isaiah118

[isaiah118]

Month of Kislev – A Month of MIRACLES and HOPE

Month of Hope, Rest and Trust

Part 1

From the Month of Cheshvan to the Month of Kislev and How They Connect

SHINE – TRUST – HOPE _ SECURITY

Babylonian Name: Kislev – Meaning Security, trust and rest

Month of the year: 9th month of spiritual year and 3rd month of physical year

Theme of the month: It’s the month of HOPE

Season: Fall (Stav) and season of REPENTANCE

Key Appointed Times: Kislev 1 - Rosh Kodesh Kislev – Head of the month of Kislev

Kislev 24 – Chanukah

Tevet 2 – Feast of Dedication

Color/Gemstone: Multicolor, Rainbow - Opal, Jasper

Tribe of Israel: Benjamin – Son of my right hand – MASTERS OF THE BOW/ True Identity

Hebrew Letter:

Value – 60/To trust, support, lean upon, To come full circle

Action/Body Part: Sleeping/Stomach

Constellation: Sagittarius / The Archer develops war strategies

Monthly Characteristics / Scriptures to Meditate On

Month of HOPE, REST & TRUST

Enter into His rest knowing you are His beloved (1 John 4:18 & Hebrews 6)

Meditate on the Vine and the Branches (John 15)

Month of coming ‘Full Circle.’

Month of Dreams/Bring dreams before Him (Psalms 127:2)

Torah portions of Kislev are full of dreams (Genesis 28-44)

Shine as lights of the world (Matthew 5:14-16 & Philippians 2:12-16)

Stand fast like the Maccabees (Zechariah 4:6 & Philippians 4:1)

TIME TO STAND AGAINST EMPIRES AND CULTURES (Ephesians 6:12)

Pull bow back with the Right Arm of the Lord (Isaiah 53:1)

The Maccabees and the Month of Kislev (Hanukkah)

Why do Jews celebrate Hanukkah? This is a festivity not mentioned or ordained by God. Yet, it is an important festival, not just for the Jews, but for believers as well. For us, December 25 is the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus. However, the Jews celebrate HANUKKAH, known as “THE FEAST OF DEDICATION” or “THE FEAST OF LIGHTS”. This feast is mentioned in the Gospel of John 10:22-23; “And the Feast of Dedication took place in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Yahshua was walking in the sanctuary, in Solomon's Porch.” Verse 22 clearly states ‘the feast of Dedication’ and specifies, ‘it was winter.’

The story of this important day begins with the death of Alexander the Great. His four main generals divided the empire amongst themselves. One of them named Seleucis fought winning a region that included Israel. After his death Antiochus IV, a Syrian king with Greek blood, who considered himself divine, demanded to be addressed as “Antiochus Epiphanes”, which in the old Greek means “manifested god”. He took control of the region and immediately persecuted the Jews. This persecution included placing a Hellenistic priest in the Jewish temple and preventing Jews from practicing their religion to the point of executing anyone who opposed him.

The Jews were outraged by Antiochus’ claim of being a deity, hence, they gave him a derogatory name; Antiochus Epimanes, translated as “Antiochus the Madman”. Antiochus’ agenda was to impose Greek culture, thereby prohibiting Jews religious and cultural practices.

Antiochus placed the statute of Zeus in the Temple in Jerusalem as well as demanding that similar statutes be placed in every village and every town. And, if this wasn’t enough, he demanded that they build altars and sacrifice pigs in them. (Sounds familiar?) This act, specifically the desecration of the Jewish Temple, brought about ‘The Maccabean Revolt’.

There was an elderly priest named Mattathias who lived in a small village named Modi ‘in (Ben Gurion Airport today), who led the organized resistance along with his five sons: John Gaddi, Simon Thassi, Eleazar Avaran, Jonathan Apphus, and Judas Maccabeus (Maccabeus comes from the Hebrew word for “hammer”). The rebellion started by preventing a Jew from sacrificing to a pagan god and killing the willing priest then killing an officer of the king followed by all the soldiers present. Mattathias escaped with his family to the hills where he was joined by many other faithful Jews.

Mattathias became the leader of the Maccabean revolt that day. He led a series of nightly assaults. Mattathias, being weary and fragile (since he was after all, an elderly man) passed on to his son, Judah, the leadership of the revolt, before passing.

Judah learned the skills of his father, becoming an excellent leader and demonstrated his skills as a military tactician. He quickly earned the nickname “Maccabee”, a Hebrew derived name meaning “hammer”. During the following three years, the Maccabees, as they became known, lived in caves and wore down the Syrian army. The Maccabees became expert at surprise attacks, especially at night. Their guerrilla warfare tactics and nightly assaults, and above all, their faith, hope and trust in God, allowed them to take on their enemy in open combat. Their zeal drove them to victory.

Soon after their victory, they found the altar of the temple defiled and in much need of repair. The sacrifices of pigs, with the idol of Zeus inside the temple, was a gruesome and repulsive scene for the Jews. So, they acted quickly in cleansing, tearing down the altar that had been desecrated and built a new one. On Kislev 25, in the year 165 B.C., they rededicated the temple. This event took place exactly three (3) years to the day of the first desecration by the Assyrians.

According to Jewish tradition, the Maccabees filled the temple lamps with oil. However, they only had enough oil for one day. Hanukkah is celebrated because of an awesome miracle that took place during the dedication of the temple. The oil that was supposed to last one full day, miraculously lasted EXACTLY eight days. The very number of days the priests needed to specially prepare the oil for the temple lamps (Menorah). This miracle does not appear in the books of the Maccabees. It is only recorded in the Talmud (Shabbat 21b) since the Talmud is based on oral traditions.

What is the significance of Hanukkah for us as believers? This is my answer; Hanukkah is a reminder to believers, to be separate and apart from the temptations of the world Peter 2:9 tells us the following; “But you are an elect race, a royal priesthood; a holy people, and a people for possession; that you should proclaim the praises of him who called you out of darkness to His precious light”. (This scripture is a repetition that Peter quoted out ofExodus 19:5 & 6). Just as the Maccabees resisted Antiochus’ assault in wanting to destroy the Jews beliefs and culture, so must we stand firm against the wickedness and assaults of the Antiochus of this age that is so prevalent around us right now. We need to remember that, although we are in this world, we are not of this world as John 17:11-16 tells us.

We also need to remind ourselves that the greatest miracle that we have been given is, Yeshua, Jesus, who is the light of the world.

John 1:5; “and the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it”. John 12:46; “I have come as a Light to the world, that everyone who believes in Me may not remain in the darkness”.

May we, believers stand firm with courage and zeal of a Holy God to do as the Maccabees did, interceding, in prayers and supplication, keeping guard and warring in the spirit, waiting for our deliverance from the Antiochus of this age. Time for the church of Christ to arise as the armies of The Lord of Host. Sing the songs of praise and worship louder than ever before, pray like never before, and as the days grow darker, war in the spirit like never before. For the spirit of the Anti-Christ (Antiochus) knows very well he is running out of time. He is defeated and our soon deliverance from this earthly body is nigh. May we arise as the bride of Christ in this hour.

May the Lord bless you and keep you

[isaiah118]

Month of IYAR Part 2

Month of Transition, Healing, Testing & First Fruit Harvest

“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

In the month of Iyar – God desires to reveal the secrets of His Covenant

The month of Iyar is the second month of the spiritual year. It’s a month of transition and increased revelation. The number two is represents ‘COVENANT.’ It’s the verification of the facts brought in by two witnesses, see 1Timothy 5:19. Yashua sent His disciples in groups of two to testify about his teachings and miracles, but also to be witnesses of those who accepted or rejected the gospel (Mark 6:7-13). The shortest verse in the Bible is "Jesus wept" found in John 11:35, containing just two words.

As mentioned above, two represents ‘COVENANT,’ and this is the season that God is calling us forth wanting and desiring to reveal and establish the secrets of His Covenant. Hosea 11:1 “When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.” Romans 8:19 “For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.” Our entire lives should be about giving glory to and being witnesses of our relationship with the Living God.

The month of Iyar is also the eighth month of the Jewish civil calendar. The number 8 represents ‘New Beginning,’ meaning a new order or creation.

Eight is also an integral part of Jesus' sacrifice. Like the Passover lamb, Jesus was selected as the Lamb to take away man's sins on Nisan10 (April 1, 30 A.D. - John 12:28-29). He was crucified on Nisan 14 (Wednesday, April 5 in 30 A.D.). His resurrection occurred three complete days after he was buried, which was at the end of the weekly Sabbath day that fell on Nisan 17. Nisan 17 was the eighth day, counting inclusively, from the time Christ was selected as man's sacrificial Lamb. All this bears record of Jesus' perfect sacrifice and His complete victory over death.

Boys were to be circumcised on the eighth day. The number eight symbolizes circumcision of the heart through Christ and the receiving of the Holy Spirit (Romans 2:28-29 and Colossians 2:11-13). Those in Christ become a new creation, with godly character being created by the power of God's Spirit (2Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 2:10; 4:23-24). https://www.biblestudy.org/

So, combining the meaning of the number two and the eight we can conclude that we are transitioning, we are on a journey from the old to the new where God desires to bring us into a new dimension of His spirit and desires to reveal, to make known to us the secrets of His Covenant as we journey, as we transition (spiritually speaking) into Mount Sinai.

What does this all mean? you may ask. Well, during the month of Nissan was the festivity of ‘PASSOVER.’ We have ‘Passed over’ and transitioned from captivity into freedom. In this particular season that we are in, we are not celebrating where we are in time. With this said, we should be celebrating where we are going. Just like the Israelites in the Exodus journey, we are in that transition period in our lives where we are moving from the ‘KRONOS’ (living our lives) into the ‘KAIROS’ (MOED – God’s opportune time) time. We are witnessing this happening before our very eyes. Everything has changed. Everything is shifting very quickly and we can’t seem to catch up to it. We have entered a MOEDIM (מועדים Hebrew for appointed times) season and time and the evidence is in the heavens and the earth. It’s all around us.

Periods of transitions can be difficult as well as times of testing. We are in this transition and testing period. When we read Exodus 13-19, we see the Israelites, after experiencing the mighty hand of deliverance by God, during their journey (transition) they grew weary, thirsty, hungry, murmuring and complaining. These chapters occurred during the month of Iyar. The Israelites quickly forgot that God brought them out of Egypt with an outstretched arm. You and I are not much different from the Israelites.

Periods of transitions are difficult, confusing and uncomfortable. It’s a time between where we’ve been, on the way to where we are going; and oftentimes without a clear vision of where we are going. This is how the Israelites felt. Although God had made it clear to them that He was taking them to the Promise Land (Canaan), they had to make a stop, they had to spend some time at Mount Sinai. They had experienced Passover in Egypt, but Sinai was the place where they would experience Pentecost. Mount Sinai was the place of God’s presence. It’s where He would reveal His glory and give them fresh revelation. Hence God took them to the mountain where they would be equipped for their walk with God and prepare them for a life of victory. Going from Egypt to Sinai meant passing, transitioning through testing in order to enter into their promise, their faith had to grow. Faith grows when it is tested.

You may ask, how can we avoid repeating history? How can we avoid complaining and continue worshipping God through these trying and very difficult and uncertain times? FEAR NOT! Isaiah 41:10 tells us; “Fear not; for I am with you: be not dismayed; for I am your God: I will strengthen you; yea, I will help you; yea, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.” And 2 Timothy 1:7 reads; “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” The fact of the matter is that God wants us to draw near to Him like we’ve never been drawn before. He wants us to know His character. The Lord is gracious to reveal secrets hidden in His name that will help us trust, praise and worship Him, even in times of transition and testing.

Proverbs 18:10 reads; “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” It’s in the month of Iyar that God reveals Himself as Jehovah Rapha, Jehovah, Jireh and Jehovah Nissi.

Understand that God has many attributes attached to His name, and the above names mentioned are three of the many names in which God through His Word has revealed Himself to us. He revealed Himself to the Israelites and to us as our ‘Healer,’ our ‘Provider’ and our ‘Banner.’ These three are key attributes of God for us to know intimately if we are to make it through transitional and difficult times. The reason why these three are so important during testing and transition is because His names reveal faithfulness, not just in our physical needs but our spiritual needs as well. If during good times we run to worship our God, how much more should we be running to His presence during the hard times! We should be running into His presence calling upon Jehovah Rapha, Jehovah, Jireh and Jehovah Nissi for our hearts to be established and stir up faith to praise and worship Him.

Are you in a period of transition? Are you in a period of testing? Do you find yourself doubting, discourage, oppress, depress and even finding hard to go on, that you can’t even bring yourself to cry out to God and worship Him? THAT is the time to truly run to Him, run to your HEALER, run to your PROVIDER and to your BANNER. That is the time to ““Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.” as Psalms 55:22 tells us. Cast ALL your cares on the Lord, your ox, your burden bearer, (the ox or donkey represented by the tribe of Issachar and Issachar is the tribe representing the month of Iyar). The Lord is our burden bearer, let us draw closer to Him and see how God will draw close to us and begin a mighty work in us that will bring us into victory and walking in victory. “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things which you do not know” Jeremiah 33:3

10- Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest: 11- And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it. 12- And ye shall offer that day when ye wave the sheaf an he lamb without blemish of the first year for a burnt offering unto the LORD. Leviticus 23:9-12

The above scripture is where God instituted the first fruit’s offering to the Israelites. This feast appear in both the Old and New Testaments and are talked about in relation to both spiritual and physical offerings. Offering first fruits when we receive an increase is a demonstration of our faith in God as the true source of our provision (Jehovah Jireh). James 2:17 reads; “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” The Apostle James explains that faith without action is really not faith. The first fruit offering is one way to activate and believe God as our Jehovah Jireh, our provider.

