The feast of Tabernacles. (33–44)Verses 1–3
In this chapter we have the institution of holy times; many of which have been mentioned
before. Though the yearly feasts were made more remarkable by general attendance at the sanctuary,
yet these must not be observed more than the sabbath. On that day they must withdraw from all
business of the world. It is a sabbath of rest, typifying spiritual rest from sin, and rest in God. God's
sabbaths are to be religiously observed in every private house, by every family apart, as well as by
families together, in holy assemblies. The sabbath of the Lord in our dwellings will be their beauty,
strength, and safety; it will sanctify, build up, and glorify them.
Verses 4–14
The feast of the Passover was to continue seven days; not idle days, spent in sport, as many
that are called Christians spend their holy-days. Offerings were made to the Lord at his altar; and
the people were taught to employ their time in prayer, and praise, and godly meditation. The sheaf
of first-fruits was typical of the Lord Jesus, who is risen from the dead as the First-fruits of them
that slept. Our Lord Jesus rose from the dead on the very day that the first-fruits were offered. We
are taught by this law to honour the Lord with our substance, and with the first-fruits of all our
increase, Pr 3:9. They were not to eat of their new corn, till God's part was offered to him out of
it; and we must always begin with God: begin every day with him, begin every meal with him,
begin every affair and business with him; seek first the kingdom of God.
Verses 15–22
The feast of Weeks was held in remembrance of the giving of the law, fifty days after the
departure from Egypt; and looked forward to the outpouring of the Holy Ghost, fifty days after
Christ our Passover was sacrificed for us. On that day the apostles presented the first-fruits of the
Christian church to God. To the institution of the feast of Pentecost, is added a repetition of that
law, by which they were required to leave the gleanings of their fields. Those who are truly sensible
of the mercy they received from God, will show mercy to the poor without grudging.
Verses 23–32
the blowing of trumpets represented the preaching of the gospel, by which men are called to
repent of sin, and to accept the salvation of Christ, which was signified by the day of atonement.
Also it invited to rejoice in God, and become strangers and pilgrims on earth, which was denoted
by the feast of Tabernacles, observed in the same month. At the beginning of the year, they were
called by this sound of trumpet to shake off spiritual drowsiness, to search and try their ways, and
to amend them. The day of atonement was the ninth day after this; thus they were awakened to
prepare for that day, by sincere and serious repentance, that it might indeed be to them a day of
atonement. The humbling of our souls for sin, and the making our peace with God, is work that
requires the whole man, and the closest application of mind. On that day God spake peace to his