SHEVAT 5782
January 2, 2022 – February 2,2022
Shevat the 11th month.
The Babylonian name, Shevat, refers to the heavy rains of the season as winter draws to a close.
Rain in the Jewish tradition means blessings.
The first mention of Shevat is in Zechariah 1.
SHEVAT ACROSTIC
In Hebrew, there is a special acrostic for the word Shevat, Shenishma Besurot Tovot.
Translated it says, “we should be blessed to share good tidings.”
For the New Year make a list of the ways you are blessed and can share your blessings.
THE ROD
In Hebrew, Shevat means rod.
The word “rod” contains rich meaning and a wealth of information. Below is a snippet of the meanings it carries.
The rod of a shepherd was used as an offensive and defensive tool.
Passing the sheep under the rod also provided a way for close scrutiny.
“I will make you pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant;
I will purge the rebels from among you, and those who transgress against Me;
I will bring them out of the country where they dwell, but they shall not enter the land of Israel.
Then you will know that I am the Lord.
Ezekiel 20:37-38 KJV
The close scrutiny by the shepherd was for separation. Separation occurred as the sheep passed under the rod allowing the shepherd to closely observe the ear markings of the sheep. This gave the shepherd an opportunity to distinguish the sheep that had wondered in from other flocks while grazing in the same pasture.
And all the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another,
just as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right,
but the goats on the left. Matthew 25:32,33
The rod is also symbolic for the Word of God. God gives us close scrutiny, too, requiring us to pass under the Word of God. God’s Word is the standard of which we are measured.
Activation
God, I invite your searching gaze into my heart.
Examine me through and through; find out everything that may be hidden within me.
Put me to the test and sift through all my anxious cares.
See if there is any path of pain I’m walking on,
and lead me back to your glorious, everlasting way— the path that brings me back to you. Psalm 139:23,24 TPT
The rod is also known as a staff. We see in Exodus that Moses was commanded to take his staff, that he used while tending Jethro’s sheep, to do miracles in Egypt.
The staff, and the hand, represents the power of the omnipotence of God.
The power of God overcomes the dangers that would surround us. This passage exemplifies this very thing.
Moses said to Joshua,
“Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.”
So it came about, when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed;
but when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. Exodus 17:9,11
Spiritual Exercise
This month make it a point to pray the power of God to overcome the dangers that surround you, your family and your country.
ZECHARIAH 1
On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, that is, the month Shebat, in the second year of Darius,
the word of the Lord came to Zechariah the prophet, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo,
as follows I saw at night, and behold, a man was riding on a red horse,
and he was standing among the myrtle trees which were in the ravine,
with red, sorrel, and white horses behind him
Then I said, “What are these, my lord?” And the angel who was speaking with me said to me,
“I will show you what these are.” And the man who was standing among the myrtle trees responded
and said, “These are the ones whom the Lord has sent to patrol the earth.”
So they responded to the angel of the Lord who was standing among the myrtle trees and said, “
We have patrolled the earth, and behold, all the earth is still and quiet.”
Then the angel of the Lord said, “Lord of armies, how long will You take no pity on Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, with which You have been indignant for these seventy years?” And the Lord responded to the angel who was speaking with me with gracious words, comforting words. So the angel who was speaking with me said to me, “Proclaim, saying, ‘This is what the Lord of armies says: “I am exceedingly jealous for Jerusalem and Zion.
But I am very angry with the nations who are carefree; for while I was only a little angry,
they furthered the disaster.” Zechariah 1:7-15
This is the first of the eight visions Zechariah received on the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month.
The twenty-fourth of the eleventh month would have been February 15, 519 B.C.
Next year it will fall on January 26, 2022.
The Vision
Myrtle trees refers to the divine establishment of the people of God as seen in Isaiah 41:19 and 55:13
I will plant in the wilderness the cedar and the acacia tree, The myrtle and the oil tree;
I will set in the desert the cypress tree and the pine And the box tree together, NKJV
Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off. KJV
In Zechariah’s vision, myrtle represents grace to Israelites in their affliction that they might be established.
Myrtles are associated with watercourses and symbolic for Holy Spirit.
In summary the man among the myrtle trees is a symbol of “recovery and establishment of God’s purpose;” the Lord will again be merciful to Jerusalem.
“We have patrolled the earth, and behold, all the earth is still and quiet.”
Some versions say people are “at ease.”
This is not speaking to peace on earth, but as a result of Persian oppression and injustice.
And it is referring to the fact people are at ease with what is going on, but God is not happy with the treatment of His people.
Seventy years – a completion of time – the people have been waiting for God to lift His judgement and again bring prosperity to the people as God reveals His mercy.
with gracious words, comforting words – Zechariah is assured of God’s love and care for His people.
Know that you are loved and cared for by God.
If you are not feeling it, take some time and ask God to make His love tangible.
Remember, we build ourselves up on our most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit. (Jude 20)
God relates He is jealous for Jerusalem, and Zion with great zeal.
Jealous means red in the face with emotion.
God is passionately protective of His covenant people and whoever harms or touches them touches the apple of His eye. (2:8)
Here is a symbolic description to consider for “Jerusalem” and “Zion.” Lance Wallnau describes “Jerusalem” as Believers, Born Again, pursing God, seeking His interest in all things, and enlarging the Kingdom of God. He explains “Zion” as the Bridal Company. Those who are intimate with the Lord leaning their head against His chest. It is a love affair between Jesus and His Bride.
This, by no means is sexualized, but an appeal to come to know the deep love the Father has for us that we might love His Son in the way He loves us.
Spiritual Exercise
It is our goal to ascend the mountain to Zion, let us go up to the Lord.
Spend time worshiping God, tell Him how much you love Him.
