Why the Feast of Tabernacles, also known as Sukkot, is an ancient and authentic biblical holy day that will always be significant to all people
The Feast of Tabernacles or Sukkot: Why This Festival Matters
Hello everyone. Welcome back to Spiritual Podcast. I’m Elder Dan, your host. I have something special for you today. We’re diving into one of the most overlooked yet absolutely fascinating celebrations in the entire Bible—the Feast of Tabernacles, or as it’s called in Hebrew, Sukkot.
Now, before you tune out thinking this is just some dusty Old Testament history lesson, stick with me. Because what we’re about to unpack is going to change how you think about your own spiritual journey, your home, your security, and honestly, your entire relationship with Almighty Yahweh, our Elohim and Father in heaven.
So grab your coffee—or tea, no judgment here—and let’s jump in.
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What Exactly Is Sukkot?
Okay, so imagine this scenario. You live in a nice house, right? Comfortable bed, solid roof, maybe even a smart thermostat. Now imagine Yahweh tells you, “Hey, once a year, I want you to move out of your house for a whole week and live in a temporary shelter you build in your backyard.”
That’s essentially Sukkot.
For seven days, Jewish families would construct these makeshift booths—called sukkahs—out of branches, palm leaves, whatever they could find. The roof had to be open enough that you could see stars through it. And then they’d eat their meals there, hang out there, some even sleep there.
Sounds kind of crazy, right? But here’s where it gets beautiful.
The Backstory You Need to Know
This feast goes all the way back to the wilderness wanderings. You know the story—Moses leads the Israelites out of Egypt, and instead of a quick trip to the Promised Land, they end up wandering in the desert for forty years.
No permanent homes. No grocery stores. No 401(k) plans.
Just tents, manna from heaven, water from rocks, and Yahweh’s presence in a pillar of cloud and fire. Every single day, they woke up completely dependent on Elohim for everything. And every single day—get this—Yahweh showed up.
So Yahweh institutes this feast and basically says, “I never want you to forget what I did for you out there. Every year, I want you to remember that I provided for you when you had absolutely nothing.”
But Wait—There’s More! The Harvest Angle
Here’s what makes Sukkot even richer. It’s not just about looking back at the wilderness. It’s also a harvest festival—specifically, the final harvest of the year.
Picture this: You’ve just brought in your grapes, your olives, your grain. Your storehouses are full. You’re experiencing abundance. And right at that moment, Yahweh says, “Now go live in a fragile booth for a week.”
You see what He’s doing there? Right when you might be tempted to think, “Look what I’ve accomplished! Look what I’ve built!”—Yahweh reminds you where it all really came from. It’s like a divine reality check wrapped in a celebration.
The Part That Gave Me Chills
Can I share something that absolutely blew my mind when I was studying this? There’s a ceremony that happened during Sukkot in Yahshua’s time called the water-drawing ceremony. The priests would go down to the Pool of Siloam, draw water, and pour it out at the altar. It was this massive celebration with singing, dancing, torches—the whole works.
And you know what Yahshua does? Right in the middle of this festival, He stands up and declares, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink!”
He’s basically saying, “You’re celebrating the water that My Father in heaven, Yahweh, provided in the wilderness? I AM that provision. I’m the living water you’ve been celebrating all along.”
I mean, come on. That’s powerful stuff.
Why This Matters for Your Life Right Now
Alright, so you might be thinking, “Okay Elder Dan, this is all interesting history, but I’m not building a booth in my apartment complex. What does this have to do with me?”
Fair question. Let me break down four things Sukkot teaches us that are absolutely crucial for our lives today.
1. Your Security Isn’t What You Think It Is
We spend so much energy building our lives—our careers, our homes, our retirement accounts, our reputations. And listen, I’m not saying those things are bad. But Sukkot reminds us that all of that is temporary. It’s all a sukkah.
The only permanent thing, the only real security, is Yahweh Himself. When you’re sitting in that booth with the wind blowing through and the stars shining down, you can’t pretend otherwise. Your walls aren’t protecting you. Yahweh is.
How would your anxiety level change if you really believed that?
2. Remember Your Wilderness
Every single one of us has had a wilderness season. Maybe you’re in one right now. A season where you didn’t know how you’d make it. Where you were completely out of resources, out of options, out of strength.
And somehow—somehow—you’re still here.
That’s your sukkot story. Don’t forget it. Write it down. Tell your kids. Tell your friends. Because in our wilderness moments, we learn who Yahweh really is in a way we never could in comfort.
3. Practice Radical Gratitude
The Feast of Tabernacles was one of the most joyful celebrations in the Jewish calendar. We’re talking music, dancing, feasting, laughter. It wasn’t somber or solemn—it was a party!
Why? Because gratitude isn’t just a polite “thank you.” Biblical gratitude is this explosive joy that comes from remembering you’ve been rescued.
When was the last time your gratitude looked like a celebration?
4. Hold Everything Loosely
Living in that temporary shelter for a week does something to you. It reminds you that you’re not home yet. This world, these possessions, even these bodies—they’re all temporary.
And here’s the paradox: when you hold things loosely, you actually enjoy them more. You’re not anxiously clinging. You’re freely receiving.
The Prophetic Mind-Blower
Okay, one more thing before we wrap up, and this is where it gets really exciting. The prophet Zechariah talks about a future time when all nations—not just Israel, but all nations—will come up to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.
Think about that. This feast that’s about Yahweh dwelling with His people, providing for His people, protecting His people—it’s not just looking backward. It’s looking forward to a time when Elohim will tabernacle with all of humanity forever.
The book of Revelation picks up this same theme. It talks about Yahweh making His dwelling—His tabernacle—with us. No more temporary shelters. Just eternal presence.
That’s the promise we’re living toward, friends.
Your Challenge This Week
So here’s what I want you to do. Sometime this week, I want you to have what I call a “sukkot moment.”
Maybe you eat dinner outside under the stars and thank Yahweh for His provision. Maybe you journal about a wilderness season and how Elohim brought you through. Maybe you invite someone into your home who needs shelter—literally or metaphorically.
Do something that helps you remember: everything you have is a gift, and the Giver is better than any gift.
My Closing Thoughts
You know what I love about Sukkot? It’s not asking us to be super-spiritual or disconnected from reality. It’s actually calling us to be deeply honest about reality.
The reality is we’re fragile. The reality is we’re dependent. The reality is everything we think is permanent is actually temporary.
But the really good news—the news that makes this a feast instead of a funeral—is that Yahweh is permanent. He is faithful. He provides. He protects. He shows up.
And through Yahshua, Yahweh has made His dwelling with us. Not just for a week in a booth, but forever.
So let’s live like people who know where our true security comes from. Let’s celebrate like people who remember being rescued. And let’s hold everything loosely except for the One who holds us tightly.
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Thanks so much for tuning in today, everyone. If this episode blessed you, share it with a friend who needs to hear it. Also, drop a comment and tell me about your wilderness story—I’d love to hear it.
Until next time, remember: you’re not home yet, but you’re not alone. Elohim’s got you. I’m Elder Dan, signing off. I’ll catch you again next week, Yahweh-willing.
Brethren, before I go, let me pray this prayer for you: May Yahweh bless you and keep you; may Yahweh make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; may Yahweh lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. I humbly pray all these things to Yahweh through Yahshua the Messiah, our Master and coming King, amen. Kindly keep praying for the shalom of Israel. Take care. Halleluyah!
