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Abraham’s Journey part 1… leaving his father

Genesis 11:31-32 “One day Terah took his son Abram, his daughter-in-law Sarai (his son Abram’s wife), and his grandson Lot (his son Haran’s child) and moved away from Ur of the Chaldeans. He was headed for the land of Canaan, but they stopped at Haran and settled there. Terah lived for 205 years^f and died while still in Haran.”

the journey Terah and his family (Abram, Sarai, and Lot) set out for Canaan from Ur but they never got there, leaving Nahor and Milcah behind. We don’t know why Terah left Ur… something motivated him to leave Ur. We know that his son Haran had died but that’s all the Bible tells us. What we do know is that Terah never made it to Canaan. He wanted to go…..he started in that direction. But the Bible says, in Genesis 11:31, “But when they came to Haran, they settled there.”

The Hebrew word for settled is yashab and means “to sit down.” The thing about “yashab” is it’s a perfect form verb tense. A perfect form verb describes an action that is completed, done, finished. It is also an active perfect form which implies purpose. Terah purposed to sit down there. He put his roots down in Haran, and there, according to Genesis 11:32, Terah died. Terah had a dream to make it to Canaan but the dream died with him in Haran. He never completed his journey.

We don’t know exactly how long Abraham stayed in Haran… we do know he prospered there according to Gen 12:5, acquiring wealth – livestock and servants. The rabbis believe that Abraham left his father in Haran and that Terah lived another 60 years before he died. Some believe that he stayed in Haran and left after Terah died because of Stephen’s speech in Acts 7:4. I tend to side with the rabbis on this one, believing he left his father while he was living. I don’t think the command to leave your father’s house was necessary if his dad was no longer living. My husband Steve’s dad died earlier this year and we no longer refer to the place where he lived as “his father’s house”… we now say “his mom’s house”. Either way, it doesn’t matter because the Bible says he fully obeyed God (Gen 26:5 “Abraham obeyed Me and did everything I required of him.”

The word Haran means “crossroads”… it’s a place of decisions. Terah chose to “sit down” at the crossroads and go no further… he died there. And it is here at this “crossroad” that Abraham has a decision to make…..a decision that will affect not only him but ALL of the families of the earth…. to leave his father’s house and follow God.

~ Robin

Abraham’s lineage

Genesis 12:1 (Youngs Translation) And Jehovah saith unto Abram, “Go for thyself, from thy land, and from thy kindred, and from the house of thy father, unto the land which I shew thee.”

call of abraham

One of the key things about the Hebrew month of Kislev is identity change. Abraham was one of those individuals in the Bible that had an identity change in Genesis 12. But before we jump into his identity change, let’s do a

Abraham was one of those individuals in the Bible that had an identity change in Genesis 12. But before we jump into his identity change, let’s do a history review of Abraham’s family line in Genesis 11.

Abraham was the son of Terah
Terah was the great, great, great grandson of Eber
Eber was the great, great grandson of Noah
Noah, of course, was the great grandson of Enoch
Enoch was the great, great, great, great grandson of Adam.

Wow! What an impressive spiritual family lineage…. I can honestly say mine does not look like that. I am the faith pioneer in my family line.

Eber (Abraham’s great, great, great grandfather) was a faith pioneer as well. He was the 14th generation from Adam. A special distinction is made in Gen 10:21 where it says “Shem was the ancestor of all the sons of Eber”…… Eber was actually about 4 generations from Shem… but before Shem’s sons are mentioned, the Word introduces us to Eber. It sounds to me like Eber was destined to be a carrier of the Blessing just like Shem was… Genesis 9 refers to Shem by mentioning his relationship with God….calling God, “the God of Shem.”

Jewish historians say that during the time of the building of the Tower of Babel, Eber crossed over the Euphrates River… distancing himself and his family from Babylon and Nimrod…..from a sinful land and embarking on a walk of faith. Eber means “to cross over”. The name Hebrew comes from Eber…. to be a Hebrew means to have “crossed over”. Euphrates means “abundant” or “storage houses of heaven”.In

Euphrates means “abundant” or “storage houses of heaven”. In fact, he named his son Peleg which means “divided”… he placed a divider (the Euphrates River) between them and him. Genesis 10:25 confirms that the world was divided when he was born. Through the name of his son the godly man Eber gives us a glimpse into his heart and character to live a holy life, separated and consecrated from the sinful world of Babylon.

Unfortunately, the generations after Eber (until Abraham) turned to idol worship and didn’t serve God (Joshua 24:2). We don’t know much about Peleg except that he died young (even Noah outlived him by 10 years)…. he was the first to die among the 10 generations after the flood. Likewise, we don’t know much about Reu, Seureg or Nahor (except he died early also and Noah outlived him as well). All we know is that it’s probable that these 4 generations turned from God and worshiped idols.

Terah we know a bit more about. Josh 24:2 mentions him specifically as having worshiped other gods. However, Gen 11:31 tells us that he set out from Ur to go to Canaan. It doesn’t tell us why he set out to leave his home in Ur, all we know is he never made it to Canaan. He reached Haran, a place that was similar in many ways to Ur. A city where there was also a temple to the Ninnar, not as big as in Ur, but still similar. The city was smaller, and not as wealthy or important as Ur, but to someone from Ur, it would have all been very familiar, and probably felt like home. The customs and culture were similar. Seems as if he settled in the familiar… what was comfortable.

Abraham was 20 generations from Adam. Genesis 14:13 refers to Abraham as a Hebrew, linking him to Eber. The God of Shem became the God of Eber, and then became the God of Abraham. Which brings us back again to Genesis 12:1……. which we’ll pick up in the next blog entry.

