This week the Feast of Tabernacles is being celebrated.  Just as they did in the days of Moses, the Jewish people build shelters from palm leaves and branches, decorating them with fruit.  

 

Why are they to do this?  It is a time to remember how they lived in tents when God brought them out of Egypt.  In some ways it is like a visual aid, so they would never forget that God  dwelt among them in the wilderness, overshadowing the tabernacle and their campsite with his glory.  Yet it is more than that!  It points towards the coming of Jesus.

 

When Jesus came he was described as  ‘The Word who became flesh and made his dwelling among us’.  The glory of God was revealed as a man.

Now, through his death and resurrection, we can be brought out of bondage and become the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit.  What a glorious truth!

 

Not only does the Feast of Tabernacles point back to the past, it points towards the time when Jesus will return and live on earth.  This is the promise in Revelation 21. ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men and he will live with them.  They will be his people and God himself will be with them.’ 

 

So, as the Feast of Tabernacles is being celebrated, let us remember what God has done for us.  It is a time to remember and a time to rejoice!