new moon

A Voice is Heard in Ramah Part I

Posted on October 26, 2023 by K. Gallagher

Thus says Adonai: “A voice is heard in Ramah—lamentation and bitter weeping—Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.” (Jeremiah 31:15, TLV)

Today, Cheshvan 11^th, is the yahrtzeit (remembrance of the day of one’s passing) of the matriarch Rachel. Whether or not Rachel actually passed on this date, the prophetic significance that Rachel represents is deeply tied into the themes of the eighth month, often dubbed the Month for Messiah. The eighth month is the only one that doesn’t have any Biblical or traditional holidays, but the new beginning significance of the number eight alludes to a future time when Messiah will inaugurate the third Temple. The first Temple was completed in the eighth month (1 Kings 6:38), but King Solomon waited almost an entire year later to dedicate it in the seventh month alongside the festival of Sukkot (1 Kings 8).

The Tabernacle and the Temple represent the indwelling Presence of Adonai, His people, and the Messiah – God tabernacling among, with, and in His people.[1] Jewish commentators glean this truth from Exodus 25:8,“And let them make a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell in their midst. (LITV)” They see the eighth month as being reserved for the time of Messiah and His dedication of the third Temple. The exile will finally be over when Mashiach returns and restores all things (Acts 3:21). But what does any of this have to do with Rachel?

Joseph is arguably the most notable son of Jacob, as he was chosen to save the entire family (and future) of Israel, which prophetically figured the future salvation work of Yeshua. In fact, there numerous parallels between the lives of Joseph and Yeshua. Because of this, there is a common belief in Judaism that there is a Messiah ben (son of) Joseph and a Messiah ben David, the former coming as a suffering servant, and the latter as a conquering king. Christians have a similar understanding in the first and second coming of Messiah.

Rachel’s first born son Joseph was mockingly called the Ba’al HaChalomot, Master of Dreams, by his brothers. And due to their jealous animosity, Joseph became the first exile of Israel. This little nugget is important to remember. When Joseph was a young man, God gave him two dreams foretelling how in the future, he would rule over his brothers. In the first dream, Joseph and his brothers were symbolized by sheaves of wheat. When Joseph recounted the dream to his brothers, it ticked them off because they understood clearly what the dream meant. In his second dream, the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed down to Joseph. Jacob understood that he was the sun, Rachel was the moon, and Joseph’s brothers were the stars. These dreams were part of the reason his brothers were envious of him. Soon afterwards, Jacob sent Joseph to check on his brothers while they were out shepherding sheep, and this is when they conspired at first to kill Joseph, but ended up putting him into a pit. Jacob, upon seeing the bloodied coat of Joseph that his brother’s used to deceive him, went into great mourning.

Jacob tore his clothing and put on sackcloth and mourned for his son many days. All his sons got up along with all his daughters to console him, but he refused to be comforted. He said, “For I will go down to Sheol to my son, mourning.” So his father kept weeping for him.” (Genesis 37:34-35, TLV)

Notice how the prophet Jeremiah sees Rachel doing the same thing, but not just for Joseph. She laments and weeps for his many descendants who had also been sent into exile.

Thus says Adonai: “A voice is heard in Ramah—lamentation and bitter weeping—Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.” (Jeremiah 31:15, TLV)

But there is a promise and exhortation that Adonai gives to Rachel.

Thus says Adonai: “Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears. For your work will be rewarded”—it is declaration of Adonai—“when they will return from the land of the enemy. So there is hope for your future”—it is declaration of Adonai—“when your children will return to their own territory.” (Jeremiah 31:16-17, TLV)

In Judaism, Cheshvan 11^th has become a type of Jewish Mother’s Day. In a sense, all mother’s suffer pain and toil to birth and raise children. But, I find this Jewish Mother’s Day especially poignant, since there are so many grieving mothers in Israel due to the atrocious attacks of Hamas. Grace in Torah firmly stands with Israel and grieves with the many that have lost family and friends. I was in the Land on Simchat Torah when war broke out (more on that in Part II). I have a tiny inkling of what our Jewish brothers and sisters endure as they protect and fight for their inheritance. And whether Christians realize it or not, the Land IS one of the promises of the New Covenant, which goes back to the Covenant with Abraham.[2]

Mother Rachel’s Tears

Macedonian Encyclopedia, MANU, 2009, p., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Unlike the other matriarchs and patriarchs, Rachel was not buried in Hebron at Machpelah. She is separated or exiled from Hebron and Machpelah (Cave of the Couples) despite it not being far from where she died. Why? If Rachel was the wife Jacob had intended to marry from the beginning, and she was the one he loved the most, why would she be buried on the side of road and not in the family grave site? Does this seem unnatural to you? In Jewish tradition, caring for the dead is the highest form of chesed, lovingkindness, because a dead person has no capability of returning the favor or paying one back. Caring for their body is a completely selfless act. If Jacob loved her so much, we must ask why she was buried where she was.

