Sabbath and Set Apart Feast Days: A Journey into Their Deeper Meanings – Part 5

Sukkot

A Celebration of Joy and Restoration

Sukkot, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, Feast of Booths, or Feast of Ingathering, is one of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH’s) appointed times, ordained as a kodesh (set apart/holy) feast day for His people Yahshar’el (Jacob/Israel). This festival begins on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, five days after the solemn Day of Atonement (Leviticus 23:34).

Is Sukkot for Yahshar’el Alone?

Sukkot includes gentile grafted-in branches (Romans 11:17-24) and will consist of all nations in the future (Zechariah 14:16). Many people think or were taught that the Shabbat and the Feast days are not for them but strictly for Yahshar’el, but this is not the truth. YAHUAH expected Yahshar’el and all strangers, citizens, natives, or aliens dwelling among them to remember and keep kodesh the Shabbat and to honor His appointed Feast days (Ex. 20:10, Deut. 5:14, 16:11, 14, Lev. 16:29). The keeping of the Shabbat and Feast days by strangers who dwelled with Yahshar’el was a shadow or blueprint of what grafted-in branches (believers) are called and expected to do today.

Sukkot is far more than a historical event or a relic of the past. It is a living, prophetic celebration that calls Yahshar’el to reconnect with the deeper meaning of YAHUAH’s appointed times. In a time when so many are drifting from YAHUAH’s instructions, it’s critical to rediscover the profound significance behind Sukkot. Though Sukkot is rooted in the traditions of Yahshar’el, it’s not just about tradition. It’s about honoring the commands of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) and the divine blueprint for spiritual growth, renewal, and a closer relationship with our Creator. If we neglect these kodesh observances, we miss out on the opportunity to embrace the transformative power of YAHUAH’s provision, promises, and the future restoration He has in store for His people.

Yahshar’el beautifully demonstrated this realignment during the time of Nehemiah (Nehemiah 8), when they openly recommitted to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 through the Feast of Booths. By celebrating this feast and rediscovering the Torah, they were empowered to seek YAHUAH’s presence, confess their sins (Nehemiah 9), and enter into a deep covenant with Him (Nehemiah 10). Embrace this kodesh Feast and allow it to ignite a renewed passion for faith, leading to a deeper relationship with YAHUAH and an understanding of His divine plan for your life!

Sukkot Defined and its Significance

The word “Sukkot” derives from the ancient Biblical Hebrew word ‘sukkah,’ which means ‘booth‘ or ‘tabernacle‘. These booths are temporary shelters that symbolize trust in YAHUAH’s provision, protection, and faithfulness. They also represent a reliance on 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 and point to His future dwelling with His people (Revelation 21:3). It was in these booths out in the wilderness that YAHUAH was faithful and provided all the needs of Yahshar’el. Not only did YAHUAH provide their physical needs, but He also manifested His presence and tabernacled with His people every day of the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness (Exodus 13:21-22, 33:9-11, 40:34-38, Numbers 9:17-23).

During the millennium reign, YAHUAH is set to remain in the Shemayim (heavens) while 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏 (Yahusha) will dwell among the people on earth in Jerusalem. Following this period, once every enemy has been conquered (as noted in Psalms 110:1-6) and even death has been defeated (as expressed in Isaiah 25:8 and 1 Corinthians 15:54-55), YAHUAH will come down to earth to dwell with Yahshar’el and the grafted-in branches. Yahshua will be at His right hand, fulfilling the divine plan laid out in Psalms 110:1 and 1 Corinthians 15:24-28. This promise signifies a profound reconciliation and unity between YAHUAH and His people, bringing about a time of ultimate restoration and peace.

24. Then is the end, when He delivers the kingdom to YAHUAH, even the Father, when He makes to cease all rule and all authority and power.

25. For it is right for Him to reign until He puts all enemies under His feet;°

26. the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

27. For “He subjected all things under His feet;” but when He says that “all things have been subjected, it is plain that it excepts Him” (The Father) who has subjected all things to Him. °

28. But when all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One (The Father) who has subjected all things to Him, that YAHUAH may be all things in all.

1 Corinthians 15:24-28 (HRB)

---

In this and all Food for Thoughts I recommend you read the Scripture(s) provided and the entire chapter they are from to obtain more insight.