The Feast of First fruits begins with the month of Nissan but continues through Iyar and on to Sivan, Pentecost. They are connected and should never be separated. The bread was essential to Israel. In truth barley is not food for humans though it can be eaten and is by the poor, or times of famine. Therefore when the barley crop at Nissan was successful, there followed a seven-week period before the ripening of the main crop, that being wheat.

In closing, the choice to move in time, in the appointed time of the Lord (MOEDIM, KAIROS) is ours. The transition, testing and the first fruits are all part of a singular drive to bring us into ‘PENTECOST (SHAVOUT). As we journey through this dessert of life, we must reach the mountain of God where we can receive revelation for this KAIROS (MOEDIM) time we are in and hence receive the power of the new outpouring of His spirit as we approach Pentecost. We are certainly going to need this for the days and months ahead that leads us into the year 5784. Time has shifted and what was once were is no more. We are on a journey receiving the new wine skin and wine. Let us move in time with God and live, or we die in our despair, doubt, murmuring and complain as the Israelites did in the desert never able to see or enter the promise land. Choose to be an overcomer.

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.” Revelations 2:7

Shalom, May the Lord Bless you and keep you.

[isaiah118]

Month of IYAR

Month of Transition, Healing, Testing & First Fruit Harvest

Part 1 - Transition

Revelations 22:12: “And behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to give to each according to his work.”

(April /May)                  April 22/1 Iyar to May 20th/29 Iyar

Babylonian Name                Iyar – meaning “The Beauty of blooming flowers” “light”

Hebrew Acronym                Ani Hashem Rophecha meaning “I AM the Lord your Healer”

Hebrew Name                      Ziv – meaning “Splendor” “Radiance”

Month of the Year               2nd month of Spiritual Year – 8th month of Physical/Civil Year

Theme of the Month            Month of Transition, Healing, Testing and First Fruit Harvest

Season                                    Spring/Aviv   Season of Deliverance

Key Appointed Times

Iyar 1                              Rosh Kodesh Iyar – Head of the month of Iyar

Iyar 14                                    Pesach Shemi – Second Passover

Nissan 16 – Sivan 6             Sefirat HaOmer/Counting the Omer

Important Note:                   Iyar 25 – Yeshua’s Ascension – 40th day of The Omer Count

Color / Gemstone        Royal Blue / Amethyst

Tribe of Israel                Issachar – meaning “Adonai Brings Reward”

Hebrew Letter              VAV / Value 6 – Nail, Tent Peg, To Connect, Secure

Action / Body Part      Introspection / Right Kidney

Constellation                Taurus / “Ruling Ox”

Characteristics and Scriptures to Meditate On

Iyar is a connecting month / Abide in Him                      John 15

The month that Yeshua walked the earth after His resurrection  John 20

Month to receive revelation and understand secrets                                       Matthew 13:11

Meditate on God’s Names revealed in Scripture                                             Exodus 15-17

Time to understand that healing IS part of your salvation                              Romans 8:11

By His stripes you & I were and are healed                                                    Isaiah 53:5 & 1 Peter 2:24

Partake of His Best food – His Word and His Spirit                                                         Psalms 78:19

This was the month Israel moved from Egypt into ‘Midbar’                          Exodus 15-18

Accept and receive God’s counsel from His Word   Psalms 119:99 & Proverbs 15:22

Take upon the secrets of HIS light and cast your cares on Him   Matthew 11:28

The Name “Iyar” is of Babylonian origin. The older Biblical or Canaanite name is “Ziv” as it is related in 1 Kings 6:1; “in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month Ziv, (the second month), that he began to build the house of the LORD.” (KJV2000). This is the month of ‘Shining or Blossoming.’ Iyar always has 29 days.

Iyar is related to the Hebrew word for light, “ohr.” Midrash explains that it was named for the manna which began to fall during Iyar, a month after the Jews left Egypt. The manna was given with divine radiance.

The Akkadian equivalent of Iyar, Ayyāru, means flower.

Iyar is the eighth month of the civil year and the second month of the ecclesiastical or spiritual year in the Jewish calendar. Iyar is between Passover and Shavuot (Pentecost). The Hebrew symbol represented by this month is ‘VAV’ meaning ‘linking’ or ‘connection, to connect.’ This is the month to establish a deeper link or connection with God in order to establish or determine the course of the year.

Iyar - A Crucial Month

A month of healing.

It was in Iyar that God first revealed Himself as Healer.

A month to understand God’s secrets.

Iyar is a month of transition. This was the month the Israelites journeyed from Egypt to Mount Sinai. For the Israelites this was more than just transitioning. This was a drastic geographical change. They had never been this way before. God was transitioning them into a new level. This was about establishing a relationship, a connection and a link with God. This was a transition from ‘Redemption’ (Passover) to the experience of God’s supernatural provision ‘Pentecost.’

The month of Iyyar falls between the great month of redemption (i.e.,Nisan) and the great month of revelation (Sivan), and is therefore primarily commemorated as a "month of passage" leading up to the awesome revelation given at Sinai (mattan Torah).

Later, the agricultural aspect of this "passage" was enshrined in terms of Sefirat HaOmer or the "counting the sheaves," when a sheaf of barley was waved before thealtar each day for 49 days before the arrival of the climactic holiday of Shavuot (Lev. 23:15-16).

Special Dates

Apr 25, 2023 – Memorial Day – יום הזיכרון (Yom Hazikaron)

Iyar 4 – Memorial Day in memory of the fallen soldiers of the Israel Defense forces and victims of Arab terrorism.

Apr 26, 2023 – Yom HaAtzmaut – יום העצמאות

Iyar 5 – Israel Independence Day marks the Declaration of Independence of the State of Israel in 1948.

May 9, 2023 – Lag Baomer – ל"ג בעומר

33rd day of counting the Omer.

May 5, 2023 – Pesach Sheni

Iyar 14 - Pesach Sheni, the second Pesach, is a mandated make-up day for those who could not bring   the paschal sacrifice at its appointed time.

May 19, 2023 – Jerusalem Day – יום ירושלים

Iyar 28 – Jerusalem Day celebrates the liberation of Jerusalem during the Six-Day War.

The Spring Month of Iyar is Associated with Issachar

Iyar falls in the spring season – Nissan - Mar/Apr, Iyar - Apr/May, Sivan - May/Jun – correspond to the three tribes of the camp of Judah – Judah, Issachar and Zebulun who were situated to the east of the Tabernacle in the wilderness. These three tribes were the first group to lead out onto the battlefield before the rest of the tribes of Israel.

Issachar comes from the Hebrew ‘Yissakar’ meaning ‘he will bring a reward.’ (See Genesis 30:18). The root word is ‘nasa’ meaning to lift, to advance arise, bring forth, carry away, lofty. The second root word means payment of contract, salary, fare, hire, price, reward and wages.

Revelations 22:12 reads; “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”

Issachar’s symbol is the donkey

Genesis 49:14-15; “Issachar is a strong donkey crouching down between two burdens: And he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto forced labor.”

Issachar is an astronomical configuration here shown by the sun surrounded by stars. Issachar was to give Israel knowledge of the times (1-Chronicles 12:32). This is understood to mean astronomical reckonings. They were the burden bearers for both theirs and others. God gave them an inbuilt strength. The donkey is a beast of burden, the humble vehicle chosen by Yeshua to bring Himself into Jerusalem. Issachar was the carrier of the cross of Yeshua.

Zechariah 9:9 “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, your King comes unto you: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon a donkey, and upon a colt the foal of a donkey.”

The symbol of Issachar is the humble donkey. But also the sign of a sun shining at noon day surrounded by four stars to the left that shine out of a dark night and four to the right that are darkened because of the brightness of the day. This is a picture of outer space with the heavenly bodies in plain view. This is a significant symbol for Issachar, whose name is derived from the root-word ‘nasa,’ which means "to lift up, high, lofty, etc."

In the month of Nissan – God wants to reconfirm your Covenant with Him/Passover

In the month of Iyar – God desires to reveal the secrets of His Covenant

In the month of Sivan - God wants to bring you into a whole new level of Pentecost.

May the Lord bless you and keep you; Shalom

[isaiah118]

The Month of Nissan

Passover, Unleavened Bread and First fruits

PASSOVER

The Passover is a festival that commemorates the deliverance of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. This is found in the Torah, in the book of Exodus chapter 12. Exodus 6:6 tells us the following; “Therefore, say to the sons of Israel, I am YAHWEH, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of Egypt, and will deliver you from their slavery. And I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments.”

Moses, who had been raised in Pharaoh’s palace, was called and sent by God to tell Pharaoh, “Let my people go.” Exodus 8:1 reads; “And the LORD spoke unto Moses, Go unto Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus says the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me.” So Pharaoh refused hence the start of what is known as the ‘Ten Plagues’ that led to Egypt’s demise and eventual downfall. The tenth plague was the worst of ALL the plagues, that being the deaths of ALL the firstborns of Egypt.

The deaths of all the firstborn happen on the very evening of the ‘Passover’ as earlier that evening each of the Israelite families had sacrificed a spotless lamb, and as instructed by Moses, they marked their doorpost and lintels with blood as Exodus 12:21-22 indicates; “21- And Moses called to all the elders of Israel and said to them, Draw out and take of the flock for you and for your families, and kill the Passover. 22- And take a bunch of hyssop and dip in the blood in the basin. And touch some of the blood in the basin to the lintel and on the two doorposts. And you shall not go out, anyone from the door of his house until morning.” This insured that death would pass over the households with the blood mark over their doorpost and lintels; “23- And YAHWEH will pass through to strike Egypt. And He will see the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, and YAHWEH will pass over the door. And He will not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you.” Hence, the name ‘PASSOVER.’

Since the Israelites kept God’s commandments and instructions given to them via Moses, all their firstborn lived, while the Egyptians didn’t. Walling and pain was heard through the midnight hours as all the firstborn from Egypt died; see Exodus 12:21–29. Then and only then, Pharaoh released the Israelites; see Exodus 12:31-32.

Passover is a commemorative meal in remembrance of how God delivered its people. The meal consisted of fire-roasted lamb, bitter herbs, and unleavened bread as instructed by God; see Exodus 12:8, and God, via Moses, instructed the Israelites to “you shall observe this Word for an ordinance for you, and for your sons forever.” (Exodus 12:24). And so they do to this day. Wherever they are, whatever country they reside, they observe and keep the ‘PASSOVER.’

This should be and is important to every believer since Yeshua, Jesus, not only fulfilled the written law of the Torah, according to Mathew 5:17; “Do not think that I came to annul the Torah or the Prophets; I did not come to annul, but to fulfill.” But He also became the ‘Passover’ Lamb, the lamb that was slain for our sins. Yeshua was killed at Passover time, and the ‘Last Supper’ was a Passover meal according to Luke 22:7 & 8 that reads; “7- And the day of the Unleavened came, on which the Passover must be slaughtered. 8- And He sent Peter and John, saying, Having gone, prepare for us the Passover, that we may eat.” The blood of Messiah has been applied to every believer by faith (spiritually speaking), hence, we are saved from death and eternal damnation. Jesus became our Passover Lamb as 1 Corinthians 5:7 tells us; “Then clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are unleavened. For our Passover is Messiah who was sacrificed for our sake.” And Revelations 5:12 says the following; “saying with a great voice, Worthy is the Lamb having been slain to receive the power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.”

The Passover was a fore shadow of God’s redemptive power of how His son (the Lamb of God) was to deliver humanity from sin (Egypt). Salvation would come for all those that would chose to obey God’s commandments.

Note: Constellation: Aries (THE RAM or LAMB) – The 1st Month of The Spiritual Calendar

Aries is a lamb or ram bounding across the night sky. Its Hebrew name is TALEH, “the lamb.” The Passover lamb as heaven and earth connect. The constellations brightest star is called “The head of the ram.” The ram and the lamb are powerful symbols of salvation.

It is possible that the first six constellations may be prophetically speaking of the 1st Coming of Messiah and the last 6 constellations are speaking of the 2nd Coming of Messiah. The Jewish people itself is symbolized by a lamb (surrounded by seventy wolves). Of all of God's creations, the lamb possesses the innate ability to arouse mercy by its voice (the origin of the sense of speech of the month of Nissan).

Unleavened Bread

As I mentioned before, the meal consisted of fire-roasted lamb, bitter herbs, and unleavened bread. Leviticus 23:6-8 reads as follow; 6- And on the fifteenth day of this month is the Feast of Unleavened to YAHWEH; you shall eat unleavened things seven days. 7- On the first day you shall have a holy gathering; you shall do no laborious work; 8- and you shall bring near a fire offering to YAHWEH seven days; and the seventh day shall be a holy gathering; you shall do no laborious work.” This feast of ‘Unleavened bread was to be kept for seven days and it is followed right after Passover. From 15 Nissan to 21 Nissan. This feast is a purifying feast representing the purity that Israel was to walk in. This is illustrated in the fact that during those seven days they would eat bread without leaven. The leaven symbolized sin and sin was representative of Egypt, hence their deliverance from it during the spilled blood of the lamb on the evening of the Passover.