Perhaps Jacob knew something that we don’t easily see. God certainly chose Rachel, even after her death, to symbolize his mourning and deep desire for His wayward children to return to Him. Maybe Adonai allowed Jacob to see a glimpse of this, or maybe through Jacob’s grief He ensured that Rachel’s burial would be different. Rachel experienced “hard labor” and died giving birth to the final son of Jacob, Benjamin, on the Way to Ephrath (fruitfulness) near Bethlehem, the House of Bread. She called him Ben-oni, Son of My Sorrows, and Jacob changed his name to Ben-yamim, Son of my Right Hand. When Israel was finally able to enter the Promised Land, it occurred in the territory of Benjamin, who was the only son of Israel born in the Land.

Ema Rachel was “separated by her burial.” Why was she not “gathered to her people”? One might conclude that her incident of hiding her father’s idols under her saddle and saying she was on her “moon” cycle earned her death and separation, even in burial. If that is the case, Adonai still chose her to prophetically represent His deep longing for His wayward children to come home – children who had forsaken Him for the idols of their neighbors. Through the mouth of Jeremiah, Adonai proclaimed:

“Set up for yourself roadmarks, place for yourself guideposts; direct your mind to the highway, the way by which you went. Return, O virgin of Israel, return to these your cities. How long will you go here and there, O faithless daughter? For the LORD has created a new thing in the earth—A woman will encompass a man.” (Jeremiah 31:21-22, NASB)

Jeremiah spoke to people who were about to experience the judgment of Adonai that would result in their exile. Rachel’s tomb marks the place where the Babylonians marched the captives from the Land. But it is also the path one must take upon returning home. Separation, then gathering, renewal, and new life.

If one counts from the first day of the year (Tishrei 1) or Rosh Hashanah to Cheshvan 11, it equals forty-one. Forty-one is also the numerical value of אם (Em), which means “mother.” In Jeremiah, Mother Rachel prophetically weeps for her children who are “no more.” We also read this account in the haftarah portion on the second day of Rosh Hashanah (Jeremiah 31:1-19).

“At that time,” declares the LORD, “I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be My people.” (Jeremiah 31:1, NASB)

“With weeping they will come, and by supplication I will lead them; I will make them walk by streams of waters, on a straight path in which they will not stumble; for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is My firstborn.” (Jeremiah 31:9, NASB)

Weeping and mourning turning to laughter and rejoicing prophetically figures the restoration of all things. This is the theme of Jeremiah 31, which contains the prophecy of the new covenant. The Shabbat and festival Psalm read during the Birkat haMazon (Blessing After Meals) is Psalm 126. When you are full and satisfied (Dt. 8:10), remember that your work, toil, and pain will be rewarded. He is faithful. Returning exiles are “like dreamers,” who weep like mama Rachel, carrying their bags of seed. But they will return carrying their sheaves with them. They will rejoice in Simchat Torah. And the sheaves of Joseph’s dream will bow down to their Savior, but they won’t be alone. The first fruits guarantee that the whole field, the full harvest, is absolutely complete (Ezekiel 37:15-28, John 3:16, Romans 11).

Psalms 126:1-6 (NASB)

1 A Song of Ascents. When the LORD brought back the captive ones of Zion, we were like those who dream.

2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with joyful shouting; then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”

3 The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad.

4 Restore our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the South.

5 Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting.

6 He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

The pattern of our complete redemption has been spoken from the Beginning. It will involve sorrow and trouble and hard birth pangs, but it will result with a celebration of the Son of the Right Hand, and great JOY.

Kever Rachel – Rachel’s Tomb

Dreamstime ID 277986163

In 2018, I had the opportunity to visit Kever Rachel (Rachel’s Tomb) near Bethlehem. Rachel means a “ewe,” a sheep, and yet she was the FIRST woman shepherdess mentioned in the Bible. Shepherds guard, protect, lead, water, and feed the flock – something the resurrected Messiah said was expected from those that love Him (John 21).

Prophetically, Rachel symbolizes the Shekinah, the Divine Indwelling Presence[3], the Holy Spirit, Who, as Lady Wisdom, calls out to the wayward, lost, exiled, and bound children of Adonai. His desire is to release the prisoners, set the captives free, and bind up the broken hearted (Is. 61). And like a Mother Bird, He longs to gather them under His Wings. Rachel’s irregular burial “on the Way,” and her great pain, toil, and even death resulted with the last son, the Son of the Right Hand, who completed the House of Israel. This pattern points the Way back from the exile and to the restoration of all things (Acts 3:19-21).