Feast of Booths throughout the Scriptures:

The Feast of Sukkot (Feast of Booths) is deeply rooted in the Scriptures and has been kept since ancient times. Here’s how the Bible outlines it:

• Exodus 23:16, 34:22, Leviticus 23:34-43, Numbers 29:12-40, and Deuteronomy 16:13-17:
  • YAHUAH provided clear instructions for the Feast of Sukkot and how to keep it.
• Ezra 3:4 and Nehemiah 8:13-18:
  • The Yahshar’elites were faithful in observing the Feast of Sukkot throughout their history. Nehemiah 8:13-18 shows that after returning from exile, the people rediscovered the Torah and celebrated the feast with great joy or gladness. They honored YAHUAH by building booths and listening to the reading of His Word. In Ezra 3:4, we also see the return of Sukkot after the rebuilding of the altar, emphasizing the continued importance of this feast in the life of YAH’s people.
• John 7:1-2, 7:10:
  • Yahshua Himself and his disciples kept Sukkot. His participation highlights that the feast was not just for ancient Yahshar’el but remains significant for His followers today.
• Zechariah 14:16-19:
  • All Nations will worship and keep the Feast of Sukkot in the future.

Sukkot: With Joy and Gladness

Simcha is the Hebrew word meaning joy, joyful, rejoice, gladness, etc. Its strong’s numbers are 8055, 8056, and 8057, with 8055 being the primitive root word for all three. It represents:

• A deep and continuous feeling of pleasantness
• A sense of moving forward and growth
• A Purpose and mission
• Anticipation of dreams, ambitions, or hopes being realized

And you shall take to yourselves on the first day the fruit of majestic trees, palm branches, and boughs of oak trees, and willows of the valley, and shall rejoice before 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 your Elohim seven days.

Leviticus 23:40 (HRB)

---

In this and all Food for Thoughts I recommend you read the Scripture(s) provided and the entire chapter they are from to obtain more insight.

Simcha, which means joy or gladness, is different from happiness. Happiness is often fleeting and tied to our emotions; it comes and goes quickly. In contrast, simcha is enduring and long-lasting.

For example, consider a child who receives a gift from a parent. The child experiences happiness in that moment, but soon, the excitement fades, and the gift may be set aside and forgotten. However, simcha (joy) remains within that child, grounded in the knowledge that their parent’s love, protection, and care will always be there for them. YAHUAH’s promise to us, as stated in Deuteronomy 31:6 and Hebrews 13:5, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.“, should instill this same sense of simcha within us.

Therefore, the Feast of Tabernacles is a time of great rejoicing, symbolizing YAHUAH’s provision, protection, and care. As we learned earlier, YAHUAH’s provision, protection, and care were present during the wilderness journey. They are present with us here and now and will be more significant in the coming reign of Yahusha Messiah and thereafter. The joy we experience at Sukkot is not merely emotional but a deep, lasting joy rooted in our relationship with 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄. It is a time for us to openly share and express our Simcha and a time of worldwide Joy.

Deuteronomy 16:14-15 highlights this: “And you shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son, and your daughter, and your male slave, and your slave-girl, and the Levite, and the alien, and the fatherless, and the widow that are inside your gates. You shall keep a solemn feast seven days to YAHUAH your Elohim in the place which YAHUAH shall choose; for 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 your Elohim shall bless you in all your produce, and in every work of your hands, and you shall be altogether joyful.“

Sukkot and the Ingathering

The Feast of Tabernacles is also referred to as the Feast of Ingathering (Exodus 23:16; 34:22) because it coincided with the final harvest of the agricultural year: “Also the Feast of Harvest, the first fruits of your labor, of what you sow in the field. Also the Feast of Ingathering, after the going out of the year, at your gathering your work from the field” and “And you shall observe a Feast of Weeks for yourself, the first-fruits of the harvest of wheat; also the Feast of Ingathering after the turn of the year.“

This great harvest symbolizes the future gathering of YAHUAH’s people, not only the firstfruits (the early harvest) but the greater ingathering at the return of Yahusha. Jeremiah 31:1 promises this restoration: “At that time, says 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄, I will be the Elohim of all the families of Israel, and they shall be My people.“

Conclusion

As we’ve explored, Sukkot is a profound celebration of YAHUAH’s provision, joy, and promise of restoration. But there’s even more to uncover! Next week, in Sukkot Part 2, we’ll delve deeper into the ingathering, the prophetic layers of Sukkot, its fulfillment through 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏 (Yahusha) Messiah, and its critical role in 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄‘s Master Plan for redemption. We’ll also explore how we can honor this kodesh feast today—through building sukkahs, reading scripture, gathering in joy, and reconnecting with YAHUAH’s purpose for this appointed time. Additionally, we’ll address the importance of refusing syncretism and the Last Great Day.

By: David Edwards – HalleluYAH – Praise YAH – Praise 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