Sukkot is my favorite of all of YHWH’s (the Lord’s) set-apart times! Wherever we have lived, we usually set up a sukkah. A sukkah is a temporary shelter. In Leviticus 23:39-43, YHWH told His people to cut down leafy branches and dwell in sukkahs for 7 days.
Decorating the sukkah is a big event in my family! We adorn our structure with lights, banners, and homemade crafts. We set up tables and other outdoor furniture. During the holiday, we eat in the sukkah, play games, and read the Scriptures together. At night, we sleep outside and enjoy time by the campfire.
Sukkot is 7 days long, followed by an additional 8th day. It starts on the 15th day of the 7th Hebrew month and ends on the 22nd day. The holiday goes by many names. You may be familiar with some of its names in the Bible.
Feast of Sukkot
Feast of Tabernacles
Feast of Booths
Feast of Shelters
Festival of the Ingathering
From the Bible, you can learn more about Sukkot in Exodus 23:16, Exodus 34:22, Leviticus 23:39-43, Numbers 29:12-39, Deuteronomy 16:13-17, 2 Chronicles 7:8-10, 2 Chronicles 8:13, Ezra 3:4-7, and Nehemiah 8:14-18.
The 7 days of Sukkot signify the Millennial Kingdom. Sukkot represents when the earth will be restored with Yahushua as our King. The 8th day represents the Age to Come when death will be defeated.
Many believe Sukkot was first instituted by Moses, but the Book of Jubilees reveals that both Abraham and Jacob celebrated this feast. For the patriarchs, Sukkot was a time to give thanks to YHWH for His faithfulness and provisions.
Abraham: Rejoicing in Temporary Shelters
Abraham overflowed with thankfulness. He had patiently waited for YHWH’s promise that he would have a son. After waiting many years, Isaac was born.
The year of Isaac’s birth, on the 15th day of the 7th month, Abraham celebrated the Feast of Sukkot for the first time. He cut down leafy trees, built temporary shelters, and rejoiced before YHWH with his entire household.
Jubilees 16:20 “He [Abraham] built an altar there to the LORD who had delivered him, and who was making him rejoice in the land of his sojourning, and he celebrated a festival of joy in this month for seven days, near the altar which he had built at the Well of the Oath.
Jubilees 16:21 “And he built shelters for himself and for his servants on this festival, and he was the first to celebrate the Celebration of Shelters on the earth.”
Jacob: Meeting YHWH in Dreams
When Jacob fled from Esau, he stopped for the night at Bethel. There he had a dream of a ladder reaching the heavens, with angels ascending and descending on it.
The next morning, Jacob made a promise to YHWH. If YHWH protected him and bring him back to his homeland, Jacob would build a house for Elohim (God) at Bethel. Jacob would also give YHWH a tenth of everything he possessed.
Many years later, Jacob returned to the land of his fathers. He had a large family, wealth, and possessions. Jacob faced difficult circumstances, but YHWH protected and blessed him. Overflowing with gratitude, Jacob returned to Bethel for the Feast of Sukkot.
Jubilees 32:7 “He [Jacob], and all his sons, and his men were eating this with joy there [Bethel] for seven days and were blessing and thanking the LORD who had delivered him out of all his tribulation and had given him his vow.”
Over the feast, Jacob offered a tenth of everything he had to YHWH. At the end of the 7th day, Jacob had a dream—his second dream at Bethel.
In his dream, YHWH spoke to Jacob and blessed his family. Then, an angel gave Jacob 7 tablets. On the tablets were written what would befall Jacob’s descendants throughout the ages. YHWH also told Jacob that Bethel was not the place for His House.
When Jacob awoke, he wrote everything he remembered from the tablets. In honor of what YHWH had revealed to him, Jacob added a day to the feast. He creatively called the day “Addition.”
In response to Jacob's decision, Elohim officially established the 8th day of Sukkot. The Day of Addition was recorded on the heavenly tablets and later commanded to Moses.
Let’s Praise YHWH!
Every Sukkot, my mom puts up a banner that she made. The banner has felt fall leaves, apples, pumpkins, and acorns. In the center is Psalm 136:1 written in Hebrew and English letters.
Psalm 136:1 a “Give thanks to יהוה [the Lord], for He is good!”
Sukkot is a time to rejoice in all YHWH has done for us and His faithfulness. Looking at the banner reminds me to give thanks to YHWH throughout the feast.
Like Abraham, I thank YHWH because He keeps His promises. Like Jacob, I thank Him because He is faithful to guide me, keep me safe, and watch over me wherever I go.
How has YHWH blessed you this past year?
How has He been faithful and sustained you?
If you feel inclined, please drop a word of praise or thanksgiving in the comments. Let’s praise YHWH together! It’s what this season is for.
Blessings to all those celebrating this appointed time around the world.
Sarah
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I praise YHWH for the "addition" day instituted by our forefather, Jacob! I think the history of this final eighth day is important. I am thankful it is recorded in the Book of Jubilees.