Through the imagery of Rachel, God shows us labor pain, birth, death, wailing, mourning, and also great hope for the future. This is life in a nutshell. Rachel weeps, but she will be restored. Rather than being a symbol for death and separation, she pictures new life, repentance, reconciliation, and restoration. She is also connected to dreams and dreamers, the Bat Kol, Voice of God, the future, great joy, seeds growing into sheaves, laughter, prophecy, and Messiah. Most succinctly, she figures exile, redemption, and restoration. This story is told over and over through her life and in the lives of her children.

Rachel’s Tomb is considered the third most holy site in Israel. It once looked more like the first image in the photos below. Today, there is a winding paved road flanked by 50 foot concrete walls, dotted with IDF guard stations, that leads to the structure. These measures are in place to protect pilgrims from terror attacks from nearby Bethlehem, now an Arab city in the “West Bank.” The only indication that Rachel’s tomb looks anything like it did in the past, before all the security
measures were built, is the interior limestone floors, walls, and domed ceiling.

The winding drive was depressing and the entrance looked more prison like than a “holy” space. As we approached the entrance, the oppression was thick and heavy. It wasn’t what I expected. As I walked through the door, my sunglasses broke and fell off my face. I caught them in my hand as I crossed the threshold. Later, I would find that to be the perfect metaphor for my experience. Sometimes, we must remove the artificial lenses we have placed over our eyes because it is dimming our vision and blocking “the light.”

When I looked around, I was disappointed that there was nothing overtly “spiritual” about the place. Adonai had built Rachel up so strongly in my heart that I expected her to (figuratively) meet me there. But alas, all I sensed was heaviness, like the concrete barriers that surrounded everything around us. The men and women were separated, as is normal in Orthodox Jewish spaces. Both sides had many there praying, some very loudly, with wails reminiscent of Rachel weeping for her children. I wondered how many were there because they had lost children due to terror attacks, war, or some other tragedy, or who were dealing with the pain of barrenness. I took some photos and then prayed through my disappointment. “Abba, please show me what is here. I want to see.”

As I opened my eyes after praying, I felt the Holy Spirit, and looked again. While in the natural everything was the same, I began to see the space with new eyes. The Holy Spirit had removed my natural lenses. The ancient limestone walls, shelves lined with prayer books, and the people remained. But, as I listened to the din of prayer by all those visiting, I noticed something that I failed to see before.

Suddenly, it was all very apparent. First, there were so many women! So many PREGNANT women! Large bellies full of life, and the laughter and cries of little children echoing against the golden limestone walls. Whispered prayers, chanted prayers, and even loud wailing pleas clouded the air and created an incense that I couldn’t smell with my natural senses. It all coalesced into a spirit-filled cacophony that I was ashamed that I couldn’t detect previously.

I scanned the room and noticed pews filled with old women, long past child rearing years, who sat there praying for their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Their plain clothes, covered heads, and wrinkled faces were like the epitome of every storybook old woman I’ve ever read about. Generations were represented in that place, and they all knew what and WHO “Rachel” represented. But, I was just opening my eyes like one of the newborns.

One particular old lady sat in the back. My mentor slowly walked towards me at that point and said, “If you give her some shekels, she will bless you.” I have no idea how she knew this would be the case, but already in awe of seeing with new eyes, I did what she suggested. I carefully made my way to the old woman while riffling through my pocket for coins. I reached out to the old Jewess and handed her some shekels. She looked up at me, not with contempt, judgment, or confusion (I am obviously of gentile descent), but with the tenderness of a loving mother or grandmother. She gently grabbed my hand and gave me a blessing in Hebrew. Though I could only make out a few words, my spirit resonated with them and I knew I had received a great honor. Then to my surprise, that old Jewess kissed the back of my hand with the softest lips I’ve ever felt. It was as if ema Rachel had kissed me herself. I was undone.

Overwhelmed, I slowly walked away, choked up by the flood of feeling and images that raced through my mind. I whispered to Adonai, “I get it! I see!”

Rachel is barren wombs who are now full of fruit.[4] She is idol worshipers turned and transformed into the image of Messiah.[5] She represents sacrifice and intercessory prayer. New life. Old life. Just LIFE. Cries, wails, despair and prayers, are exchanged for laughter and shouts of joy that echo throughout the centuries. Rachel died on the Way to Ephrat, fruitfulness. She is very near to the House of Bread – Bethlehem, the place the True Bread from Heaven was born. There is a reason she is not resting in Machpelah with the other patriarchs and matriarchs. She remains with her children in the exile, in their punishment and throughout their separation, calling loudly to them, crying for them to return.

