Shevat 5786

I have been asked in the past, why I pay attention to the Jewish calendar, the Hebraic months. While there are so many reasons, the simple answer is...

Timing.

I believe there is something uniquely special about being in the "right" timing. And I am betting there is no better timing than God's timing.

Take birthdays for example. We can celebrate our birthday whenever we wish. Many times, due to schedules, we celebrate on a different day. If it's during the week, we may opt to celebrate on the weekend. But you have to admit, there is something special about celebrating on the exact day.

Timing.

With that in mind, I enjoy knowing the timing of God's Word. What was happening during the timing of our months of Jan/Feb? Which on the Hebraic calendar is the month of Shevat.

Just like our cultural calendar has themes for the different months: snowflakes in January, hearts in February, shamrocks in March, etc. The Hebraic calendar also has themes, a nuance for each month. These are the things I like to find and study in the word of God.

Let's take a look at the month of Shevat.

Shevat is the eleventh month on the Hebraic calendar and can be seen specifically in Zechariah 1:7.

On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, the month of Shebat...

The word Shevat is likely borrowed from the Akkadian language, and is actually from during the time of Israel's captivity in Babylon. It is related to the word "lashing". This is due to the severe rains that begin to fall in Israel during this time as the land transitions from winter to spring. And there we have one of the main themes of Shevat...

Transition.

Interestingly enough, the number eleven represents transition as well. So what does it mean to be a month of transition? Well, we can look at the weather and take a cue from nature. This is a month, or a timing, when the things that have been wintering in us, start to stir and come to life. Those things of the Lord, that we thought were dead, get to come to life in Him.

Is there a gift you have buried and it needs to be brought back? Is there joy or hope in you that you put on the shelf because it was simply too painful?

You need to ask Him this month, "What is it, Lord, that you want to bring forth in me?"

Then let Him have it. Don't hold on to it.

For if you choose self-sacrifice and lose your lives for my glory, you will continually discover true life. But if you choose to keep your lives for yourselves, you will forfeit what you try to keep. Matthew 16:25 [TPT]

Transitions are difficult; they are meant to be. The idea in Shevat is the reminder that often the Lord is the one who leads us into transition. Because He is trying to punish us?

Certainly not.

He is trying to make us stronger. Many times the places the Lord has for us to move on to require more faith, more action, more strength to fight or stand or advance. Yahweh is a loving Father and a good, good Father (Matthew 7:11). He doesn't send us into those new places without first making us stronger. We must be willing to wrestle with Him as Jacob wrestled with the angel. We must choose to learn to be completely honest with Him regarding what we are struggling with. He desires to help us through our transitions.

Transition. Wrestling. Strength.

Three words that sum up the "theme" of Shevat for this year. There is so much more to this month than can be written here. I invite you to watch this teaching on the month of Shevat, and be blessed. (teaching starts at 25:15)

Are you willing to walk through the transition? Are you willing to wrestle with the Lord to receive your blessing(s) as Jacob did?