Based on: Lev. 23:40-43; Deut. 16:13; Patriarchs and Prophets, Desire of Ages: Nehemiah 8:9-17; Ministry of Healing 282
PURPOSE:
It was one of the three feasts that was mandatory attendance for all Jewish males. The others were Passover and Pentecost. (DA 65)
It was a thanksgiving celebration and a time to remember the tent life in the wilderness. “It was God’s design that at this time the people should reflect on His goodness and mercy.” DA 447.2
“In commemoration of their tent life, the Israelites during the feast dwelt in booths or tabernacles of green bought. These were erected in the streets, in the courts of the temple, or on the housetops.” DA 448
It was a prophecy of heaven. PP 541 It “was not only commemorative but typical. It not only pointed back to the wilderness sojourn, but, as the feast of harvest, it celebrated the ingathering of the fruits of the earth, and pointed forward to the great day of final ingathering, when the Lord of the harvest shall send forth His reapers to gather the tares together in bundles for the fire, and to gather the wheat into His garner.” PP 541
PALM SYMBOL:
The palm branches had significance. Looking at the characteristics of this tree will help us see why God chose this tree.
In storm the palm tree can withstand great forces of wind. There are recorded evidences of palms standing when the wind was strong enough to lift and throw a pickup truck into a swimming pool, and push a large heavy truck over against a palm tree. What is the secret?
“Remove the sand till you reach the rootlets of the palm tree, and you discover the secret of its life; it strikes down deep beneath the surface, to the secret waters hidden in the earth. Christians indeed may be fitly represented by the palm tree. They are like Enoch; although surrounded with corrupting influences, their faith takes hold of the Unseen.” (RH, January 2, 1879)
“The sky may be as brass, the desert sand may beat about the palm-tree’s roots, and pile itself in heaps about its trunk. Yet the tree lives as an evergreen, fresh and vigorous amid the burning desert sands.”
God wants palm tree Christians relying on Him through the worst of storms.
What does the Bible say about palm tree Christians? Psalms 92:12
The Palm is a symbol of victory:
When Jesus rode on a donkey into Jerusalem, there was a great celebration. “They cut down the spreading palm boughs, nature’s emblem of victory, and waved them aloft with loud acclamations and hosannas.” DA 570 In heaven, “ Each will receive “palm branches of victory, …when they surround the great white throne.” AA 153
Animal sacrifices: At every Feast of Tabernacles, “thousands of animals were slain.”
The bullock
“There is a picture representing a bullock standing between a plow and an altar, with the inscription “Ready for either”—ready to toil in the furrow, or to be offered on the altar of sacrifice. This is the position of the true child of God –ready to go where duty calls, to deny self, to sacrifice for the Redeemer’s cause.—“Ministry of Healing.” Pp 497-502; Gospel Workers 294
“Deep are the counsels of God, and the finite mind seeks in vain to comprehend them.
The bullock standing between the altar for sacrifice and the plow in the furrow, –ready for either,– fitly represents the position which God’s people should occupy. The Lord has no place in His work for the indolent and self-indulgent. Like the men of Ephriam, there are many at the present day who are ready to work diligently to secure honor to themselves…” (ST, July 21, 1881 par. 10-12)
“All are required to do something for the Lord. They may interest persons to read; they may converse and pray with them. The minister who shall educate, discipline , and lead an army of efficient workers will have glorious conquests here, and a rich reward awaiting him when, around the great white throne, he shall meet those saved through his influence. 5T 306-308
Trumpets of silver:
“A “shrill blast upon their silver trumpets, and the answering trumpets, and the glad shouts of the people from their booths, echoing over hill and valley, welcomed the festal day.” Psalms 122:2 (Desire of Ages 448)
Silver: When Jesus comes in the sky He has a silver trumpet in one hand. EW16 “Then the silver trumpet sounded, as He descended on the cloud.” 1 Thes. 4:16
Silver: Ellen White saw in vision into the ark of heaven. Inside were seen grapes of Caleb and Joshua. Jesus took some to put on the table for those coming into heaven. She looked to see how many were left and it was the same amount as before. These grapes were on silver strands. It was a souvenir of the faith of Caleb and Joshua who urged the people to move in faith with God. For their faith they were almost stoned to death. God stepped in with judgments. Instead of rejoicing at the punishment, these two men took censers among the people with holy fire and incense and urged them to turn back to God and confess their sins before it was too late. These are the kind of people God wants. His missionaries, pastors, teachers must be like this. The fruit growing on them is this kind of attitude. Their character is like Jesus Who is praying and working to restore an ungrateful, spoiled, people on this earth. Ellen recorded this vision in Daystar magazine.
SILVER VINE:
At the entrance to the temple was a vine of gold and silver, with green leaves and massive clusters of grapes executed by the most skillful artists. This design represented Israel as a prosperous vine. DA 575
Silver coin
In the parable of the lost coin, Jesus pointed to the value of the lost person. “Many, many more would be recovered if they were labored for as represented in these parables.” Heavenly Places p. 323
Silver: Words of the Lord
The Bible says that “The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.” Psalms 12:6. Jesus is the refiner and purifier of us during our trials. “We shall meet with reverses, affliction, and severe trials, for these are God’s tests. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver and purge His people as gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness.” Con 93.1
Should we wear silver and gold like the world? James 4:4 “friendship of the world is enmity with God” Whoever is a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
I Peter 3:3,4. God’s adorning. “The dress of our people should be made most simply.” Evangelism 272
“Give to the world a living illustration of the inward adorning of the grace of God. Let our sisters dress plainly, …having the dress of good material, durable, modest, appropriate. Evangelism 273 “If the heart is right, your words, your dress, your acts, will all be right. 1T 158
The palm tree Christian:
Palm Tree Christian has the victory over sin. The roots are deep in the Bible and all the Word of counsel we have been given. The fruit of faith is obedience.
