Rosh Chodesh – Elul (Aug – Sept 2010)

Today Wednesday Aug. 11 begins the Hebrew month of Elul. Traditionally the Jewish populace consider this month as a month of preparation for the First Fall Feast, the Feast of Trumpets or Yom T’ruah. Growing up I knew this feast as Rosh Hashanah or New Years. Now I understand that is a term for the Civil New Year chosen by the Rabbis. God however did not give this Feast a name other than the day of the sounding of the Shofar.

Tradition teaches the forty day period of Elul that starts on the first of Elul and goes to the tenth day Tishri is called Teshuvah which means return or repentance. Each morning starting on Elul 1 (except on Shabbat) the shofar is blown.

Rabbi Amy R. Scheinerman ( a non-Messianic Rabbi) States :Each morning the shofar is blown to “wake us up” to the importance of repentance and the spiritual work to be done.

It is understood by the Jewish community as a time to be prepared for the days of Awe, a ten day period between Yom T’ruah and Yon Kippur( the Day of Atonement), when one makes right his relationship with God and others in preparation for the Day of Atonement and the cleansing of sin.

Another Ancient practice is to recite Psalm 27 each day from the first day of Elul through the Last day of Sukkot ( Feast of Tabernacles.)

Psalm 27 is a powerful word for us in this season of God’s History. It speaks to all our needs to stand in these uncertain times. The need to reaffirm our trust in the Lord, to seek His face to understand He alone can deliver us from our enemies and our sin.

Rabbi Amy also makes this observation:

1) Adonai is my light and my life.

Light

The image of light evokes the notion of being visible: both we and God see who we are and what we have done. There is no hiding “in the dark,” either from God or from ourselves. God’s light is more penetrating than the light of the sun, since nothing remains hidden in God’s light. When we see ourselves in God’s light, our true selves emerge, complete with blemishes and imperfections. In some respects, it the harsh light of truth, but it is simultaneously the healing light of God’s divine presence. Hence, there is a healing quality to taking an honest look at ourselves, appraising ourselves in the light of God’s standards and God’s concerns, for in that light is forgiveness and healing for those who follow the process of teshuvah (repentance) through to completion.

How amazing is this commentary, oh Lord, that she would come to the revelation that repentance through to completion is to embrace her Jewish Messiah Yeshua. Can we agree to pray that as our Jewish brothers and sisters read this passage they can receive a fuller revelation of God’s love? Love, that paid the price on Calvary and took away the penalty of sin for those who embrace this love.

I have stated many times some tradition under the direction of the Holy Spirit can be very beneficial. So I challenge you to not only recite Psalm 27 each day until the last day of Sukkot but to meditate on it. Study it, memorize it let it become alive in you. Then send us testimonies as to what God has revealed to you and all He has done in your life.