Rachel exudes the love of our Father, whose holiness and righteousness requires justice; but like any good parent, hates to see us suffer all the same. And all the while, despite our treachery, unfaithfulness, and disrespect, His plan is to bring Israel back into His Bosom. And not just Israel, but the nations with them.[6] The prophets all proclaim this. The guilty will not go unpunished, and yet the chesed and mercy of Adonai abounds towards His people (Ex 34, Is. 54:8).

One night, before visiting Rachel’s Tomb, I had a very lucid dream about her. She was gripping metal birthing bars and was in the throes of labor. There were a few of us there who were like midwives and support. As her pains grew more intense, great drops of sweat ran down her face, thoroughly soaking her dark hair and clothing. As she screamed and pushed, her face would change. With one contraction she would be a woman, then the face of man, then the face of child. Many, many faces of all races and ages rippled to life as she travailed. Finally, she gave birth to a son, and he was half grown, the age of 7 or 8.

The dream was so real and graphic that I woke up in shock. It was later that I realized that Rachel is still giving birth, because that is what the Holy Spirit does, He grants us the spirit of repentance so we can accept Yeshua as our Messiah and Savior. Like Joseph’s multicolored tunic, they are from all walks of life and of all ages. He is the Savior of the whole world and He travails for us. And like her, we are meant to travail for the Kingdom too. Paul said, “My little children, for whom I am again in the pain of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,” (Galatians 4:19, NRSV)

The “faces” are those who have grown from seeds scattered in exile among the nations. Our Father’s Word comes to pass even in our punishment for disobedience.[7] The harvest is ready, sheaves are being bound (for the LORD), and they will all bow down to him, and every tongue will confess. Some see the bloodied tunic and assume Joseph is “no more,” that the wild beasts of the world have torn him to pieces. They refuse to be comforted like Jacob and Rachel. They are wrong. He lives, even in Egypt, a place of exile.

If you want to visit Rachel, know that the Way is narrow. It’s a tight place. A protected, restricted, and guarded path. It’s not easy to get there. Yet, Her birth pangs are steadily coming. Contraction after contraction. Wave after wave. Great streams of sweat and tears mar her face. But her work WILL be rewarded! And so will yours, son or daughter of Rachel!

In 2016, before my first trip to Israel, I “just so happened” to receive the following audio teaching from The Land of Israel (more about them and Arugot Farm in Part II). When Rabbi Katz sang the song that returning exiles, (Jews making Aliyah), are taught, I ugly cried, but it was a cry of joy and wonderment. I hope you will take the time to listen to this short message.

Can you hear Rachel calling for you to come home? Do you have ears to hear? She’s not in Hebron. She is not in Machpelah. She is on the Way waiting for you… Keep your eyes from weeping. Ask for new lenses. Adonai will provide them, even in the gloom and darkness of judgment and war.

Part II

PRAYER

Join me in prayer for Israel, Jerusalem, and all the men, women, and children who are standing firm set on protecting their inheritance from Adonai. For all those lost in the darkness of exile, bondage, captivity, spiritual darkness, and confusion. For all of our children, both physical and spiritual, and for prodigals to return home. Pray for blind eyes to be pierced by the light of Messiah, the suffering Servant, like Joseph, Who gave everything, even His life for the sheep. For all those entrenched in idol worship, like Laban, and the ancient House of Israel (Ephraim). Pray for our enemies near and far who are entrapped by fear and strong delusion making them sell themselves and their children to corrupt governments believing they are free when they are shackled to false ideologies. Pray for the lives of the unborn and all babies that are destroyed to satisfy the desires of greed, selfishness, hatred, and fear for the future. Pray for those who are sick and suffering, in pain, or who are isolated, estranged, or rejected.

May Adonai heal our land and restore our captivity. May He unify us in His love. May we cry so loudly that the Egyptians hear it when Joseph reveals himself and reunites the family of God.

For all these we pray. We wail and weep and cry out to the Most High, and He hears our prayers.

[1] Psalm 27:4, John 2:21, Romans 8:9, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:19-20, 2 Corinthians 6:16, Ephesians 2:20-22, Revelation 21-22.

[2] Genesis 12:1-9; 15:1-21, Jeremiah 31:31-40, Ezekiel 11:16-21; 36:24-38.

