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Seventh in a series of “Christ in the Feast”

Text: Leviticus 23:33-34 *** Title: The Feast of Tabernacles

Introduction

The Seventh month was a Sabbath month for Israel. It began like we began these series of messages with the Festival of Trumpets on the First day of the seventh month. On the tenth day of the seventh month the Jewish people would observe the day of affliction – they would fast on the day that the High Priest would offer atonement for sin (We spoke concerning that day last week). Now on the fifteenth day of the seventh month the people would observe an eight day celebration of Feast of the Tabernacles.

All of this occurred during the harvesting for the year (Oct.). Some today would say, “This is to much worship – too much during the busiest time of the year. It would be economically unhealthy, some would argue. But God never the less demanded this worship.

Perhaps by living in the sunlight of grace we have forgotten just how important worship is to a holy God. We have seemed to become reckless with our worship to our God.

Perhaps to day’s message will remind us of our need to worship God and of what did and is doing and who God is, just as the Feast of the Tabernacles served as a reminder to the Old Testament Jews. For the Jews, this feast was feast of triumph, of confidence, and of the hope.

I. A Reminder of Triumph

Now if you were to tell your wife, that you’re going to build a lean-to out of tree branches and leaves, and tell her that you are going to move the family out of their house to live in the this booth – this tabernacle – AND this is going to be the greatest fun you have every had – She would probably have you declared certifiable.

But, this was one of the most joyous – good time weeks in the life of any Jew. Although the make shift tents were humbling, they were a reminder that God had delivered them for bondage – for the bondage in Egypt!

A. Victory Over the Captive

1 Corinthians 4:3-4

3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. 4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

B. Deliverance for the Chains

Romans 8:6-9

6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

C. Atonement for the Curse

For almost four hundred years, the people had not been able to offer a sacrifice to the Lord. They knew only what had be told to them about the atoning actions of the their forefathers. Now Moses would teach them about the need for atonement and present to them the shadow of Christ who would become the perfect atonement.

1 Corinthians 15:53-57

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

II. A Reminder of Confidence

While Israel lived in tents in the wilderness, God supplied their every need. He gave them drink from the rock, manna from heaven, and even meat. Their shoes never worn out and they never went without. He protected, provided, and persevered His people.

A. Protected

Luke 12:4-7

4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? 7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

B. Provided

Psalm 78:19-29

19 Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness? 20 Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed; can he give bread also? can he provide flesh for his people? 21 Therefore the LORD heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel; 22 Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation: 23 Though he had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven, 24 And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven. 25 Man did eat angels’ food: he sent them meat to the full. 26 He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: and by his power he brought in the south wind. 27 He rained flesh also upon them as dust, and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea: 28 And he let it fall in the midst of their camp, round about their habitations. 29 So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire;

C. Persevered

Philippians 1:6

6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

III. A Reminder of Hope

While dwelling in tents in the wilderness, the Jews were reminded that this was a temporary home. There was a promise home waiting for them.

The Bible only records this feast being observed once before the nation of Israel was carried off into exile. After return from exile, the observation of this feast became regular and much looked forward too. Perhaps after the exile, the Jews understood clearer that is really is a temporary home and look for a better home. They looked for the peaceful, permanent, and perfect home.

A. Peaceful

There once was a King who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried. The King looked at all the pictures, but there were only two he really liked and he had to choose between them.

One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror for peaceful towering mountains were all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace.

The other picture had mountains too. But these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky from which rain fell, and in which lightening played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all. But when the King looked, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush a mother bird had built her nest. There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird on her nest ........... perfect peace.

Which picture do you think won the prize?

The King chose the second picture. Do you know why?

"Because," explained the King, "peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. That is the real meaning of peace."

B. Permanent

1 Peter 2:11-12

11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

C. Perfect

Revelation 21:3-4

3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

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