First fruits

This is a Jewish feast that is held the beginning of the grain harvest in early spring. It’s observed in the 16 Nissan three days after the Passover and on the second day of the feast of Unleavened Bread. First fruits is a time of thanksgiving for God’s provision.

First fruits is an offering unto God that was instituted by God as Leviticus 23:9-14 states. It reads as follow; “9- And YAHWEH spoke to Moses, saying, 10- Speak to the sons of Israel, and you shall say to them, When you come in to the land which I am giving to you, and have reaped its harvest, and have brought in the Omer, of the beginning of your harvest, to the priest, 11- then he shall wave the Omer before YAHWEH for your acceptance; on the morrow of the Sabbath the priest shall wave it. 12- And you shall prepare a lamb in the day you wave the Omer, one without blemish, a son of a year, for a burnt offering to YAHWEH. 13- And its food offering shall be two tenths part of flour mixed with oil, a fire offering to YAHWEH, a sweet fragrance; and its drink offering, a fourth of a hin of wine. 14- And you shall not eat bread, nor roasted grain, nor fresh ears, until this same day, until you have brought the offering of your Elohim; it is a never ending statute throughout your generations in all your dwellings.” The people were to bring a sheaf of grain to the priest, who would then wave it before the Lord. A burnt offering, a meal offering, and a drink offering were also required at that time. Deuteronomy 26:1-10 gives greater details on the procedure of first fruits.

Leviticus 23:14 tells us specifically that no grain could be harvested until the first fruits offering was brought to the Lord. This was an offering made in memory of  Israel’s sojourn in Egypt, God’s deliverance and redemption from slavery, and their possession of “a land that floweth with milk and honey.” Leviticus 20:24 “But I have said to you, You shall surely possess their land; and, I, I am giving it to you to possess it, a land flowing with milk and honey; I am YAHWEH your Elohim, who has set you apart from the nations.” (See also Numbers 13:27, Deuteronomy 6:3; 11:9; 26:9 and many more references totaling 21 scriptures mentioning a land flowing with milk and honey).

First fruits offering is mentioned seven times in the New Testament and it is always used in a symbolic way as indicated by the Apostle Paul in Romans 16:5 and 1 Corinthians 16:15.

Yeshua himself fulfilled the first fruit offering according to 1 Corinthians 15:20 that reads as follow; “But now Messiah has been raised from the dead; He became the first-fruit of those having fallen asleep.” When Yeshua, Jesus, resurrected HE PAVED THE WAY FOR ALL BELIEVERS RESURRECTION. Jesus was crucified and died on Passover but God raised Jesus from the dead on the Feast of First fruits, 16 Nissan, to show that He was the First fruits of a new creation, exactly three days after Passover, a day of thanksgiving for God’s provision. Paul said that His resurrection guarantees our resurrection. The FIRST of a great harvest.

God had planned this before the foundation of the earth. First fruits represents the following; we are to give to God from the premises of a grateful heart, more so that Jesus gave His life to redeem us, to restore our fellowship with the Father. Above all, we are to give Him the first and the best of ALL He has given us. Messiah fulfilled the law therefore we are to give freely, cheerfully and with all liberty knowing and understanding the price that Messiah paid for us. Let us gather the first fruits that symbolizes God’s harvest of souls. After all, Yeshua did that for us.

I end with this verse out of 2 Corinthians 9:6&7 that reads; “6- But remember this: the one sowing sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one sowing generously will also reap generously. 7- Each one as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or out of necessity, for YAHWEH loves a cheerful giver. (Prov. 22:8)”

May the Lord Bless you and keep you; Shalom

[isaiah118]

The Month of Nissan

Judah – Law Giver -Praise

Genesis 49:10 reads; “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.” And Psalms 60:7 reads; “Gilead is Mine, and Manasseh is Mine; Ephraim is the strength of My head; Judah is My lawgiver”.

The Tribe of Judah is the apostolic and warring tribe. They operated in the gifting of sound and praise, hence Judah was always first to go forth and lead Israel into battle with a sound of PRAISE.

They were the spiritual and physical warriors of Israel who marched into battle with Zebulun and Issachar behind Judah. These three tribes confronted the enemy face to face before the rest of the tribes. This was a strategic position set by God since Judah, Zebulun and Issachar were the ones who guarded the entrance, the gate to the sanctuary.

Genesis 49:8 reads as follow; “your hand be on the neck of your enemies.” This demonstrates Judah’s strength, while the neck speaks of stubbornness, resistance and the forceful opposition against Judah. However, God, speaking prophetically through Jacob says that Judah will be able to put his hands on the neck of its enemies and choke the enemy’s strength.

We are, in this season, in a heavy spiritual warfare the likes we’ve never seen before. We are waging a war face to face, eye to eye with the enemy of our soul. But God is calling us to be like Judah. He has given us the ability to choke the enemy and drain its strength. When you put your hands on a person’s neck you choke that person’s breath. Judah was given this promise and it was Judah’s anointing and it is ours as well more so now, in this season and we need to operate in this anointing to be able to choke the enemy’s breath. This is our time to rise like Judah.

Judah was also known as the Intercessors and advocates in the law courts of the world as well as in the spiritual gifting of reconciliation and judging cases wisely and fairly. Their gifting included oratory and reasoning. That was evident in the lives of King David and Salomon.

The month of Nissan is the first month of the Hebrew spiritual calendar and as I mentioned before, Nissan is represented by the ‘Tribe of Judah.’ Nissan is also the month where God governs and chastises lawmakers that structure the political moral standards of the nations. If the government follows God’s instruction then the government entities of the nations are blessed, especially when a nation decides to acknowledge God’s biblical moral principles as well as support Israel. However, if a nation rejects God’s counsel and insists on decreeing laws that promotes evil behaviors, then God will allow that nation or nations to face the down fall of its evil system. We are presently, at the precipice of this downfall.

Revelation 5:5 reads as follow; “And one of the elders said to me: Do not weep. Behold, the Lion being of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, overcame so as to open the scroll, and to lose its seven seals.”

The Bible tells us in Exodus 12:1-42, on the 14th of Nissan, the tenth plague was released by God killing ALL the first born of Egypt including Pharaoh’s son. That very same day, the economic and political system of Egypt collapsed, rendering Egypt destroyed and completely powerless. The once great Egyptian Empire was brought to its knees and never recovered from its fall. The constant invasion of foreign invaders, drought and economic collapse brought the end of this once great empire.

When Moses blessed the tribes of Israel he specifically said this to the tribe of Judah; “Hear, Lord, the cry of Judah; bring him to his people. With his own hands he defends his cause. Oh, be his help against his foes!” Deuteronomy 33:7 NIV. We know that Judah was first into battle and the one that lead the rest of the tribes into battle. We also know that Judah was chosen by God to be the lawgiver and preserver of the Torah. Now, you may ask, how is this relevant to me, how is this relevant to us as believers today. Well, by providing insight into Judah, it is revealed to you, to me and to us, the importance of our ‘PRAISE’, our ‘WORSHIP’ above all the purposeful, intentional and willingness to operate with the ‘SOUND OF PRAISE’, with our hands lifted high in an attitude of submission to God, in order to overcome the enemy of our souls. Now, more than ever, we need to act like Judah. God has called us to make the sound that breaks the walls of wickedness (the Jericho walls) and be overcomers. No matter how big the giants are and we truly are surrounded by giants.

There is a popular worship song titled ‘Surrounded’ (Fight My Battles) by Upperroom. Here are the lyrics to this song;

There's a table that You've prepared for me In the presence of my enemies It's Your body and Your blood You've shed for me This is how I fight my battles (repeat again)

And I believe You've overcome and I will lift my song of praise for what You've done

This is how I fight my battles (3)

This is how (and again)

In the valley, I know that You're with me And surely Your goodness and mercy follow me So my weapons are praise and thanksgiving This is how I fight my battles

And I believe You've overcome and I will lift my song of praise for what You've done

This is how I fight my battles (3)

This is how (and again)

Oh, Jesus Oh, Jesus Calling on Your name is how I fight Ooh

It may look like I'm surrounded but I'm surrounded by You (8)

This is how I fight my battles (3)

This is how (and again)

It may look like I'm surrounded but I'm surrounded by You (2)

Oh, but I know the truth I know the truth When my enemies seem to be around

So, with this said, let us be encouraged that no matter how fierce, no matter how surrounded we may be and how dim it may look, God, Yeshua, Jesus is surrounding us, hence we can declare victory.

Letter “HEI” - Is the phonetic source for all 22 letters of the alef-beit.

 ה Pictures wind, breath, and praise. Prophetically this signifies a window with the wind of God blowing down into you every year. It’s the 5th letter of the alphabet with a numeric value of 5.The meaning of the name HEI is ‘to look’ or ‘to behold’ and to ‘reveal’. HEI represents the divine breath, the revelation and light (as mentioned in the first day of creation) which is said to correspond to the letter HEI. It also signifies “VIOLENT PRAISE.” In the Hebrew alphabet, each letter or picture represents a word. Hei is pictured as a violent wind blowing through a lattice over a window. The Hei is also embedded in God’s name YHVH. The two H are the Hei; “YOD HEI VAV HEI.” I’m going to break it down for you. Every living creature in Elohim’s creation, in God’s creation breathes His name;

YOD HEI meaning – breath in - VAV HEI meaning – breath out or exhaling

Simply put; we breathe “YOD HEI VAV HEI.’

There is a lot more to His name but that is a topic for another time.

Isaiah 61:3 – “To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.”

May The Lord’s Peace Be With You

[isaiah118]

The Month of Nissan

Judah Goes First

The Scriptures (The Holy Bible) speaks more of the Tribe of Judah than any other Tribe of Israel. To understand why this is, we need to go back in history. Back to Genesis.

Judah was the fourth son of Jacob by his first wife, Leah (Genesis 29:35). Judah married a Canaanite woman, the daughter of Shua and they had three sons, Er, Onan and Shelah.

Er, the firstborn of Judah, married Tamar, but the Scriptures tells us that he was evil and God took his life (Genesis 38:6-7). Judah commanded his second-born son, Onan, to marry Tamar and produce an heir for his deceased brother as God’s laws commanded. However, Onan did not carry out God’s command because the child would not be his heir, hence, God took Onan’s life for his refusal to give his brother an heir (Genesis 38:8-10).

The story of Judah and Tamar is found in Genesis chapter 38. This chapter indicates that Tamar became pregnant by Judah (his daughter in law see Genesis 38:11-30 to see how this came to be), and she conceived twins. When Tamar was giving birth, one twin put out his hand first and the midwife tied a scarlet thread on it and said, “This one came out first.” But the other twin, Perez, came out unexpectedly followed by Zerah with the scarlet thread tied on his hand (Genesis 38:27-30).

God used the birth of these two twins to establish two lines of genealogy in the tribe of Judah, hence fulfilling a promise God made to Abraham stating the following; “and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”(Genesis 12:3 KJV). This promise would come through the line of Perez. King David and the kings of Judah would descend through the line of Perez. But what is more important is that Jesus, Yeshua, would come through the line of Perez so “all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3 & Matthew 1:3, 16).

The Apostle Paul said the following, “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.” (Galatians 3:16).

Genesis 49:1 tells us that Jacob, in his death bed, gave a word to his sons saying; “And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.” But Genesis 49:8-10 tells us specifically what Jacob spoke about his son Judah saying; “8- Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father's children shall bow down before thee. 9- Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? 10- The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.” 

This passage indicates to us that God looked upon Judah as His ‘strong warrior’ likening Judah as a ‘young lion’ sleeping after devouring its prey. The point is that whatever God saw in the tribe Judah, He, God, choose it to be His lawgiver and choose Judah as the tribe from which Messiah would come to be born as Hebrews 7:14 tells us; “For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.” (KJV) To give greater merit and weight to the importance of Judah, Yeshua is called “the Lion of the Tribe of Judah” in Revelations 5:5 that reads; “And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.” 

King David the Psalmist was compelled and moved to emphasize Judah’s role as a lawgiver when he wrote twice “Judah is my lawgiver” in Psalms 69:7 and 108:8, repeating the exact same scripture.

Judah wasn’t only a ‘lawgiver’, but a ‘Preserver of God’s Written Laws.’ The apostle Paul makes this very clear in Romans 31:1-2 when he states the following; “1- What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? 2- Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.”

Throughout history, the Jews have faithfully and zealously preserved the Old Testament as well as the Hebrew Calendar that God gave them in the Torah (First five books of the Bible).

The tribe of Judah prevailed above his brothers due to an event written in Numbers 1:2-3 and 27 during Moses leadership where Judah was the leading tribe in population as well as strong men who could go to war hence ‘prevailing over his brothers.

‘JUDAH GOES FIRST’

Soon after Joshua’s death, God choose the tribe of Judah to lead the rest of the tribes in the conquering of the Promise Land. The tribe of Judah demonstrated their aggressive willingness and strong determination to drive out the Canaanites and take possession of the southern part of the land of Canaan. Furthermore, Judah prevailed over his brothers during a most famous descendant born to through the line of Judah named David. King David set the stage for the temple to be built on Mount Zion (Jerusalem) as Psalms 78:67-70 tells us; “67- Moreover he refused the tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim: 68- But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved. 69- And he built his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which he hath established forever. 70- He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:”. King David was also chosen by God to hold the ‘scepter’, representing and a symbolisms that the kingship would always remain with the tribe of Judah according to Genesis 49:10 and Psalms 89: 34-37.