[3] While the word Shekinah does not appear in the Bible, the concept of the (in)Dwelling Presence of God certainly is. The verbal root of shekinah is sha-khan (H7931) meaning to abide, dwell, tabernacle, and lodge. It has always been the desire and will of Adonai to dwell with and in His people. Yeshua told His followers “to abide” in Him, the True Vine (John 15). Shakhan is also the root of the word Tabernacle, Miskhan, the place where the Presence of Adonai dwelled among His people in the wilderness, and later in the Temple. “And let them make a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell in their midst.” (Exodus 25:8, LITV) Like Christians, Jews understand that the Tabernacle and Temple mystically figures God’s people (1 Cor. 3:16-17). What dwells in the Tabernacle or Temple? The Spirit of Adonai. In Hebrew, Ruach (Spirit) is a feminine word. When personified, the Spirit is expressed in the feminine form. A Biblical example is Woman/Lady Wisdom in the Book of Proverbs, Who was with God at the Creation. Shekinah is a feminine noun meaning, the “Abiding/Dwelling One.” Dr. Ben Gigi, a Jewish Believer and Hebrew teacher, explains Shekinah here: https://hebrew.jerusalemprayerteam.org/shekinah-divine-presence/

[4] “Shout for joy, O barren one, you who have borne no child; break forth into joyful shouting and cry aloud, you who have not travailed; for the sons of the desolate one will be more numerous than the sons of the married woman,” says the LORD. “Enlarge the place of your tent; stretch out the curtains of your dwellings, spare not; lengthen your cords and strengthen your pegs. For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left. And your descendants will possess nations and will resettle the desolate cities.” (Isaiah 54:1-3, NASB)

[5] “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11, NASB)

[6] Genesis 17:6,16; 35:10-12 Psalm 67; 86:9, Isaiah 2:2-5; 11:10; 19:16-25; 49:6; 60:1-22, Jeremiah 16:19-21, Micah 4:1-5, Zechariah 8:20-23, Romans 11:25-36, Ephesians 3:1-13, Revelation 5:9; 14:6-7, etc.

[7] Isaiah 55:9-11 (NASB) “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.

10 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;

11 So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

Categories: Biblical Symbols, Messianic Issues, new moon, Women | Tags: Benjamin, Cheshvan, Ehpraim, Eighth Month, Exile, Joseph, New Covenant, Rachel, Redemption, restoration, return, Tears, weeping | 4 Comments

Let There Be Truth – New Moon Interview

Posted on May 21, 2022 by K. Gallagher

Recently, I joined Caleb Gee of Let There Be Truth podcast in a discussion about celebrating the Biblical New Moon. Caleb is a gracious host with a desire to restore the things the church has lost throughout the centuries. If you are new to the Feasts of Adonai, this episode will give you a good summary about what the new moons represent and how you can be intentional about celebrating them, all to the glory of God.

Ways to Listen:

Categories: new moon | Tags: Caleb Gee, Let There Be Truth, new moon, Podcast, Rosh Chodesh | Leave a comment

No Need for the Sun and Moon

Posted on November 6, 2021 by K. Gallagher

Rosh Chodesh Kislev 5782 (2021)

There is something about Kislev.

It’s the ninth month, the month of dreams, and the month of dedication (Chanukah). But, if one counts the months from the civil year beginning with Tishrei, then Kislev is the third month. In other words, Kislev has attributes that are associated with the number three such as trees, gathering, new life, and resurrection. Darkness, figurative death, and chaos come before any renewal. The themes and historical events that occurred during Kislev such as light overcoming darkness, defeating the enemy against insurmountable odds, and renewing and rededicating the House of Adonai all echo the resurrection power expressed in the number three.

It is in that sense of newness and renewal, which manifests in gathering and unity, that I aim to focus on this year. The twelve months mirror the twelve tribes of Israel. The moonths are like us, reflectors of light. But also like us, they can reflect something they were never meant to mirror: a lower, earthy, or even demonic realm. It’s not a coincidence that the enemy has perverted things associated with the luminaries and time, such as months, to the point that Believers are often leery of their purposes.

In The Creation Gospel Workbook One, Dr. Alewine says, “Pagan worship deifies the sun and moon, for even in ignorance, pagans can identify signs of spiritual authority. The problem is in turning the sign into the actual authority.” (p. 69)

As a Creation Gospel trainer, I’ve read that passage many times. This year, it struck me differently. I could not help but wonder if Believers have made the same mistake. We are notorious for having “calendar” controversies, varying dates for first fruit festivals, and arguments of when new months should begin. The lack of unity (oneness) in the Body gets rather frustrating, and is especially confusing for those just coming to the Torah. Are these indicators of losing one’s sense of time, rather than gaining it? For the most part, individuals and groups do what is right in their own eyes when it comes to “times and seasons.” Some are contentious in this area, and others emphasize respecting other’s opinions.

