Leviticus 23:34

The feast of tabernacles. This was the last feast of the religious year and usually came during the present month of October, after the autumn harvest was over and the fruit had been gathered in. It was a joyous occasion for all. The Day of Atonement was past; all misunderstandings had been cleared up, all sins confessed and put aside. The Israelites were happy, and their happiness found expression in the Feast of Tabernacles.

Branches. These were used to make booths, in which the Israelites were to live during the feast. On the Day of Atonement the people were to afflict their souls. At the Feast of Tabernacles they were to “rejoice.” It was altogether the happiest occasion of the year, when friends and neighbors renewed fellowship and dwelt together in love and harmony. In this respect it was prophetic of the time when the great ingathering of God’s people shall take place, and “many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 8:11).

The Feast of Tabernacles was commemorative of the time when Israel lived in tents in the wilderness during their 40 years of wandering (see Deut. 16:12-15).

It is well to remember how God has led us in times past. It is well to bring to mind His providences, for we are sometimes prone to complain at the way He leads us today. Is it not well to think of the many blessings God has bestowed upon us, and the wonderful way He has guided our lives? To do so would make us more appreciative and thankful. And thankfulness is a vital part of religion.