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The 8th Day of Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret (the great day) is coming! For many of us, we have returned home from whatever gathering we attended OR if we are still spending time in our sukkah we might be feeling sore or tired of all the sleeping and celebrating outside of our usual comfort.
We may even be weary of being around so many people, preparing the food and activities, and perhaps even exhausted from managing the children.
At Celebrating the Bible, we too feel this and yet...the last and final day of the Father's Appointed Times approaches and should BE OBSERVED WITH INTENTIONALITY!
***ISN'T THE 8th DAY JUST ANOTHER SHABBAT (SABBATH/REST)?***
No, the 8th Great Day is NOT merely another shabbat where we "just" rest. In fact, the SYMBOLISM of all the feasts comes to its fullest understanding during this day. IT IS THE PINACLE OF ALL THE FEASTS.
If each feast represents either a past or future PHYSICAL event AND represents a past or future SPIRITUAL event, then all of that comes together on the 8th Great Day!
***WHY IS THE 8th DAY SIGNIFICANT FOR THE BELIEVER IN MESSIAH?***
At Pesach (Passover), our spiritual ancestors (the Israelites) physically slaughtered the Passover lamb which COVERED them physically, just as the blood of Messiah as our eternal Passover lamb COVERS us spiritually.
We enter into the Festival of Matzot (Feast of Unleavened Bread) which physically represented the HASTE with which the Israelites left Egypt leaving behind their LEAVEN, while spiritually it represents Messiah in the GRAVE for 3 days and 3 nights.
We rejoice at Bikkurim (First Fruits) as physically our spiritual ancestors offered the first fruits of the HARVEST to Adonai and spiritually the Messiah became the first fruits of the DEAD as he rose from the grave.
After 49 days (7 weeks), we enter into Shavuot (Pentecost) on day 50 which is at the beginning of WEEK 8, just like after 7 days of Sukkot we enter into the 8th Great Day. We remember the physical giving of the TORAH (law) and celebrate that spiritually, the Ruach (Holy Spirit) was provided so the Torah (law) may be WRITTEN ON OUR HEARTS.
As we move into the Fall Appointed Times, we celebrate Yom Teruah (Feast of Trumpets) where physically we BLOW THE SHOFAR (trumpet), knowing that one day it shall signal the RETURN of Messiah.
After preparing our hearts for 10 days, we observe Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement/Covering) where we bring ourselves under the COVERING of Messiah's blood, knowing this day represents the future JUDGEMENT DAY.
After a short few days to prepare for Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles), we tabernacle with our Creator and His Messiah for 7 days as we build and DWELL in our SUKKAH (booth). This is an important time of consecration as we celebrate the future WEDDING OF THE LAMB and prepare for the final day...
Shemini Atzeret (the 8th Great Day) we step out from under the TEMPORARY COVERING (sukkah), as our purification process is complete. As the Bride of Messiah, we enter into our PERMANENT DWELLING in the new heaven and new earth.
Our instructions for the 8th day are simple: GATHER, BRING AN OFFERING by fire, and REST. This is because spiritually, we shall enter into our ETERNAL REST on this day!
IDEAS FOR CELEBRATING THE GREAT DAY
-Prepare a twilight "wedding feast" inside or near your sukkah. Prepare a beautiful meal and lay out a grand banquet, decorating with a special theme or even items collected around your campground. Tie ribbon or crepe paper onto sticks to use as you dance to music, just as you would at a wedding. Perhaps you might use instruments or enjoy Davidic dancing during this time.
-Use candlesticks or inexpensive candles in glass jars to have a candlelight service in which Scripture is read and music is sung that brings a reverence to the evening that begins the 8th great day.
-Hollow out a pumpkin as a family, discussing how the insides are ooey and gooey and can represent the mess sin can cause in our lives. Scrape out the "sin" and refill with delicious soup or chilli (the fruits of the Spirit). Serve the soup or chilli from the large pumpkin bowl along with fresh bread and lots of butter.
-Make a special treat such as s'mores, honeycomb with bread, or another dessert and discuss how SWEET it is to be the Creator's Set-apart People. If you make a strange-looking or unusual dessert, you can discuss what it means to be peculiar looking, to be a "PECULIAR PEOPLE".
-Go for a night walk with flashlights, discussing how the Torah is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path! (Psalm 119:105)
-Prepare a special 8th great day breakfast. You might use "fancy dishes" or even create a beautiful "forest table scape" with nature finds from your campground. To make things easier, prepare as much of the breakfast ahead of time as possible.
-Spend your day resting by pulling out art materials and completing them with your children. Call attention to the Creator's care for details as you sketch a tiny flower or watercolor a fall landscape. Remind the children that just as the Father orchestrates even the tiniest of details in His Creation so too has He orchestrated down to the most miraculous detail, His Word! It's a joy to discover His details!
Remember, it's not about the product but the process. It matters not what your picture looks like.
-Read John 2:1-11 where Yeshua (Jesus) performed His first miracle of turning water into wine. For a fun twist for children, fill a solid-colored pitcher with "some" grape juice or hibiscus tea without the children realizing. As you tell the story, have a child bring you a clear container of water. Pour the water into the pitcher with juice and then serve them the water turned to "wine" in a glass for a fun surprise!
-Read Revelation 19:7-18 about the 3rd phase of the wedding supper of the lamb.
-End the day with a last offering by fire, your offering of praise, as you say goodbye to this year of Appointed Times celebrations.
Whatever you do to observe this special time, do it with intentionality! Afterall, this day is and will be a very special day for YOU!