The world has holidays galore. There’s Christmas, Valentines, Ground Hog, and even Boss’s day. For the Bible Believer there are Holy Days to celebrate. Passover, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Trumpets have been given to us as a way to connect to the Holy One on his time-table. These aren’t just “Jewish” festivals. These are commanded times of worship and reflection. No man has authority to argue or change what is written in the Word. All believers should take heed when the Bible says to gather for worship on a certain day or in a certain way.

The seven Biblical Holy Days can be found in Leviticus 23 and throughout the rest of the Scriptures including the Newer Testament. The Gospels record the Savior celebrating these days. And we, as his disciples, should follow his example. These festivals have literal, spiritual, messianic, and prophetic applications that can enhance a person’s spiritual walk with YHWH*. (YHWH is the ancient Hebrew Name for the Almighty given to Moses in Exodus 3. This name was spelled Yod - Hey - Waw - Hey in Hebrew. This name is found hidden behind the capitlized words LORD and GOD in most English Bibles)

The Festival of Sukkot or Tabernacles usually occurs in the months of September or October. This seven- day celebration commemorates the exodus from Egypt in a unique way. YHWH has commanded us to build a sukkah (booth or tent) and dwell in it for seven days. This camping out is done to help us remember the wilderness journey of the Israelites.

“On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the fruit of the land, you shall celebrate a chag (feast) to YHWH seven days: on the first day shall be a Shabbaton (day of rest) and on the eighth day shall be a Shabbaton. You shall dwell in Sukkot (booths or tents) seven days; all that are native Yisraelites shall dwell in sukkot. That your generations may know that I made the children of Yisrael to dwell in Sukkot, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am YHWH,” Leviticus / Vayikra 23:39, 42, 43, Restoration Scriptures True Name Edition.

Leviticus 23 teaches us to remember the tests and trials of the nation of Israel. Instead of being an audience to paid professional preachers we should actively participate in all elements of worship. Each of us has been called to build a booth and dwell in it for several days. Bible-based worship connects the body and soul through actions and thought. When we keep Sukkot by dwelling in the sukkah we step into the shoes of nation of Israel. This role-playing is a powerful tool for teaching. For, what happened to them happened for us.

“You should not be ignorant of how your ahvot (fathers) were under the cloud and all passed through the sea; and were immersed into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and all did eat the same spiritual food. Now all these things happened to them for EXAMPLES: and they are written for our warning, upon whom the ends of the olam hazeh (world) have come,” 1 Corinthians 10:1-3,11.

In this verse from Corinthians the word translated “example” is the Greek term “tupos.” It is from “tupos” that we get the English word “type” or “model.” The events in the dessert wilderness were types and models for us today. Everything that happened to Israel, from the brazen serpent to the water from a rock, is a type and pattern for future generations. Through these marvels YHWH was teaching His people to trust Him. At Sukkot we are to spend extra time considering these types and apply the truth we learn.

Remember that the Hebrew people had been rescued from a vicious ruler by the strong hand of YHWH. Moshe (Moses) had come as their deliverer with the message, “Let my people go.” It took ten terrible plagues to soften the resistance and will of Pharaoh. Yet even after the first-born was struck down, the Egyptian ruler pursued his slaves. And again, YHWH saved His people. Pharaoh and his army were cast into the sea. A cloud of smoke and a pillar of fire protected Israel as they began their journey towards the Promised Land. The people were out of Egypt and on their way to a place flowing with milk and honey. Bnai Yisra’el (the children of Israel) were on the path to claim their inheritance that was first promised to Father Abraham. They left Egypt for the land of Eden. But because of the sin and disbelief the Hebrews found themselves in a place unfamiliar and undesired. The nation was destined to wander the wilderness for forty years.

Do you see yourself in a similar situation? Is your life different than you had once desired? Do you find yourself in an unfamiliar place with problems galore? What happened to Israel happened for you. Learn from their example this powerful point – the wilderness was not their destination, it was only part of the journey. The Israelites didn’t set out to wander around for forty long years. The nation of slaves didn’t leave Egypt to get lost in the sand. No! They were set free to claim their inheritance in the Promised Land. It could be said, “a funny thing happened on the way to the Promised Land!” That funny thing is called life.