Other Important Points

Judah’s blessing from Moses on the 1st month of Nissan – Deuteronomy 33:7

Judah became God’s sanctuary – Psalms 114

Symbol is the lion – Yeshua is the Lion of Judah - When Israel marched through the wilderness, Judah always went first. This is the first month, and this is Judah’s month.

The name ‘Jews’ comes from the Kingdom and tribe of Judah

Judah come from the Hebrew word ‘YADAH’ meaning ‘to praise’, to ‘give thanks’, ‘to glorify’ or to ‘acknowledge God’

Yadah, in turn, comes from the Hebrew word Yad, which means, “hand” Yadah originally meant, “to extend the hand” The picture is an act of praising and worshipping God with the lifting of hands

Judah depicts an expression of praise

The hand symbolizes strength and power

When we lift our hands to the Lord, we are presenting to Him all of our strength and abilities (we are putting ourselves totally in His hands)

Month of Thanking God for His Deliverance

Tribe: Judah

Judah means PRAISE

The apostolic leadership, warring tribe, who knew

How to operate with sound

This is a key time to PRAISE!!! (Judah Goes First)

The month of thanking God for deliverance

Time of Spring When Kings Go Out to War

(2 Samuel 10) Even in a season of peace, you must discern what could encroach on your boundaries and contend for what is rightfully yours.

This is a season when you war for you covenant promises.

DO NOT HESITATE to release a sound of praise that will break you into a dimension of victory and wholeness.

Declare by faith, the power of Jesus blood has set you free.

Your path of healing and miracles are now before you!

Judah is the king (the "first") of the tribes of Israel. His name means to give thanks, in speech (the sense of Nissan). The king rules his people by the power of his speech. The month of Nissan is "the new year for kings".

Judah ‘Arah’ lion - shows great strength; ‘hand will be in the neck of your enemies.’ God has given you power over all that the enemy brings against you. When you come into maturity ‘Lebaowth’ characteristics of greatness will be seen. You remain sitting and observing quietly, while the young race about wildly in anxiety and confusion.

Tribe of Judah – Gemstone –Emerald

Emerald is green in color. It means to glisten and shine. Emerald is symbolic of immortality. The eternal royalty of the house of David, which is fulfilled in Yeshua, Jesus. The Tribe of Judah developed through much suffering and enduring hard trials and testing’s as seen in Genesis 38. It takes a lifetime to make a saint and it takes a lifetime to perfect this tribe to bring him into the likeness of Jesus Christ. Judah the gemstone of priesthood and royalty.

Yeshua the Messiah – THE LION OF JUDAH

[isaiah118]

Month of Nissan

1 Nissan/March 23 to 30 Nissan/April 21st 2023

First Month of God’s Calendar/Month of Deliverance and Redemption

Part 1

Babylonian Name -                 Nissan – meaning “Their flight”                                                                            From the Hebrew “Nissim” meaning Miracles

Hebrew Name -                       Aviv / “ripening of Barley Grain”

Month of the Year -                1st Month of Spiritual Year and 7th Month of the Physical Year

Theme of the Month -             MONTH OF REDEMPTION

Season -                                   Spring /Aviv and Season of Deliverance

Key Appointed Times

Nissan 1                               Rosh Chodashim – meaning “Head of the Months

Nissan 15                             Pesach / Passover

Nissan 15-21                        Chag Hamatzot (Feast of Unleavened Bread)

Nissan 16                             Reishit Katzir (Firstfruits)

Nissan 16 to Sivan 6            Sefirat HaOmer (Counting the Omer)

Color / Gemstone -                           Color – Dark Red, Sky Blue / Gemstone – Garnet, Blue Topaz

Tribe of Israel -                                Judah / “Praise of Adonai”

Hebrew Letter -                      Hei also written as Hey /Value 5, Represents grace, breath of God, violent praise and to behold

Action / Body Part -               Action – Walking and Body Part is the Right Foot

Constellation -                         Aries / “The Lamb”

Characteristics and Scriptures to Meditate On

Month of Redemption                                                                  Exodus 12

The Beginning of the Miraculous

Cross over into the New / Put your best foot forward

Thank God for where you came from                       Psalms 40

Celebrate the Passover Lamb                                                        John 12 and Revelation 5:11-14

Watch what you speak, Speak Life                           Proverbs 18:21 and Matthew 12:34

Month of Praise and to go forth like Judah               Psalms 100:4

Praise and Worship Confounds the enemy                2 Chronicles 20:22

Time for cleansing / Spring cleaning                          John 21:12

Pray over finances / Tax month in the US                 Matthew 17:24-27

Note: Nisan is one of the few months mentioned in the Torah by name. G-d refers to it as Chodesh HaAviv, the Month of Spring.

Other Important Events That Happened in the Month of Nissan

15 Nisan (c. 1713 BCE) - Birth of Isaac

1 Nisan The day the floodwaters receded from the earth, after the dove was sent out.

by Noah and returned with an olive branch, according to Genesis 8:10-13

17 Nisan (c. 24th century BCE) - Noah's Ark came to rest on Mount Ararat

17 Nisan - Hebrews entered Egypt (Exo 12:40-41) 430 years before deliverance. ...even the self-same day it came to pass...

1 Nisan(c. 1456 BCE) – First mitzvah (commandment) is given to the Jewish people Exodus 12:1-2 Complete Jewish Bible (CJB) 12 Adonai spoke to Moshe and Aharon in the land of Egypt; he said, 2 “You are to begin your calendar with this month; it will be the first month of the year for you. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitzvah) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Exodus)

10 Nisan (c. 1456 BCE) - The first Shabbat HaGadol was celebrated by the Israelites in Egypt five days before The Exodus.

14 Nisan (c. 1456 BCE) - On the going out thereof, the eve of the 15th, was the first Passover meal, and the 10th plague on Egypt, the slaying of the firstborn.

15 Nisan (c. 1456 BCE) - The Exodus from Egypt, with a strong hand and an outstretched arm

17 Nisan (c. 1456 BCE) - Moses led the Israelites through the Parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 3:18, 5:3)

1 Nisan (c. 1455 BCE) - Tabernacle (Mishkan) inaugurated on the second year "Exodus 40".

1 Nisan (c. 1455 BCE) - Death of Nadab and Abihu

10 Nisan (c. 1417 BCE) - Yahrzeit of Miriam the prophetess, 39 years after the Exodus.

7 Nisan (c. 1416 BCE) - Joshua sends two spies to Jericho.

10 Nisan (c. 1416 BCE) - The Israelites cross the Jordan River into Canaan ( Joshua 4)

28 Nisan (c. 1415 BCE) - Battle of Jericho by Joshua (Book of Joshua 6).

26 Nisan (c. 1386 BCE) - Traditional yahrzeit of Joshua son of Nun.

17 Nisan (c. 1273 BCE) - Israelites stop eating manna six days after entering the Holy Land (Joshua 5:10-12)

15 Nisan (c. 474 BCE) - Esther appears before Ahasuerus unsummoned and invites him and Haman to a feast to be held the same day. During the feast she requests that the king and Haman attend a second feast the next day

16 Nisan (c. 474 BCE) - Esther's second feast, during which she accuses Haman regarding his plot to annihilate her nation. Ahasuerus orders his servants to hang Haman.

17 Nisan (c. 474 BCE) - Haman hanged after Esther's second feast.

17 Nisan, The cleansing of the Temple by Hezekiah (eight hundred years after entering the Promised Land. (2 Chronicles 29:1-28)

14 NisanPASSOVER begins at sunset. On this the day the Messiah was crucified. Yeshua Jesus was crucified and dies around 3 PM and His body was placed in the tomb at twilight.

16 Nisan - With the annual Sabbath now over, the women bought and prepared spices for anointing Yeshua Jesus’ body.

17 Nisan - The weekly Sabbath. The women rested on the weekly Sabbath. Yeshua Jesus rose around sunset, exactly three days and three nights (72hours) after burial, to fulfill the sign of Jonah and authenticate Yeshua Jesus as Messiah.

18 Nisan - The women brought the prepared spices early in the morning while it was still dark. When they arrived, they found that Yeshua Jesus had already ARISEN

Consider These New Beginnings

17 Nisan - Noah’s Ark safely rested on Mt. Ararat (Gen 8:4) Note that the seventh month was later designated as the first month at the time of the Exodus (Ex. 12:2).

17 Nisan - Hebrews entered Egypt (Exo 12:40-41) 430 years before deliverance. ...even the self-same day it came to pass...

17 Nisan - Moses led the Israelites through the Parting of the Red Sea (Exo 3:18, 5:3)

17 Nisan - Israel entered and ate the first fruit of the Promised Land (Joshua 5:10-12)

17 Nisan - Cleansing of the Temple by Hezekiah (eight hundred years after entering the Promised Land. (2 Chronicles 29:1-28)

17 Nisan - Queen Esther saved the Jews from Elimination (Esther 3:12, 5:1)

17 Nisan – Resurrection of Messiah

There are no coincidences in God. The odds of just two of the above events happening accidentally on the same day of the Hebrew year (360 days) are one in 129,000. And the odds of these events all happening coincidentally on the same day of the Hebrew year are one in 783 quadrillions, 864 trillion, 876 Billion, 960 Million (783,864,876,960,000,000).

All these events point to one truth, God planned and orchestrated each of the events culminating it with Messiah defeating, once and for all our enemy Satan. Death was overturn by the resurrection of Yeshua Jesus on that faithful 17 Nisan. Hence giving humanity a new beginning. Death was turned into life and defeat into victory. Our responsibility is to accept Jesus as our savior, live righteously and walk in the newness of His saving grace.

Peace be unto you in Yeshua’s name.

[isaiah118]

The Month of Nissan Is Approaching

The official first day of spring is Monday, March 20. The March equinox happens on March 20, at 5:24 P.M. EDT. This means the joy of spring and new life is about to begin while the month of Adar is approaching its end. Adar is the month in which we celebrate the joyful ‘Feast of Purim’.

The March full moon is known as the ‘Worm Moon’ also known as a super moon. This moon coincides with the period in the lunar cycle. The full moon also coincides with Purim, the Jewish holiday that celebrates the salvation of the Jewish people from a plot to annihilate all the Jewish citizens of ancient Persia. Purim 2023 began the evening of March 6 and ended the evening of March 7. 

This plot to annihilate the Jews was concocted by Haman, a descendant of Amalek. The name “Amalek” is found in the Bible and was one of the sons of Eliphaz and a grandson of Esau (Genesis 36:15, 16 and 1 Chronicles 1:36). Genesis 36:12 gives us further details that Amalek was born to Eliphaz by his concubine Timna. Balaam prophesied, “Amalek was the first of the nations, but in the end he shall come to destruction” (Numbers 24:20).  Exodus 17:8 and Numbers 14:45 indicates to us that Amalek was the first among the nations to attack Israel in her Exodus journey to the Promise Land.

Biblegateway.com states the following: “Exodus 17 describes Israel’s first encounter with the wandering Amalekites at Rephidim, a place between the wilderness of Sin and the wilderness of Sinai (Exodus 17:1; 19:2), at which the Israelites camped in their Exodus journey from Egypt. At this place, following the Amalekite attack, Israel defeated her enemy (Exodus 17:8-16). Concerning further harassment Moses recounts how, in Israel’s journey from Egypt, Amalek, with no fear of God, attacked their rear guard and cut off those who became physically weak (Deuteronomy 25:17, 18). Moses goes on to command that for this wicked treatment of an oppressed people, Israel later, when in the land of Canaan, was to exterminate the Amalekites (Deuteronomy 25:19). Amalek’s unrelenting and destructive spirit and action against God and the cause of His people Israel was heinous to the Lord is seen later in the reminder to Saul concerning these wilderness incidents and in God’s command that the king is to destroy these God-defying Amalekites (1 Samuel 15:2, 3; cf. also Judges 10:12). Thus, the continuing oppressive spirit of this pagan nomadic tribe required a different treatment by the Lord from that which was to be normally carried out; namely, that terms of peace be first offered to a potential enemy (Deuteronomy 20:10-12).”

So now we can understand why God finally, brings deliverance to the Jews and Queen Esther’s command to celebrate Purim as well as to increase joy during the month of Adar, the last spiritual month of the year.

Month of New Beginnings

With this said, we are on the heels of another new moon that marks another new month. The first month of the spiritual year called Nissan. This month of Nissan or Aviv is representative of “greater redemption” that is often referred as “The Month of New Beginnings.” The month of Nissan heralds the spring season where the leafless trees spring new life, flowers blooming and longer days. King Solomon expresses it beautifully in Song of Songs 2:11-12; “11- For, behold, the winter has passed, the rain has passed, it goes to itself. 12- The flowers are seen on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.”

Springtime signals to us the awakening of nature all around us bringing in new life to our surroundings. We can expect new life and new birth where everything becomes new and we can, most certainly, expect “New Beginnings” even in these most troublesome times.

This is very significant for us because according to Exodus 12:2 that reads as follow; “This month shall be the head of months for you. It shall be the first of the months of the year for you.”

You may ask, what is the significance of this month and why God appointed it to be the head of the months? Surely, their most be something peculiar, something special about this month of Nissan and their most certainly is.

