New followers, WELCOME....hope I don't scare you off! LOL....I figure if you are following me, you don't scare too easily! Hope you will join in this journey for the next 40 days.
Many of you know, I love studying the rich Hebrew roots that has given us Yeshua (Jesus), the Word of God (the Bible), and many of our laws and customs. Today (August 30th) is the beginning of the month of Elul on the Hebrew calendar. For the next 40 days, I am going to attempt to blog my way through a Bible study on the month of Elul. It is a special time!
Last year, I followed Pam Staley's study. I haven't heard from Pam as to whether she plans on doing a study this year or not, so I decided to "wing it". I learned so very much last year (thank you, Pam!) and I am hoping to add to that knowledge this year. Would love for you to join me! You will be blessed!
"And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel. And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights." ~
Exodus 24:17 & 18
The Month of Elul
August 30th to September 28th (2011)
Day 1
Elul is a very special month, a time of experiencing God’s grace and His mercy. We can trace its beginnings back to the time of Moses around 1313 BCE, a few months after the Israelites left Egypt.
The people of Yahweh received the Words of Torah seven weeks after they left the Pharaoh's rule and entered into an eternal covenant with their God. Unfortunately, only 40 days later, while the great man of God (Moses) was still up on the mountain, they sinned by worshiping the golden calf.
As Moses descended the Mountain of God and his eyes fell upon the idolatry of this newly born nation, he was so incensed that he smashed the two stone tablets in which the finger of YHVH had inscribed the Ten Commandments. However, his love for the people caused him to ascend the mountain for another 40 days to plead with his God to spare them.
Early on the morning of the 1st of Elul, Moses once again ascended Mount Sinai, taking with him the stone tablets he had hewn, by divine command, for God to re-inscribe the Ten Commandments. On the mountain, God allowed Moses to "see My back, but not My face" (which Maimonides interprets as a perception of God's reality but not His essence) -- the closest any human being ever came to knowing God -- and taught him the secret of His "Thirteen Attributes of Mercy" (Exodus 33:18-34:8).
For the third time, Moses remained on the mountain for 40 days, from the 1st of Elul until the 10th of Tishrei (Yom Kippur), during which time He obtained God's whole-hearted forgiveness and reconciliation with the people of Israel. Ever since, the month of Elul serves as the "month of Divine mercy and forgiveness."
May we enter into this 40 day period with great expectancy, as we prepare our hearts for (Yamim Nora’im)the Days of Awe, by getting our spiritual houses in order.
Father, we are blessed to be able to come boldly into Your Presence because of the sacrifice of Your precious SON, Yeshua (Jesus). Even so, it is good for us to remember the times and the seasons that You established since the beginning, the Ancient Ways, for Your Word says, "For I am the LORD, I change not."
(Mal 3:6 ) By seeking the old, we draw closer to the TRUTH and become more aware of all Yeshua did on our behalf that we might obtain mercy, forgiveness, healing and so much more. Open our eyes that we might see clearly. Make us more aware of that which is True and pleasing to YOU as we begin our journey. May our faith grow stronger with each step and may we draw closer to YOU. Let us not take anything for granted, but accept YOUR blessings with humility and grace. In the Name of Yeshua, Amen!
"Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls." Jeremiah 6:16 (a)
The Month of Elul
August 30th to September 28th (2011)
Day 1
Elul is a very special month, a time of experiencing God’s grace and His mercy. We can trace its beginnings back to the time of Moses around 1313 BCE, a few months after the Israelites left Egypt.
The people of Yahweh received the Words of Torah seven weeks after they left the Pharaoh's rule and entered into an eternal covenant with their God. Unfortunately, only 40 days later, while the great man of God (Moses) was still up on the mountain, they sinned by worshiping the golden calf.
As Moses descended the Mountain of God and his eyes fell upon the idolatry of this newly born nation, he was so incensed that he smashed the two stone tablets in which the finger of YHVH had inscribed the Ten Commandments. However, his love for the people caused him to ascend the mountain for another 40 days to plead with his God to spare them.
Early on the morning of the 1st of Elul, Moses once again ascended Mount Sinai, taking with him the stone tablets he had hewn, by divine command, for God to re-inscribe the Ten Commandments. On the mountain, God allowed Moses to "see My back, but not My face" (which Maimonides interprets as a perception of God's reality but not His essence) -- the closest any human being ever came to knowing God -- and taught him the secret of His "Thirteen Attributes of Mercy" (Exodus 33:18-34:8).
For the third time, Moses remained on the mountain for 40 days, from the 1st of Elul until the 10th of Tishrei (Yom Kippur), during which time He obtained God's whole-hearted forgiveness and reconciliation with the people of Israel. Ever since, the month of Elul serves as the "month of Divine mercy and forgiveness."
May we enter into this 40 day period with great expectancy, as we prepare our hearts for (Yamim Nora’im)the Days of Awe, by getting our spiritual houses in order.
Father, we are blessed to be able to come boldly into Your Presence because of the sacrifice of Your precious SON, Yeshua (Jesus). Even so, it is good for us to remember the times and the seasons that You established since the beginning, the Ancient Ways, for Your Word says, "For I am the LORD, I change not."
(Mal 3:6 ) By seeking the old, we draw closer to the TRUTH and become more aware of all Yeshua did on our behalf that we might obtain mercy, forgiveness, healing and so much more. Open our eyes that we might see clearly. Make us more aware of that which is True and pleasing to YOU as we begin our journey. May our faith grow stronger with each step and may we draw closer to YOU. Let us not take anything for granted, but accept YOUR blessings with humility and grace. In the Name of Yeshua, Amen!
"Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls." Jeremiah 6:16 (a)
Blessings,
Cheryl
Thank you for sharing. I don't believe I've ever heard of Elul before.
ReplyDeleteGood morning, Stacy Lynn! Last year was the first time I had heard of Elul. It was so interesting and by the end of the forty days I was very blessed.
ReplyDeleteHope you will keep reading! Praying I don't get too boring. ;)
Have a blessed day.
Hugs!
Thank you for your recommendations of Liz Curtis Higgs books. I've gone to Amazon and put them on my wish list (My way of keeping track of books I WISH to remember to read!) :-)
ReplyDeleteInteresting post today. Praise God that He has always had His plan to redeem His people, whether those of old or those now, and to make one body of Jew and Gentile believers, those whose trust is in Christ alone.