PRAYER PLAN 2021/2022 – REPENTANCE AND ATONEMENT FOR SINS
The years are swiftly passing as Rosh Hashanah 2022 (5782) draws in. Again, for upcoming Rosh Hashanah I am posting an updated version of the Prayer Plan I send out at this time of year, inviting those who would like to prayer-partner with me during the month of Elul. The 12th month of Elul commences from sundown, Saturday 7th August to sundown 6th September for Rosh Hashanah (5782) 2022.
The month of Elul is the time when many observers of Jewish tradition go into a time of repentance and deep introspective contrition as they prepare to enter into Rosh Hashanah, one of the Jewish High Holy Days. Rosh Hashanah is known as the ‘Day of Judgement’ to Jews when God evaluates their deeds over the ending year before passing into the new year. Hence why Elul, the last month of the old Jewish year is a time of deep searching and repentance before the start of the New Year.
Elul (August-September)
In the Ecclesiastes calendar Elul was the 6th month. Exodus 32, 34:27-28 indicates that it was in the month of Elul that Moses returned a second time to the top of Mount Sinai to be in the presence of God. Exodus 37 outlines the distressing scene awaiting Moses when he descended from Mount Sinai after being away for 40 days with God. He was met with a people who had cast off restraint after casting a vile image of a golden calf using their jewellery. They would proceed to worship the golden calf that Aaron, the high priest permitted in Moses’ absence. In disbelief and outrage Moses broke the two tablets of stone engraved with the Commandment laws he had just received from God. The law is the Word and therefore we can deduce that the behaviour of the wanton lawbreakers can be likened to a rebellion and slighting of JESUS, the Law-Giver.
Elul is the 12th month in the Jewish Civil calendar. It is a month when I advocate that we spend a time of spiritual preparation and cleansing as we enter into Rosh Hashanah. Elul is the Aramaic word for ‘search’. Over the month of Elul let us search our hearts and consciences under the leading of the Spirit. As Hebrew letters and months are always given a numerical value, the numerical value for the month Elul is 67. ‘Bimah’ (Strong’s 998’) is a Hebrew word which correlates with the numerical value of 67 also.
‘Bimah’ has a Hebrew meaning of ‘wisdom and understanding.‘ The NASN Translation gives further meanings of ‘discernment and truth’. In synagogues the ‘bimah’ is the platform from which the Torah (Word) is read. Behind this raised platform there is a cabinet (symbolic of the ark) where the Torah scrolls are kept. A lamp hangs above the ark. These are all depictions of the Mosaic Tabernacle. In this month of Elul let us be mindful of its sacredness and significance. Elul’s numerical value of 67 has a mutual relationship with the raised platform in the synagogue, where the Word raises God’s people to a position of enlightenment to search for understanding, wisdom and truth. The Word is Truth and its superior knowledge of our hearts reveals the hidden nuances we harbour. Elul is the month to let the lamp of discernment shine into our beings in the presence of our Lord.
The notion of going through Elul (August/September) in a set apart time of deep meditative cleansing is in order. Self-searching in the Word is powerful to bring wisdom as one ruminates over their spiritual, emotional and relational health. Introspection aided by the Spirit brings understanding of the visceral self. “Who can discern his own errors?” Cleanse me from my hidden faults.” (Psalms 19:12, BSB). Under spiritual processing the truth is known as our works are revealed. In the ecclesiastic calendar, Elul is the 6th month and 6 is the number of sin. Hence, the gross departure from obedience to idolatry by Israel at the foot of Mt. Sinai. It is therefore a time to repent of our human failings in contrition and to forsake our sinful ways as the Spirit searches our spirit to bring clarity and discernment of the things of God. It is also a time to seek to be reconciled with estranged loved ones as Israel sought to be reconciled to God for their sin at the foot of Mt. Sinai. We must seek to do the right thing in our human relationships as God showed His people forgiveness after making and worshipping the vile image.
The beautiful works of love and forgiveness cannot be overstated as an imperative act of humility to finding acceptance in our heavenly Father. Forgiveness, confessions, repentance and forsaking our sins encapsulates the greater works of righteousness that God requires from His people over organisational works. Too much emphasis is given in organisational life to carrying out works to support the structures, processes and the business of a ministry. These organisational priorities are counted as works of righteousness by men. God’s emphasis on righteous works are related to the higher works we can attain in our Lord. It is to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. All other things we desire will be added to us effortlessly. The kingdom of righteousness relates to the inner works of grace. Many christians have learnt to toil and wear themselves out for the organic structure rather than toil at the feet of Jesus for the eternal works of righteousness procured at Calvary.
Join me for a refreshing as we hurtle towards Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacle). It was at the Feast of Tabernacle where Jesus pled to the thirsty languishing worshippers, lost in religion, ‘Come Drink of Me’. (John 7:37). The Spirit of Life, the Living Water would refresh their soul and restore them to life, if only their spiritual eyes, blinded by religion, could be opened. The bondage of the letter of the Mosaic law, now obsolete, was a deep spiritual darkness obscuring the Spirit of Light. The Book of the Law, intended only to serve for a specified time, was a signpost to the New Living Covenant, written in the blood of Jesus in fleshy thirsty hearts. The New Covenant of grace, emblematic of the glorious superior works of righteousness was potent to destroy the works of evil hatched against the kingdom of God. The efficacy of the New Covenant would do away with the need for the continual rituals and sacrificing at the yearly religious feast.
