Thursday, October 3, is Tishrei 1, the first day of the new Hebrew year, 5785. I feel it will be a year of incredible advance as we completely surrender to the Lord of Hosts. I called the previous year, 5784, “New Beginnings.” Those who are versed in Hebrew explain that the Hebrew letter/number for “4” actually means “door.” Indeed, the Lord opened many new doors for us and led us through them. Personally, because of my spinal issue, I was led through a door of surrender and commitment far beyond anything I ever experienced before.
But what about this new year, 5785? What does “5” (hei) mean? Some meanings are as follows: divine breath, revelation, light, and grace of God. “Hei” occurs twice in God’s name, Jehovah (Y-H-V-H). Therefore, as we enter this new year, we should be very aware of God’s hand and His grace on our lives and on all that He gives us to do.
A scholar pointed out that the original picture for the letter “hei” was a figure of a human with both hands raised. We raise our hands in worship. But raised hands also mean absolute surrender. To me, this is the best picture of what God requires of us, and without which we won’t advance. That picture of hands raised in surrender is illustrated from what the Lord showed me recently from the story of Joshua (see Josh. 5:13–15).
Joshua was standing looking at the formidable obstacle of the walls of Jericho when he saw a man with a drawn sword. He challenged if the man was for or against them. The man said, “No,” and announced He was the Commander of the Lord’s army. Joshua fell on his face, but soon asked for a “word or strategy.” He was abruptly told to take off his shoes because it was holy ground. Joshua did so. It’s a picture of total surrender.
That is our key for 5785. God has brought us through new doors, and just as in Joshua’s case, is already there, waiting and ready to advance. But it’s not about helping “us”; rather, it’s about us fully surrendering to Him and waiting on Him. Our lives are His and must be fully surrendered. He is in charge and will allow us to see amazing victories far beyond what most of us have ever seen. God has His hand ready to be fully upon us. But the key is surrender. Thus, I call this year “Full Surrender to Advance with the Lord of Hosts.”
Those are some of my thoughts as we approach Hebrew year 5785.
Below are my usual notes on the seventh month of Tishrei itself.
Ron Sawka
Note: There are three feasts/special days this month: Blowing of Trumpets (or shofars)—a daylong event on Tishrei 1 (Oct. 3) heralding the new year and an announcement to wake up to the goodness of God; the Day of Atonement on Tishrei 10 (Oct. 12); and the Feast of Tabernacles from Tishrei 15–21 (Oct. 17–23).
The Month of Elul
1. Tishrei is the month of Ephraim, the second son of Joseph. Be fruitful and multiply. See Genesis 49:22, which reads, “Joseph is a fruitful bough … his branches run over the wall.” Also see Genesis 49:26, which states, “The blessings of your father have excelled the blessings of my ancestors.” Be sure to have a mindset of receiving blessings and speaking about them.
2. The seventh month. The “dearest” of months—because all sevens are dear to God, creating the most “satiated” or “full” month. We are now at a new beginning. Think, “fullness of God.” God wants us to expect blessing and fullness from Him. Let Him bring us into ever fuller (not man-made) surrender.
3. The month where divine providence creates a “beginning.” This is the beginning of the Hebrew year 5785. We must be in full agreement with the Lord and what He is doing. Not only is it the beginning of a new year, but it’s also the beginning of harvest in this era of great harvest.
4. The beginning of six months of “reflected light.” This changes our environment, the way we process time, the way we work, the way crops grow, and the way we harvest. Think of yourself as one who reflects the glory of the Lord all around you. See Isaiah 60:1–9, John 8:12 [1], and John 9:5 [2]. Think of God reflecting His glory on you.
5. Month of the Hebrew letter lamed [ל], which signifies the aspiration to return to your absolute source. We start the new year right by dedicating ourselves to Him—by declaring He is our source in all things. Don’t be surprised at more shaking. God wants to remove more hindrances.
6. The month of return. We need to declare that things that have been scattered will come back. (The devil wants to scatter and dissipate; the Lord wants to gather and strengthen.) I feel many of us will see much restoration—whether personal, in families, in work/ministry, or in vision.
7. Month of Libra (the scales). The deeds of man are weighed, and judgment is released. Note that the Day of Atonement, the tenth day of Tishrei (Oct. 12), is considered a day of judgment. Declare, “Lord, You are in charge of the whole world and You release Your judgments at the right time.”
8. Month of “touch.” Think of the woman who pressed through and touched Jesus’s garments (see Luke 8:40–48). This is the time to touch and be touched by the Lord in a deeper way.
9. Month of the gallbladder. This is a time of spiritual awakening. Be sure to remove that which would keep you from returning or entering into the fullness God has for you.
10. Purge yourself of bitterness. At the head of the year—this month—you must purge yourself of bitterness. In the first month, Nissan, we had to watch out for bitterness. Now in the seventh month, go a step further and make sure you are purged of all bitterness—against people, against yourself, and against the Lord (see Hebrews 12:15 [3]). Once again note that full surrender means all bitterness must go.
11. A month of well-balanced control. Some things are coming to completion; others are just beginning.
12. This month is also linked with Joseph, which refers to a double portion. See Genesis 49:22–26. Joseph had two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, who became two of the twelve tribes of Israel. Rejoice because God has a double portion for you!
(This material comes from my 2006 notes taken from a series of lectures [on CD] given by Chuck Pierce [Glory of Zion]. I highly recommend his website for more materials and more in-depth explanations. —Ron Sawka)
References
[1] “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life’” (John 8:12).
[2] “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9:5).
[3] “See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God, that no one be like a bitter root springing up and causing trouble, and through it many become defiled” (Heb. 12:15, NET).
Comments