The feast on the fifteenth day of the seventh month is variously called the Feast of Harvest, or Ingathering, because it occurs during the Fall harvest time. It is also called the Feast of Tabernacles, or Booths. A tabernacle is a dwelling place. During the Feast of Tabernacles the people live in booths made of tree branches. The purpose is to remind them of the days when they lived in temporary structures in the Wilderness. (Leviticus 23:42)

Immediately after the Feast of Trumpets in Nehemiah chapter eight, Nehemiah instructed the Israelites to gather olive and wild olive branches, as well as branches from myrtle, palm and shade trees. These were to construct booths. In the instructions given to Moses for the Feast of Tabernacles, the people were told to gather palm fronds, leafy branches and poplars. (Leviticus 23:40) However, there were no instructions regarding either olive trees or wild olive trees in the Leviticus passage.

During Old Testament times the olive tree became a symbol of Israel. The Apostle Paul describes we gentile Christians as being “wild olive branches” to be grafted into the natural or domestic olive tree. (Romans 11:17-21) In chapter eight of Nehemiah, both types of olive trees are mentioned. This is a picture, I believe, of the Christian Age when both Jew and Gentile are given the opportunity of salvation through the New Covenant.

Between the Feast of Trumpets and the Feast of Booths is the Day of Atonement. But Atonement is not mentioned in this chapter or any other in Nehemiah. The Day of Atonement is also omitted in Ezra chapter three, but because the Temple was not built at that time, there was no place to perform the Atonement. However, the Temple was complete at the time of Nehemiah chapter eight.

Sometimes what is not said is as important as what is said. Because I believe Nehemiah chapter eight is about the Christian Age, the omission of the Day of Atonement shows that the priestly atonement, done in the Temple, is no longer necessary because of the sacrifice of Jesus and His atoning blood.

Nehemiah chapter eight is a hint to the Jews of things to come. It tells of mourning when there should be joy. This could be a picture of the beginning of the Kingdom Age, which is initiated by the return of Jesus. When the Church is removed before the Tribulation, the Jews will realize that something of spiritual significance has occurred, and they missed it.

Nehemiah chapter eight omits the atonement of the Law. All of the events of this chapter occur during the Fall season feasts. Just as the Church is the Spring Bride, I believe that these feasts point to the day when Israel will be the Fall Bride. I suggest that you read Isaiah 54:5-10 to see the sentiments of the Lord regarding His bride, Israel.

As I read the Bible, I am not surprised but am always amazed at the little pockets of prophecy that I find in the Word. Praise the Lord for providing us with the Word.