It is the same for us today. Many times in our life we can be found doing things and experiencing factors that we never dreamed. Remember that the hard times you face are just part of the journey. What you are going through now – the life you have now – is not the Promised Land but part of the journey.

A believer can mature to great spiritual levels by grasping this simple message. What happened to the people of Israel in Biblical times is a picture of what happens to people today. History repeats itself. The times may have changed but the scenarios are still the same. Everything – everything – that occurs in your life is a message from the supernatural side. YHWH is speaking behind the details of the day. In every way the Creator is calling us closer.

Yisrael had forty years to work out their personal issues before they inherited the Promised Land. Can you imagine waiting through 40 years of tests and trials? Does it sometimes feel like you are in the middle of 40 years worth of wandering? It took one night, the night of Passover, for YHWH to bring Israel out of Egypt. Yet, it took 40 years for YHWH to bring Egypt out of Israel. Let’s not repeat the sins of the wilderness. Rather, let’s learn from them and run towards the Promised Land. On the way, we’ll no doubt see our fair share of trials and miracles.

One such miracle is the manna that fell from Heaven. This miracle type signifies the crux of Sukkot. YHWH was teaching His young nation to trust him for anything and everything. Call it “heavenly meals on wheels.” Each day the people would rise from their sleep and find the ground wet with dew and covered with food.

“And when the dew that lay was gone up, see, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the frost on the ground. And when the children of Yisrael saw it, they said to one another, It is manna: for they did not know what it was. And Moshe said, “This is the lechem (bread) that YHWH has given you to eat,” Exodus / Shemoth 16:14,15.

As the sun rose, the Hebrews would gather their daily bread. A person could only get enough to last one day. If one was greedy and gathered too much, the manna would spoil. Yet on Friday the manna miraculously lasted for two days. The Israelites would not have to pick up manna on the Sabbath. YHWH blessed the Sabbath keepers by allowing them to rest. They did not have to worry about preparing food on this day. This was another test.

In Hebrew the word “mawn” is translated “manna.” This word literally means “what is it?” Upon first seeing this flaky bread the people wondered “mawn?” or “what is it?” The Rabbis teach that they soon found the bread to taste like anything they imagined. Whatever they needed the manna was.

We see in Exodus 16:33 that a portion of manna was also to be stored as a memorial. This jar of heavenly bread was to be kept in the Tabernacle as a testimony and witness of YHWH’s faithfulness. Even the Tabernacle was fashioned like a booth/tent in design. (It was made like a tent in a square design.) Notice too the manna was kept INSIDE the tent of meeting.

Again, the book of Corinthians explains the symbology fuller. 1 Corinthians 3:9 says, “you are YHWH’s sukkah.” In the same chapter, in verse 15, the Scriptures state “know you not that you are the beit hamikdash (temple) of YHWH and that the Ruach (Spirit) dwells in you.” Today, the believer is the dwelling place of YHWH. You are the sukkah of YHWH. Like the tabernacle, the manna from heaven should dwell inside you.

In John 6:51 Y’shua the Messiah said “I am the bread from Heaven.” He wasn’t comparing Himself to communion wafers or saltine crackers. He was equating Himself to the manna from Heaven that sustained the nation of Yisrael for forty long years. Manna means “what is it?” Y’shua said “I am it.” Whatever we need He is. He is whatever we need. He is the bread from heaven. We are the children of Israel who should seek Him daily for all our needs.

Sukkot is a great season to remember the work and ministry of our Savior. It was at this time that the “word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” Y’shua came and tabernacle with us. A great case can be made that Y’shua was born during this festival. He was placed in a sukkah, not merely a manager. The bread from heaven came for us during the Sukkot season.

Sukkot is a seven day festival with a last great eighth day of celebration. Seven is the spiritual number completion. Eight symbolized new life. During Sukkot we should search our hearts to determine if we are allowing Y’shua to dwell in us until completion. Is His manna brining new life or has our spiritual walk spoiled?

YHWH has promised to meet all of our needs. He took care of nation of Yisrael in the dessert. Even though they caravanned in tents they were ok. He gave them food, water, protection, and military victories. Their shoes did not even wear out. These miracles are types for us today. Whatever we need, He is. YHWH will provide for His people. Will His people trust Him? Or will we focus on the wilderness journey and problems we face along the way to the Promised Land?