But, are our endless debates about the timing of the appointed times and months a symptom of “turning the sign into the actual authority?” There is test for Believers on Day Four. It is based in the action words of that day. For example, light separates, gives, and governs. Action is akin to one’s deeds or fruit. If natural light separates from darkness, gives light to the earth, and governs the days, months, years, and moedim, then so will those that follow the Creator of the luminaries. But there will be a constant need for discernment, because the heart of man is deceptive.

Jeremiah 17:9-10 (NASB) The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it? 10 I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give to each man according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds.

The discernment key is fruit. Because we are natural, earthy beings, we must look at physical fruit, deeds, and results to truly know or discern from which “tree” an idea, doctrine, teaching, or theory originates. In the New Jerusalem, the moedim and new moons will NOT be determined by the physical lights of day four. Instead, the “trees” will know when and how to produce fruit with only the Light of the Lamb.

Revelation 21:23 (NASB) And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb.

John continues into chapter twenty-two describing the glorious City, the wife of the Lamb:

Revelation 22:1-2 (NASB) Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, 2 in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

Revelation 22:5 (NKJV) There shall be no night there: they need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.

Revelation 21:23 says that the city is illuminated by the glory of the Lord, and it’s lamp (vessel that gives light) is the Lamb. This is a return to One Day, when the first spoken words of God in the Bible are, “Light be” or “Let there be light.” The light of One Day (day one) was not the physical lights placed in the rakiah or expanse; rather, it is the same light mentioned at the end with New Jerusalem. It is Spiritual.

Kislev is the last of the three autumn months on the Jewish calendar. It signals colder days, less daylight, and the coming winter. This makes it an opportune time to meditate on death that leads to new life, a type of darkness, and then Light. Winter, then spring. Seed, then sprouts and fruit. And, eventually, a time when those cycles will cease, and will become all light, and ever-bearing fruit.

Ezekiel 47:12 (NASB) By the river on its bank, on one side and on the other, will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither and their fruit will not fail. They will bear every month because their water flows from the sanctuary, and their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing (medicine).

What or who are these trees?

In Hebrew, the fruit that the trees bear is a “first fruit,” just as Messiah, and you and I, are a type of firstfruits of the Kingdom. Rosh Chodesh is the feast of the born again, or of those born from above, the first fruits of the earth. The renewal of the moonths testify of this heavenly reality. The “head” of the month is a picture of the whole, just as Messiah is the head, and we are His Body.

There is a reason that God chose to use the particular time frame of “months” to describe when the tree of life bears fruit in Jerusalem above.[1]

The trees are plural in Ezekiel. They refer not only to Messiah, but to His Body, who are grafted into Him and one another. His people partake of and abide in Him and the Word, and become echad, a perfect unity, like the menorah tree. Trees are common idioms for people in Scripture, and both are designed to produce fruit.

Psalms 1:1-3 (NASB) How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.

Proverbs 11:30 (NASB) The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise wins souls.

Living in the realm of Jerusalem above, with only the Light of the Lamb, one knows the months and the moedim without the sun and moon. The result is abundant fruit, and the ability to bear that fruit every month in the Spirit of Adonai. If that’s true above, can it be true below, here in the earthly realm? If yes, what will it require from us?

During Kislev, Chanukah is celebrated with a menorah, a lamp, or a vessel that gives light.[2] In the Torah, the menorah was fashioned after the almond tree.[3] A menorah is a tree with LIGHTS. It represents Resurrection, Woman Wisdom, the Spirit of God, and the Tree of Life. Yeshua chose the menorah to represent His assemblies (churches) in the Book of Revelation, because He is figured as the One in the midst of this “tree” or lamp. He is the root and stem of Jesse, full of the seven fiery spirits of God.[4] We are One with Him, and should produce His light and fruit. The light of the menorah was to be an ever-burning flame. Spiritual light burns continually, but does not consume. This hidden light separates in order to gather in unity.

Exodus 27:20 (NASB) You shall charge the sons of Israel, that they bring you clear oil of beaten olives for the light, to make a lamp burn continually.

Believers all look to the same physical lights and earthly evidence and make judgments, to obediently meet the Creator at His appointed times. But, we don’t all come to the same conclusions. Rather than being unified in the calendar, which is the testimony of God’s authority in the earth, we are greatly divided. A lot of rotten fruit (false light) results from our endless debates.

