The seventh (and final) festival given to Israel is called Sukkot (סֻכּוֹת) or the "Feast of Tabernacles." Sukkot is observed in the fall, from the 15th to the 22nd of Tishri. During this time many Jewish families construct a sukkah (סֻכָּה), a small hastily built hut in which meals are eaten throughout the festival. The sukkah is used to remember the huts [plural: sukkot] Israel lived in during their 40 year sojourn in the desert after the exodus from Egypt.

Later, after Israel entered the land of promise, Sukkot was associated with the fall harvest and came to be known as Chag ha-Asif (חַג הָאָסִף), the "Festival of Ingathering" (of the harvest) at the end of the year. Certain customs were incorporated into the observance of Sukkot, including decorating the sukkah, performing special "wave" ceremonies of the "Four Species" (i.e., the lulav), circling the synagogue in a processional while singing hymns (hakkafot), and reciting various Hebrew blessings to sanctify the festival. While the Torah states that Sukkot is a seven day holiday (Lev. 23:34; Deut. 16:13), an additional day called "Shmini Atzeret" is also included (Lev. 23:36; Num. 29:35). And since Sukkot marked the end of the agricultural year, a further holiday called Simchat Torah was added to celebrate the end of Torah reading cycle for the year as well.

I believe Matthew 17:1-9 shows us a type and shadow of the experience we have every Feast of Tabernacles season. God is with us and shows Himself to us. “And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, and was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three

tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.

And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.” (Matthew 17:1-9 KJV)

If we are followers of Jesus then we should do the activities that Jesus did. He was in the temple during the Feast of Tabernacles, so we should do it also. “Then, midway through the festival, Jesus went up to the Temple and began to teach. On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory” (JohnNLT 39-7:14, 37)

Lastly I prophesy that Haggai 2 will come upon you. This is the sixth day of the Feast of Tabernacles. The day of man during the feast the lord is going to bless you tremendously. Lets see what the Prophet Haggai declared “In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the LORD by the prophet Haggai, saying, Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and to the residue of the people, saying, Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in

comparison of it as nothing? Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts: According to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so my spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not. For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; and I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts. The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.” (Haggai 2:1-9 KJV)

Next time you wonder if you should celebrate The Feast of Tabernacles, ask yourself, am I a Christian? Because if the answer is yes then as followers of Jesus Christ you should do what he would do since he was Jewish and a descendant of David.

Thank you for reading another Bishop’s Buzz. A buzz is not a buzz unless you share it!

God Bless,

Bishop Adam Blackstock