Today no matter what your spiritual lineage looks like, determine to be a faith pioneer…. going farther than those before you. Grabbing hold of the promises of God for your future generations… making your ceiling their floor.

~ Robin

Tishrei – 5776 (2016)

We are currently in the month of Tishrei. It is the month of the Fall feasts… Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkoth…. feasts that teach us to return to God and experience His glory. Tishrei begins the Autumn months and a new season. In the Bible, Tishrei is referred to as “the month of the strong” or “the month of the ancients” It’s name means “beginning.” It is the first month of the year on the Jewish civil calendar (Cycle of Blessing) – this was to begin a new year of peace, health, joy, and provision in God’s presence… and the 7th month of the year on the Jewish religious calendar (Cycle of Redemption) — He rescues us from the effects of sin and restores us to His original plan….. 7 signifies completion or fullness.

A month where things are completing and things are beginning.

These feasts of God are called God’s appointed times. They are not just rituals. But they are times that are set by God where He wants to meet with us to accomplish some specific things in our lives every year. God’s appointed times are eternal. They were not given just as temporary holidays…but the feasts of God are for all time. Leviticus 23 says “these are lasting ordinances for all generations and that they belong to the Lord. Born again believers are not required to keep the feasts, however, understanding them enhances our faith…. they are after all revelations of Jesus.

Key New Testament events took place in the context of the feasts.

Jesus could have been crucified any time of the year, but it just happened to be on Passover (Pesach).
He could have been raised from the dead anytime, but it just happened to be on the Feast of Firstfruits — the firstfruits of a new creation.
The Spirit could have fallen any day of the year, but it just happened to be on the Feast of Pentecost (Shavuot).

Chuck Pierce described these appointed times this way: “God instituted the feasts so His covenant people would always be reminded of who He was and what He had done in the past. These feasts were also given to remember God’s great acts of salvation, deliverance and healing grace. He knew that if we would remember His power displays of the past, we would have faith to see Him move today and in the future. By participating in the prescribed Feasts (Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles), Israel’s worship would remain fresh, vibrant, and properly aligned with their Maker.”

WHEN THE TRUMPETS SOUNDED…. IT WAS A CALL TO SHIFT!

The Feast of Trumpets is also called Rosh Hashanah, the “Head of the Year.” Rosh Hashanah is the “Birthday of the World,” or the “Anniversary of Creation.” The trumpet blast at Rosh Hashanah is the signal to shift out of the old cycle and enter the Presence of God. The Feast of Trumpets sets your feet on the path to revival! As you listen to the trumpet blast you were to let go of old forms of security…..to break out of old habits…. to repent of old ways of thinking!

DAYS OF AWE — WE HAVE BEEN REDEEMED!

The 10 days from Rosh Hashanah – Yom Kippur are known as the Days of Awe. They are also called days of “Teshuvah.” Teshuvah is a Hebrew word that means “to turn” and “to return.” Repentance! Isaiah 44: 22 says, “I have wiped out your transgressions like a thick cloud, and your sins like a heavy mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you!” During these 10 days, we rejoice and stand in “awe” of Jesus (Yeshua) who made us “at-one” with God, the Father through His atoning sacrifice. Yom Kippur is a day for us to honor the One who purchased us and redeemed us from the enemies grasp…. Col 1:13-14… He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

SUKKOTH — WE ARE TO FEAST ON HIS GOODNESS

Sukkoth or the Feast of Tabernacles is a time of rejoicing in the Lord…. of feasting on His goodness. This is a unique feast recognized by temporary shelters (sukkot, or booths) being constructed and lived in during the week of the festival. A sukkah is a reminder that our lives on earth are temporary, and our reliance and trust are not in our material possessions but in our faithful and loving Father and in the One who “tabernacled” among us – Jesus, His Son, and our Messiah.

Ancient wisdom called it a “shelter of faith” – trusting God as Jehovah Jireh. Succah also means to “see through” – a season of spiritual vision-looking beyond the natural. It was also a joyful harvest festival and is prophetic of the great harvest that is to come. Sukkoth is a good time to rejoice before Him…..to seek His face and experience His glory. Let’s call out to God for a fresh outpouring of His glory in this new year.

Deuteronomy 16:14-15 says, “Be joyful at your Feast (Sukkoth) for the Lord your God will bless you and your joy will be complete.”

THE DAY OF GREAT SALVATION

The final day of Sukkot is known as Hoshana Raba, “the day of Great Salvation”. It was on the last day of Sukkot that Jesus stood up and cried out “if anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow waters of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive….. ~ John 7:37-38.

Ephraim is the tribe associated with this month. Ephraim was the 2nd son of Joseph but the one who received the first born blessing from Jacob. His name means double fruitfulness. When he was born Joseph said “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction”….. this is a month to be fruitful and multiply. Ephraim was a blessed tribe. In Gen 48 Jacob said, “Manasseh will be great but Ephraim will be greater”. The tribe of Ephraim was described as mighty men of valor, famous in their father’s households.

The Lord calls Ephraim the helmet of His head. They were the dominant tribe in the Kingdom of Israel when Israel and Judah split. But in spite of all the blessings, Ephraim messed up. Jeroboam, an Ephraimite, was the king of the northern tribes. He re-introduced the worship of the golden calf…. because he was afraid that if the people continued to go to Jerusalem to worship they might eventually reject him and reunite with Judah. God had chosen Judah, and Jerusalem was the chosen place for worship. Unfortunately, his fear of rejection, caused him to lead those under his leadership into idolatry.

He told the people they had been going to Jerusalem long enough. He set up 2 golden calves and told the people, “here is your God!” Although Ephraim experienced times of repentance — it was always temporary. Ephraim couldn’t get past bitterness.

