In the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month. And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the LORD, and his people Israel.2 Chronicles 31:7-8
We have now entered the biblical month of Tishrei( תִּשְׁרֵי in Hebrew) in the year of Ayin Hei, which is the seventh month of the biblical calendar. It is also the first month of the year, with respect to the reckoning of years. This month was established as the first month before the giving of the Torah and the coming out of Egypt under Moses’s leadership. During that time the month of the Passover, Nisan, become the beginning of the sacred year as established by God. Therefore the biblical calendar has two New Year’s; the 1stof Nisan begins the sacred year and the 1stof Tishrei begins the civil year.
The month of Tishreibegins 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 this season.
Tishrei is linked with the Tribe of Ephraim, who was Joseph’s second son. When Ephraim was born Joseph said, “For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction”, as such his name means doubly fruitful. The root word for his name means to bear fruit. This word is the same word used in Genesis 1:22 when God said, “be fruitful and multiply”. This month is a time we can activate this creative purpose in our lives. We can be fruitful and multiply in the land of our affliction!
The Month of the Strong
Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto king Solomon in Jerusalem, that they might bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion.And all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto king Solomon at the feast in the month Ethanim, which is the seventh month.1 Kings 8:1-2
In the Bible, Tishreiis called Ethanim, which means to have enduring strength. It was named Ethanim because of the ancient streams that continued to flow in Jerusalem. For this reason it is known as “the month of the strong” or “the month of the ancients” (Yerach Ha’eitanim). This gives us the picture of the Ancient of Days who sits upon His throne who will never be removed. Deuteronomy 11:12 says, “the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it (Israel), from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year”. This month is opportune time to realign with the eyes of the Lord and be strengthened by Holy Spirit.
During this month in antiquity, Solomon assembled the elders, the heads of the tribes, and the chiefs of the fathers in Jerusalem after the Temple was built in order to bring the Ark of the Covenant into the Holiest of Hollies. As they gathered they sacrificed so many sheep and oxen that the scriptures describe their offering as not being able to be numbered. The priests carried the Ark into the “oracle” as it is named here and placed it below the wings of the Cheribum. As they walked into the Holy Place after placing the Ark below the Cheribum the entire Temple was filled with a cloud and the presence was so intense that they could not stand. The Glory of the Lord filled the house!
The presence of the Lord is our reward and in His presence is fullness of joy! He is our strong tower and our present help in times of trouble! His dwelling presence empowers us to live in His joy. As we move through this year we have a promise that His eyes are always upon us and His arm is not shortened but is stretched forth to deliver! We will see our pathway of victory no matter what the circumstances appear to be.
Double for Your Trouble
For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.Isaiah 61:7
Every month in the Biblical calendar is linked with one of the twelve tribes of Israel. This month, the month of Tishrei, is linked with the tribe of Ephraim whose name means “I shall be doubly fruitful”. At the time of his birth Joseph said, “For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction”. As we return to the Lord during this time we have access to “possess the double” and overcome shame and confusion. During this time we can break free from the shame based identity that is linked with the fall and embrace our new identity in Christ.
Possessing the double and living in everlasting joy is directly linked with God’s dwelling presence. On the Day of Atonement there is a special grace released to us that allows us to experience a new level of His glory. It is this experience that empowers us to possess the double and gain access to His everlasting joy. We don’t have to live a joyless life filled with confusion, of which God is not the author, but we have the opportunity to rejoice in our portion linked with our identity.
When we go through times of trial or tribulation often times it feels as if God has rejected us. This of course is not the case as we have been reconciled to Him through Jesus. He is never the source of our affliction. Some feel their situation is punishment for behavior but His acceptance or love for us is not related to our ability to be obedient to Him. Life is definitely better and easier when we are living a life of obedience but His love is unconditional.
The key to walking in the reality of Isaiah 61:7 is related to the condition of our heart in the midst of our trial. Romans 5:1-5 says, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us”.The love of God destroys the yoke of shame through hope when we are experiencing tribulation.
For many years I would ask God to change my situation not realizing the condition of my heart needed to change. Instead of allowing anxiety, fear, anger, bitterness, depression and hopelessness to settle in our hearts we have access to something far more powerful. We can experience the Holy Spirit in the midst of any situation and allow joy to give us strength to endure. Joy is imparted to us as we accept the reality of Gods love. This enables us to have hope against hope and break the yoke of shame. Hope becomes the breeding ground of faith which allows us to experience the victory of the cross in our situation and receive double for our trouble.
Head of the Year, Days of Awe, Day of Atonement and The Feast of Tabernacles
I encourage you to pursue the Lord during this time with great fervency. Today, September 14th, is the Head of the Year and the beginning of the Days of Awe. The Days of Awe are ten days of returning to the Lord where we seek Him with prayer and fasting leading into the Day of Atonement. The Day of Atonement, held on September 23rd, is a day of abstinence fasting starting at sunset the 22ndto sunset the 23rd. I encourage you to go without food and drink only water if possible as it is the fast that Jesus spoke of in the gospels where He said, “this kind only comes by prayer and fasting”. September 28ththen begins the Feast of Tabernacles where we celebrate in His presence for seven days.
This time of the year has many powerful attributes that allow us to experience His blessing the remainder of the year. I declare that the enemy will not hold you in confusion in days ahead but you shall rejoice in your portion. You will be fruitful in the land of your affliction and you shall receive double for your trouble. You will possess the double and everlasting joy will be upon you in Jesus name!