Since before creation, when the Lamb of God was slain from the foundation of the world (Rev. 13:8), it has been God's will and plan to tabernacle, or dwell, with men.
As we go through the feasts of the LORD during the year, the last feast is the Feast of Tabernacles (dwelling, habitation, tent, abide, reside). It is the seventh feast, in the seventh month, lasting seven days. The number "seven" has a special significance being the number of the Sabbath rest of God. The Feast of Tabernacles is a joyous feast that comes at the end of the fall harvest. It is a prophetic type and shadow of the will of God to make His dwelling place with men. From the beginning of God's relationship with man on the earth, we see His desire to tabernacle with us:
"And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid (hide, secretly, withdraw, harden) themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden." Gen. 3:8
It is interesting to note that God did not withdraw from man, but man withdrew from God after he sinned. From that point onward, God expressed His desire and plan to re-establish His tabernacle with men. God gave us a beautiful picture of this desire when He approached Abraham's tent (dwelling, tabernacle, home) in Mamre (Gen. 18:2). The LORD supped with Abraham (v. 8). The LORD prophesied the miraculous birth of a son for the aged Abraham and his wife (v. 10). The LORD received the intercession of Abraham for the righteous that may have been living in the doomed cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (v. 26-32). Later, because of Abraham's intercession, a miraculous angelic rescue was provided for a family that lived there.
The LORD repeated His desire to tabernacle with men to Moses, not only through the Law pertaining to the feasts (Lev. 23:34-44), but also in prophecy:
"And I will set My tabernacle amongst you: and My soul shall not abhor you. And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be My people. I am the LORD your God which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright." Lev. 26:11-13
The LORD placed in David's heart and song, a desire to tabernacle with Him:
"One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple. For in the time of trouble, He shall hide me in His pavilion...my head shall be lifted up above mine enemies....therefore will I offer in His tabernacle sacrifices of joy..."
Ps. 27:6-6
Though David was a sinful man, he had a heart of repentance, and his heart always sought God's heart. The LORD described David as, "...a man after Mine own heart, which shall fulfil all My will." (Acts 13:22). We see that heart above in David's desire for the tabernacle of God.
The LORD spoke again of His plan to tabernacle with men through His prophets:
"Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them...and will set My sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be My people. And the heathen shall know that I do sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore." Ezek. 37:26-28
Even the heathen will know God because of the way that He will tabernacle with His people. This dwelling among men will not just be for seven days out of every year, but for eternity.
In the Father's plan of salvation, He reveals again His desire to tabernacle with men. He sent His Son to dwell, or tabernacle, with them, and Jesus confirms the goal:
"And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth."
"Jesus answered and said unto him, "If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." Jn. 14:23
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man open the door, I will come in to him, and I will sup with him, and he with Me." Rev. 3:20
All that is required of us is to open the door of our hearts to Him, and He will tabernacle with us.
Further into the ages, the LORD repeats His plan to have His tabernacle among men. Throughout the Millenial Reign (1,000 years) of Christ on earth, the nations will be required to come to His tabernacle:
"And it shall come to pass that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles." Zech. 14:16
Even the enemy nations which will seek to destroy Jerusalem in the day of the LORD, even the most strident in hatred, those who will set their plans against God and His people, will be required to come to the Feast of Tabernacles. If they fail to do so, their land will receive no rain (v. 17-19). So strong is the LORD's will to tabernacle among men.
And it will be the Spirit and heart of tabernacles that will bring the earth into a new creation, and into an eternal dwelling place with God:
"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven, and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I, John, saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God." Rev. 21:1-3
So, as you can see, from before the beginning, and continuing on into the last chapters of scripture, God has not changed His desire and plan to tabernacle and dwell with men. Even when we have withdrawn and hidden from Him in sin, even when we have rejected and rebelled against Him, His glorious plan for us has never wavered. It is His everlasting covenant with us- His covenant of peace. Let us joyfully celebrate the LORD's Feast of Tabernacles.
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