The King is In the Field!

Below you will find some interesting information about the month of Elul (which we are in now), olives and olive oil, and the Star of Jacob. I'm not giving any dates, just passing on this information to hopefully encourage you and bless you. 

Month of Elul

We are in the Hebrew month of Elul, which extends through October 2nd. I came across some really interesting information last week that I want to share with you. It encouraged me and I hope it does the same for you. So here goes. 

 Elul is a deeply significant month in the Jewish calendar, serving as a time for reflection, repentance, and preparation for the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Here are some key aspects of Elul:

Spiritual Preparation: Elul is seen as a time to spiritually prepare for the upcoming High Holy Days. This involves introspection, self-examination, and seeking forgiveness from others.

Selichot Prayers: Special prayers called Selichot are recited during Elul, particularly in the early morning hours. These prayers ask for God’s mercy and forgiveness.

Shofar Blowing: The shofar (ram’s horn) is blown every morning during Elul (except on Shabbat) to awaken the soul and inspire repentance.

Psalm 27: It is customary to recite Psalm 27 daily during Elul, which emphasizes trust in God and seeking His presence. I encourage you to read the entire Psalm, but look at verse 5

For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock

Letters of Elul: The Hebrew letters of Elul (אלול) are often interpreted as an acronym for “Ani L’dodi V’dodi Li” (I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine), symbolizing the loving relationship between God and the Jewish, and as I said in last Friday's post, this comes from the Song of Solomon My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies. Song of Solomon 6:3.  The entire book of Solomon is about the wedding of Jesus and His Bride. (aka The Rapture)

Jewish tradition teaches that we have special access to God’s love and mercy during this month. Rabbi Isaac Luria stated that if one sufficiently repents during Elul, then Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur become days of celebration for the received repentance instead of days of solemn pleading. This idea suggests that rather than repenting at the last moment, we should seek God and repent while the king is still in the field. To this end, some perform an “absolute fast” during the first two days of Elul. Others will fast every day, from sunrise to sunset from the start of Elul until Yom Kippur.

Each day of the month of Elul (except for Shabbat and the last day of Elul), the Jewish people sound the shofar (ram’s horn) as a call to repentance. The Jewish people teach that the “King is in the Field” during Elu in contrast to when he is in the royal palace, and "everyone who so desires is permitted to meet him, and he receives them all with a cheerful countenance and shows a smiling face to them all."  This great King makes a surprise visit to his subjects at work in the field. (Notice, he does not go into the city but gathers us out in the field)

Elul is called the Month of the Bride

The Month's Sign in the Sky is Virgo (The Virgin, which is above Jerusalem during this month) 

Events that happened in Elul

01 Elul: Moses ascended Mount Sinai, with stone tablets for God to re-inscribe 
10 Elul: Noah opened the Ark’s window and dispatched a raven 
17 Elul: Noah sent a dove to see if the waters of the Great Flood had abated
23 Elul: Noah sent a dove for the 2nd time – returns with an olive branch

24 Elul, 5784 Light 5 Candles before sunset ,Shabbat, September 28, 2024
25 Elul: 1st day of creation: God created existence, time, matter, darkness, light. Rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem completed by Nehemiah
27 Elul: Frankfurt (Germany) Jews Expelled (1614)

As pointed out by a commentor on my last Friday blog, the finishing of the walls of Jerusalem on the 25th of Elul could be symbolic of the Lord finishing the building of His house, the Church, as described in the following verses

To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:4-5

Also, apparently on Elul 25, a five-branch menorah is lit, each branch representing the mourning of a deceased loved ones. The candles represent: Grief, Courage, Memories, Love, and Hope. (perhaps representing their soon resurrection).  This reminded me of the five wise virgins.  The oil in this menorah has to be pure virgin olive oil. 

 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.  And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Matthew 25:6-10

Speaking of Olives, the harvest of olives occurs during the September-November time frame. Olives and olive oil represent the Holy Spirit and purity and believers grafted into the Jewish Olive tree. The two witnesses are also described as the two olive trees who stand before the Lord. Jesus spent a great deal of time while He was here on the Mount of Olives. 

But if some of the branches were broken off, while you, a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among them to share the richness [of the root and sap] of the olive tree, Romans 11:17

Below in Isaiah 24, the entire chapter speaks of the Tribulation. See how 

In the city is left desolation, and its gate is battered and destroyed. For so shall it be in the midst of the earth among the peoples, as the shaking and beating of an olive tree, or as the gleaning when the vintage is done [and only a small amount of the fruit remains)  v 12-13

  

Jewish tradition says that it was on Elul 25 that God created light

On Sept 27-28th, the Star of Jacob will appear 

This star, according to Jewish writings will announce the arrival of a Great king and war. Jews believe this is the coming Messiah.  This star is only visible once every generation (80 years). This star will appear in the constellation Virgo (The virgin) this month.

Here is an article about the star. Jews believe it may be the prophetic fulfillment of Balaam's prophecy in Numbers 24. It will be 1500 times brighter than usual and will be visible for a week.

And now, behold, I go unto my people: come therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days.
15 And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:
16 He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:
17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.

The date described in the Zohar (Jewish Mystical writings) as the day on which the star will appear corresponds to the Hebrew date the 25th of Elul. The Zohar specifies that this date will fall on a Friday.

This year, the 25th of Elul falls on the 28th of September, a Friday. 

There is a full moon on Sept 17-18th and a Partial lunar eclipse 

The Full moon in this month of September is called the Harvest Moon. It is also called the Barley Moon, because oddly enough, there is another Barley harvest that can be planted in spring and harvested in fall.  Another crop is planted in September and harvested in the Spring. The Barley moon in Jewish tradition is when the fields are harvested and the grain is brought to the barn.

Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. Matthew 13:30

Interestingly enough, Rosh Hashana or the Feast of Trumpets (which occurs on October 2-3 this year) is the Coronation day for a King and Jews believe it is the day when the door of heaven is open. 

I don't know about you, but I found all of this fascinating and exciting. We could very well be that close to seeing our King!  If it doesn't happen, keep your chin up and your oil lamps full because it WILL happen and I don't think we have long to wait. 

Blessings to all of you!