Mbostrom2's Blog

Every Hebrew month has a Tribe, Constellation and Hebrew letter associated with it. These hold keys to our promises for that month and help us to pray in line with God’s timing and to get our lives into time with His specific appointed times. 

Elul is known as the ‘sixth month’ in the Bible according to the Biblical Calendar and is the twelfth month on the civil calendar. 6 is the number of man and 12 is the number of government. The name of this month is never mentioned in the Bible. The Aramaic (language spoken during the time of Jesus) meaning of Elul is ‘to search’. This is the month to search ourselves to make sure we are ready to meet our Lord. 

“Elul” has been interpreted as an acronym, with its Hebrew letters “Aleph,” “Lamed,” “Vav,” “Lamed” representing the words “Ani L’Dodi V’Dodi Li” (Song of Songs: 6:3). The words mean “I am my Beloved’s and my Beloved is mine,” where my “Beloved” is God, and “I” am the Jewish People. This month is all about relationships & restoring relationships; first with God and then with our fellow man. 

This month is called “the month of repentance”, “the month of mercy” and “the month of forgiveness”. This is a time of preparing your heart in preparation for the High Holidays (holy days) of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. This month follows the months that were anniversaries of the sins of the Golden Calf, the sins of the spies, the anniversaries of the destruction of the 1^st and 2^nd Temples and precedes month before the year changes to 5771- Tishri 1. (September 9, 2010) 

This is a time for cleansing and historically is where we got our tradition of Fall housecleaning. Everything must be prepared to meet the King. (Rosh Chodesh Tishri is a time when Kings are crowned) We are to prepare our spiritual and natural houses for a visitation with the King Jesus. The steps of the cleansing are: (1) “Azivas Ha’Chet“, leaving the sins, first finding the sin by true heart seaching (2) “Charata“, regret and remorse for doing the sin, true repentance (3) “Vidduy” confessing the sin (4) “Kabala L’habo“, making a firm decision to do the sin again. 

The first day of the month of Elul, during which Jews begin to repent in earnest in anticipation of the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, which begin on the first of Tishrei, the next month. Starting on Rosh Chodesh Elul, and continuing through the rest of the month, the shofar is blown daily in the synagogue, and Jews who hew to Sephardic traditions recite slichot, penitential prayers, every morning; Ashkenazic Jews do not begin reciting slichot until the week before Rosh Hashanah. 

Teshuvah The Hebrew word ‘shuv’ means ‘turn’. Teshuvah means “to turn” or “to repent”. We are each to repent when we sin, “miss the mark”, of God’s standards, but this is a time of “national repentance”Teshuvah traditions: From the second day of Elul to the 28^th day, the shofar is blown after morning services every weekday. The custom is for a wake-up to sleepers, designed to rouse us from our complacency. It is a call to repentance. The blast of the shofar is to be a very piercing sound. Greetings in correspondence or audible is the blessing, “May your name be written”, referring to the Days of Awe that begin Rosh Hashanah (Feast of Trumpets) and ends on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) when the books in heaven are opened for God’s decisions regarding the coming year.  

Also, Psalm 27 is read each day for 40 days.”The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?” (Light- soul; Salvation- spirit; Strength- body) 

The King is in the Field

What does this mean? Elul is a time when the King would leave his throne and come into the field to meet his subjects, on their territory, just as they are. Nothing formal, no special pomp. When the Jewish people would ‘go up’ to Jerusalem 3 times a year to meet with God at His appointed times, these were ‘holy‘ days, the Feasts of the Lord when no work is permitted. This month is designated as the month that God has chosen to come and meet with His people in their ordinary, mundane lives. (It is easy for each of us to look and sound spiritual, but it is another thing to act as God would have us to act when no one is watching) Elul was the only month of the year that the King would come out smiling, meeting his people. All their work was for the King and at this time of closeness, they inspect their work closely to make sure it is ‘fit for a King’. (SELAH)

