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Good to be back again with my fellow Scripture Seekers for this series finale about The Feast of Tabernacles, or Sukkot. In Part 1, we explored the basics of the physical observance from Leviticus 23:33-44. The focus of Part 2 was Yeshua and His revelation of being the source of Living Water and Light during the final day of The Feast (John 7:37-39 and John 8:12). In this article, we are going to take a deeper look at the 8th Day through taking a deeper look at the previous 7 days. Ready? Let’s begin!
The Seven Days of Sukkot
While we have looked at the command to keep Sukkot in Leviticus chapter 23, we have not yet looked at the required sacrifices from Numbers 29:12-38. When we flip there, (and with use of a calculator), we can determine that during the 7 days of Sukkot, exactly 70 bulls were to be given in sacrifice. However, on the 8th Day, a feast closely associated with Sukkot, and sometimes known as its greatest day, only 1 bull was to be given in sacrifice.
Why is that?
Dr. Joseph Benson (1749-1821) expressed in his Commentary of the Old and New Testaments that the 70 bulls of the week of Sukkot were sacrificed on behalf of the 70 nations of the world listed in Genesis 10:1-32. The eighth day sacrifice of one bull, however, was considered as being offered for Israel alone.
The nations?
Why would Israel be offering sacrifices on behalf of the nations?
Perhaps we can glean a hint from Yeshua’s own words. Most of us are very familiar with His revelation as being the “light of the world” from John 8:12. I wonder, however, if we realize that Yeshua was quoting prophetic scripture by making that proclamation. You see, the scriptures He quoted were not just about being a light to the world. They were specific in that He would be a light to the gentiles! (Isaiah 42:6 and Isaiah 49:6).
Yeshua was claiming to be YHVH’s Chosen One and Light to the Nations, as prophesied in Isaiah 42:6 and Isaiah 49:6.
The nations?
Yes, the nations.
While Yeshua’s ministry was directed at the lost sheep of Israel (Matthew 15:24), He was also a light unto the nations…the gentiles — a beacon of hope for release from the bondage of the kingdoms of this world.
Perhaps those 70 bull sacrifices of Sukkot were a foreshadow of the light that would come to the nations through Messiah Yeshua.
We certainly see the nations represented in Revelation 7:9, when we read that John saw those from every nation, tribe, people, and language standing before the throne in front of The Lamb. Did we notice what they were holding in their hands?
Palm Branches…
Like the branches we are told to wave during Sukkot (Leviticus 23:40).
Revelation 7:16-17 continues by telling us that never again will they be hungry or thirsty, the sun will not beat down on them, nor the heat burn them. For The Lamb will shepherd them and lead them to springs of Living Water.
Is any of this sounding familiar?
It is almost a direct quote of Isaiah 49:10.
Recall that Messiah Yeshua also quoted from Isaiah 49, as He proclaimed to be the light of the world (Isaiah 49:6). And as He stood up on the last and greatest day — the 8th Day — He promised to those who would trust in Him, rivers of Living Water (John 7:38-39).
We see all of this being culminated in the very throne room of YHVH and The Lamb in the Book of Revelation. The 7 days of Sukkot are a dress rehearsal for the Wedding Supper of The Lamb — The marriage of Yeshua to His bride…made up from both Jew and Gentile from every nation, tribe, people, and language on this earth!!! Are you getting excited?!!!!!
Let us rejoice and be glad!
Let us give Him the glory!
For the time has come for the
wedding of the Lamb…. Revelation 19:7
The 8th Day
So what of the 8th Day Feast? It is so connected to the first 7 days of Sukkot, yet it also stands alone.
In Bible numerology, the number 8 stands for new beginnings. Perhaps following the 7 days of celebration for the Wedding Feast of The Lamb, the 8th day is an invitation to stay a little longer…to begin again.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth for the old heaven and the old earth had passed away….Revelation 21:1 and Isaiah 65:16
I heard a loud voice from the throne say, “See! God’s Sh’kinah is with mankind, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and He Himself, God-with-them, will be their God. — Look! I am making everything new! Revelation 21:3,5
So if the 7 days of Sukkot are a rehearsal for the wedding celebration, then the 8th Day is the invitation to stay with YHVH always, and live with Him in the new heaven and earth…in the new holy city, The New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. (Revelation 21:10).
The 8th Day reminds us each year that water will be freely given from the Fountain of Life (Revelation 21:6). That there will no longer be any curses (Revelation 22:3). And that we will see His face and have His Name on our foreheads! (Revelation 22:4).
It reminds us that after the wedding comes an eternal marriage…a new beginning. True. Life.
The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come!”
Let anyone who hears say, “Come!”
And let anyone who is thirsty come — let anyone who wishes, take the water of life free of charge. Revelation 22:17
And to us, The Father says, Come…Stay…”I will walk among you and will be your God, and you will be My people.” (Leviticus 26:11).
So on the 8th Day, we stay with YHVH our God and Messiah Yeshua, The Lamb…in the New Jerusalem. We stay…
Thank you for seeking the scriptures with me! Looking forward to celebrating all 8 days with you!