EPHRAIM HAD MESSED UP BUT GOD HAD NOT GIVEN UP ON EPHRAIM!

The good news is revival hit Judah and the first place it spread to was Ephraim. In 2 Chronicles 34, they tore down the altars and destroyed the idols. The last reference to Ephraim in the Old Testament is Zech 10:7 and it says that Ephraim is fully restored to the Lord and rejoicing before Him.

In the New Testament we see Ephraim mentioned favorably.

The woman at the well not only received the gospel but evangelized her entire village (Samaria consisted mostly of Ephraim territory).
In John 11 when the Judeans are trying to kill Jesus, he finds a place of safety in Ephraim territory.
In Acts 8 the first church planted after Jerusalem was in Ephraim territory (Samaria). Ephraimites joyfully received the Gospel!

I love what Robert Heidler teaches… Ephraim is the story of the Fall Feasts. Ephraim sinned, they messed up and fell away from God and lost the Blessing. BUT they had a wake-up call….the trumpets of an attacking Assyrian army (Rosh Hashanah). The remnant of Ephraim repented of their sins and sought God (Yom Kippur) And they entered into a time of great rejoicing in the Lord (Sukkoth).

There is never anything you can do that would cause God to give up on you and turn His back on you….. He is not counting your sins against you! Jesus paid the price of the penalty of sin for you, to restore you to that right relationship with God…. the place of unbroken fellowship with Him.

So in this month of Tishrei be like Ephraim… awake to righteousness, repent and return to God and be fully restored to Him….enter His Presence and experience His glory and REJOICE!

~ Robin

Av – 5776 (2016)

We’re already almost halfway through the month of Av….. it’s been a busy month for us in the Smit family. We’re at the height of our summer farming season and life for us just feels non-stop, go, go, go. I’m not complaining though… God has been so good to us and our fruit harvests get better and better each year.

I’ve also taken on teaching 4 Bible studies per week… one at church, one at my home, and 2 on an app called oovoo. I love studying and teaching but it does leave me with very little time during the week for anything else.

However, I wanted to take a moment this morning and write about the month of Av because it really is such a great month.. full of promise… even though on the Hebrew calendar this month is considered to be a low point….. a month of sorrow. When studying the Hebrew months, we are to look for the redemptive side of things and pull out the treasure... pull out God’s original plans and purposes for each month.

Av was originally meant to be the month that the Israelites entered into the Promise Land BUT on the 9th of Av, ten of the spies came back with an evil report.. a report full of unbelief. They came back and gave the people a mixed report (Numbers 13:25-14:10). They told the people that yes it was true that it was a good land…. a land flowing with milk and honey…. BUT there was no way that they could take the land because the giants were not only bigger than them BUT even too big even for God. They had a zero chance of success!

That report struck fear into the hearts of the people and caused an entire generation to miss out on entering into the promises of God and they had to wander in the wilderness for 40 years until they died there! That story makes me think of Acts 13:36. It says he served God’s purposes in his generation. David had served his generation well. The ten spies didn’t serve their generation well.. they didn’t serve God’s purposes in their generation. Instead, they caused their generation, through their mixed words of unbelief, to miss out on the purposes of God.

I want to be one who serves my generation well. I want the words of my mouth to cause faith to arise in the hearts of those around me… to release life and destiny to them. To encourage and help my generation reach their destinies. And for the purpose of God to be manifested in their lives. I choose to speak life words… to give a report that stirs the hearts of those around me to press into the promises of God. So that one day, like David, when it is time to “fall asleep” and be buried that it will be said of me that I served the purposes of God in my generation.

So even in a month viewed as a low point on the Jewish calendar, we can choose to see it as God originally intended….a month of goodness, grace, and favor. A month of fulfilled destiny and promise! A month of Holy Spirit’s transforming power (the 5th Hebrew letter hey which is connected to this month) making us fruitful and productive, taking what we are not and making us into what He has called us to be… as in taking Abram from father to Abraham “father of a multitude.”

The name Av literally means “father.” Av derives from the root, which means, “to will” or “to desire.” This is a month for us to walk in the Father’s will for us. It is a month to hear and then speak forth what you have heard from the Father… just like Caleb and Joshua. They had another spirit… they wholeheartedly followed after God. They were “filled” with following after, or following behind God… there wasn’t any room in them for anything else. They had no plan B… they had no mixed reports. They heard God’s promises and then saw through eyes of faith that they were well able to take possession of His promises.

promises

Caleb is one of my favorites in the Bible. He is always so optimistic and full of undaunted faith…. wholehearted and unwavering! Verse 30 in chapter 13 says that he silenced the people and told them we are well able to overcome… in the Hebrew he said we are “yakol yakol”. He repeated the word, which means able, to have power, to prevail, to overcome! Repetition of a word shows intensity. He was in effect saying, “come on boys!! We’ve got this!! We can do it… we are strong in the Lord and the power of His might!”

In chapter 14 the people caved and given in to fear because the ten had spread an evil report. Chapter 14 begins with saying they raised a loud cry (in Hebrew they “set” or established their voices). Even after hearing the encouragement of Caleb they made a choice to set their voices to speak contrary to what God had promised. ALL because they listened to a group of fearful doubters.

Then it says they grumbled against Moses. The Hebrew word for grumble or murmur is lun which is to lodge, or to abide. Grumbling, murmuring, complaining was abiding in them instead of the Word of God.

John 15:7 tells us that if we abide in Him and His Word abides in us we can ask whatever we desire and it will be done for us.

Their grumbling pitted them against Moses and Aaron… it actually says “over” Moses and Aaron. Grumbling not only pits you against leadership but causes you to think you are over or above them… pride had set in.

