Enjoy the Eternal Covenant of the Feast of Tabernacles (Deuteronomy 16:13–17) 11/23/2025
Enjoy the Eternal Covenant of the Feast of Tabernacles (Deuteronomy 16:13–17) 11/23/2025
This week is Thanksgiving Sunday, the greatest holiday in the United States. Many people think Thanksgiving began with the Puritans who came to America in 1620. If knowing that helps us recover the faith the early Puritans had, that is a blessing. They came to this land determined to live only by biblical faith. Even though they lost their loved ones to cold and sickness during the first winter, they still offered the first Thanksgiving here, believing firmly that God would surely bless them. But the true origin of Thanksgiving is found in the Bible, specifically, in the Feast of Tabernacles.
- God placed at least three covenants in this feast and commanded us to keep it.
In one phrase, this feast is God’s conclusion and completion for the life of a person who has been saved.
1) It is a feast of thanksgiving for all the blessings God has given through our labor during the year (v.13).
Though the year may have had many confusions and hardships, God has held us and blessed us up to this point. In verses 15–17, God says not to come before Him empty-handed, but to bring an offering according to the blessing He has given. This is not just thanksgiving for blessings already received. We are to give thanks while looking ahead to all the answers and blessings we will receive.
2) It is a feast to give thanks for God’s eternal salvation.
God told Israel never to forget the time they lived in the wilderness after being freed from suffering and curses in Egypt (Leviticus 23:41–43).
① Their coming out of Egypt symbolizes our salvation from eternal curses and destiny. The blood of the Passover Lamb ended all the shame of Egypt (related to last week’s message on the meaning of Gilgal).
② As they journeyed from Egypt through the wilderness, they lived in temporary tabernacles. The wilderness was not permanent. That is why, during this feast, God commanded them to build booths and live in them for a week (The name “Feast of Tabernacles”). 2 Corinthians 5:1 says our earthly life is like a “tent,” and when we leave this tent, we will receive an eternal house in heaven. This is the eternal hope we enjoy. This is why God commanded the feast to be kept forever (Leviticus 23:41).
3) God says that on that day we will stand like the most precious and glorious fruit in His kingdom.
Just as a farmer gathers the harvest and separates the wheat from the chaff, keeping only the wheat in the storehouse (this is why the feast is also called the “Feast of Ingathering”).
① God is shaping our wounded, broken lives into a holy temple where He will dwell (Ephesians 2:21–22). He is making us into a spiritual house and spiritual priests He will use (1 Peter 2:5).
② Thus, God first chose us in Christ, justified us, and made us His children (Ephesians 1:3–5).
Christ is our Savior (John 14:6), Redeemer (Hebrews 9:12), Mediator (Hebrews 9:15), and Healer (Acts 10:38). Therefore we must not give up but look to Christ, who restores, heals, and uses us for His glory.
③ God will never give up on completing our salvation until the day of Christ (Philippians 1:6).
If God does not give up, why do we give up on ourselves? This is why discouragement, despair, depression, and even suicidal thoughts arise. If God does not give up, why do we easily give up on others? This is why hatred, anger, and even murder occur. The heart of God, that gives up on no one, is absolutely essential for every believer, especially for evangelists.
- How then should we live, having this amazing covenant for the conclusion of our lives? God commanded us to come to His temple every year and keep the feast so that we would consider how we ought to live.
1) If we truly know God’s conclusion prepared for the saved, we must live with thanksgiving.
① Are you facing difficulty or discouragement right now? That is not the conclusion. Christ has already finished everything on the cross (John 19:30), and God works all things together for good (Rom 8:28). God will make every part of our lives into evidence and raise us as witnesses who save others and the world (Acts 1:8). If we truly pray and wait, God will move angels and work without rest (Isa 62:6–7).
② Thanksgiving comes from faith in the answers and blessings God will give. Thanksgiving for blessings received is a given. But God commands us to give thanks for blessings yet to come. That is our faith that we trust Him and entrust our entire life to His goodness. It says that when we offer thanksgiving and call upon Him in trouble, He will deliver us and honor us (Psalm 50:14-15).
③ Thanksgiving heals even our brain and body. This is scientifically supported and part of God’s creation design. Endorphins and even stronger hormones like “dynorphins” which strengthen immunity (even against cancer), are released when we rejoice and give thanks.
This is why Scripture says, “By prayer with thanksgiving present your requests to God.” Then His peace guards our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:6–7).“Guards” implies that there is an enemy that tries to steal them, just like Israel being bitten by serpents in the wilderness (1 Corinthians 10:9–10).
2) If we know God’s prepared conclusion for the saved people, we must live by sharing.
① This is God’s heart and character. Live by sharing. We must teach this from childhood.
One reason the end times will be painful is that people will love only themselves (2 Timothy 3:1–2).
② Thus, God told Israel to invite Levites without inheritance, servants, foreigners, orphans, and widows to share the feast. Sharing in workplaces and businesses is biblical and becomes seed for blessing (Ecclesiastes 11:1, Luke 6:38).
3) If we know God’s prepared conclusion for the save people, we must live looking toward what is eternal. What eternal things do we have? At least three.
① Eternal life. This is why Scripture tells us to set our minds on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:1–3). Christ, who is eternal, is seated on that throne above, and our life is hidden in Him. When our life is supplied with strength from above, even small tasks produce limitless passion and fruit.
② Eternal background. This is why God made us His children (Philippians 3:20). The moment we became His children, we gained heavenly citizenship, a background incomparable to any earthly citizenship.
③ Eternal inheritance and reward. Every effort made on earth with eternal perspective becomes eternal inheritance (Galatians 6:9). Especially persecution, tears, or losses for the gospel will become reward and a crown on that day. Even that crown we will lay before Christ, and with Him we will reign over all things (Revelation 4:10–11; 22:5).
Conclusion – May this Thanksgiving be an opportunity for you to enjoy the greatest thanksgiving, sharing, and blessing as you hold onto the eternal covenant.
11.23.25 Enjoy the Eternal Covenant of the Feast of Tabernacles
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