In the Heavenly City, of which we are a citizen, the trees manage to do something no earthly tree can: they produce twelve fruits every month. This is enough for ALL twelve tribes of united Israel. They are all in one accord when they do not depend solely upon the shadow world’s earthly luminaries.

One Day the natural luminaries will fail, decay, and be no more.[5] In fact, like us, they are fading even now. It occurred to me this Kislev, that if our eyes trust only in the natural light (something decaying), we will never be unified, because death is a separation, not a gathering. Our new life in Messiah includes gathering with one’s brothers and sisters. Anything that works to their exclusion, especially private interpretations of prophecy (the feasts are prophecy!), is not a tree of life (or light) capable of yielding twelve kinds of fruit.

2 Peter 1:18-21 (NKJV) And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. 19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

Being echad (one) is not possible without God and His Spiritual light. I believe that the calendar of God is intentionally ambiguous, because it is a test of authority in the hearts of mankind, especially Believers. I am not suggesting that we toss out the physical luminaries as the markers of Adonai’s set times. They are, in our natural realm, needed governors.[6] However, there remains a much greater reality, that cannot be ignored in our calculations.

Kislev ends within the days of (re)dedication or Chaunkah every year. Since we are a type of Temple, it’s always a good idea to cleanse and rededicate our hearts to Adonai. Sometimes things creep in while we are unaware, distracted with the cares of life, sleeping, sick, grieving, or when we’ve been under attack. At this season, while the feast cycle is dormant during the darkness of winter, reconsider God’s prophetic calendar. It should produce a harvest, not havoc in one’s life and the lives of fellow Believers. As a tree in the Kingdom, carefully inspect the fruit you have produced, and are producing, for the feast days center around these very things. May we continue to grow in fruit and love for the brethren. May we dream of being Echad!

Questions for Reflection:

Why do you think the tree of life in Jerusalem above produces twelve kinds of fruit every month?
Why did Adonai choose to use a “monthly” timeframe in Ezekiel and Revelation’s depiction of the fruit of the Tree of Life?
If the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations, what or who are the twelve fruits for? (See footnote 1.)
Can one keep the moedim and new moons without relying on the signs of the physical luminaries?
Did the Maccabees have the authority to celebrate a late Sukkot in the form of Chanukah? Do you think the Spirit of God was pleased or displeased with their reasoning?
Did Chanukah unify or divide the House of Adonai?
Why did the sages choose to use a menorah to commemorate the days of dedication? Do you think their custom is spiritually valid? Why or why not?
How does the symbolism of the menorah fit into the theme of trees, light, and Chanukah? Give at least two answers.
According to John 13:35, will Yeshua’s disciples be known by their perfect calendars, or by their love for one another?
What is the purpose of the months and the moedim?
If the moedim prophetically figure the eternal oneness of Adonai, Messiah, His Body, and how God accomplishes this in and for us, what is disunity a testimony of?

Ephesians 4:1-6 (NASB) Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

12. Based on the passage above, how important is unity?

[1] To help see this, consider these questions: Who do we produce fruit for? Is it for ourselves or for others? To put it another way, who benefits when we keep commandments such as the feast days? Do we obey for ourselves or for others? If one says they do so for Adonai, why do so many mitzvot deal with how one treats their neighbor? Have we missed something vital that the Tree of Life teaches in Revelation 22:2? Who is reflected in the months? Adonai or His people?

[2] The Hanukkiah has eight branches and one shamash or servant candle, for a total of nine branches. The eight branches represent the eight days of Dedication or Chanukah, and the menorah itself figures the seven branched menorah in the Tabernacle/Temple that GIVES light. The ninth branch on the Hanukkiah is the servant light that ignites the other branches.

[3] Exodus 25

[4] Isaiah 11:1-3; Revelation 1:4; 3:1; 4:5; 5:6

[5] 2 Peter 3:10-13

[6] Genesis 1:14-19

Categories: Moedim, new moon | Tags: Echad, fruit, Jerusalem Above, Kislev, light, New Jerusalem, Ninth Month, Three, Tree of Life, unity | 5 Comments

Off-Roading in the Second Month

Posted on April 13, 2021 by K. Gallagher

I get very few Sundays off from work, so I was excited to learn I was “on call” this past Sunday. I thought it meant time for me to develop a message Adonai had been brewing all week on the new month. Instead, Abba had an entirely different lesson in mind.

In the pics below, you can see that the day was for my husband. He was so happy that I didn’t have to go into work, as he had an off-road Jeep day planned. Though what I wanted to do was stay home and write, my husband was the priority. By putting him first, God blew me away with a living parable. I am still awe struck by the goodness of the LORD and how He can teach His truth in ways we never imagine.

