The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 398

Vers. 33---44.-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. (1) This reason is not given in the text, but may be gathered from the history. The commission to build the tabernacle of witness, which had been suspended in consequence of their rebellion, was renewed to Moses in the mount. "Then he brought them these good tidings, he directed them to construct booths, for they were to abide in their present encampment until the work should be accomplished. (2) lo due time the Shechinah possessed the tabernacle. 'l'his glorious event fore- shadowed the sublime mystery of the incarnation (comp. John i. 14). How wonderful is that grace of the gospel according to which believers become the shrines of Deity I (1 Cor. iii. 16 ; vi. 19; 2 Cor. vi. 16). 2. It was to remind their children that their fathers camped in the desert. (1) 'l'he condition of Israel in the wilderness described the Christian in his journey through the world in quest of the heavenly Canaan, (2) The dwelling in booths exhibited the changeful and unsettled nature of earthly things (see Heb. xL 9). This fact is obvious; yet we need to be reminded of it. (3) The Hebrews dwelling happily in Uanaan were not to forget the humble state of their fathers. Prosperity leads us to forget the day of humility; therefore this Divine institution recurring annually to counteract that tendency. In the review of the barbarity of our ancestors, we may feel more grateful to God for the blessings of civilization. 3. It waa to be a yearly national harvest thanlcsgiving. (1) '!'his is here specified in the note of time, viz. "when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land" (ver. 39). The vintage as well as the harvest was then gathered in (see Exocl. :uxiv. 22; Deut. xvi. 13). The goodn.ess with which God crowns the year should t-ver be celebrated by us with grateful hearts. (2) In Exodus the Feast of Tabernacles is called the Feast of Ingathering (xxiii. 16; xx:xiv. 22). Thus viewed, it was an anticipation of the Resurrection. 'l'he general resurrection is that final in- gathering at the end of the world's great year, of which the resurrection of Christ was the firntfruit (1 Cor. xv. 20). (3) This thanksgiving was on tho fifteenth day of the seventh month, five days after the Day of Atonement, on which the people had n!llicted thrir souls. 'l'he joys of salvation follow upon the sorrows of repentance. The Joys of the Resurrection rise out of the horrors of Calvary. JI. THE MODE OF ITB cELEDnATION. 1. It began and ended with a holy convocation, (1) 'l'he first day, perhaps the fourteenth day of the seventh month, the eve of the feast, was kept as a sabbath from servile work. God should be served in our everyday employments; yet must there be cessation from those employments for his_ more especial service. Great importance is attached to social worship in Holy Scnpturo, (2) The eighth day alHo we.a a sabba.th. 'l'his was distinguished e.s" that great day of the OH. xxm. 6-44.] THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS. 363