Today is Erev Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan and (as is common in this blog) I am compelled to share some about this month...I'm drawing a blank!
Why is that?!
Because unlike every other month of the Jewish calendar, there are no particular holidays or special mitzvot. Once both days of Rosh Chodesh are over, we are on our own until next Rosh Chodesh. Even Iyyar has the Omer!
What's the theme of Cheshvan, then?
We have a tradition that Cheshvan is reserved for the building of the third Temple and Mashiach's coming-events so special they'll need a month all to their own. There is something very profound going on here. Mashiach's month is one in which all traces of uniqueness and specialness are hidden and/or reserved for a later time. Mashiach is supposed to be there but there is nothing overt that enables us to see him there. While all the parallels of Yeshua are swirling around in Tishrei, in Cheshvan we Messianic Jews are reminded of a stark reality that Yeshua is largely hidden (or missing) in our tradition. Our normal mode of operation-revealing Yeshua's mysterious presence with tradition-is very important, but it's not possible on Cheshvan.
All of Am Yisrael face Cheshvan with the same experience of its surface-level emptiness. All of Am Yisrael have to "make it happen" on Cheshvan, having been filled up during Elul and Tishrei. We Messianic Jews have an even more profound task ahead-revealing the Mashiach in Cheshvan so that he be known speedily and soon. May Cheshvan be a time we bring Mashiach more into the light, revealing him not as we often do (mysteriously present within our holydays and mitzvot), but as one who in a very real way is missing from the month our tradition reserved for him (whether known or not).
About Me
- Benjamin E
- I am committed to a life provoking the invasion of The Coming Kingdom through: human service, ecstatic prayer, halakhic observation, community building, nurturing hope, and drawing down abiding faith...
The 1st Day of Creation!
ReplyDelete"The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep, and the Spirit of GOD moved upon the face of the waters." (Gen 1:2)
Then GOD spoke HIS Word into being.......
"Let there be Light"!
And "There was Light".......(Gen 1:3)
And such 'Light' was to be, and is, Eternal!
So it is that Hope is Alive!
Even though this wicked world begins and ends it's day in darkness it is good to realize that the 1st Day of Creation, although begun midst the darkness, ended in 'Light'! (Gen 1:5)
And such 'Light' was not the sun, moon or stars for they were not created until the 4th Day. (Gen 1:14-19)
GOD's Word "Let there be Light" became "The Light which enlightens every man born into the world" and was "the glory The Messiah had with Our Father before the world began".......(John 1:9, 17:5)
LIGHT Begot Light.......
LIKE Begot Like.......
The Messiah, "The Light of the world".......(Jn8:12)
The Messiah, "The beginning of The Creation of GOD".......(Rev1:1, 3:14)
The Messiah, "The Son of The Living GOD".......(John 6:69)
And Our Father, HE "created all things by(of, in and thru) The Messiah".......(Ep3:9)
The 1st Day of Creation.
"And GOD called The Light, Day, and the darkness HE called night. And the evening(darkness) and The Morning(Light) was The 1st Day." (Gen 1:5)
Now if the beginning can not be 'seen' nor understood, then what of the end?
Confusion would reign! And today confusion does reign midst the religious systems of this world, for apart from "The Light" there is only darkness, "the blind leading the blind" ;-(
And the Apostle Paul saw "The Light" that is The Messiah on the road to Damascus:
"At midday, O king, I saw in the way a Light from Heaven, which was above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.
And when we had all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.
And I said, Who are you, Master? And The Messiah said, I am Y'shua(for He spoke in the Hebrew tongue) Whom you are persecuting". (Acts 26:13-15)
GOD's Word "Let there be Light" became "The Light which enlightens every man born into the world", "The Light" that is The Messiah, and was "the glory The Messiah had with Our Father before the world began".......(John 1:9, 17:5)
Peace, in spite of the dis-ease(no-peace) that is of this world and it's systems of religion "for the WHOLE(not just a portion) world is under the control of the evil one", indeed and Truth.......(1John 5:19)
Truth IS, a lie never was and is not.......
Abide in Truth.......
Elder Child,
ReplyDeleteInteresting summary...I'm curious about the specific message you are trying to convey (other than the importance of abiding in the Truth of Yeshua). How are you finding it related to my initial post?
"Let there be Light"!
ReplyDeleteYou, as others held captive by the darkness that is religion, believe a "third temple" will be ;-( What is the need then for Paul's testimony, which stated that the natural bodies of The Brethren of The Messiah are The Temple!
As for the posting, that portion of the comment that referenced your third temple theory was:
"Now if the beginning can not be 'seen' nor understood, then what of the end?
Confusion would reign! And today confusion does reign midst the religious systems of this world, for apart from "The Light" there is only darkness, "the blind leading the blind" ;-("
Simply, there is no need for a natural, structural third temple.......
True it is that "the natural man can not comprehend that which is of Our Father, for that which is of Our Father needs be Spiritually discerned"!
Sadly all systems of religion but carry on the legacy of the pharisee's ;-(
Thankfully, "THY Kingdom" HAS "Come"!
So it is that The Brethren of The Messiah are but "strangers and pilgrims while on the earth" for their "citizenship is in Heaven".......
Father Help! And HE does.......
Peace, in spite of the dis-ease(religion) that is of this wicked, evil world, for "the WHOLE(not just a portion) world is under the control of the evil one" indeed and Truth.......
Thank you for this Benjamin. The only thing I had read about this month was that it holds the anniversary of The Rains of the Flood beginning and ending. Interesting but not as encouraging as your post.
