Comparison Table of Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles

 

Comparison Table of Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles

Nehemiah 8:14-17 "And they found it written in the Law... that the people of Israel should dwell in booths during the feast of the seventh month... So the people... made booths and lived in the booths... And there was very great rejoicing."

John 7:37-38 "On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, 'If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.''"

Comparison Item	Passover (Judicially)	Feast of Tabernacles (Organically)
Definition	• The first feast established by God for His chosen people • Typifies Christ as the beginning of our spiritual life • Commemorates the Israelites' exodus from Egypt	• The last feast established by God for His chosen people • Typifies the completion of our enjoyment of Christ • Commemorates the Israelites' dwelling in tents in the wilderness
Symbolism	• Christ is the Passover Lamb • Christ's blood is for our redemption • Christ's flesh is for our nourishment and strengthening • Unleavened bread symbolizes a sinless life	• Completion of God's salvation • Entering into rest and harvest • Blending with God and with others
Distinctions	• Starting point • Emphasizes redemption • Focuses on individual salvation	• Endpoint • Emphasizes harvest • Focuses on corporate blending
Explanation	• Emphasizes Christ's redemptive work • Begins spiritual life and enjoyment of Christ • Prepares for leaving the world (like Egypt)	• Celebrates harvest and complete salvation • Remembers God's leading and protection • Prefigures final rest and joy
Examples	• Israelites eating the Passover lamb before leaving Egypt (Exodus 12:1-14) • Jesus and disciples observing the last Passover (Matthew 26:17-30)	• Solomon dedicating the temple during the Feast of Tabernacles (1 Kings 8:2, 65-66) • Renewed observance after return from exile (Nehemiah 8:14-18)
Application	• Believers commemorate Christ's redemption • Receive life by partaking of the Lord's blood and flesh (John 6:53-58) • Live a sinless life	• Give thanks for God's provision and leading • Blend with God and others in enjoyment • Anticipate final rest and abundance
Relevant Scriptures	• Exodus 12:5-8 "Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old... Then they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel... They shall eat the flesh that night, roasted on the fire; with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it." • Leviticus 23:5 "In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight, is the Lord's Passover." • Deuteronomy 16:1 "Observe the month of Abib and keep the Passover to the Lord your God, for in the month of Abib the Lord your God brought you out of Egypt by night." • John 6:53-54 "So Jesus said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.'"	• Leviticus 23:39-43 "...you shall keep the feast of the Lord seven days... On the first day shall be a solemn rest, and on the eighth day shall be a solemn rest... And you shall take on the first day the fruit of splendid trees, branches of palm trees and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God seven days... You shall dwell in booths for seven days... so that your generations may know that I made the people of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt." • Deuteronomy 16:13-15 "You shall keep the Feast of Booths seven days, when you have gathered in the produce from your threshing floor and your winepress... You shall rejoice in your feast... because the Lord your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you will be altogether joyful."

 

This table contains seven comparison items: definition, symbolism, distinctions, explanation, examples, application, and relevant scriptures. Through this table, you can clearly see the similarities and differences between these two feasts.

This table provides a structured way to understand these two important biblical feasts. It not only showcases their respective characteristics but also demonstrates how they jointly reflect God's plan and heart for His people."

 

*Please refer to the 2024 Summer Live Training - Experiencing, Enjoying, and Expressing Christ (1) Message 8: Christ as the Feast of Tabernacles, and as the Spirit Flowing Out of the Believers as Rivers of Living Water