And wait for His response.
that you, would be rooted and established in love, that you may have power, together with all the saints,
to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
and to know this love that surpasses knowledge…”
Ephesians 3:17-19
THE MESSAGE
God’s message from these visions is historical for Zechariah’s day, but it also carries meaning for today.
God will save His people and bring judgement on the wicked.
God has been watching and He is not happy with the way His Church is being treated, here in America and around the world.
He is as jealous for us today as He was for the Israelites. He is reassuring us of His great love and that there is a time limit to this oppression. We must do the same by building people up and sharing God’s love.
We have seen His prosperity and His mercy in action. Praise God that even in times of chaos and oppression God is working all things to the good to bless His people.
Now is the time of the divine establishment of the people of God.
Shevat is a great month start to the New Year!
During Shevat, consider taking time to read the other visions and seek God for revelation and understanding of how they apply to you.
SHEVAT and SHAVUOT
On Shevat 1, 1410 B.C. Moses, (Moshe) began to talk to the sons of Israel and ended the seventh of Adar. For thirty-seven days Moses spoke everything God commanded him to speak. (Deuteronomy 1:1, 3)
Because of this, Shevat 1 is associated with the sixth of Sivan, Shavuot or Pentecost. Both are times God is entreating Israel to accept the Torah.
Fascinatingly, when Moses recites all that God gives him, he is drawing the “water” from the wellspring within. “Water” is symbolic of the Word of God. When Moses spoke God’s Word, in essence, Moses is giving Israel “water” to quench their thirst. Curiously, the name Moses is the acronym for “I have drawn you from the water.”
Because of this, the month of Shevat is well suited for renewed inspiration in the study of the Torah, God’s Word.
TRIBE and SENSE
Asher was the 2nd son of Zilpah making him the 8th son of Jacob.
8 is the number of new beginnings.
Asher means “pleasure” and “happiness.”
Jacob’s blessing for Asher – “from Asher comes delicious [ fat] bread, and he shall provide the delicacies of the king” (Genesis 49:20).
This leads to Asher exemplifying the sense of taste and eating.
Making the Sense of taste for the month of Shevat.
The innermost sense of all the senses, spiritual and physical.
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
“What you are tasting, savoring, produces the life or nourishment for your future.
So, it is a good month to partake of food.
Should you decide to Fast in January, you will reprogram your body on eating by February.” Chuck Pierce
Spiritual Exercise
Ask God to heighten your sense of taste in the spiritual realm that tasting the Word of the Lord becomes a reality as you meditate on God’s Word.
LETTER:
Tzadik
The letter tzadik symbolizes the true tzadik (“righteous one”), “and the tzadik is the foundation of the world.”
This month your righteousness must become your foundation.
Jehovah Tzidkenu, God of Righteousness is one expression of this month.
Clouds and thick darkness surround Him;
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.
Psalms 97:2
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the
breastplate of righteousness in place,
Ephesian 6:14
Our righteousness isn’t sufficient to protect us, so Jesus gives us His. We wear the Righteousness of Christ.
We put it on by seeking God and His righteousness above all else, and in doing so we begin to develop a purity of heart that translates into actions.
Being aware and earnestly living the righteousness of Christ creates a lifestyle that allows us to be conformed to the image of Christ. Our choices inturn become more righteous, and these choices protect us from further deception. Proverbs 8:20 “I walk in the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice.” NASB
He restoreth my soul and leads me in the path of righteousness for His name sake.
Psalms 23:3
In Isaiah 41:19 it says, “I will put in the desert the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive. I will set junipers in the wasteland, the fir and the cypress together…”
And again in Isaiah 55:13 it says, “Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”
The desert will be transformed into stately trees….men doing righteously.
The “fir” and “myrtle” represent a happy external condition of life, of the men “do righteously.”
We are an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.
Activation
Think of America/world today.
The affliction of God’s people in contrast to God’s divine establishment of His people.
The need for the recovery and establishment of God’s purpose.
The need for the people to “do righteously.”
Think about God’s mercy and grace, His promises to His people and America.
Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you and pray into this.
CONSTELLATION
B”H Shevat-Aquarius-Pitcher or water bucket.
Aquarius the water carrier.
To catch the rain (blessings) or retrieve from a flowing river (Holy Spirit).
Position yourself to be watered.
“This is the month to shout, “My blessings are on the way.”
Look for those who are bringing pitchers of water to you.” Chuck Pierce
COLOR
Light Olive green yellow/Citrine quartz or Peridot
These colors are derived from the stones in the breastplate of the Priest that represent the 12 Tribes of Israel.
Reverend Deborah Cofer, (part of our leadership team) adds this:
1 Peter 2:5
You also, as lively stones being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
“Lively” in the Strong’s Concordance means to live, breathe, living and not lifeless full of vigor
On the breastplate of the Old Testament priest each tribe was represented with a unique place and a unique stone. Each stone that represented the tribe was different and the stones were connected in a beautiful way. Each tribe had a place and each tribe a unique set of qualities. This is a picture of the fact that everyone has a place in the Lord and in the church. The Lord loves our differences. We all need each other! The Old Testament tribe of Levi is symbolic of the modern-day priesthood, a holy priesthood. I often thought of the Old Testament Priest wearing the ephod coming into the Presence of the Lord. He was bringing before the Lord all of the people and it was a prayer for each member of each tribe. Jesus is our High Priest and he wants us to be a holy priesthood. I believe that when we come into the Presence of the Lord the things that are on our heart are also remembered before Him.
Did you ever think of worship and standing in His Presence as an act of prayer?
The things that are heavy on your heart are seen by the Lord.
Activation
Spend some time with the Lord worshiping and standing in His Presence as an act of prayer this month.
Many Blessings and love,
Pastor Karen-Elisabeth