This caused them to say three things:

“We wish we had died in Egypt or in this wilderness”
“God’s purpose was to bring us into a land where we would be prey for the enemy. It is good that we return to Egypt.”
“Let’s make… let’s establish or set… a captain, a leader and return to Egypt.”

Wow!! They didn’t just react with fear to the possibility of the Promise Land being hard to conquer…. they spoke out against the purpose of God and accused God of having an evil purpose for them!

It says in verse 36 that the 10 spies had incited rebellion against the Lord with their bad report. The word for bad report is “dibbah.” It means to whisper, to defame or slander. It’s from a root word meaning to move slowly, to glide over. Comparable to a word that means to walk slow or leisurely. These men did more than just give an evil report to the congregation…. they did more than just give their fearful opinion of the matter.

These 10 men moved slowly through the camp from one person to the next whispering and slandering the promise of God. Telling the people that this land… the land God has “given them” is not safe. It devours and consumes it’s inhabitants. It is full of “giants of the giants” and we saw ourselves as but grasshoppers and therefore they must see us like that also!

Caleb, when he is 80 and finally ready to enter the Promise Land with the 2nd generation of Israelites, asks for the biggest mountain which was inhabited by the fiercest of the enemies to possess! His faith only got stronger during the 40 years of waiting. I’m sure he probably spent the 40 years serving this 2nd generation well. Stirring their hearts with courage and faith so that they would be able to walk in the purposes of God.

Joshua was another one who was full of faith and courage. After he and Caleb tore their clothes in response to the Israelite’s words against God, he tried again to encourage these rebellious people. He assured them that it was a very good land. In fact, he uses the word very twice… a very, very, good land. An exceedingly, great land!!

He goes on to say that the Lord’s desire is to bring us into and give us a land flowing (gushing or overflowing) with milk and honey. Overflowing and gushing with all good things. Overflowing and gushing with prosperity and abundance. He encourages them not to rebel against God and also not to fear the people of the Promise Land – “who will be our prey because the Lord is not with them and they have no defense.” The Israelites responded by wanting to stone Joshua and Caleb.

Regardless of the Israelite’s response and the fact that they were not persuaded and moved by Joshua and Caleb’s words, Caleb and Joshua had served their generation well and were allowed to serve the next generation well and enter the Promise Land with them. God will have a people, even if He has to raise up a second generation to receive and walk out what the first generation refused.

This month be determined to be one who speaks forth a good report… a God report. Be one who chooses to see with eyes of faith… wholehearted in following after God… in being led by His Spirit into His exceedingly great promises. Be a strong leader of faith, encouraging others to step out into God’s purposes for their life. Serve your generation well – Acts 13:36

~ Robin

Tammuz 5775 (2015)

grace

Today my husband and I celebrated our 18th anniversary! I love it when special days occur… birthdays, anniversaries, celebrations of any sort, holidays, etc. Our gregorian calendar connects us only to the earth realm. We use it to track our life events but to know God’s schedule of events you must understand His calendar. Studying the Hebrew months helps us receive prophetic understanding on how the Lord orders our steps throughout the year. Each month has a unique purpose and is designed by God to release a revelation of who He is….so that you can renew your mind and begin to think like He does.

I always get excited to enter into a new Hebrew month and this month is no exception… and I especially get excited when that new month begins a new season (Summer on the Hebrew calendar). I love new beginnings, fresh starts, and exciting possibilities. Yes, I was one of those kids that looked forward to Sept and starting a new school year with new books, clean unused notepads… I enjoyed the fresh new possibilities that each new year held. This past 3 month season has been one that was full of heartbreaking changes for Steve and I and our family and I’m looking forward to a fresh new season.… one full of new possibilities! I am an extremely optimistic person.. not just a glass half full person, but a “glass half full and increasing with more fullness to overflowing” kind of person. I tend to always find the good and positive in everything and believe that everything will always work out and I will come out on top 😊 These past 3 months, we’ve moved and left great friends/family, Steve’s dad died (the first parent for either of us to lose), and just a little over a week ago, our Pastor’s (our friends) were voted out of our church, which leaves us churchless “at the moment”. Still, through it all I believe God has a wonderful plan that He is working out in our lives and all of these sad changes are just propelling us further and faster into our destiny. While our calendar will hold dates of moving, death and loss of a church, God’s calendar, this month of Tammuz, holds endless possibilities of fresh vision, blessings, new beginnings, and double portion inheritance to name a few.

Tammuz is the first month of the summer season. The three months of this season – Tammuz, Av, and Elul – correspond to the three tribes of the camp of Reuben, which include Reuben, Simeon, and Gad, who were situated to the south of the Tabernacle.

The three-week period between the 17^th of Tammuz and the 9th of Av (July 4th—July 25th this year) is sometimes known as “the Dire Straits”, after Lamentations 1:3—“All her persecutors overtake her in dire straits” (NKJV). It is a month where we learn to press through the narrow place to experience a new level of God’s glory, which transforms us into His image.