ReplyDeleteElder Child,
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you feel I am captive to "darkness that is religion." I'm happy to know that you actually do not know me at all, so your claim to suggest otherwise is of no avail-those who believe in Mashiach are being transformed into His image...Please don't forget that when you're talking with a fellow Yeshua believer. It would've been nice to have begun with conversation (Instead of judgment). I hope we can do that from here on in...Your call.
Just for the record, Jewish tradition (which I do engage) speaks of Mashiach's coming as connected with the building of the third Temple. As a Messianic Jew, I part with tradition regarding "Mashiach's initial coming-" I believe He has come already, and will come again. I do not know whether or not there will be a third Temple (you seem to think you have it figured out). I was just citing a tradition that has interesting implications for the goal of Chasidei Yeshua-to bring out the truth of Yeshua where he is hidden (in ourselves and in the world around us).
I would love to discuss this with you more if you'd like. With that said, I will ask you to read what I wrote, and not INTO what I wrote, so our conversations can bear fruit worthy of the Kingdom.
Rainsong,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your response, as always. I find the tradition that Cheshvan is the month of the flood fascinating as well. It also has some parallels to what I have discussed here-a time of commemorating the re-ordering of Creation!
The believing natural Jew who received The Messiah yet kept 'torah' until the destruction of the earthly, natural realm centered in jerusalem. At that time of The END, thankfully that which was "decaying and waxing old" DID "vanish away"! (Heb 8:13)
ReplyDeleteThat which was "decaying and waxing old" was no more!
However, the heathen(gentile) believers were never "under the law", never kept 'torah'.
Acts 15:13-31
"And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me.
Simeon has declared how GOD did visit the Gentiles first and chose out of them a people dedicated to HIS Name. And the words of the prophets agree with this, for it is written, "after this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up, that the residue of men might seek after the LORD, and all the Gentiles, upon whom MY Name is called, says the LORD, WHO does all these things."
Known unto GOD are all HIS works from the beginning of the world. Therefore my sentence is, that we do not trouble them, who from among the Gentiles are turned to GOD.
But we should write unto them that they should abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood(bloodshed).
For in every city Moses of old time has those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
Then it seemed good to the apostles and elders, with the whole assembly, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, who were leading men among the brethren.
And letters were written by them after this manner; "The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia.
We have heard that some of our number who visited with you have troubled you with their teaching, subverting your souls, and saying you must be circumcised and keep the law, although we gave them no such commandment.
So it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul. Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Master, The Messiah. So we have sent Judas and Silas, who also by word of mouth will confirm the same things that we have written.
For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things.
Abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood(bloodshed), and from things strangled, and from fornication, from which if you keep yourselves, you will do well. Farewell!"
So the bearers of the letter were sent on their way and they came to Antioch, and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter.
And when the letter was read, everyone rejoiced for the consolation."
All Thanks and Praise Be Unto Our Father!
Father Help! and HE does.......
Peace, in spite of the dis-ease(no-peace) that is of this world, for "the WHOLE(not just a portion) world is under the control of the evil one" indeed and Truth.......
Truth IS, a lie never was and is not.......
Abide in Truth....... francis
Elder Child,
ReplyDeleteThank you for making your intention clear.
Unforunately, it is clear your intention is to repeat yourself with taglines from your own blog, preach instead of converse (hence third person references to people other than myself), and quote long portions of Scripture without indicating their relevance to the subject at hand.
Therefore I will respectfully ask that you refrain from posting here until you demonstrate the capacity to communicate in a discussion.
The Truth needs be received!
ReplyDeleteDiscussion but muddies the waters, and those who with "kind words and fair speech seek to deceive the hearts of the simple" desire such ;-(
Hope is that one day you would receive "the love of The Truth".......
Only then will you understand why it is needful to share only that which has been "seen(experienced) and heard(received)"!
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ReplyDeleteElder Child,
ReplyDeleteThank you for responding to me (truly). I'm sorry words of insult/condescension which suggest you know my faith or character in any way were the ones you chose to use.
In any event, you are not the arbiter of all things true (neither am I). Only God is ("Let God alone be true"), and this is why discussion is necessary. You are right that discussion "muddies up the waters." We are all on a journey to become more like Yeshua (as individuals and as a body) and this means being comfortable in certain areas of uncertainty and allowing ourselves to be challenged so all that is True in our faith can stand (while the dross rolls away).
If discussion with me was going to muddy up your waters, I am curious as to why you posted a comment. Was it a feeling of satisfaction to remove a perceived speck in my eye?
Whatever the case, if you feel I am in darkness and need to come into the light even though I am a follower of Yeshua with the Ruach abiding in me (just like you) then I would encourage you to examine the Gospel you are proclaiming.
If you are not willing to leave space to discuss ideas other than your own, it might be worthwhile to write on your own blog exclusively(comments sections are not for pontification so much).
By the way, it is an interesting move on your part to quote Scripture for the purpose of defining any "kind and fair speech" that comes from me as deceptive. It is a clever defense mechanism to justify your own pre-conceived notions about a man you know very little about. It is sad, but clever. You are not any less of a brother in Yeshua for it, but I feel it is time I spoke up (I've given both cheeks already...I'm about to wipe off the dust if things don't change here).
I have invited your criticism thus far because it shows a move towards discussion. If you're done discussing now, then I sincerely wish you all the best on your journey.
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ReplyDelete