
The month of Elul is the twelfth month on the Hebrew Civil Calendar. We began the month of Elul two days ago on August 28, 2022. To the Jewish people, Elul is a very special month because it is the time that the āking is in the fieldā. These thirty days before the High Holy Feast days of the Lord (Fall Feasts) is a special time of introspection, repentance and prayer. This time highlights mankindās need to be close to our Creator God (YHWH). Elul is a reminder that God (YHWH) is constantly calling out to us to return to Him so He can return to us.
The word Elul in Hebrew is actually an acronym, an abbreviation of the Hebrew words Ani lādodi vādodi li, āI am my belovedās and my beloved is mineā (Song of Soloman 6:3). Song of Solomon is a love songš between king Solomon and his āShulamite Brideā; however, spiritually it is a love song between YHWH and His people, Christ and His Church.
In todayās modern society the role of a king is mostly symbolic; however, kings were extremely important in ancient societies. As the ruler of the kingdom, they were responsible for the well-being of that kingdom. For the most part, a king was very inaccessible to the common people, away in his palace, distant and removed.
Anyone who wished to approach the king must go through the appropriate channels in the palace bureaucracy and gain the approval of a succession of secretaries and ministers. He must journey to the capital and pass through the many gates, corridors and antechambers that lead to the throne room. His presentation must be meticulously prepared, and he must adhere to an exacting code of dress, speech and mannerism upon entering into the royal presence.
However, there are times when the king comes out to the fields outside the city. At such times, anyone can approach him; the king receives them all with a smiling face and a friendly wave. The peasant behind his plow has access to the king in a manner unavailable to the highest-ranking minister in the royal court when the king is in the palace. š²
As Christians under the New Covenantāļø, we understand that our King Jesus is accessible to us all year long; however, this month of Elul is a good time to reflect on how Jesus seeks us out while we are in the field. The field is a metaphor for our everyday life, a life filled with labor and toil.
When the farmer sees that the king in his field, does he keep on plowing? Does he behave as if this were just another day in the fields? No, the farmer stops what he is doing and runs to see the king. The field is our everyday life, but it becomes holier (set apart for special purpose) when we recognize that the king is here.š
The month of Elul is a good time to reflect on the fact that our God (Yahushua/Jesus) took on human flesh so that He could tabernacle among mankind. Jesus took on the likeness of human flesh so that He could SAVE mankind. The Divine King of the Universe literally came into the field of our everyday lives and even though He has returned to His Heavenly Palace, He still remains here with us through His Holy Spirit. YHWH is not a God far-off, who desires to remain removed from His Creation. YHWH is a God who was WILLING to roll up His sleeves and put Himself right into the thick of our existence, even though we have fallen into sin.
During this month of Elul, it is customary for the Jewish people to blow a Shofar (Ramās horn) each dayšŗ, reminding them to repent from sin and KEEP YHWHās commandments. This is all in preparation for the Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah), the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), and the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) ā the FEASTS (MOEDIM/APPOINTED TIMES) OF THE LORD.
- The blowing of a trumpet announces a king. š
- The blowing of a trumpet awakens the people from their slumber. š“
- The blowing of a trumpet each day during the month of Elul is preparation for the Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah) šŗ which symbolizes the regathering of Israel when the Messiah comes (again), the resurrection of the dead, and the day when the books are opened in Heaven.
The Jewish people believe that there are three books that are opened on Yom Teruah (Feast of Trumpets) ā the book of Righteousness, the book of the wicked (the book of the dead), and the book of the in-between. In Jewish thought, most people fall into the ābook of the in-betweenā. These people are given ten days to repent, the ten days in-between Feast of Trumpets and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). Judgment is sealed on Yom Kippur, Day of Atonement.
As Christians who are grafted into the Israel of God, we understand that there ARE books that will be opened on judgment day, books about US. The Fall Feast Days are a ādress rehearsalā for what is coming on JUDGMENT DAY. If you BELIEVE in the MESSIAH ā JESUS CHRIST, then your name WILL be written in the LAMBāS BOOK OF LIFE.
Every day you live your life on planet earth you are writing another page in your book (chapter). Are you writing YOUR DEEDS/WORDS in the book of LIFE āļøor in the book of DEATHš?
Daniel 7:9: I kept looking
UntilĀ thrones were set up,
And the Ancient of Days tookĀ HisĀ seat;
HisĀ garmentĀ wasĀ white as snow,
And theĀ hair of His head like pure wool.
HisĀ throneĀ was ablaze with flames, š„
ItsĀ wheelsĀ wereĀ a burning fire.10Ā A river ofĀ fire was flowing
And coming out from before Him;
Thousands upon thousands were serving Him,
And myriads upon myriads were standing before Him;
TheĀ courtĀ convened,
AndĀ the books were opened.
Jesus Christ alluded to the book of LIFE where we pray šš»YOU will see YOUR NAME written šļøā¦
Luke 10:20: Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, butĀ rather rejoice becauseĀ your names are written in heaven.ā
The apostle Paul recognized that his fellow workers (missionaries) had their names written in the Lambās book of LIFEāļøā¦
Philippians 4:3: Indeed, trueĀ companion, I ask you also, help these women who have shared my struggle inĀ the cause ofĀ the gospel, together with Clement as well as the rest of myĀ fellow workers, whoseĀ names are in the book of life.
At the Last Judgment, believers in Jesus Christ are assured that their names are recorded in the Lambās Book of Lifeāļø and that they have nothing to fear:
Revelation 3:5: āThe one who conquers (overcomes) will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life.āļø I will confess his name before my Father and before His angels.ā
Armed with the understanding that everything we do, every word we speak, is recorded in our ābook (chapter)ā, this month of Elul is a special time to draw near to the God of the Universe because He desires to draw near to us. Salvationāļø is a FREE GIFT to ALL BELIEVERS IN CHRIST from the KING š assuring us that our names ARE WRITTEN in the LAMBāS BOOK OF LIFEā¦. But there are rewards for FAITHFULNESS.
The King is in the Field. š
Let us REJOICE because HE (Jesus Christ) is HERE NOW through the power of the HOLY SPIRIT. Let us RUN to HIM and SEEK HIS FAVOR! (Repentance, Prayer, Studying the Word of God (Bible) and Worship ā Submitting to Godās Will and Trusting in His promises!
JESUS CHRIST is COMING SOON! ššŗ