Feast Of Tabernacles (Sukkot) – The Feast Of Ingathering Series

2025.10.06. STUDY NOTES. Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) – The Feast of Ingathering

GOD’s Presence, Provision, and Promise – Past, Present, and Future

William Akehurst, HSWC

BIG IDEA: The Feast of Tabernacles, also called the Feast of Ingathering, celebrates God’s faithful provision, His abiding presence, and the ultimate promise that He will dwell (tabernacle) forever with His redeemed people.

Scriptures: Leviticus 23:33-44, Exodus 23:16, Deuteronomy 16:13-17, Psalms 16:11, John 1:14, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, John 7:37-39, Revelation 21:3

The Feast of Tabernacles, or Sukkot, is one of the seven appointed Feasts of the LORD, and is also called the Feast of Ingathering, marking the end of the harvest season.

It reminds GOD’s people of HIS provision in the past, HIS presence in the present, and HIS promise for the future.

REMEMBRANCE – GOD’s Provision in the Wilderness

Leviticus 23:42-43 42 You shall dwell in booths for seven days. All who are native Israelites shall dwell in booths, 43 that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your GOD.’ ”

• Israel was commanded to dwell in temporary shelters (sukkot) for seven days.

• This commemorated their 40 years in the wilderness when GOD provided food, water, and protection.

• Living in booths reminded them and reminds us of dependence on GOD, not man.

PAUSE: Modern Day Israel uses this time for Camping outdoors with celebration. (We are reminded of the tragedy on October 7th 2023 during Sukkot at the music festival – Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem and Israel, and that this conflict would be soon resolved)

APPLICATION: We must remember that every blessing and every breath comes from Him. Gratitude keeps our hearts humble.

REJOICING – The Feast of Ingathering

Exodus 23:16 and the Feast of Harvest, the firstfruits of your labors which you have sown in the field; and the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you have gathered in the fruit of your labors from the field.

Deuteronomy 16:14-15 14 And you shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant and the Levite, the stranger and the fatherless and the widow, who are within your gates. 15 Seven days you shall keep a sacred feast to the LORD your GOD in the place which the LORD chooses, because the LORD your GOD will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you surely rejoice.

• This was the final and most joyful feast of the year, celebrating the end of the harvest.

• It was a time to thank GOD for His abundant provision and rejoice in His faithfulness.

• Known as Chag HaAsif, the Feast of Ingathering symbolized both physical and spiritual harvest.

APPLICATION: Rejoice in the LORD’s goodness. Celebrate His blessings and recognize that every harvest, both crops and souls, comes from Him.

REJOICING IN GOD’S PRESENCE

Deuteronomy 16:14-15 14 And you shall rejoice in your feast…15 Seven days you shall keep a sacred feast to the LORD your GOD in the place which the LORD chooses, because the LORD your GOD will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you surely rejoice.

• The people were commanded to rejoice before the LORD using palm branches, willows, and other greenery.

• GOD desires His people to live in joy, not fear.

• His presence brings fullness of joy.

Psalms 16:11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy;

At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

APPLICATION: True joy is not found in possessions, but in the presence of GOD.

FULFILLMENT in Christ – The Living Water

JESUS is the fulfillment of the Living Water, the outpouring of HOLY SPIRIT.

John 7:37-39 37 On the last day, that great day of the feast (sukkot), Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

• During the Feast of Tabernacles, the priests performed a daily water-pouring ceremony, praying for rain and symbolizing life.

• Jesus stood and declared, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.”

• He revealed Himself as the source of Living Water, symbolizing the Holy Spirit.

APPLICATION: Only Jesus satisfies the thirst of the soul. Come to Him daily for living water that never runs dry.