Traditionally the Jewish populace consider this month as a month of preparation for the first Fall Feast Yom T’ruah.
Growing up I knew Yom T’ruah as Rosh Hashanah or New Years. Now I understand that Rosh Hashanah is the name for the Civil New Year chosen by the Rabbis. God, however, did not give this Feast a name other than the day of the blowing of the trumpets.
Lev.
Tradition teaches that each morning starting on Elul 1(except on Sabbath) the shofar is blown. That continues for the forty day period that goes to the tenth day of the month of Tishri. That 10th day is called Teshuvah which means return or repentance. This day is also known as Yom Kippur “The Day of Atonement.
It is understood by the Jewish community Elul is a time to be prepared for the days of Awe a ten day period between Yom T’ruah and Yom Kippur. These 10 days are when one makes right his relationship with God and others in preparation for the Day of Atonement and the cleansing of sin.
I heard a sad but humorous story told to me by a member of the church I attend. Her family lived in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood. Every year their not so friendly Jewish neighbor would come during the days of Awe and ask forgiveness. Shortly afterward would again be not so friendly. One day the mother of the house said. “Why do you bother and not change?”
A very good question don’t you think? Perhaps that is why the tradition became a month long opportunity to hear the sound of the Shofar each morning to remind them to prepare their hard hearts. How sad that their understanding of the ways of God was lost in a list of do’s and don’ts. A list of things, which never brought freedom from sin and forgiveness.
I am grateful that I can hear the sound of the Shofar (the voice of God) daily to prepare my heart to keep a short account with God and my fellow man. I am blessed to know my sins are forgiven because my Messiah has come as servant and will yet return as King.
However, most of my kinsmen do not know their redeemer and now those in the Land of Israel are facing the strong possibility of war. The very hope they need for the near future is lost in the misplacement of their trust.
Another Ancient practice is to recite Psalm 27 each day from the first day of Elul through the Last day of Sukkot. 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 words encourage us to reaffirm our trust in the Lord.Psalm 27 reminds us as we seek His face we will come to understand that He alone can deliver us from our enemies and our sin. He is light and in Him is no darkness. As we walk in that light He will expose the darkness in our lives for nothing can hide from Him. Yet, He loved us enough to send His son to die in our place. That is the confidence by which we proclaim He is our salvation!
This year as Israel faces the strong possibility of impending war and we pray through the uncertainty of our nation the words of that Psalm can become a source of strength and confidence for Israel and for us.
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. As you do I also request you pray it over Israel that the words would truly become life to them and that their hearts would be turned to the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob and open to His son Yeshua.
An Exuberant Declaration of Faith
A Psalm of David.[27:1] The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?[2] When the wicked came against me To eat up my flesh, My enemies and foes, They stumbled and fell.[3] Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; Though war may rise against me, In this I will be confident.[4] One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple.[5] For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.[6] And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.[7] Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.[8] When You said, “Seek My face,” My heart said to You, “Your face, LORD, I will seek.”[9] Do not hide Your face from me; Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; Do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation.[10] When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the LORD will take care of me.[11] Teach me Your way, O LORD, And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.[12] Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; For false witnesses have risen against me, And such as breathe out violence.[13] I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living.[14] Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!