Exodus 12:2 specifically states that; “This month shall be the head of months for you.” Notice God is saying ‘this month is for you. Your very own month.’ In other words, the Israelite slaves, who, for the most part owned nothing, this particular month was indeed their ‘very own month’ for it was given over to them, given as “THE MONTH OF THEIR REDEMPTION AND THEIR DELIVERANCE” from the Egyptian oppressor’s where God Himself brought them out with a Mighty Strong Hand, never to be oppressed by them. This was indeed a ‘NEW BEGINNING” for the people of God.

God also instructed them to teach it to their children (see Exodus 12:26-27). Deuteronomy 16:3b reads as follow; “For you came out of the land of Egypt in haste, so that you may remember the day that you came out of the land of Egypt all the days of your life.” This is also part of what the Jews call “the six prayers” they do daily in their morning services in the synagogues. They recite this verse along with their morning prayers. Each generation is taught this as if they also have come out of Egypt.

You may ask; how is this relevant to us, to me? Well, this particular story is about the awesome power of God in delivering and redeeming his people out of bondage. They were call to celebrate their “REDEMPTION.” But this month is for us/for me/for you, for His promise of deliverance resonates through the ages. That means that we too can claim the month of Nissan as ‘OUR VERY OWN” for we, you, me, have our own Egypt, our own bondage, things that enslaved us, where God brought us out with a ‘Mighty Hand’ and has redeemed us by the blood of Yeshua/Jesus hence this is also the month of Passover (Pesach). Jesus was the Passover lamb who was slain for our sins. He has redeemed us. His blood was shed on the cross for our sins. This month is a reminder, it challenges us and empowers us to break forth from whatever bondages, whatever is enslaving us, to break out from those things that holds us back. This month, this first and spiritual month of Nissan is offering us a ‘NEW BEGINNING.’

There is much significance to the very first day of the first month, (Nissan). One big example is the flood (Genesis 6:9 to Genesis 8). It was on the first day of the first month that the waters receded and the earth began to dry up, bringing about a “NEW BEGINNING” on the earth (see Genesis 8:5). Second big example is when Moses set up the Tabernacle in the wilderness with all its furnishings on the first day of the first month (see Exodus 40:1).

The word “Nissan” is of Babylonian origin yet it connects with the concept of spring. It also resembles the Hebrew word “Nitzan” meaning to bud, and it is also connected to the Hebrew word “nes” meaning ‘MIRACLES.” According to the Jewish sages the Hebrew letter “nun” at the end of Nissan suggesting a meaning of ‘ongoing.’ So the miracles that took place in the book of Exodus happen to be ongoing, reaching forward into the future and it has the potential of allowing us to tap into them today. In other words, just as God delivered and redeemed the Israelites from slavery and bondage that same God can deliver us today from our present slavery and bondage. Egypt represents sin, bondage, slavery and everything contrary to God.

From Darkness to Light – Redemption and the New Moon

The word ‘Redemption’ can only be applied to someone or a group of people (ex. The Israelites) that have emerged from darkness into light. For it is from the lowest depths, the sinful life, the deepest darkness within us, that we are offered new life that springs forth from God, through Yeshua, Jesus that we are given a  ‘New Beginning,’ a new birth! Egypt represents the world and the darkness that is in it because of sin. John 8:12 reads as follow; “Then Yahshua again spoke to them, saying, I am the Light of the world. The one following Me will in no way walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”

The month of Nissan is heralded in by the appearance of the new moon on the very evening of the first of Nissan. It comes as a reminder that we too, like the moon, can experience a new birth and arise from whatever darkness surrounds us.

As we look to the heavens and see the tiny sliver of the new moon, we are assured that it is there, just as we know that our God, our creator, and the one that made the heavens and the earth is always there. No matter how dark the world is, He is working behind the scenes, moving around us and within each of us, challenging us to go deep, to delve into His presence and expect, know more than ever, for the miracles, His mighty hand at work in the miraculous as He did with His people in the Exodus story.

May we be encouraged to be light in the midst of darkness. May we move from strength to strength as we encourage and help one another, understanding that our ABBA, our Father can carry, and is carrying us through any challenges, any circumstances, even in our present crisis that threatens us today.

Now, for all of you wondering, what is the connection between the moons renewal and the Exodus; the connection is; ‘PASSOVER’!

 May The Lord’s Peace Be With You

[isaiah118]

The Finger of God Declares His Glory

Shalom;

There is a well-known saying:

"He has more within his little finger than you have in your whole body."

Well, if that could be true of a human being, then imagine the amount of power, mercy, judgment, and honor God has in His own little finger — metaphorically speaking of course.

We don’t have to guess. The Bible gives us a glimpse into the immensity of all that God is and does. 

And although God is Spirit, He has broken into our mortal existence in ways we can see and hear so that He can tell us something important.

If He is going to go through that trouble, we should take a moment to reflect on what the Finger of God (Etsba Elohimאֶצְבַּע אֱלֹהִים) is saying to us.

The Finger of God Declares His Power over Creation

The Psalmists knew how to help us humble ourselves as we reflect on the intimate involvement of the Almighty God in each of our lives:

“When I look at Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars that You have established; what are human beings that You are mindful of them, mortals that You care for them?”  (Psalm 8:3–4)

Our Creator, who could wipe out the earth with a poke of His little finger, has instead drafted a plan to bring heaven to earth and welcome us into His holy and glorious presence forever.

Part of that plan involves keeping the Jewish People as a distinct nation.

“If I forget you, Jerusalem, may My right hand forget its skill.”  (Psalm 137:5)

God’s plan for Israel is just as secure as the sun and moon are securely fixed in the sky because He is the one who put them there.

“Thus says the Lord, who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar — the Lord of hosts (YHVH Sabbaoth) is His name.

“If this fixed order were ever to cease from My presence, says the Lord, then also the offspring of Israel would cease to be a nation before Me forever.”  (Jeremiah 31:35–36)

From the very beginning of Israel’s history, God has stepped in to protect His Chosen People.

When Pharaoh, for instance, tried to prevent Israel from leaving Egypt and becoming a sovereign nation of their own, God’s mighty finger came to the rescue.

God Uses His Finger Against Pharaoh and His idols

To help convince Pharaoh to let the Israelites leave, He turned the Nile River to blood and infested the land of Egypt with frogs.

When that didn’t convince him, Aaron (Moses’ brother) struck the earth with his staff and all the dust turned to gnats, covering the people and animals.

When the magicians saw that the gnats were on the people and animals everywhere, “they said to Pharaoh, “‘This is the finger of God.’  But Pharaoh’s heart was hard and he would not listen.”  (Exodus 8:19)

Seven more plagues followed, each one a judgment on the false gods of Egypt. 

While God’s finger may have been a figure of speech for some people, He would soon give His People a gift designed with His own finger, a lasting reminder of His very personal involvement in their lives.

The Finger of God Writes His Rules

When God delivered the nation of Israel out of Egypt, through the Red Sea and set them at the foot of Mount Sinai, He gave them the 10 commandments — rules to live by — rules that the rest of the world were eventually supposed to live by too.

Moses tells us about that encounter: 

“When I went up on the mountain to receive the tablets of stone, the tablets of the covenant that the Lord had made with you, I stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights; I ate no bread and drank no water. 

“The Lord gave me two stone tablets written by the finger of God. 

“On them were all the commandments the Lord proclaimed to you on the mountain out of the fire, on the day of the assembly.

“At the end of the forty days and forty nights, the Lord gave me the two stone tablets, the tablets of the covenant.”  (Deuteronomy 9:9–11; Exodus 31:18)

This would not be the last time God pierces through the cosmos to communicate with human beings by writing with His fingers!

The Finger of God Protects His Holiness

It’s the stuff of action, fiction, animation, and horror movies wrapped up in one — but it's a true story found inside the prophetic Book of Daniel.

The pagan-worshipping Babylonian King Belshazzar was holding a great feast.

“Suddenly the fingers of a man’s hand emerged and began writing opposite the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace, and the king saw the back of the hand that did the writing. 

“Then the king’s face grew pale and his thoughts alarmed him, and his hip joints went slack and his knees began knocking together.”  (Daniel 5:5–6)

The fingers on this hand (which were not attached to any body) wrote these Aramaic words:

מנא מנא תקל ופרסין

MN- MN- TKL VPRSYN

Imagine seeing something like that at your next party!

Though the words were Aramaic, not one of the king’s astrologers or wise men could read it, let alone interpret it.

God clearly gave the gift of wisdom and knowledge to Daniel, one of His own faithful worshippers, to receive the honor for deciphering the message.

Daniel reads the words as "MENE, MENE, TEKEL, U-PHARSIN."  He interprets the phrase to mean:

MENE:  “God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end.”

TEKEL:  “you have been weighed ... and found wanting.”

PERES:  “your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”

That very night, the king was killed.  God gave Belshazzar’s kingdom to Darius from Mede and Cyrus from Persia.

Why?

Because at a banquet that day, Belshazzar “brought in the vessels of gold and silver that had been taken out of God’s Holy Temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines drank from them.”

God also became angry that “they drank the wine and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.”

Imagine lifting God’s holy vessels made of silver and gold to worship pagan gods created of silver and gold, “which do not see or hear or know, but the God in whose power is your very breath, and to whom belong all your ways, you have not honored,” said Daniel to the king.  (Daniel 5:23)

God’s finger declared judgment on the proud king, who should have set an example for his kingdom on how to revere the holy God of Israel, as his father, King Nebuchadnezzar, once did.

Now, working through King Cyrus, God would let the Jewish People return to Jerusalem with the holy vessels of gold and silver, where they would be purified and put back into service for Him alone. 

The Finger of Yeshua (Jesus) Demonstrates God’s Mercy

Daniel’s God-given wisdom helped him gain favor and authority in the kingdom of Babylon.

How much more favour should Yeshua (Jesus) have gained for His wisdom in Israel?  But few appreciated it.

In the Book of John, we read of the pharisees, scribes, and elders who brought a woman caught in the act of adultery. 

They hoped to trap Yeshua into saying something that they could use against Him, since the Torah required that she be stoned to death.

But Yeshua, being the Word of God Himself, knew the Torah better than these pharisees.

He knew that the law required two righteous witnesses to condemn anyone.  (Deuteronomy 19:15)

Yeshua bent down and with His finger wrote on the ground,

We don't know what He wrote, yet those who looked on may have seen words that convicted them.

So, when Yeshua stood up and said, “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her,” each one walked away.

“Woman, where are they?  Has no one condemned you?”  Yeshua asked.

She said, “No one, sir.”

Yeshua said, “Neither do I condemn you.  Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.”  (John 8:10–11)

The Finger of God that brought judgment to Belshazzar also brought mercy to a daughter of Zion.

"Note then the severity and the kindness of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in His kindness."  (Romans 11:22)

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Messiah Yeshua, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Messiah Yeshua from the dead.”  (1 Peter 1:3)

The Finger of God Declares His Kingdom Has Arrived!

The People had seen many exorcisms in their day, but they were amazed to see Yeshua cast out a demon from a mute man, and he suddenly spoke!

Though some were not amazed, they were jealous, suspicious, and did not understand that Yeshua was the Messiah.

They accused Him of working in the power of Satan, also called Beelzebub.

This time, Yeshua used wisdom as well as logic to counter the accusation.

In the Book of Luke it says:

“You say that I cast out the demons by Beelzebul.  Now if I cast out the demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your exorcists cast them out?

“But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you.”  (Luke 11:18–20)

However, Matthew records Yeshua saying the Spirit of God instead of the Finger of God.

“If it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”  (Matthew 12:28)

Why does the Word of God (Bible) interchange the words “Spirit” and “Finger" of God?

Because in the “natural world,” God does not have a physical body (He is Spirit), but He can manifest however He wants to.

As we saw in the story of Daniel and Belshazzar, the fingers of a hand appeared writing on the wall.

And do you remember the story of God speaking through the mouth of a donkey?  (Numbers 22:21–39)  Yes, God’s voice came out of the mouth of an animal!

Or the dozens of stories in the Bible when God’s voice from heaven spoke to people?  (Daniel 4:31)

“And a voice came out of the heavens: ‘You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.’”  (Mark 1:11)

In many cases, He spoke with an audible voice, which some people hear even today, but on rare occasions.

However, usually we hear His voice in the spirit, not through sound waves that are part of this physical world. 

So, when Yeshua proclaimed that He cast out demons in the Spirit of God (Matthew) or in (Luke) the Finger of God, He was declaring that the Power of God had now arrived on earth operating through Him, the Promised Messiah!

“Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.”  (John 14:12)

Messianic Bible Bibles For Israel P.O. Box 8900 Pueblo, CO 81008

[isaiah118]

ADAR - The Joy of The Lord is my Strength

Jewish Motto: “When Adar Comes, Joy is Increased” Part 2

According to Biblestudytools.com, the name Esther means secret and/or hidden as well as from the Greek aster, meaning "a star," hence Esther. It is also a Syro-Arabian modification of the Persian word ‘satarah,’ which also means star.

Her Jewish name was Hadassah meaning ‘the myrtle.’ Her name was changed when she entered Ahasuerus (the Persian King) royal harem.

According to Jewish tradition, “Megillat Esther” means “revealing the hidden.” This is fitting with the above meaning stated above of “secret or hidden.” The evidence is clearly revealed in the story of Purim.

God is never mentioned in the Book of Esther. Yet, He was in the midst, and working behind the scenes (hidden) on behalf of the Jewish people.

