Elul - Month of Preparation

Elul - Month of Preparation

Understanding God's Timeline and Appointed Times

The speaker, Matthew Vander Els from Founded In Truth Fellowship, introduces the Hebrew month of Elul as a significant period in what he refers to as God's timeline, specifically the cycle of feasts and festivals. Drawing an analogy to wedding anniversaries or a child's birthday, he explains that these are special, set-aside times for connection and celebration. Similarly, God has ordained specific "high days" throughout the year for connection with His followers, as outlined in Leviticus 23.

These appointed times include the weekly Sabbath, commemorating creation, and seven annual feast days. The first part of the religious year, starting according to Exodus, features Passover, followed by the week of Unleavened Bread and the Day of First Fruits, marking the barley harvest. Fifty days after Passover is the Feast of Weeks, also known as Pentecost or Shavuot, which historically was an agricultural festival involving the presentation of the first tithes and the barley and wheat harvest in Jerusalem.

The Transition to the Fall Feasts and the Significance of Elul

Following the spring feasts, there is a significant gap until the fall, when a series of important High Holy Days occur. The first of these is Yom Teruah, also known as Rosh Hashanah, the head of the agricultural year and a time for spending with God and the symbolic act of blowing horns. Ten days later is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, considered the most revered day. This day, when the temple stood, was focused on cleansing God's presence from the "stain" of sin. The speaker clarifies that in Scripture, the altar was not a place to put sin, but a place to take the stain of sin away through repentance. Just five days after Yom Kippur comes Sukkot, the Feast of Ingathering or the Feast of Joy, where being happy and joyous is a commandment.

The period between the Feast of Weeks and Yom Teruah presents an interesting "gap." Recognizing that without constant reminders, focus can be lost, much like losing bowling skills after a long break or the learning setbacks during summer vacation, Jewish tradition has designated the entire sixth month of Elul as a time of preparation for the significant High Holy Days in the upcoming seventh month.

Elul: A Month Dedicated to Preparation and Repentance

Elul, the month preceding Yom Teruah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot, is considered a crucial time for spiritual preparation. This period, along with the ten days following Yom Teruah leading up to Yom Kippur, is often referred to as the 40 days of Teshuvah, or repentance. The Hebrew word "Teshuvah" (תשובה) has its root in "Shuv" (שוב), meaning to turn back. Therefore, repentance is not merely acknowledging wrongdoing, but actively turning back to God and His ways.

The High Holy Day period is described as a time of solemn rejoicing, a blend of the fear of judgment and the confidence of atonement, marked by both anticipation and anxiety. An old Jewish saying notes that even the fish tremble as these "Days of Awe" approach. Yom Teruah and Yom Kippur stand out as the only two feast days without direct agricultural significance, instead focusing on fundamental questions of human nature, destiny, forgiveness, the God-human connection, sin, repentance, and mercy.

The Call to Repentance: Acknowledgment and Action

Elul is a time for repentance, which can manifest in various ways, even in dedicating small moments of prayer throughout the day. True repentance involves more than just reading scripture or watching religious content; it necessitates spending time in personal prayer and seeking to represent God's kingdom in daily life, even in challenging situations, such as interactions with difficult coworkers.

The concept of being a "slave to sin" and bound by "chains" is introduced. These chains, whether they are distractions, addictions, or unresolved issues, hinder our ability to approach God freely. The story from "The King and I," about a woman unjustly chained, illustrates how an intermediary with access to the king could petition for her release, drawing a parallel to Yeshua (Jesus) as our representative who enables us to be free from the chains of sin. Elul is presented as a "red circle," a designated time for these chains to come off through seeking forgiveness from others and repenting to God.

The Examples of Jonah and the Prodigal Son

The teaching delves into the story of Jonah as an example of repentance. Jonah's initial disobedience and subsequent experience in the belly of the fish led him to repentance. Even after his initial reluctance, when God gave him a second chance to go to Nineveh, Jonah obeyed and called the city to repentance. The people of Nineveh's response was profound: they believed God, called a fast, wore sackcloth, and even extended this to their animals. This corporate repentance, a turning away from their wicked ways, led God to relent. This highlights that true repentance, "Teshuvah" (שוב - to turn back), involves a genuine change of direction.

The parable of the prodigal son is also used to illustrate repentance. The son, after squandering his inheritance, "came to himself" and decided to return to his father. His confession, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you" (Luke 15), emphasizes that sin is not only an offense against others but also against God.

Application for Everyday Life During Elul:

• Prioritize daily prayer: Even short moments of intentional connection with God can make a significant difference.
• Engage in self-reflection: Take time to honestly assess areas of your life where you may be falling short or carrying unnecessary burdens.
• Practice true repentance (Teshuvah): Acknowledge your sins and actively turn away from them, making a conscious effort to change your behavior.
• Seek forgiveness from others: If you have wronged someone, take the initiative to seek reconciliation and release any bitterness.
• Represent God's kingdom in your daily interactions: Even in challenging situations, strive to reflect God's character and values.
• Identify and address your "chains": Recognize the things that distract you from God or hinder your spiritual growth and actively work towards breaking free from them.
• Blow the shofar (if culturally relevant or symbolic): Consider ways to create daily reminders of your focus on preparing to meet God.
• Don't just acknowledge sin; actively walk away from it: Repentance is more than just saying sorry; it's changing your direction.
• Seek support from your faith community: Lean on fellow believers for prayer and encouragement in overcoming challenges.
• Prepare your heart for the High Holy Days: Use this time to cultivate a spirit of reverence, humility, and joyful anticipation of meeting with God.

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