Verse 16
The remaining former enemies of Israel who would not die would bow to the sovereignty of Yahweh (cf. Zechariah 8:20-23; Isaiah 2:2-4; Isaiah 45:21-24; Isaiah 60:4-14; Ezekiel 40-48; Philippians 2:10). They would be expected to make annual pilgrimages to Jerusalem to worship the one King, Almighty Yahweh (cf. Psalms 24:10; Isaiah 6:5; Revelation 11:15; Revelation 19:16), and to celebrate the feast of Booths. The feast of Booths (or Tabernacles, Ingathering) commemorated the Lord’s provision of agricultural bounty and the Israelites’ redemption from Egyptian slavery. Strangers were welcome to participate in it in Israel’s past history. It also anticipated entrance into the Promised Land and kingdom blessings (Leviticus 23:34-43).
The Apostle Peter evidently concluded that the messianic kingdom had begun when he saw Jesus transfigured (Luke 9:33). He suggested that the disciples make three booths for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. This indicates that the Jews in Jesus’ day associated the feast of Booths with the beginning of Messiah’s kingdom, the same connection that Zechariah made here.
The feast of Booths was the last of the three most important feasts on Israel’s calendar, so it would be an appropriate one for these Gentiles to celebrate in Jerusalem yearly. This feast was a time of grateful rejoicing (Leviticus 23:40; Deuteronomy 16:14-15; Nehemiah 8:17). This may not be the only feast these people will celebrate, but it was the only one Zechariah mentioned, perhaps because it was so climactic. [Note: See de Vaux, pp. 495-502, 506.]
"There are many views as to why choice was made of the Feast of Tabernacles, but the most probable is that, speaking of the joys of the ingathering, it will celebrate the gathering of the nations to the Lord and especially His tabernacling among them [cf. Revelation 7:15-17; Revelation 21:3]." [Note: Feinberg, God Remembers, pp. 260-61.]
The feast of Tabernacles is the only one of Israel’s major feasts that will be unfulfilled until it is celebrated at this time. [Note: Unger, p. 265.]
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