This Tisha b’Av, Kick the Enemy Out of Your Promised Land
On the Hebrew calendar, the 9th day of Av (Tisha b’Av in Hebrew) is a notorious date of tragedy for the Jewish people. Many major tragedies are recorded in the Bible and continue up to modern history.
The Bible tells us that Aaron died on the first day of Av. Although he was a faithful servant for 40 years, he was part of that first generation that did not get to go into the Promised Land because of unbelief. Later, both temples were destroyed on the 9th of Av, as well as many, many other calamities down through the centuries.
Month 5 – Av: Mourning Turns to Joy
The Month of Av is the fifth month of the year on the Hebrew calendar. We are still in the season of Judgment & Exile as the month of Av begins. But during Av, the seasons change. Similar to the Gregorian month of March, we have the expression “In like a Lion, out like a Lamb,” so the month of Av can be broken into two phases.
Month 4 – Tammuz: A Season of Judgement; A Call to Repentance
Tammuz is the fourth month on the Hebrew calendar. It is considered a season of Judgment and Exile. This season includes all of Tammuz and half of next month, the month of Av.
There are six references to Tammuz (or the fourth month) in the Bible: (more…)
Month 3 – Sivan: Return, Revelation & Blessing
The month of Sivan is the third month of the year on the Hebrew calendar. The rabbis have called this season the “Season of Revelation,” primarily referring to the revelation of the Torah on Mt. Sinai, which most believe was the day of Shavuot/Pentecost. Shavuot always falls during the month of Sivan. As Messianic believers we also know the revelation of the Holy Spirit was poured out 1,500 years later on the same day. (more…)
Month 2 – Iyar: The Narrow Road Leads to More Revelation
Iyar is the second month on the Hebrew calendar. During the first month, we’ve experienced Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread and the Feast of Firstfruits, and are now going through the Omer Count.
Although it’s growing, there’s still a relatively small group of people observing the feasts and keeping Sabbath compared to the mainstream. We’ve chosen a narrow path. The Feast of Unleavened Bread that has just completed is a time of distinguishing between leaven and unleavened bread, symbolizing our goal of separating sin from righteousness. The number of people eating this way for a week is pretty small. It’s likely that those currently counting the omer for 49 days is even smaller. We’re going against the grain. It’s what I’d call “the narrow path.” (more…)
Month 1 – Preparing Ourselves for the Spring Feasts, Part 1
The Spring Feasts begin with Passover during the Hebrew month of Nisan. On the Hebrew calendar, the Feasts always begin during the month of Nisan. But “Nisan” is a Babylonian name adopted well after the original command to observe Passover. In looking at the Hebrew name of the month, I found it was actually much more – more than a name or even a month. It’s a season, a designation, a process – the understanding of which brought all new revelation about the significance of the Spring Feasts. (more…)
Month 13 – Adar II: But Wait, There’s More!
There’s more time added on to the Hebrew year, and there’s more that Yehovah wants to teach us about this season. A 13th month on the Hebrew calendar only happens in leap years, so the 13th month is called Adar II. While the 13th month is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, the month of Adar or the 12th month, is mentioned eight times in scripture. Here’s how a leap year works and what these eight scriptures reveal about this season. (more…)
Month 11 – Shevat: A Month of Preparation for the New Year
The Hebrew year has 12 months (13 in a leap year). A Hebrew month starts when the first sliver of the new moon can be seen on the horizon just after sunset. The month of Shevat usually begins in January on the Gregorian calendar. It is the 11th month of the year. So we’re just about through the whole year at this point.
I want to set the context for this month by looking at the new year coming up on the Hebrew calendar, so we can see where we’re headed. (more…)
Messianic Sabbath 