for seven days: All native-born Israelites are to live in booths 43
so your descendants will know that I had the Israelites live in booths when I
brought them out of Egypt. I am the Lord your God."
A. It is up to us to teach our children to honor the Lord
with their service and income.
1. We must teach
the Word of God to our children for them to know God.
2. The Word of God
is their foundation for successful living.
B. We must practice the Word of God before our Children
1. Our children
learn by what we put emphases on.
2. If we fail to
teach our children to honor God, the world will teach them
to honor
Satan.
C. The Feast of the Tabernacle represented their desert
experience.
1. We all have had
a desert experience.
2. This reminds us
that God can take care of you in the desert.
3. It does not
matter how long you been in the desert, God is able to
see you
through the desert.
4. Anyone who don't
know Christ is in the desert.
a. The desert
is a place without hope.
b. The desert
is a place without peace.
c. The desert
is a place without joy.
d. The desert
is a place of frustrations.
e. The desert
is a place of ruin.
f. The desert
is a place of haters.
5. People perish in
the desert.
a. The good news
is you don't have to stay in the desert.
b. Jesus Christ
is our way out of the desert.
WE SHOULD CONSTANTLY CELEBRATE WHAT LORD HAS DONE FOR US.
Rev. M. Mitchell
Asst Pastor of
Greater Macedonia Baptist
Church
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