The letter associated with Tammuz is “chet”. “Chet” is the 8th letter of the Hebrew alef beit (alphabet) and represents new beginnings. Chet means light radiating through your eyes. This is a month to see and establish the brilliance of your righteousness. Plenty of negative things occurred during this month in Jewish history. We need to counteract them through praise and declaration…. Isaiah 58:8, Psalm 112:4, and Daniel 12:3 are great places to start. Allow God to increase your spiritual insight and perception so that you see how to move through this month aligned properly to the vision that he has given you for your life. Tammuz is a month of choices….”chet” is the first letter in “chaim”.. meaning life; it is also the first letter in “cheyt” meaning sin or to miss the mark…. choose wisely! see Deut 30:19

The tribe given to Tammuz is Reuben. Reuben means “behold a son”. Behold also means “see”. This month is connected with vision – seeing – beholding. It is the month of the”firstborn” (Reuben was the firstborn). In the Hebrew culture, the firstborn received a double portion of the inheritance left to the sons by the father. Reuben had great potential – promise (Gen 49:3); but he didn’t deal with character issues – weakness – rejection (Gen 29:30); fell into sexual sin which was his downfall (Gen 35:22); This was not just a moral failure but revealed an inability to maintain self-control under pressure. As a result, he lost his firstborn rights and they were given to Joseph’s sons (1 Chron 5:1). He also settled for less than God promised, his tribe and Gad’s settled east of the Jordan and never lived in Canaan with the other tribes and no notables came from his tribe…. no judges, rulers, prophets or princes. Although he was first born, the kingdom was given to Judah and the priesthood to Levi. He bore this shame forever.. however, he took it to heart and instead of becoming full of self-pity and revenge, he demonstrated the fruit of repentance demonstrated through the love and concern for his brothers, father and family (see Gen 37) – so even though he lost the position of 1st born, he acted like the 1st born throughout his life. Moses’ blessing on him was that he would live and not die and that his men not be few. There was no remembrance of the sins of the past. God wants to awaken the mantle of “Sonship” in our lives. Psalms 2:7-8 – we are to declare/decree our position as sons; Gal 4:1-7 – time to claim our inheritance as sons; Rom 8:14-17 – as sons & daughters we are endowed with authority in His kingdom; This is a time to displace, to cast off an “orphan spirit” and embrace the spirit of sonship with all of the rights, privileges, and responsibilities (John 5:19);

This was a month of choices and serious consequences for Israel. We can learn from these choices and walk in the original blessings that God intended for Tammuz. Two specific choices were made in this month….

1. Golden calf (Ex 32)…. this represents their refusal to let go of their past and their inability to maintain their commitment to God when their patience is tested. A golden calf is built when we lose faith in an invisible, unnameable God who may have abandoned us in the wilderness. Their words in the wilderness set them up for this choice when their patience was tested. Wilderness is the Hebrew word “midbar” which comes from the root “devar” meaning speech. This is a good month to take stock of our words and where they may be leading us. In addition to their words setting them up, they also made a mistake at Mt Sinai when God desired a relationship with them. Because they had rejected the face to face relationship with God that He desired, they lacked the spiritual strength to connect with God on their own when they thought Moses’ wasn’t coming back. Their idolatry began in their refusal/fear to approach God face to face – Moses became their god, their deliverer (Ex 32:4). The mixed multitude (who didn’t join the Israelites to convert, but only chose the winning side) suggested they build an intermediary for Moses’ stead. Be careful who you allow to be joined to you.

The golden calf was never God’s plan for the month of Tammuz. This was a choice they made because they couldn’t cast off a slave mentality and trust God. They didn’t deal with character weaknesses and take hold of their words speaking out the blessings of God and what He had for them. (1 Cor 10:6… Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.)

2. This was also the month the spies were spying out the land. They left on their mission on the last day of Sivan and came back with their report on the 9th of Av. Deut 1:22-23 tells us that it was their idea to go spy out the land, not Moses’ idea or God’s. Moses’ instructions to them (Num 13:17-20). They were to give an intel report only not to advise on the feasibility of the mission. One of the first places they come to is Hebron. Hebron means “seat of association”. it’s where the patriarchs and the past history makers were buried — Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Leah. That’s where the past revivalists, the godly seed, and the godly inheritance were buried. This should’ve encouraged them! Serving as a reminder of the faithfulness of God. Next month is when they come back to give their evil report. This month is when they were in the promise land scouting it out. Remember this is a month of vision.. as God shows you His promises for you, don’t be like the Israelites and request to see for yourself if what God has said is possible. Trust His Word and begin to declare the promises of God over your life. Psalm 106:24 says that they despised the precious land and did not believe His Word.

Tammuz is the month that Joshua commanded the sun to stand still. He didn’t pray and ask God, rather he commanded it himself. Begin commanding circumstances around you to change in your favor. This was also the month that Ezekiel had his vision found in Ezekiel chapter 1, in Hebrew called Merkabah: The Chariot. According to the rabbis, this chapter in the Bible is so dangerous that it is forbidden to be taught to groups of disciples. It could be taught to no more than one student at a time, and only if he is a mature student. Because it is so dangerous, it is forbidden to be read in the regular synagogue service. It’s revelation killed one of Israel’s most famous rabbis, made another crazy and led another to heresy. For hundreds of years, even the name of this chapter caused knowledgeable Jews to shudder. This is the first vision of Ezekiel, who was among the exiles in Babylon, 1,000 miles from home. One day he was outdoors by the river Chebar (from a root word in Hebrew meaning “abundance”). He saw a storm wind (like the one that snatched Elijah away). The Hebrew words also carry the meaning “Spirit-storm” – for this was clearly a storm of the Spirit. We can only receive a manifestation of a “Spirit Storm” from a place “flowing with abundance” of prophetic worship. What will you do when His storm wind approaches? Will you like Ezekiel, bow down before Jesus, receive His instruction and be filled afresh with His Spirit? Your response is crucial this month.. a month of choices that is a turning point for us… a crossover month that will take us into our Promise Land.

As a final reminder, don’t let this be a negative month of bad choices… choose to make this month a month of vision, a month of first born rights of double portion and blessing, a time of new beginnings and life, a month of sonship and receiving our inheritance.