Yom Kippor
(16th September 2021)
Yom Kippor is thought to be the 40th day when Moses was in the presence of God, possibly on his second trip to the top of Sinai. Yom Kippor is the 10th day of Tishrei, the 7th month in the Ecclesiastes calendar. The no. 7 is one of the biblically perfect numbers. Tishrei is very significant in God’s Ecclesiastes calendar. The scripture above was the command given to Israel after worshipping the Golden Calf. God showed His mercy towards Israel by reinstating the Commandments with Moses again on Mount Sinai. However, the people had to repent on the 10th day of Tishrei.
According to Old Testament Lexicon, (‘anah’ 6031) gives a reference as ‘humbling one’s self or ‘abasing oneself’, ’afflicting the soul’, or ‘to bow low’. Since that day at Mt Sinai, when Israel sinned by worshipping the golden calf, the peopleI have been required to gather for a holy meeting to offer a yearly sacrifice to God to atone for their sins. It would become a requirement for all future generations forever. It would be a statute ordained of God to be observed on the 10th day of Tishrei. Now Christ has done away with the requirements to go through sacrificing and undertaking the rituals as the priests and worshippers did under the law. However, Jesus came to fulfil all the requirements of the law, since He is the Law. Therefore, one could argue that there is no need for us to engage in this Yom Kippor observance. Rightly so, but in undertaking this Day of Atonement we are not going through the letter of the law. Rather, the statute of remembrance of this Holy day of Atonement is what we are observing according to Leviticus 23:27-31. “On exactly the tenth day of this seventh month is the day of atonement; it shall be a holy convocation for you, and you shall humble your souls and present an offering by fire to the Lord.” (Leviticus 23:27-31). Just as we observe a yearly Passover, although most christians are not aware that it is a statute given by God according to Exodus 12:14. For generations, the Jews have observed Yom Kippor as a day of atonement, according to the requirements of the law stated in Leviticus 23:27-31.
What we are doing on the 10th day of Tishrei 5782 is to afflict our soul in fasting unto the Lord. It is a personal sacrificing of self unto the Lord . I am convinced of what God is requiring of me to pass on to yourselves. There is a blessing behind this obedience. I have been doing this for a few years now and God honours this sacrifice. Let this day (Yom Kippor) be a time of spiritual cleansing, reflection and introspective searching as we show mercy to others through works of forgiveness. The scripture indicates offering a sacrifice by fire. It must therefore be an offering that burns our flesh. A cost of denying the flesh for one entire day (25 hours in Jewish custom). Resting at the feet of Jesus (our Sabbath) to seek directions and His leading in times of spiritual and global uncertainty is an urgent requirement.
God intentionally brought Israel out of Egypt by the way of the Judea Wilderness to the Promised Land. They had no knowledge of the journey ahead or how to get to the Promised Land. The body of Christ is the continuation of the desert church. The road map to heaven has not changed. Our spiritual Promised Land is still out of view, unknown, unchartered and requires God’s leading. Like the desert church, let us not cast off our confidence, waiting on God’s next move. “When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron and said to him, “Up, make us gods who shall go before us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” (Exodus 32:1, ESV). I cannot overstate just how burdened I am to bring this word and how compelling the conviction, under a Spirt-urge that the end-time church will be under strategic leadership for the final chapter of the closing church age. Stick a pin in what I have just said about ‘strategic leadership, and let us just wait to see how God will direct His end time Elect Church.
Feast Of Tabernacle (Sukkot)
(Commences sundown 20th September – sundown 27th September 2021)
I noted whilst preparing this text that Jewish festivals are primarily about grain offerings, first fruit offerings, harvesting and thanksgiving for the memorable deliverance out of Egypt and protection during the epic wilderness journey. For instance, the 12th month of the Jewish civil year is Elul (August/September). It is known as the season of the summer fruits. Tishrei, the 1st month of the Jewish Civil New Year is the plowing of the olive harvest. The entire Jewish calendar year is given to offering sacrifices for sins, giving thanks for the earth’s yield and God’s providence and protection. During Sukkot, the people would deny themselves of comfort by living in booths. They would pray a prayer for protection and light their candles. On the last day they would strike the ground with willow bundles 5 times as they circle the altar 7 times. It was on the last day at this yearly Feast of Tabernacle that Jesus stood up and gave the Invitation to ‘Come and Drink of Me’. (John 7:37)
So, firstly, we see that the principles of sowing, reaping and giving are embedded in Israel’s yearly festivals. Secondly, I see these grateful gestures of sacrifice and thanksgiving veiled in symbolisms of salvation and deliverance. It was an eternal selfless sacrifice given by a loving Saviour that secured our salvation. Our deliverance out of the pit of sin, (Egypt) is an attribution to our Lord who sent His Word to heal the people. (Psalms 105:20), The eternal cry of our Lord to repentance, an invitation to ‘Come Drink of Me’ would have echoed in the ears of spiritually deaf festival worshippers. It was a Festival of tradition,, steeped in the observance of the law and its yearly repetitive rituals. These traditions would be superseded by the sacrificial dying of our LORD on the Cross.
Jesus’ peers were spiritually blind, missing the significance of His Presence in their midst. The carrying of water from the pool of Siloam and the placing of lights in the tabernacle were symbols of the Living Water and our Lord being the Light that shines in a dark world. The rituals and gestures of traditional obeisances to God had served their time under the Law. Israel’s relationship with YHWH was on the cusp of change as the Son of God would be the Mediator between man and YHWH Gibhor, (Almighty One). The priest would no longer need to blow the shofar as a call to the start of the yearly festival. The people would have no further need to bring an animal offering so that the priests could be their mediator before God. Jesus would be the eternal offering for sin.
Gwendolyn Smith. #NewPENTECOST. 2 AUGUST 2020