Remember That They Lived in Booths

Note from today’s Bible reading: Leviticus 23-25

There were several annual observances given in the Law of Moses. One of these was called the Feast of Booths, which would be observed for seven days, beginning on the fifteenth day of the seventh month (Leviticus 23:34-43).

This was to be “a perpetual statute throughout [their] generations” (Leviticus 23:41). One of the significant features of it was that they would “live in booths [or tents] for seven days” (Leviticus 23:42).

Why did God command this? It was not just a fun camping experience. Instead, it was to remind each generation that God “had the sons of Israel live in booths when [He] brought them out from the land of Egypt” (Leviticus 23:43). This was a reminder that God delivered them from bondage, but that they lived in temporary dwellings while they journeyed toward their permanent home in the promised land.

This is important for us because it parallels what God has done for us. He has delivered us from the bondage of sin (John 8:34, 36), and we are now living in a temporary dwelling place (2 Corinthians 5:1) as we await the entrance into our eternal home in heaven (Philippians 3:20; 1 Peter 1:4).

So remember that they lived in booths. The promised reward did not immediately follow the deliverance from bondage. Likewise, as we have been saved from our sins, we must continue to follow the Lord until we reach the final, eternal reward that God has promised us in heaven.