1. Repent of any false idols you’ve developed due to unbelief and impatience (Hebrews 6:12 tells us that through faith and patience we inherit the promises of God).

2. Don’t be like Reuben and lose your inheritance/blessing. Repent of a possible spirit of rejection that you may be carrying or the inability to maintain self-control under pressure.. ask God to search your heart for any weaknesses of character.

3. Choose to believe God’s word to you regarding His promises.. don’t be like the children of Israel and have a need to “spy them out”. Declare daily “God Your promises are yes and amen in my life”

4. Watch your covenant alignments and repent of any peace treaties you’ve made with the enemy (Josh 10:14)… Pray before undertaking any partnerships/yokes.

5. Guard your heart against the spirit of oppression, religion, intimidation, blindness, and accusation.

6. Receive fresh vision this month. Allow God to increase your spiritual insight and perception so that you see how to move through this month aligned properly to the vision that He has given for your life.

Sivan – 5775 (2015)

sivan 2 This morning I woke up with a scripture… actually I heard the scripture while I was in that state between sleeping and waking. Daniel 10:2, the angel told Daniel “I have come for your words.” I realized after waking that we have now entered into the month of Sivan (May 19th – June 17th on our calendar) and we are at the last few days of counting the Omer. Day 45 to be exact.

Omer means to utter speech – to verbally count the days. It is a transition period between Passover (Pesach) and Pentecost (Shavuot)… a transition from deliverance into an outpouring from Heaven. An outpouring of HIs Spirit. In this transition period, it is important to “verbally count the days” with declarations…. declarations of His promises over our lives, of who we are In Christ and of all that Christ purchased for us through His death and resurrection. These declarations prepare us for an outpouring of Revelation, align us

These declarations prepare us for an outpouring of Revelation, align us with His perfect will for us, and angels are activated as we declare His Word (Psalm 103:20). Imagine my excitement and expectancy when I woke hearing Dan 10:2 ” I have come for your words.” His angels are working on my behalf… obeying God’s Word that I have been declaring.

Sivan is the last of the Spring months… it is still a time to plant as we end this season and prepare for a new one…. as you sow this month declare that your harvest is being secured and that every seed will prosper. Biblically it is the “New year of Kings”… a time of counting the years of the reigns of kings in ancient Israel. It is also the month when kings go to war (2 Sam 10:1)… This is a time to reign as kings and to use your authority…. to war for your covenant promises. Zech 10:1 tells us to ask the Lord for rain in the springtime…. this month is a time to ask for the rain of His presence. This month marks the end of the Spring season and we will enter into Summer.

The letter associated with Sivan is Zayin. It is the 7th letter which represents rest, completion, and blessing. It looks like a sword and means crowned. This is a month to realize that you have been crowned with blessings and received mercy to complete things IN CHRIST! This is the month to accelerate your walk and receive clear vision and to receive a fresh baptism of fire.

The tribe is Zebulon. They were a tribe who were givers.. the profited in trade and filled the storehouses. They prospered for a purpose. We need to ask God to teach us His Word regarding economics this month so that we can excel at being givers and providers for the Kingdom.

This is the month to ask God for a greater understanding of giving strategies so that you stay in a total harvest mentality and live in a continuous cycle of provision and abundance (Luke 6:38). This is a time to allow Him to develop “faithfulness” in us. A time to know our identity and His plans/purposes for us.

God arranged the tribes of Israel into an army. They went out in 3’s. The first camp was Judah, Issachar, and Zebulon. The tribe of Judah (Praise) always marched first, their call was to rule, to lead in battle and to worship. Worship and warfare always go together. Issachar knew the times, they were a prophetic tribe and also known as the Torah tribe because they knew the Word. Zebulon had the ability to prosper through godly systems of trade. These 3 tribal anointings are important in this season. We must be a people of praise, prophecy, and prosperity. These are the blessings of this season.. and walking in these will cause us to grow up in Him… being mature and complete… lacking no good thing!

~ Robin

Nisan – 5775 (2015)

The day we entered into the Hebrew month of Nisan I woke up to a song in my heart and on my lips… “it’s a new season, it’s a new day…. a fresh anointing is flowing my way…. it’s a season of power and prosperity…..it’s a new season coming my way.”

Lately, in prayer, I keep hearing God say “new day, new day!!” He led me to Joshua 1:2 ““Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all these people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel.” This happened in the Hebrew month of Nisan. A new day had come for the children of Israel… the old way of living (in the Wilderness) was over and it was now time to cross over into the Promise Land and receive all that God had promised them. I believe we have also entered into a new day… a time to cross over and enter our Promise Land.

passover lamb 2

This is the month of Passover… a time of liberation, personal change, going from slavery to freedom, and the emerging out of the old. A month of repentance, redemption, and miracles. It’s called the season of the ‘miracle of miracles’ and your appointed time for great blessing! Nissan has within it the word Nes, which in Hebrew is miracle….an open miracle as opposed to the hidden miracles in the book of Esther. It is the month that the King had favor on Nehemiah and granted him permission to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the wall.

IN CHRIST we have been liberated and have gone from slavery to freedom… from slavery to sonship. We have emerged out of the old and have become new creatures in Him. This month walk in the revelation of ALL that your redemption has made available to you. Believe for miracles flowing through you everywhere you go and to everyone you meet. Walk in the divine favor that has been granted to you by the King of kings.

Nisan is a month to watch your speech.. be aware of what your confessions are. If you speak negatively during this month, it will adversely affect you months down the road. The seeds of negativity take root and will pull you backward. Your positive confessions should “grab the wind” and change the atmosphere.

He is the High Priest of our confession. Confession is just saying what God says about every situation. Begin this month finding out what He says about you and your life and say the same thing!