Climbing a Mountain

In order to climb the rocky and muddy terrain of an east TN mountain off-road in a 4×4 (notice the 4’s CG students!), one has to AIR DOWN their tires.

This sounds counterintuitive at first glance. Our great big tires with nearly 60 pounds of pressure needed to be deflated to about 15 pounds of pressure. Once released, they looked nearly flat, and much smaller than normal.

Who looks at that and thinks, “Now we are ready to climb a mountain!”

But, that RELEASE is exactly what enabled our Jeep to traverse through deep muddy ruts, climb boulders, and creep up rocky terrains as if they were nothing. Deflating the tires increased our traction and grip. It was like wearing slip resistant shoes with invisible cleats.

I was amazed by how easy (and fun) it was! But, we also had an experienced guide leading us in his own Jeep. Truly, if we weren’t able to watch him climb over the boulders and navigate the deep ditches, we would have likely turned back in fear of not making it or damaging our vehicle.

The driver leading us was named Clint. The next morning, Adonai had me look up the meaning of his name. It means a “rocky cliff, a hill.” What are the odds that our guide’s name would represent the very thing we were doing? And, that we needed to follow him in order to be successful? Several times he jumped out of his Jeep and acted as our “spotter,” telling us exactly which rock to place our tire on to climb up and out of precarious positions. (Can you see a reflection of Yeshua in this?!)

After reaching the top of the mountain and a real, smooth manmade road, we stopped to air the tires back up. (These guys carry air compressors for this purpose.) I couldn’t help but to think that we reach Shavuot the same way – deflated of self to gain an infilling of God’s Spirit. As we were driving home, I pondered about this process in light of the second month.

Iyar is our climb up to the summit of Shavuot. While we tend to think that we can’t get anywhere with low or flat tires, God knows better. Now, I know better too. You can’t climb a mountain with full tires. If you try, all you’ll do is sit and spin in the mud or bounce off of rocks and likely topple your vehicle.

Low tires (think humility – lack of ego – the thing we removed during Passover week) are the wheels that give one feet like a hind or mountain goat. They are the sure footing that can climb boulders with slippery mud without sliding or losing control. The views from this vantage point are amazing. With all our “hot air” released, we really can trek effortlessly over treacherous terrain that most stumble over.

This links early fruit fruits (of barley) to the first fruits of wheat at Shavuot. Each day is marked and counted. Each is a step up the mountain. The more we release self, ego, pride, and anything that puffs us up, the easier the climb, the better the view, and the more the obstacles appear to be a fun adventure instead of an impossible pass.

During this month, the sanctification process that began during the week of Matzah continues. If you find deep ruts, muddy waters, giant boulders, or even rocky walls in your path, and this invokes feelings of being overwhelmed, remember the hind. Remember how a 4×4 operates. All four tires are given power to turn and move, but not before releasing most of their own air.

In life, especially at appointed seasons, we must do the same. We get to the Mount of Revelation nearly empty of self in order to receive and be filled with the life giving Spirit of Adonai.

Jeep folks call getting a new set of tires, getting “new shoes.” In Ephesians 6, the armor of God includes one’s “shoes.”

“…and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace..”

To shod is to bind under, to put on. Verse 15 says that one must put on these “new shoes” WITH the preparation of the gospel of peace. The two are bound together. The IVP Bible background Commentary says that these shoes enable one to “advance toward the enemy undistracted about what they might step on; this gear is essential to one’s ‘preparation’ for battle.” Now, I can add that these shoes also help one climb higher with sure footing to reach the summit, a figure of Adonai’s Throne.

The LORD taught me this lesson in a profound way through my husband’s love of his Jeep, lol. Don’t you just love how Adonai speaks – all the time – if we will just submit and listen? Shoes, even the ones that our Jeep wears, determines the outcome of our journey.

I can spiritually see all of your beautiful feet and the lovely shoes in which Adonai covers each delicate toe. They are absolutely precious to Him. He desires that you climb every rock, boulder, and mountain with the ease of a hind’s feet. I believe most of you are wearing these shoes already.

But there is only one way to perceive the climb without trepidation and fear. Release your own air. Let it all out, and you’ll find that the shoes He has fitted you with have far more protection and grip than you ever imagined. What once seemed impossible, will become an exhilarating off-road adventure through “a land not sown.”

Isaiah 52:7 (TLV) How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who announces shalom, who brings good news of happiness, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

*All photos were taken by and copyrighted by the author.

Categories: Moedim, new moon | Tags: Climbing, Flat Tires, Iyar, Jeep, Mountain, Second Month, Summit | 5 Comments

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