Historical Events

Elul 1– Moses went up the mountain for the 2nd set of 40 days to interceed for the nation for worshipping the Golden Calf (Tammuz 17)

Elul 1- Jews began to return from captivity in Babylon (Haggai 1:1)

Elul 5- Ezekiel’s vision (Ez 8:1)

Elul 17- According to Jewish tradition, this is the day the 10 spies who gave the evil report died in a plague (Numbers 14:37)

Elul 25- “Day of Creation” of the Universe, Jewish tradition satys the World was created by God on this day

Elul 25- Nehemiah’s wall repairs were finished (Nehemiah 6:15) 

Learning a lesson from Nehemiah, May we finish repairs to relationships with God and man and leave no entry place for the enemy to break through. 

TRIBE- GAD Gad’s name means “a troop” and also “good fortune“, mazol tov. Gad’s goal is to be an overcomer. This is to be a month of answered prayers because they are coming from a clean heart. He also represents those who flits around in society, cannot settle down (gadabout). Gad’s tribe never settled into the Promised Land, but stayed on the east side of the Jordan River and were easy prey for the enemy, one of the first taken into captivity. The Lost Books say that he was a “shepherd and strong man but a murderer at heart.” 

His symbol was of 3 tents because he never settled down. It is interesting that the Chinese symbol of the word “come” is those same 3 tents, but with cross in the middle tent. In Chinese the tent is a symbol of a man and the cross is a character representing completion or the number 10. ‘As Gad comes to the cross, he will overcome his old nature.’ (SELAH)

Jacob’s parting words to his son are recorded in Genesis 49:19, “Gad, a troop shall overcome him; but he shall overcome at last.” His worst enemy was himself. Isn’t that what God is trying to change in each of us right now during Teshuvah? 

Moses prophetic word for Gad was recorded in Deuteronomy 33:20, “And of Gad he said, “Blessed is he that enlargeth Gad.” I believe we will each find a special blessing of our Lord when we help each other to overcome our personal weaknesses. 

CONSTELLATION/MAZAL- VIRGO (Bethulah, The Virgin) Israel is God’s beloved, and the bride in Song of Songs says, “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine“; Jeremiah 31:21 reads, “Come back again, my virgin Israel, return to your cities here“. The Church is the Bride of Christ and must put away any idols that have taken His place in our hearts. 

“The Promised Seed of the Woman” (Genesis 3:15) The brightest star in Virgo is Spica (Latin), which means ‘the branch’. The Hebrew word for this star is Tsemech (branch), but this word is only used for the Messiah.  

LETTER- Yud (pronounced yode) The 10th letter in the Hebrew Aleph-Bet with the numerical value of 10. It is the smallest of the letter an the most used and being the smallest represents humility. Since Jesus upholds the world by the Word of His power (Heb 1:3), and Yod is part of every Hebrew letter (and therefore every Hebrew word), Yod is considered the starting point of the presence of God in all things – the ‘spark’ of the Spirit in everything. It is also a picture of humility. The pictgraph is a arm or hand, suggesting reaching towards heaven, prayer or submission. This letter symbolizes order, provision and covenant possession, and carries the meaning of ‘creation’. (Hebrew4christians.com/grammar)

Yod also symbolizes work or a deed done. Psalm 119:73-80 tell us of the work of God’s hand in our lives. (Psalm 119 is divided up according to the Hebrew Aleph-Bet and each line of 73-80 begin with the letter Yod) 

Yod is also the first letter of the divine name of Jehovah, YHWH (Yod Hey Vav Hey) 

I Peter 5:5b, “….for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. (6), “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time”

Every Hebrew month has a Tribe, Constellation and Hebrew letter associated with it. These hold keys to our promises for that month and help us to pray in line with God’s timing and to get our lives into time with His specific appointed times. 