This is also a month assigned to the right foot.. a time to step out….. to step forth in strength and consider where the Lord is leading you this year. Move ahead confidently in God. Numbers 33:3 “They set out from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month. On the day after the Passover, the people of Israel went out triumphantly in the sight of all the Egyptians”. In the Hebrew the word used is “rum” (pronounced room)… it means exalted. Psalm 18:4 says God exalts us above our enemies.

IN CHRIST you HAVE ALREADY BEEN exalted above a defeated enemy. Walk triumphantly in what is yours in Him. Step out boldly knowing that the Greater One lives on the inside of you and leads you forth victoriously!!

The letter “hei” is assigned to this month. Hei is my favorite of all the Hebrew letters. This letter is for behold!….it speaks of revelation and light. It is also wind or breath. It is the Spirit of God blowing on us…. it is the divine breath of God’s creative power breathed into Adam. It is the number 5 which speaks of God’s grace and goodness. It is the transforming power of Holy Spirit that changed Abram to Abraham and Sarai to Sarah. This blessing of the letter “hei” is available to us… His grace and goodness, His redemption, revelation and light, and of course the wind of His Spirit transforming us and making us fruitful and productive.

Ask Holy Spirit to breathe upon you a refreshing…..for new revelation….for a quickened understanding of what is yours IN CHRIST.

It is the month assigned to the tribe of Judah. Judah represents apostolic leadership… they were the warring tribe who knew how to operate with sound. They were the tribe that went out first in battle (Judges 20:18)… they were also the first tribe in the order of procession when Israel moved in the wilderness (Num. 10:14) Judah also means “to cast a smooth stone against your enemy”…. that is what David, who was of the tribe of Judah, did to Goliath.

Praise is what will keep your enemy down under your feet where he belongs.

Judah’s symbol is the lion… Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah. Judah comes from the Hebrew word “Yadah”, which means to praise, to give thanks, to glorify or to acknowledge God. They were a people of praise…. praise was their identity. This tribe camped to the East of the tabernacle. The entrance to the tabernacle (where His Presence dwelled) was the East…. likewise, the way into His presence is with praise.

God assigned a portion of land to all the tribes…. Judah was given Jerusalem. God told them that He would choose one location that would be His holy place, where He would manifest His presence, this place was Jerusalem. We are a people of praise…. we are His dwelling place.

Nisan is March 21st – April 19th on our calendar. March 21st not only marks the Spring season for us but it is also the beginning of the Spring months on the Hebrew calendar. It is a time of coming out of a barren winter and positioning yourself to bring forth new life and flourish…. a time of rebirth and a fresh start. This month sets the course for your future. Spring is a time to plant…. as you sow this month declare that your harvest is being secured and that every seed will prosper.

Biblically it is the “New year of Kings”… a time of counting the years of the reigns of kings in ancient Israel. It is also the month when kings go to war (2 Sam 10:1)… This is a time to reign as kings and to use your authority…. to war for your covenant promises with praise. Zech 10:1 tells us to ask the Lord for rain in the springtime…. this month is a time to ask for the rain of His presence.

Nisan is a time God has scheduled on His calendar for a powerful outpouring of salvation and deliverance for our families, breakthroughs in our business and finances and the miracle of a new beginning in every area of your life! So press in with faith and lay hold of every blood bought promise of God, paid for in full by Jesus Christ our Passover Lamb.

It’s a time to expect miracles not only in your life but signs, wonders and miracles working through you.

~ Robin

Adar – 5776 (2016)

Genesis 24:1 says that Abraham was blessed “in all things”.. that means he was blessed in EVERY AREA of his life. Galatians 3:13-14 says that Jesus redeemed us from the curse of the law and blessed us with the same blessing he promised to Abraham…. God wants you to walk in the Blessing… for it to be as full and complete (in all things) in your life as it was in Abraham’s. We walk in this blessing by having a Hebrew mindset. When you learn to think like God, you begin to prosper and walk in the blessing. Studying the Hebrew months is one way we can begin to have a Hebrew mindset and think like God. In April 2014, I began thinking about what the months of the year on our calendar mean to me.

In April 2014, I began thinking about what the months of the year on our calendar mean to me. No coincidence since April is a month associated with the tribe of Issachar, who was the tribe anointed to understand times and seasons as well as what to do in those times. To me, the months on our regular calendar reflect my life… birthdays, anniversaries, deaths, losses, and of course since we farm, our harvest seasons… some of these things are good and worth celebrating…. and some are sad remembrances. This

This Gregorian calendar connects you to the earth realm. It is great for tracking our life events but to know God’s schedule of events it’s good to understand His calendar…. the Hebrew calendar. His calendar is full of hope and causes us to reach for those higher things.. it causes us to be God focused… to be Kingdom minded. Although some months on the Jewish calendar are designated as sad months, not full of hope at all! But as you study them further, you begin to see God’s original plan for them and prophetically begin calling forth His redemptive plans for each month. Adar is one of those REALLY good months… in fact so good, that the Jews designated it as the only double month on Leap Years (or pregnant years as it’s called in Hebrew)… those specific years (which is this year) we get Adar I and Adar II.

Adar I starts today Feb 10th and goes through March 10th. And then we begin Adar II on March 11th – April 8th. The name Adar means “exalted“, “praised“, “power“, and “strength” According to the rabbis, when Adar enters, joy and happiness enter with it. It is the final month of winter and also the final month of the year (on the Hebrew feast calendar)… an end to a season. It is a month of celebration as we celebrate Purim (March 23rd this year). It’s a month of divine reversals, of curses overturned. This is a time for evil decrees set against you to be broken.

