Now the king sat in the winterhouse in the ninth month: and there was a fire on the hearth burning before him.And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth. Jeremiah 36:22-23
We have now entered the biblical month of Kislev (כִּסְלֵו in Hebrew), which is the ninth month of the biblical calendar, in the year of Ayin Hei. This month is a vital point in the year that represents a time to dream again, a time to find rest in the one who never changes and a time to gain new strategies of war.
The month of Kislev is the third month of the period of autumn, which comprises the three months of Tishrei, Cheshvan and Kislev. The three tribes corresponding to the months of autumn are Ephraim, Menashe and Benjamin; who in the desert encampment around the tabernacle were situated to the west. Their joint camp was known as the camp of Ephraim, who’s name means “I shall be doubly fruitful”. Every year we have access to a double portion as we align with the Lord during the autumn season.
The month of Kislev is linked with the Hebrew letter Samech, which relates to Jesus as the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the one who is the same yesterday, today and forever. The letter Samech takes the form of a circle, which has no beginning or end. This reveals to us God’s unchanging nature that allows us to put our trust in Him because in Him we find unchanging stability. The word Samech means to support from the sense of relying upon. Support and affirmation play a major role in how our identity develops. If we seek support from any other source than the one who knit us together our identity does not develop properly and we fall short of God’s best for our lives.
Kislev is also linked with the Tribe of Benjamin, who was Jacob’s second son born to Rachel. When Benjamin was born his mother in her dying breath named him Benoni, which means son of sorrow. Jacob renamed him Benjamin, which means son of the right hand or son of strength. When Jacob blessed him he said, “Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.”When Moses blessed him he said, “The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by him; and the LORD shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders.”The sons of Benjamin were mighty warriors skilled with the bow revealing that this month is the time to gain new war strategies.
It’s Time to Dream Again
And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it to his brethren: and they hated him yet the more. And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed: For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf. Genesis 37:5-7
The month of Kislev is known by ancient Hebrew scholars as the month of dreams. The Torah portions, which are the designated daily scripture readings read by the Jews all over the world, have read for centuries, read during the month of Kislev reveal most of the dreams mentioned in the first five books of the bible. In the five books of the Torah, we find ten explicit dreams, dreamed by seven dreamers, all in the Book of Genesis. The first dream of Abimelech, King of Gerar, appears in the Torah portion of Vayeira, which is read in the month of Chesvan. The other nine dreams appear in the Torah portions of Vayeitzei, Vayeishev, and Mikeitz, all read during this month. For centuries the people of God have adhered to the principle that one should “live with the times”, relating to the weekly Torah portions. Accordingly this month is a time to dream again.
We read in Genesis thirty seven about the dream that God had given Joseph pertaining to his destiny. And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it to his brethren: and they hated him yet the more. And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed: For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf. Many of us have been given a dream like Joseph but have had circumstances seemingly rob us of our future.
In this year of Ayin Hei it is very important that we understand Joseph’s journey because just as God did with him, He is breathing on us to ensure we are fully activated. When we read the story of his life we see that he was his father’s favorite. He was given a coat of many colors that revealed to his brethren that he was the favorite and wouldn’t be required to work in the fields. God gave him two dreams pertaining to him ruling over his brothers. He most likely related his dreams to taking over the family business succeeding Jacob as the Patriarch but God’s plan was much bigger. Your inheritance in Jesus surpasses your imagination and is part of bigger plan that God is unfolding.
Driven by jealousy Joseph’s brothers took his coat and cast him into an abandoned water well where they planned on leaving him to die. In a turn of events a group of Ishmaelite’s passed by as they were eating lunch on their way to trade in Egypt. Judah seeing an opportunity to make some money convinced his brothers to sell Joseph to these traders. He was then purchased by Potiphar, the captain of guard in Egypt. As the days go on Joseph finds favor with Potiphar and becomes his right hand man; the position he had in his father’s house. Then Potiphar’s wife makes a pass at him and lies to Potiphar saying Joseph was the initiator. Shortly after that Joseph once again finds himself stripped of his mantle and cast into prison.
There was most likely more than one prison in Egypt but because he was the slave of Potiphar Joseph was put in the king’s prison. While there he once again rises to a place of favor and becomes the jail keeper’s right hand man. As time goes on two of Pharaoh’s servants, who were also cast into prison, dreamed a dream they could not interpret. Joseph reveals to them the interpretation of their dreams, which come to pass. When the time came for God’s will to be fulfilled in Joseph’s life He gave Pharaoh a dream that his magicians could not interpret. This dream brought Joseph before him which in turn became the circumstance that opened the door for him to become Pharaoh’s right hand man.