Matthew 10:26: “Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.”

Luke 12:2: “But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.”

Luke 8:17: “For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light.”

The two letters of the ‘KUF’ are the initials letters of two Hebrew words: Potential and Actual. These two words suggest that “KUF” enables the latten power of the spiritual realm (the potential) to be made actual in the physical realm.

Adar is linked to KUF and it takes the form of a sword that is crowned. The way this is written is by combining the letter “reish” (representing cognitive beginning) and “zayin” (representing a sword). When the letter KUF is written, reish (the crown), is placed above the zayin (the sword), which penetrates the lower line. The result of this combination for this month is VICTORY, for this allows us to SEE HOW WE OVERCOME THE POWERS OF DARKNESS, by allowing the word to penetrate our mind and find its way to our heart.

KUF has several meanings but two of them are “laughter” and the other is “masquerade.” In other words, TIME TO REMOVE THE MASK SO WE CAN FREELY ENTER INTO LAUGHTER.

The Constellation Pisces

PISCES (FISHES) Find your supply in the hidden world.

This is the month that Jesus told Peter to find the fish with the money in its mouth to pay their taxes.

There is an identity for you in the invisible world (supernatural)

Discover your identity in the Spiritual realm and see how the Lord is conforming you by the Spirit

Identify your gifts and become who you were meant to be

Correlation between “Esther” meaning “revealing the hidden” and KUF

James 1:17-18; 17-“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18- He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all He created.” NIV

James 3:13-18; 13-“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14- But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15- Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16- For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 17- But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.18- Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” NIV

Look and find your supply in the ‘hidden world’. It is in this spiritual realm where your provision and your true identity lies. This is the month to let your true identity (like Esther), your God given identity, be reflected in you, spiritually and physically. Take off the MASK AND REVEAL WHO GOD SAYS YOU ARE. Overturn worries and let the Spirit of God release your supplies and needs. This is the month to develop war strategies, as Esther did. The training and the development in prayer and Intercession are now to be put into practice. Esther 4:15-16 “And Esther said to take back to Mordecai, 16 - Go, gather all the Jews being found in Shushan, and fast for me. And do not eat or drink three days, night or day. My maidens and I will also fast in this way. And so I will go in to the king, which is not according to the law. And if I have perished, I have perished.” Hebrew Root Bible Version

ADAR: Means Glorious; Fire; Strength, To Be Wise, To Be Made Great, To Be Honorable

DO NOT LET THE GIANTS PRODUCE FEAR IN YOU. GUARD YOUR HEART FROM IDOLATRY, WICKEDNESS AND PERVERSION. This is the time for decrees set against you to be finally and permanently broken. Time to root out depression, to root out oppression and to root out despair in Jesus name and break through, break out and step into faith. TAKE OFF THE CLOAK OF HEAVINESS AND PUT ON THE GARMENT OF PRAISE.

Now, there is another meaning for the month of ADAR and that is “the eye of the needle”. Even in our victories, nothing comes easy. “The eye of the needle” means that we need to navigate through the narrow places as Esther did. However, God will give us the grace, the understanding, the wisdom and His plan to make it through victoriously.

ADAR –Month of Gaining the Favor of The King

Adar is a month to rejoice, to celebrate, and to enjoy the sweetness of the Lord. It is the month that ends the winter season and connects us to spring. Malachi 4:2 tells us the following; “But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings.” NKJV The morning sun is rising with healing in His wings. We have entered a season where the snow that is released will remove any impurities, any debris and any contaminations that have been in our rivers of the heart.  This is where we will find new strength in the midst of our battles, no matter how difficult, we WILL GAIN VICTORY OVER THE ENEMY that has fiercely been raging against us. As Isaiah 54:17 tells us; “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the LORD.” Our time is NOW to move, to act and press forward in our worship, in our praise, in our prayer/Intercession and in our spiritual warfare in the realm of the spirit much more fervently than ever before. Let us bring the sacrifice of praise unto the Lord and we shall see the morning sun ARISE with healing in His wings as we move in one accord (echad), and above all, in victory. REJOICE, SHOUT FOR JOY and we shall see the deliverance of ABBA, our mighty Father. Let; “The joy of the Lord be your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 and “I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13.

Redeeming The Times

We are in a season that we, believers, need to, urgently, REDEEM THE TIMES we are in. May we so do.

15- “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16 KJV

“Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.” Colossians 4:5 5KJV

“Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;” Psalms 107:2 KJV

MAY THE PEACE OF THE LORD BE WITH YOU.

[isaiah118]

ADAR - The Joy of The Lord is my Strength

Jewish Motto: “When Adar Comes, Joy is Increased”

February 21st at sundown (Adar 1) to March 22nd (Adar 29) 2023 at sundown.

12th month - Adar is the twelfth month of the Jewish calendar. The word Adar means “strength.”

It’s a month of good fortune for the Jewish people and a month of joy. The joy of Adar is what makes this the “pregnant” month of the year.

Babylonian Name:                                  Adar – Meaning “Strength” and “Good Fortune”

Month of the year:                                  12th Month of Spiritual Year and 6th Month of Physical Year

Theme of the Month:                              The Joy of The Lord is my Strength

Season:                                                    Winter/Horaf – Season of VICTORY and JOY

Key Appointed Times:         Adar 1                           Rosh Codesh Adar

Adar 13   Ta’anit Esther (Feast of Esther)

Adar 14   Purim (Feast of Lots)

Note: During a Leap Year and extra month of Adar is added with Adar 1 having 30 days and Adar 11 is 29 days; its Rosh Chodesh is two days; 1st day is 30th of Adar I and 2nd day of its Rosh Chodesh is 1st of Adar II. Purim falls in this month of Adar 11.

Color is Purple – Gemstone is Amethyst

Tribe of Israel: Naphtali –meaning “Sweetness is to me.” It’s a time of celebration where curses are overturned and things become sweet.

Hebrew Letter: Kuf / has a value of 100 – Represents holiness, what  is behind, cycle or circuit of time, removing the masquerade, entering joy

Action: Laughter / Body Part – Spleen

Constellation: Pisces represented by 2 fish. This is the month where Jesus told Peter to find the fish with the money in its mouth to pay their taxes. There is an identity for you, which is linked to the invisible world, not to the natural.

Month of Adar’s Characteristic & Scriptures to Meditate On

Month to be joyous, to celebrate God’s victory over evil (1 Corinthians 15:55-57)

Celebrate specific victorious endings in your life (Ecclesiastes 7:8)

Time to activate and engage, act and speak like Esther (Exodus 4:12, Esther 4:16 & Psalms 81:10)

Enter into joy and laughter (Proverbs 17:22 & Proverbs 31:25)

Tap into God’s supernatural joy that is within you (Galatians 5:22-23)

Declare “THE JOY OF THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH” (Nehemiah 8:10)

In God’s presence there is fullness of joy (Psalms 16:11)

This is the season to CONDEMN EVERY TONGUE THAT RISES AGAINST YOU (Isaiah 54:17)

Don’t let the GIANTS bring fear upon your life (1 John 4:18)

Season to celebrate the reversal of curses (Esther 7:9-10, Galatians 3:13)

The Hebrew month of Adar is linked to many events in Jewish history but the highlight of this month is ‘The Festival of Purim.’ The story is related in the Bible in the book of Esther.

The ‘Festival of Purim’ is always celebrated on the 14th and 15th of Adar which happens to be in the middle of a lunar month, meaning it always falls on a full moon.

Other Important Events That Happened in the Month of Adar

3 Adar: The Second Temple was Completed (Ezra 6:15)

7 Adar: Birth and Death of Moses who lived 120 years. It’s noteworthy to mention that the 7th of Adar never ever has fallen on a Sabbath day.

12 Adar: God exacted vengeance against "Turyanus" (probably a nickname derived from "tyrannus" which means despote in Latin; the word comes from the Greek τυ ́ ́ραννος which means "absolute master"); who was a Roman officer wanting to kill the Jews of Lod/Lydda

13 Adar: Esther’s fast related in Esther 4. This day is also marked by the “Day of Nicanor” named after an enemy Seleucid general who oppressed the Jews during the Maccabee’s Revolt. Nicanor died in the battle of Adasa in the year 161 BCE at the hand of Judah Maccabee.

Interesting Facts about Purim

The word Purim is written פורים in Hebrew: its numerical value is 80+6+200+10+40= 336. And 336 = 4*12*7, where 4 is the number of seasons, 12 the number of months, and 7 the number of days of the week. As we can see Purim is another form, a compound, if you will, of any calendar which is based on seasons/years, months, days/weeks. Furthermore 336 also equals to 2*24*7 which alludes to 2 being daylight and night each day, 7 days in a week and 24 hours in a day.

Celebrate That Your Course Is Overturned

Purim is the last month of the Hebrew calendar and is also the last festival of the Hebrew calendar. Purim is considered to have all the symbolism of all the other Jewish festivals. Purim is about redemption from complete annihilation and extermination, similar to that of the Exodus story of Passover and the redemption of slavery). It’s also likened to Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year where everyone is judged (Divine Judgement-Life or Death). So is the day of Yom Kippur, a day of fasting. Esther and her people fasted. It is also like Sukkot, a time of joy and sharing meals with one another. Oddly enough the Bible book of Esther never mentions, not once, the name of God. God never appears in any form, Elohim, El, God, Jehovah, Yahweh or Yah, in the entire 10 chapters of the book of Esther. Yet, as we read the book, it is clearly evident, that God is operating behind the scenes in an awesome, powerful way. It is also evident, as we read, that God Himself orchestrated the whole thing, knowing that a descendant of Amalek, Haman, was out, plotting, to annihilate God’s people. God ensured a means for His people’s deliverance.

Darkness Turned Into Light

 “Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them, (though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;)” Esther 9:1 AKJV

Haman’s choice of when to annihilate the Jews was accomplished by throwing lots. The 13th of Adar came up and Haman was thrilled as he knew that the 7th of Adar was the day when Moses died. What he didn’t know was that the 7th of Adar was also the same day that Moses was born. Haman believed that the month of Adar was a month of darkness but it was actually a time of great joy for the Jewish people.

Haman’s plot of wanting to annihilate the Jewish people was overturned and death came upon him and his ten son’s. They were hung on the very gallows Haman had setup for Mordecai, Esther’s step father and a Jewish leader.

Esther 9:20-22: 20- “And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters to all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both near and far. 21- To establish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly, 22- As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned to them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.” AKJV

MAY THE PEACE OF THE LORD BE WITH YOU.

[isaiah118]

God wants you to come Under His Wings

"He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart."  (Psalm 91:4)

Shalom;

A storm passes through the night.  A mother hen fluffs up her wings, and calls out to her young chicks, “Come to me!  I’ll keep you warm.  I’ll protect you.”

No wonder God has used this scene many times in Scripture to describe His own desires to keep us near Him, under His own protective wings.

Let’s take a closer look at what His wings can do and what it really means for each of us to come under them.

Wings of Majesty, Splendor, and Light

The Hebrew word for the wings of a bird or angel is kanaph.

This word also means the corners of a garment, which might flap in the wind, giving the appearance of a wing.

We see this use of the word when God told the Israelites in the wilderness:

“Throughout the generations to come you are to make tassels [tzitzit] on the [four] corners [kanaph] of your garments, with a blue cord on each tassel.” (Numbers 15:38; Deuteronomy 22:12)

The tassels were meant to continually remind the Jewish people of the commandments in the Word of God.

During Biblical times Jewish men wore a full tallit [gown or cloak], which was rectangular with tzitzit and looked somewhat like a blanket.

After the exile, the Jews lived with their Gentile neighbors in foreign lands, adopting their clothing.  As we see today, around the world, Jewish men wear pants and shirts.

So under their shirt, orthodox Jewish men wear a rectangular undershirt, called a mini-tallit that has tzitzit (tassels or fringes) representing God’s commandments.

The tallit katan (small shawl) on the left and the undershirt tzitzit on the right  are worn under contemporary clothes in order to fulfill the command to wear tzitzit on the four corners of one's garment.  (Source: Judaica Webstore)

During prayers, men cover themselves with a prayer shawl, which have tzitzit.

But there’s more spiritual significance to wearing this garment than just remembering the mitzvot (commandments).

For many Jewish men who wrap themselves under the covering of the prayer shawl, it’s as if they are wrapping themselves under the wings of God’s splendor and glory.

While some inspect their tzitzit as they prepare to cover themselves with their tallit (prayer shawl), they recite a blessing that reminds them of how God wraps Himself in His own majesty and splendor.

From Psalm 104:1-2, they pray:

"My soul, bless the Lord! Lord my God,  You are greatly exalted; You have clothed Yourself with majesty and splendor.  You wrap yourself with light as with a garment; You stretch out the heavens like a curtain."

As each Jewish man wraps himself in the light and glory of God’s garment, he symbolically comes under God's supernatural force field, a spiritual and physical place of refuge.

Under His Wings We Find Refuge

When the prayer shawl covers the man’s whole being, it forms a special kind of prayer closet where he can focus his prayers, praise, and worship on the Lord God of Israel.

It also reminds him of the covering God provides to those who stay near Him.

As the shawl is first placed over the head, this blessing is recited:

“How precious is Your kindness, O God! The children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings [kanaph],”  (See Psalm 36:7-11 for the full blessing).

God’s refuge is for everyone, no matter how meek or powerful.

