The Feast of Tabernacles.
This was the last of the great annual festivals of the Hebrews. It was a season of great joyfulness. Let us notice—
I. THE REASONS OF ITS APPOINTMENT.
1. It was to assure them of God's return to dwell with them.
2. It was to remind their children that their fathers camped in the desert.
3. It was to be a yearly national harvest thanksgiving.
II. THE MODE OF ITS CELEBRATION.
1. It began and ended with a holy convocation.
2. On the fifteenth day they gathered the boughs for their booths (verse 40). (l) This employment had its obvious economic use. They needed the shelter which their tabernacles afforded.
3. Sacrifices were offered which were reduced in number each succeeding day.
Jacob seems to have anticipated this feast on his entering into Canaan (see Genesis 33:17). Anticipations of the Law, as well as of the gospel, are often seen in the history of the patriarchs.
After the plague upon the enemies of Jerusalem in the last days of the Gentiles, the remnant will turn to the Lord, and keep the Feast of Tabernacles (see Zechariah 14:16). The gospel teaches us now to go out to Christ without the camp.—J.A.M.