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 tells us ‘to everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven’. Ecclesiastes 3:15 reads, ‘That which is has already been, and what is to be has already been; and God requires an account of what is past.’ From these verses we get an understanding of cycles and how history repeats itself. Just as our ‘seasons’ repeat themselves naturally (ie, Gulf experiencing hurricane season), things spiritually repeat themselves and we can learn from history. Not superstitously, but seeking God in specific times. 

Av (or Ab) is known as the ‘fifth month’ in the Bible according to the Biblical Calendar and is the ‘eleventh month’on the civil calendar. The number 5 carries the meaning of  GRACE. In EW Bullinger’s book Numbers in Scripture, he states, “Favour shown to the miserable we call mercy; favour shown to the poor we call pity; favour shown to the suffering we call compassion; favour shown to the obstinate we call patience; but favor shown to the  unworthy we call GRACE.” On the 5th day God began to replenish the earth with birds and fish, preparing provision for man. The number 11 carries the meaning of disorder, disorganization, imperfection and disintegration. Both 10 & 12 are perfect numbers and 11 either adds to it or subtracts from perfection. In 5 & 11 we see God’s grace in times of our imperfection and disorder.  Also, this is the only month that is not mentioned by name in the Bible. 

The first mention of the fifth month is found in Numbers 33:38, “Then Aaron the priest went up to Mount Hor at the command of the LORD, and died there in the fortieth year after the children of Israel had come out of the land of Egypt, on the first day of the fifth month.” In Numbers 20:22-29 we get an understanding that Aaron was not allowed into the Promised Land because of rebellion. The Chumash says Aaron died through “death by a kiss of God“, the most exalted form of death- his soul becoming united with the Shechinah, the soul left the body without resistance- no effort, no regret, and no pain when the soul is reunited with its Godly source. Aaron was 123 years old and the people mourned the entire 30 days of the fifth month. 

The Talmud states that “when we enter [the month of] Av, our joy is diminished.” This is because this month has historically been a time of disaster and great sadness for the Jewish people. It seems to have the ‘worst of times’ (Av 9)  and the ‘best of times’ (Av 15)  in one month.” 

This month is also known as Menachem Av. Av (Ab) means ‘father’ and menachem means ‘comforter‘ together saying “The One Who comforts, the Av“. This is interesting to me because the Jewish people are always called the ‘children’ of Abraham and the ‘servants’ of HaShem, but from this we see them looking to HaShem for comfort & help as a child would look to their earthly father in times of trouble) Special prayers are prayed before Shabbat and Rosh Chodesh Av and following Tisha B’Av, seeking God for comfort. 

The Hebrew month of Av begins this year July 12, 2010 and ends August 10, 2010 on our solar calendar. 

TRIBE- Simeon, (pronounced Shi-mown) Simeon’s weakness was his cruelty, self will and anger. When teamed with Judah (praise) Simeon is redeemed and lives up to his name “to hear “. When Leah bore Simeon she praised God for hearing her because she was hated (Genesis 29:33). When they become praisers they can hear God clearly, divine revelation is imparted to them. Simon Peter is a perfect example. Simon Peter received grace and mercy from Jesus who he denied 3 times and went on to become one of the greatest church leaders. 

CONSTELLATION/MAZAL- Aryeh- Leo, The Lion The lion is the king of the jungle, demands to rule alone, represents pride. The 12 spies returned from the Promised Land, 10 with an evil report and 2 with a good report on Av 9. Because of PRIDE and self will, the nation decided they did not want to go God’s way and wanted to believe a false report instead of believing God. Because of that they wandered in the wilderness 40 years. The roar of a lion brings great fear to people just as our adversary roars like a lion, walking about, seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8). 