Do you see the pattern here? The position that had been stripped from him by his brethren was restored over and over again. It would appear that he was in captivity and the dreams that God had given him were not going to be fulfilled; but God! During this year of Ayin Hei we must continue to rejoice in tribulation so that hope rises in every circumstance and allows our faith to arise knowing that God is able to do what He said He will do. He has a double portion for us this year, which will be initiated at the conclusion of this month, but we must not allow our own ideas to exalt themselves above what He is doing.
God will favor us no matter where we are and His plan to activate us as heirs “IS” working on our behalf. When things don’t go as we originally thought we must submit ourselves to God quickly and listen for His voice. If we allow ourselves to be captured by hope deferred we will find ourselves in a place of great darkness in days ahead. Focus on the Lord and don’t miss your opportunity to rejoice! Joy will rise and bring the strength you need to stand firm in the midst of any storm.
If you have a dream that hasn’t been fulfilled I want to encourage you that God is able to bring it to pass! Even in the worst of circumstances the author of your faith is able to finish what He has started! I encourage you to keep a dream journal this month because God will speak to you in dreams revealing His plan for your future in days ahead. It’s time to shake off the failures of the past and serve hope deferred an eviction notice. It’s time to dream again!
Find Rest in the One Who Never Changes
Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. Hebrews 13:7-9
During this month we have the opportunity to be renewed in faith and enter into a new level of rest knowing that our God is able to supply our needs according to His riches and glory. When King David found himself excommunicated from the common wealth of Israel and running for his life after being anointed King he said, “In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth”.The actions of others may have an effect on our quality of life but if we trust in the LORD we will find ourselves in the place of wholeness.
As in the life of David and Joseph and many others we read about in scripture there may be circumstances that seem to be keeping us from experiencing all that God has for us. It is the assignment of the enemy this year to make us feel as if God is holding out on us and that he has a better plan. We must guard ourselves from the idea that the grass is greener on the other side and jump ship because of adversity. If God is instructing you to make a change by all means make the change but if He has been silent in the midst of the storm then it is important to stand against the enemy. God has a plan this year to empower us to flourish in His courts but we must align with His way and be careful not to lean on our own understanding. As such there is grace to stand firm this month and find a new place of rest so we don’t perish in the midst of change but find ourselves elevated above every circumstance!
Gain New Strategies to Overcome the Enemy
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Ephesians 6:14-16
This month is also linked with the tribe of Benjamin who were mighty warriors skilled with the bow. In relation to this understanding this month is the time to develop new strategies to overcome the enemy in days ahead. This is not the set time to go to war but it is the time we prepare for the battle ahead. During this year of Ayin Hei we must guard our place of rest with the Lord because winds of change and adversity are blowing.
I find it interesting that the apostle Paul describes the plans of the enemy as “fiery darts of the wicked” in the sixth chapter of the book of Ephesians. This allows us to see that the enemy is strategic in his pinpoint attack that he releases from a distance. As the apostle Paul tells us, the way we combat his aerial assault is by taking up our shield of faith as well as putting on the whole armor of God. In his imagery of the shield of faith he is most likely describing the parma shield used by the Roman infantry. These shields were about three feet wide and light in weight with respect to other shields used by infantry making them very effective in act of blocking arrows sent by opposing archers without restricting mobility.
The other shield used by Roman legionaries, the scutum shield, was also very effective in blocking arrows and other blows from opposing soldiers but was much heavier than the parma. This would have limited the mobility of the soldier as he was advancing on the battlefield and engaging the enemy in one on one combat. The parma shield was very effective when used by a group of soldiers who advanced as a unit. As we engage the enemy in one on one combat we need mobility to make adjustments quickly.
There are battles we will face in days ahead that we must fight both as individuals and as a unified troop. It is a good thing to call for prayer support but you have more authority to defeat the enemy in your personal life than anyone else. There will be times we come together as a corporate body and times we are more effective as individuals. The plan of the enemy will be to try to get us to remove our shield of faith this month and be exposed to his devises by getting us to go our own way rather than putting our trust in the LORD.
I decree that you will see the plans the enemy has to steal, kill and destroy your future. His devises will be exposed in dreams and night visions. I release the grace to stand against the enemy this month and days ahead as you hold fast the confession of your faith. I decree that any trust issues that have developed from failed relationships or hope deferred are healed in Jesus name. Arise to a new level of trust, move forward with your shield of faith and watch the LORD call you up to higher place!