King David was undoubtedly the most powerful man in Israel, and yet he often wrote of his need to flee to God as his refuge.

When it seemed to David as though he was at one of the lowest points in his life, he wrote in Psalm 61:

“I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.”  (verse 4)

When we are feeling far from God, we can imagine wrapping ourselves with His light, His glory, His splendor as though we were dwelling with Him in His sanctuary under His warm, protective wings.

The psalmist says that those who take refuge in God are "blessed" (Psalm 2:12), receive His “great goodness” (Psalm 31:19) and are "saved" from their foes (Psalm 17:7).

They will “rejoice” (Psalm 5:11).  The Prophet Isaiah even says they “will inherit the land"(Isaiah 57:13).

These blessings were certainly bestowed on a foreign widow named Ruth, who left the gods of her homeland in Moab and went to Bethlehem with her Jewish mother-in-law, Naomi.

There she met a wealthy man named Boaz who saw her loyalty, love and dedication to the Lord of Israel as well as to her mother-in-law Naomi.

“May the Lord repay you for what you have done.  May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge,” Boaz told her.  (Ruth 2:12)

As time progressed, she went to meet Boaz to spread the wing of his garment over her, symbolically asking him to cover her with his protection and authority as a husband.  (Ruth 3:9–10)

It’s a beautiful phrase that God Himself used to describe His covenant relationship as a Husband to Israel:

"'Later I passed by, and when I looked at you and saw that you were old enough for love, I spread the corner (wing) of my garment over you and covered your naked body.  I gave you my solemn oath and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Sovereign LORD, and you became mine.” (Ezekiel 16:8)

Upon marrying Ruth, Boaz entered into a covenant with her in which he provided for and protected her.

Moreover, they both became the great-grandparents of King David, from whose lineage the Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) would be born.

God’s garment is so expansive it fills the earth, and He is inviting us to come under it as His Bride.  When we do, we come under His love, protection and authority.

Under His Wings We Come Under His Authority

El Shaddai, Almighty God, is the One whose great wings carried His people out of Egypt.

“You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.”  (Exodus 19:4)

After carrying His People to safety, God then gathered them to Mount Sinai and put them under His wings of authority, which is His Torah (instructions) and His reign as their King.

But it wasn’t a one-sided arrangement.  The Lord protected, provided, and nurtured the Israelites because He had great plans for them:

“I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.” (Exodus 19:4)

He said to the Israelites:

“Now if you obey Me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession.  Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’” (Exodus 19:5–6)

Coming under the authority of God meant obeying His laws so that they would become spokespeople for His kingdom.  By showing the pagan nations how God wants people to live, they would become priests of His holy nation.

Through these Jewish people came forth the Word of God (First and Second Covenants) as well as the Messiah Jesus (Yeshua), instructing and blessing the whole world.

Today, all people who come under the authority of God, both Jew and Gentile, are His spokespeople, His priests.

As the apostle Peter said, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.”  (1 Peter 2:9)

Under the Healing Wings of Messiah

We find a beautiful Messianic prophecy in the very last chapter of the Tanakh about “the sun of righteousness rising with healing in its wings [kanaph].” (Malachi 4:2)

By completely covering us with His healing “wings,” Yeshua (which means “Salvation”) provides healing of our souls by forgiving our sins, which places us under His wings for eternity.

As a sign of His divine authority as Messiah, He healed multitudes of people, including some who reached out for the corner [kanaph] of His garment.

In Matthew chapter 9, we read of a woman, who after twelve years of bleeding diligently sought after Yeshua in a crowd.

She leaned into the crowd of people around him and touched the fringes on the kanaph of His garment and was instantly healed.

She was not alone.

"When Yeshua crossed the Sea of Galilee to a town on the western shore called Gennesaret, the people sent word throughout the region and brought all who were sick to Him.

"They begged Him that they might touch even the corner (fringes) of His garment; and all who touched it were healed.” (Matthew 14:35-36)

Though the crowds were willing to be healed physically by Yeshua, not all of them wanted to hear His message about the Kingdom of Heaven.

Yeshua wept as He looked toward the city that God called his very own.

"Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing,” Yeshua said. (Luke 13:34)

Sadly, many were not willing to accept Yeshua as their sin offering ― the Lamb of God ― who takes away the sins of the world.  (Isaiah 53)

Because they did not choose Yeshua as their Messiah (Salvation), some say that God has folded His wings to the Jewish People and opened them to the Gentiles, but that is not true.

On the contrary, God’s wings are forever open to everyone (Jew and Gentile), who come seeking Him. 

“Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking,” Yeshua says. “If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me.” (Revelation 3:20)

Messianic Bible Bibles For Israel P.O. Box 8900 Pueblo, CO 81008

[isaiah118]

Righteousness IS our Foundation

What Are We Budding In Our Lives Right Now?

Sh’vat - month associated with the Hebrew letter TSADIK meaning ‘Righteous One’. In other words ‘Righteousness becomes or is, or should be our Foundation’. This month is about planning. Planning on how to sustain the generations. How are we going to blossom? WHAT IS BUDDING IN YOUR LIFE RIGHT NOW?

This month of Sh’vat as well as the first seven days of Adar (February to March) are considered a beneficial time to study, in depth, the Torah, as it teaches us how to effectively produce good fruits.

Luke 6: 43-45 tells us the following; “43- For a good tree brings not forth corrupt fruit; neither does a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 44- For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. 45- A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” (AKJV)

Verse 45 is clearly comparing us humans to trees. You and I, we are trees. We produce fruits. You may ask, what fruits? Good question. We produce words and actions. What kind of words? We can determine that by what is really in the heart, for the heart will reveal itself by what is coming out of the mouth in words. Examine the words. Are the words being spoken life or are they speaking death? Are the words being spoken edifying or are they accusations? Are the words being spoken praise and worship or are they rants, insults, ridiculing, contemptuous belittlement words? Are they encouraging words or mockery? Think about it for a moment! If rotten buds are sprouting in our lives, then, we truly need to repent before the fruit comes into full bloom, for those fruits will surely be marked for destruction.

Proverbs 4:23 and 24 reads as follow; “23- Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. 24- Put away from you a fraudulent mouth, and perverse lips put far from you.”

As I looked in various dictionaries and thesaurus for other terms for the word “fraudulent”, I came across over 66 synonymous words. One of them was “deceit”. Then I also looked for another term for the word “perverse”. The following are some of the findings; “WICKED, CORRUPT, DEGENERATE, DEPRAVED, DIVIANT and REBELLIOUS”. These are just some of the synonymous words for perverse. These two words, “fraudulent and perverse” with all its synonymous words, relate to “DECEPTION”. Man has been struggling with these two opposing natures within himself. It is our responsibility before God and to ourselves to recognize these two opposing and conflicting natures and submit to the renewing of our minds through Yeshua, Jesus. Example of scriptures to read;

Romans 12:2- "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will." (NIV)

2 Corinthians 10:5- "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (NIV)

Philippians 4:8- "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (ESV)

Jeremiah 17:7-8 is a scripture where man is compared to a tree. It reads; “7- Blessed is the man that trusts in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. 8- For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreads out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat comes, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.”(AKJV)

Everyone reading the scripture above stops here and forget to read the following verses that warns us of our fallen condition. That it is from our hearts that the issues of life flows. That it is our own hearts that can trick, deceive and distort us. Hence, it is of great importance that we check and examine our fruits, our intentions, our speaking and actions carefully. This is what Jeremiah 17: 9 and 10 tells us about our hearts. It reads as follow; “9- The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? 10- I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” (AKJV)

So, with this said, I ask; what are we producing? What are we speaking? Are we speaking life or are we speaking death? What kind of fruits and seeds are we accepting and consuming? Are they producing fear, anxiety, doubt, worries, insecurities, anger, contention and paranoia? These kinds of fruits spread like wild fire and ultimately causes destruction. The Word of God tells us in Matthew 7:16 “Ye shall know them by their fruits.” We need to be mindful and careful of what seed/fruit we partake of. Not every seed produces good fruit. Not every seed that looks good and may be good, produces life.

This is a reality that we live with every day of our lives; our families, marriage, relationships, in the work place, church, fellowships, academia, etc. From the beginning of creation, in the Garden of Eden, there was two trees. And there is two seeds, two worldviews and two kingdoms. We all belong to one or the other. So I ask, to which one do we belong to? Ask yourself, to which one do I belong to? Examine yourself, what fruit am I consuming? What fruit am I producing? Time to truly examine our hearts and begin to live a productive life, so when our time comes to meet our Lord we may be able to show the good fruits we have produce for His kingdom.

Isaiah 61:3c; “that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.”

Isaiah 61:11  “For as the earth brings forth her bud, and as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.”

[isaiah118]

Sh’Vat

Righteousness IS our Foundation

Psalms 34:8 “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusts in him”.

Part 1

January/February        January 23/Sh’vat 1 to February 21/Sh’vat 30

Month of the Year – 11th month of Spiritual Year   5th month of Physical Year

Theme of the Month – God’s Righteousness is our Foundation (YHWH Tzidkenu)

Season – Winter/”Horaf”       Season of Victory and Joy

Key Appointed Times – Sh’vat 1 – Rosh Chodesh Sh’vat

    Sh’vat 15 – Tu B’Sh’vat – New Year for Trees

Color – Light Olive Green, Yellow / Gemstone – Citrine Quartz, Peridot

Tribe of Israel – Asher / “Pleasure”, “Happiness” and “Fatness”

Hebrew Letter – Tsade or Tsadik / Value – 90 / Meaning: To capture, Fishing Hook

          Righteousness

Action / Body Part – Taste / Stomach and Esophagus

Constellation: Aquarius / “Water Carrier”

Characteristics and Scriptures to Meditate on

Righteousness is our Foundation                           Romans 5:20-21

New Year for Trees                               

Meditate on Psalms 1

Time to consider ‘Who is planted in your field’

Time for the roots to be awaken to God’s Living Waters         John 4

God is watching over His Word to Perform it                Jeremiah 1:12

Time to Evaluate Your Position                                                John 15

Taste and Reflect on God’s Living Word                               John 6:63

Time to EAT and DIGEST THE WORD OF GOD         Jeremiah 15:16,       Ezequiel 3:3 and Proverbs 13:25

Hebrew: שְׁבָט —transliteration: Shebat also known as Shevat, Shvat and Shebat. It is mentioned in the Bible for the first time in Zechariah 1:7.

5 Biblical events that occurred in the month of Sh’vat;

Asher was born

1 Sh’vat - Moses repeated the Torah (Deuteronomy 1:3)

15 Sh’vat - Tu Bishvat – The anniversary of the trees

24 Sh’vat - Zechariah made a prophecy (Zechariah 1:7–16)

28 Sh.vat – (circa 134 BC) Antiochus V abandoned his siege of Jerusalem and his plan for the city’s destruction

Characteristics of Sh’vat – Righteousness is OUR FOUNDATION, Yahweh Tzidkenu). It’s a month of planning in how to sustain the generations. Ask yourself, how will my almond tree blossom? Look for those who are bringing pitchers of water to you. This is also the month to ‘SHOUT’ “MY BLESSINGS, MY HEALING, MY DELIVERANCE, MY LOVE ONES, are on the way”. In this month of Sh’vat, what you taste, see and meditate on produces the life and nourishment for your future.

The Constellation Aquarius – The Water Carrier – The water bearer – The month that the river touches the roots and in turn the roots awaken to the living waters, the waters of LIFE. Think of the Samaritan woman as John 4:10 says;  Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” Ask yourself; who is bringing you water? Consider the decisions you are making or about to make, specially, if you are not being watered, and position yourself to be watered in a complete new way.

Shevat is concealed in the Day of Rest called Shabbat. It comes from the notariken (letter substitution) method of substituting a Tav for a Tet.

Both of them have similar sounds. When this is done the word becomes Shabbat שבת. This truth teaches us about the period of Shevat that spring is about to begin. Shabbat is a rest day. Gestation is also a period of rest preparing the fetus for entry into the world. Shevat is that kind of period for us.

Psalms 34:8 “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusts in him”.

She’vat comes from an Akkadian word that means a shoot, rod, or lashing. Lashing refers to the heavy rains of winter that end the season. Shevat is also a cognate of shevet; meaning branch, rod, scepter, scion, staff, and tribe. The month of Sh’vat is the first to let Israel know that spring is coming and that is revealed by the ‘Almond trees’. The almond tree represents “WAKE UP.’ The almond tree sprout green Budsas a sign of new (resurrected) life. Almond trees flower and bear fruit earlier than all the other fruit trees in Israel signaling the fading of winter and new life coming forth.

Numbers 17:8” And it happened on the next day, Moses went into the tent of the testimony, and, behold! The rod of Aaron for the house of Levi had budded, and put forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and bore ripe almonds.”

Almond buds and blossoms are also associated with authority. The scripture above is related to the Korah’s rebellion that led to the plague upon the people (Num.16-17). This was a sign (oht) that Aaron was God’s chosen High Priest. The sign and evidence that Aaron was anointed by God as High Priest was in Aaron’s rod budding, blossoming and bearing fruit, ripe almonds. The word ‘almond’ in Hebrew is שָׁקֵד (sheked) from the root word (shakad) meaning to awake or watch. The fact that the word ‘almond’ in Hebrew is ‘sheked’, and that this word comes from the word ‘shakad’ meaning ‘watch’ is very telling. Let’s go to the scriptures to Jeremiah 1:11-12; 11- And the Word of YAHWEH was to me, saying, Jeremiah, what do you see? And I said, I see an almond rod (shaked). 12- Then YAHWEH said to me, You have seen well; for I will watch over (sheked) My Word to perform it.