LETTER- Tet (pronounced tate). Tet is the 9th letter of the Hebrew Aleph Bet with a numerical value of 9. It corresponds with the 9 months of pregnancy and resembles a womb. The early pictograph of Tet is a snake and means ‘to surround’ or ‘to twist’. Tet is also an Arabic word for snake. The word Satan in Zechariah 3:1 is made up of 3 Hebrew letters- Shin (teeth, devour), Tet (surround, snake), Nun (action, life). The word picture is telling us that our adversary is like the snake that devours life. Jesus said the thief has come to steal, kill and destroy. (John 10:10). He can only do that if we believe his lies and do not believe God who cannot lie (Titus 1:2) 

SPECIAL DATES IN AV: 

• Av 1, (July 12, 2010) Death of Aaron on Mt Hor- nation mourned for 30 days
• Av 1, Ezra and company returned to Jerusalem after 70 years in Babylon captivity, “..the good hand of the Lord was upon him, for Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances to Israel.” (Ez 7:9-10)
• Av 4, (July 15, 2010) Nehemiah began the work on rebuilding the gates & walls of Jerusalem
• Av 9, Tisha B’Av, (July 20, 2010) Fast Day 25 hours- end of the Three Weeks of Sorrow (‘Dire Straits’, ‘Between the Straights’)- Saddest Day on the Jewish Calendar
• Av 10, (July 21, 2010), Ezekiel 20, Elders came to Ezekiel to find out fate of Israel- Chapter of her sin and rebellion (5-32) & God’s restoration (33-44)
• Av 15, Tu B’Av, (July 26, 2010) Holiday of Romance and Love, marking the end of the ‘desert generation’. This is the Jewish version of Valentine’s Day- The Happiest Day on the Jewish Calendar 

The Hebrew month of Iyar is the 2nd month on the Biblical calendar. In the Bible it is referred to the 2nd month, following the month of Nisan which in Exodus 12:2 says “This month [shall be] unto you the beginning of months: it [shall be] the first month of the year to you.”

During this month in Exodus they were traveling to Mount Sinai to meet with their God, “I AM”. They were enjoying their renewed health and restored bodies and Psalm 107:35 says, “But he brought His people safely out of Egypt, loaded with silver and gold; there were no sick or feeble people among them.” This month is commonly referred to as the month of healing, for its name is an acronym for “I am God your Healer” (Exodus 15:26). This is an amazing miracle since they were in slavery and bondage for years, with bodies that were broken under the weights and burdens they were forced to bear. When they ate the Passover lamb, they were to eat the entire lamb. When they ate the heart, those who had heart problems were healed, when they ate the liver, those with liver problems were healed, and so on. As you partake in communion this month and eat the bread representing the Lamb of God, who took away the sins of the world, receive healing for every part of your body.

This month is referred to in I Kings 6:1 as the month of Ziv, which means ‘radiance, brilliance’. “In the four hundred and eightieth year after the Israelites had come out of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv, the second month, he began to build the temple of the Lord.” In Eretz Israel (land of Israel), the fields are blooming with brilliant colors as Spring bursts forth. 

This month is not just a month of radiance & brilliance, but illumination & revelation of the Word of God for you right now. Take advantage of this opportunity on God’s cycle for an open heaven of revelation and truth to come forth. This is the time when Jesus was sharing with His disciples for 40 days about the Kingdom of God. I am sure at this time they were listening intently to everything He said, because they obviously did not get it before. They knew now that they needed the power from on high, and Jesus was the only Way, Truth & Life.

This is a good time to renew, restore or lay the foundation of what God has in store for us this year. I Kings 6:1, Solomon began the Temple on the 1st day of Iyar (Ziv) and in the 4th year in the month of Iyar he laid the foundation.

Second Passover, Iyar 14 (April 28)- When Hezekiah cleaned out the Temple. 2 Chronicles 30:2, “For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the congregation in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month“. The 14th of Iyaar is known as the “Second Pesach” because  was on theat date that the Jews had a “second chance” at participating in the rituals of Passover, if they’d been unable to do so in Nisan, because of ritual uncleanness or because they had been far away from homes at that time. We serve a “God of the Second Chance“.