This month walk in the revelation that IN CHRIST there has been a divine reversal… all curses have been overturned and evil decrees that were once set against you have ALREADY been broken.

Naphtali is the tribe associated with this month. The prophecies spoken over Naphtali are in Gen 49:21 “Naphtali is a free running doe, he speaks delightful words” and Deut 33:23 “Naphtali is abounding with the favor of the LORD and is full of his blessing;”.

This month choose to walk in the joy that is yours in Christ…. in celebration … experiencing His divine turnarounds in our lives. Walk in the freedom that Christ purchased for you, speaking “delightful words”… His words.. thereby enjoying the fullness of His abundant favor and full blessing.

We’re not trying to get these things but realizing that they are already ours IN CHRIST.

~ Robin

Shevat – 5776 (2016)

blessed-2 Yesterday we entered into the Hebrew month of Shevat, which is Jan 11th – Feb 9th on our calendar.

This is a key month to shout “the blessings are mine in Christ.”

Asher is the tribe associated with the month of Shevat. Asher means blessed or prosperous and comes from the root word “ashar”, meaning to go on, to advance or to make progress. Asher was blessed with the potential for every earthly blessing – abundant resources, the most fertile land in Canaan, many children, peace with the other tribes, the favor of God and security from enemies. He is known as the prosperous one. His blessing from Moses indicated both prosperity and pleasure.

Asher is the blessing beyond the norm – to be given more than what is necessary for survival.

2 Cor 9:8 “And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others (New Living Translation).”
1 Timothy 6:17b “….. place your confidence in God who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.”
Ephesians 3:20 “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us”

We are meant to not only be prosperous but to enjoy that prosperity, both spiritual and earthly riches. Allow God to do the exceedingly, abundantly, above all you could ask, think, hope or imagine in your life this month.

Shevat is spelled shin-beit-tet in Hebrew. Shin is a picture of a crown. Beit is a house, household or family. Tet is the letter for goodness. Shevat is God crowning our households, crowning our families with goodness. Psalm 65:11 “You crown the year with your goodness, and your paths drip with abundance. Another translation says even the hard places overflow with abundance.

This month get a revelation of all that God wants to do in your life… the prosperity He wants to pour out on you… not just enough but overflow. Prosperity and pleasure! Begin to walk in His goodness, in His richness. Let’s move forward and continue on in the prosperity He has blessed us with.

This month let us remember to enjoy His bounty in our lives… to be happy…. full of joy, proclaiming “The blessings are mine in Christ Jesus.”

This is a GOOD month.

~ Robin

Tevet – 5774 (2014)

This year I’ve been learning to trust how God speaks to me, to my heart. I’m an optimist, or as my mom calls me…..a Polly Anna Sunshine. I tend to always look at everything through a heart of hope. I love believing God and I love to look for His goodness and redemption in all things. When I’m studying the Hebrew months I look for goodness and hope… something that encourages me and calls me higher in Him.

Each Hebrew month was given by God with a unique purpose of revelation and is designed to release a blessing into our lives. I pray my study of this month and this season gives you fresh hope of the goodness of God and all that He has for you.

Tuesday night we entered into not only a new month on the Hebrew calendar, Tevet… but also a new season, Winter. Winter is the season to plan for increase in the next season. Tevet is the 10th month on the Hebrew calendar… 10 is a number of divine order … 10 is also 5 + 5… five being the number of grace or in this case grace upon grace.

This month walk in the double portion of grace available… walk in the fullness, in the grace that Jesus made available for us. He paid it all so that you could have it all! It’s a free gift (Eph 2:8).

The first two letters in the word Tevet is “tov” which is the Hebrew word for good and it is followed by the letter tet which is also a letter connected to the word good…. so the whole word Tevet from beginning to end is a word full of God’s goodness.

christmas

While I love this season of Christmas, I realize not everyone enjoys it. It can be a time of bitter disappointments, sadness over loved ones gone, rejections of family members, depression, etc. It can also be a financially stressful time for many.

But in this month of Tevet, let’s declare it as a month of God’s goodness from beginning to end.. allowing Him to lavish us with His goodness, His grace, and His favor.

Tevet is also connected to the Hebrew letter “ayin”. Ayin means the eye.

This month purposely choose to see things through the eyes of your Father. Seeing circumstances through the eyes of faith and hope… and seeing others through the eyes of love and grace. Through the eyes of redemption and mercy.

Each month is also associated with a tribe of Israel. The tribes were divided into four groups of three. This Winter season included the three tribes: Dan (the leader of this group), Naphtali and Asher. They formed the “rear” guard of the camp and were the ones to watch out for the enemy attacking the camp from behind.‭ ‬These three formed the rear guard, not because of military skill but because they brought the glory of God. They were the most creative of the tribes… Dan were skilled craftsmen in all kinds or artistic work, Naphtali brought forth beautiful words, and Asher caused the land to flourish.

This Winter season let’s walk in the revelation that His glory is our rear guard (Is 58:8)

Dan is the tribe connected to Tevet. Dan in the Hebrew means to judge. Dan’s ensign was the eagle! Dan is one who can see the prey afar off‭ ‬-‭ the ‬one who soars on high in the Spirit and get the heavenly perspective on things.‭ ‬His judgment takes in the full scope of the scene and from his viewpoint,‭ ‬he is able to objectively give good direction and assessments of situations.‭ ‬As a result,‭ ‬he was called to judge Israel.‭

Let’s judge correctly this month… soaring on wings of eagles and judging things through God’s eyes of love and mercy…. eyes focused on His goodness given to ALL!

May this season be full of the goodness of God, His glory (Ex 33:18-19)…… Merry Christmas (Celebration of Christ) from our family to yours!

~ Robin