God watched the Korah’s rebellion take place and God also watched over His (Cepher) Word to perform and fulfill His promise. God watches over His people today and He’s watching over His Word to fulfill what He has spoken to His people today, no matter what rebellion, no matter what perversity, violence and corruption is going on around us right now. Let us be refreshed and renewed in ABBA our Father in ensure that our roots are deep and receiving the living waters that will cause us to bear good fruits in this season. Let us decide, once and for all if we are going to let the enemy steal our inheritance or are we going to stand firm in the authority Yeshua has given us to receive His allotted portion for this season and give extravagantly.

What God has spoken will indeed take place. This is the season for us to begin to bud, blossom and bear fruit, to believe God and trust Him that He will perform His Word.

(https://godtime.blog/), www.christinevales.com, https://graceintorah.net/2018/01/20/chodesh-shevat-taste-and-see/

[isaiah118]

When Things Seem to Go From Bad to Worse

Shabbat Shalom;

SHEMOT (Names)

Exodus 1:1–6:1; Isaiah 27:6–28:13, 29:22–23 (Ashk); Jeremiah 1:1–2:3 (Seph); Romans 12:1–21

“These are the names [ve’eleh shemot] of the sons of Israel who went to Egypt with Jacob, each with his family.”  (Exodus 1:1)

In last week’s Torah portion (Parasha), the first of the five books of Moses, Genesis (Bereisheet—In the Beginning), ended with the deaths of Jacob and Joseph.

This week, we begin the second book of the Torah, Exodus, called Shemot in Hebrew, which means names.

This Parasha describes the suffering of the Israelites under bondage to the Egyptians, the birth of Moses and his miraculous salvation from out of the Nile River.  It also describes his calling to deliver Israel and his encounter with Pharaoh.

Like Moses, Like Yeshua

“The descendants of Jacob numbered seventy in all; Joseph was already in Egypt.”  (Exodus 1:5)

Although only 70 descendants of Jacob (whom God renamed Israel) came into the Land of Egypt at Joseph’s invitation, they soon multiplied into such a great and mighty people that the new pharaoh, who did not know Joseph, felt threatened by them.  He feared that the Israelites might join Egypt’s enemies in battles against them.

“The Israelites were exceedingly fruitful; they multiplied greatly, increased in numbers and became so numerous that the land was filled with them.”  (Exodus 1:7)

To counter the growing strength of the Israelites, the Egyptians forced them into bitter labor, building store cities for Pharaoh and working the fields.

When they continued to multiply, Pharaoh ordered the Hebrew midwives to kill all newborn males.  But at least two midwives, Shifrah and Puah, did not comply.  God, therefore, supernaturally protected their lives, blessing them with families and multiplying the Israelites even more (Exodus 1:16–21).

So Pharaoh turned to the Egyptians, commanding them to throw all male newborn Hebrews into the Nile River(Exodus 1:22).

The Levite parents of Moses had such great faith that in order to save their son, they defied Pharaoh's order and hid him for the first few months of his life.

But babies grow and, eventually, he could no longer be hidden, so they put him in a basket and set him afloat on the Nile among the reeds.

Even in this desperate circumstance, the protective hand of God was on this boy of destiny.  Pharaoh’s daughter spotted the basket.  When she saw the Hebrew baby inside, she had pity on him and took him as her own.

Instead of drowning in the Nile or dying at the hands of the Egyptians as the other newborn boys did, Moses was raised in Pharaoh’s palace as a prince of Egypt.

This dramatic account of the infant Moses parallels the life of the infant Yeshua (Jesus), who was sentenced to death by the order of King Herod, among all the other Jewish male infants in Bethlehem.

“When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi.”  (Matthew 2:16)

Just as Moses was saved by his mother, so was Yeshua saved by the obedience and faith of His earthly father, Joseph, who was warned in a dream to flee to Egypt.

“Now when they had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.’  So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt.”  (Matthew 2:13–14) 

What irony that the very place of danger and death for the Hebrew babies in the days of Moses became a place of refuge for Yeshua when He was but a baby!

Egyptian Prince Moses Becomes a Shepherd

Because Pharaoh’s daughter drew the baby from the Nile, she called him Moshe (מֹשֶׁה) from the word moshech, meaning pull or draw. 

Moses grew up in the royal Egyptian palace, but it seems that the burdens of his fellow Israelites troubled him.

One day, he saw an Egyptian slave master beating a Hebrew.  Even as a young man, Moses felt the calling to deliver his people, but he stepped ahead of God’s timing.

In the process of defending this Israelite slave, Moses killed the Egyptian and fled to Midian to escape Pharaoh’s death decree over him.  (Exodus 2:15)

Again in Midian, Moses expressed his calling as a deliverer by saving the daughters of the Priest of Midian who had come to the well where he sat.  They wanted to draw water for their flock, but shepherds tried to drive them away.  Moses intervened and watered their flocks for them.

The Priest of Midian welcomed Moses to live with him and even gave Moses his daughter, Zipporah, as a wife.

Moses spent the next 40 years shepherding sheep in the land of Midian, a period of time that God used to prepare him to shepherd His people Israel out of Egypt.

Only when the children of Israel cried out to God, did the time come for God to make His move:  “And God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.”  (Exodus 2:24)

The Angel of the Lord appeared to Moses from out of the flame of a bush that burned but was not consumed.

From the midst of this burning bush at the foot of Mount Sinai, God told Moses He had heard the cries of His People and was sending Moses back to Pharaoh in His name and His power on His behalf.

By this point, this prince of Egypt had been so humbled by his lengthy wilderness experience that he seemed to lack confidence when it came to his role as a leader of a nation.

First, Moses asked for the name of the One sending him.

God answered with His name, Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh—אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה.  Widely translated as I Am That I Am, the Hebrew grammatical form is actually in the future tense.

Therefore, God’s name is more accurately translated as I Will Be What I Will Be.

The message to Moses is perhaps that God can look after the details of the future.  He will be to us whoever and whatever He chooses to be—father, friend, comforter, counselor, or even disciplinarian.  We can trust in God’s infinite wisdom to be who we need in our lives at each moment in time.

Even with this assurance, Moses still feels unqualified for the task, especially since he is slow in speech.  He begs God to send someone else; therefore, He allowed Aaron, Moses’ brother, to accompany him and act as Moses' spokesperson.

Yet, it is Moses to whom God first revealed His personal name in Scripture.

Moses grabbed hold of the trust placed in him and delivered a command to Pharaoh with the full authority of I AM:   “Thus says the Lord, ‘Israel is My firstborn son, and I say to you, “Let my son go that he may serve Me.”’”  (Exodus 4:22–23)

Like Israel, Like Us

There is much we can take from this story of Moses’ progression in becoming a leader.

He was not ready for leadership overnight.  Likewise, we may understand that we have a calling on our lives, and this might become evident time and time again.  Still, we must wait for that time when the Lord chooses to release us into the fullness of our destiny.

As well, we might also feel incapable of accomplishing anything for the Lord, having lost much of our self-confidence through the trials and tribulations of life. 

Whatever our experience, it still remains true that submitting to God’s presence and following His direction is all we need to fulfill the destiny He has assigned to us.

We can also learn from the suffering of the Israelites.  Despite the tyranny forced on them by the Egyptians, the People of Israel still grew mighty in number.

Oppressive circumstances cannot prevent God from carrying out His purposes and fulfilling His promises.

We might suffer under some sort of bondage or pain for what seems like a very long time, but we can rest assured that God hears our cries.

He remembers the covenant we have with Him through our Messiah Yeshua, which provides a way out of our spiritual bondage and into our inheritance—if only we accept it.

Though God is true to His promises, we still need to keep crying out to Him for deliverance and waiting in faith and hopeful expectation to move on our behalf in our spiritual and our earthly afflictions.

God is not deaf, nor aloof to our suffering.  His arm is not too short to save:  “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles.”  (Psalm 34:17)

Let My People Go

Though Moses entered Egypt and delivered God’s message to Pharaoh, nothing changed immediately.

Pharaoh refused to let the Hebrews go.

Moses might have felt like he failed God, but God has a greater plan for even our failures, and they end in glorifying His name.

Through plagues and judgments (called makot in Hebrew, which can also mean beatings), God proved His position as the One True God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and that the gods of the Egyptians had no power over Him.

Through these judgments, we also see that whatever a nation or even an individual does to Israel, for good or for evil, God will return it unto them:

“For the day of the LORD upon all the nations is near; as you have done, it shall be done to you; your reprisal shall return upon your own head.”  (Obadiah 1:15; see also Genesis 12:3)

Parasha Shemot does not end with a mighty deliverance but, rather, with the situation becoming worse—if that were even possible.  Pharaoh made the Israelites’ labor more difficult by demanding that they find their own straw while also maintaining the same quota of production (Exodus 5:18).

In their bitterness, the Hebrew people turned on Moses and Aaron.  Moses responded by turning to the Lord.  With raw honesty, Moses asked why He had not delivered His people as He promised.

“Lord, why have You brought trouble on this people?  Why is it You have sent me?  For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has done evil to this people; neither have You delivered Your people at all.”  (Exodus 5:22–23)

We might also feel this way when it seems we are doing what God has asked us to do, and things get worse, not better.

How did God respond to Moses?  

“Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh.  For with a strong hand he will let them go, and with a strong hand he will drive them out of his land.’”  (Exodus 6:1)

Sometimes, when God is preparing to do something great and mighty in our lives, the situation can worsen for a time.  As we move toward our destiny, pharaoh represents those who oppress us—even Satan, the spiritual enemy of our souls, who resists our freedom with all his might.

In such circumstances, we should not give up our faith, for in due time we will see God’s mighty hand and outstretched arm deliver us in His perfect way and time.

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”  (Romans 12:12)

Shabbat Shalom from the Entire Bibles For Israel Family!

"Hear the word of the LORD, you nations; proclaim it in distant coastlands:  'He who scattered Israel will gather them and will watch over His flock like a shepherd.'"  (Jeremiah 31:10)

Messianic Bible Bibles For Israel P.O. Box 8900 Pueblo, CO 81008

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[isaiah118]

Take the Land - Do NOT Fear

Dear Family,

I have been hearing a particular Bible verse recently—so much so, that it has grabbed my attention. As we have entered into a New Year, it has become clear to me that this verse explains how God is leading RevelationMedia into 2023. 

This verse is from Deuteronomy Chapter 1. The Lord God had instructed the Israelites to go into the hill country of the Amorites, Canaan, and possess the land. However, the people asked Moses to send 12 spies into the land first. When the spies returned, 10 of them were afraid and did not believe that they could stand against the might of the Amorites. Their fear spread through the entire camp of the Israelites, and the people—all except Joshua and Caleb—did not trust God.

But Moses had spoken God’s instructions in verse 21:

This verse, Deuteronomy 1:21, is the verse that has come to me multiple times. This morning, while I was pondering it, I realized there are many “giants” before us. There are many practical reasons why it would be prudent for us to retreat and to not “take the land.”

There are many practical reasons why it would be prudent for us to retreat and to not “take the land.”

Inflation is rampant, and many large Christian organizations are having a difficult time financially. At the same time, our culture and its ideology continues to fight against the message of the Gospel. In the coming years, God’s Word is increasingly going to be considered “hate speech.” The ministry of RevelationMedia has now been permanently banned from Facebook, and I am certain that more social media sites will follow.

In a meeting I had just this week with a colleague who owns a Christian animation studio, he told me that many of his clients—yes, Christian ministries—are adjusting their productions so as not to “offend” and be targeted. This is happening more and more. 

Our support comes solely from you, our RevelationMedia family. When we look to take on a new project, we don’t initially have the funds in the bank or any guaranteed income projected to fund the project. When we expand our ministry outreach, we do so in faith and by faith alone.

So, in many ways, I can understand looking at the obstacles in front of us and concluding “now is not the time to take on the giants and possess new lands.” But God has called us to a task we call “The Great Commission.” He has called us to reach every tribe and every people group. He has called us to reach all for Christ and to usher in His second coming! Now is not the time to retreat—now is the time to “take the land!”

Now is not the time to retreat—now is the time to “take the land!”

In the coming weeks and months, we will be sharing new ministry opportunities that God is bringing our way. These include undertaking new work in Ukraine, publishing more iBIBLE content around the world, and even launching an underground Christian publication in the Middle East!

This week at our headquarters in Richardson, TX, I wrote Deuteronomy 1:21 on a glass wall. It will become our theme for this year as we push forward and do not fear the social, financial, and other giants before us.

What giants are in the way of your taking the land God is leading you to take? Is fear holding you back, or is faith driving you forward? January is a great month for all of us to take inventory of our lives and what God is calling us to. Maybe write Deuteronomy 1:21 on a sticky note or on the bathroom mirror. Let it be a prayer for the new year.

“Our Father, please show us the land you would have us possess for Your kingdom. Help us not to fear and look at the obstacles but to trust and push onward for Christ!”

I know the new year will bring its challenges as we face the many giants this world throws at us, but we will strive to walk by faith and not fear. Thank you so much for taking this journey with us!

Steve Cleary     Founder/CEO    RevelationMedia