L'shana tova!! That's Hebrew for Happy New Year!!
According to Scripture, today is the first day of the year on God’s calendar - the Biblical Calendar. (Exodus 12:2) This is the month of Aviv (Abib) which means “tender ear.” Since Israel's exile in Babylon, this month has also been called Nisan which means “their flight.” This is a month of great and miraculous deliverance into new creation life. It is the month of Passover, when God first redeemed His people out of slavery in Egypt with great plagues and acts of judgment. During these plagues, God distinguished between the people who were His and the people who were not. Israel became a nation in a day when they were delivered by the mighty hand of God through the parted waters of the Red Sea. Passover is celebrated throughout Scripture and is still celebrated every year to remember how God saved His people with great and powerful signs and miracles.
After one year in the wilderness, on the first day of the first month, the Tabernacle was erected and consecrated to the Lord according to the pattern God gave to Moses. The shekinah glory of God filled the Tabernacle for all to see but Moses was not allowed to enter until the rules were given for the sacrifices required for entering God's presence.
Forty years after the first Passover, it was in this month that Joshua led the Israelites to cross over the Jordan River into the Promised Land. They renewed their covenant commitment to God, circumcised the new generation, celebrated the Passover, and began to eat the fruit of the Promised Land. Most significantly, it was on the eve of Passover that Jesus was betrayed and crucified. Knowing in advance that this must happen, Jesus led His disciples in the Last Supper communion with broken bread and poured out wine. They sang the Hallel Psalms to rejoice in God's great salvation of His people. That night, Jesus was betrayed and events were set in motion. The world judged and killed the Son of God but He shed His blood as the eternal Passover Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. His sacrifice made the way for all who believe in Him to have direct access to God and enter into God's presence without limitation. Jesus' resurrection from death is God's greatest sign and evidence of God's love and redemption made available to all mankind. Jesus brings deliverance and salvation for all who put our trust in Him.
It is Jewish tradition to read the Song of Songs on the Shabbat of the week of the Passover celebration. The story of the lover and His beloved reminds us of God's love for His people, the journey of the Bride to maturity, and points us to the wedding feast of the Lamb that is yet to come.
Other significant Biblical events this month include the first day that the waters of Noah's flood were dried up to show the ground; Ezekiel prophesied the destruction of Egypt by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar; Daniel had a powerful vision of the Lord and end-times battles; Ezra and a group of exiles began their journey back to the Promised Land; Nehemiah stood sad-faced before the King before being granted permission to return to the Promised Land; and in Esther's time, Haman cast lots to select the date of the destruction of the Jewish people...the date which became the day of their very great deliverance. This is a month of new beginnings, fulfillment of long-awaited promises, renewed consecration, and new life. Therefore, in Jesus' name, may you be blessed this month with supernatural deliverance into new life, increased resurrection power, and the fulfillment of God’s promises according to His plans for you.
Optional Reading: Hallel Psalms 113-118
Traditional Jewish Reading: Song of Songs
Scripture References from the First Month:
Genesis 8:13 Exodus 12-14, 40:1-38
Leviticus 23:5-14 Numbers 9:1, 20:1, 28:16, 33:3 Deuteronomy 16:1-8 Joshua 4:19-24 1 Chronicles 12:15, 27:2-3 2 Chronicles 29, 35 Ezra 6:19, 7:9, 8:31, 10:17 Nehemiah 2:1
Ezekiel 29:17, 30:20, 45:18
Esther 3:7
Daniel 10:4
Matthew 21-28
Mark 11-16
Luke 2:41-50, 19-24
John 2:13-23, 6:4, 11:55, 12:1, 13:1, 18:28-39, 19:14
Acts 20:6
1 Corinthians 5:7-8
Originally published as: "The Blessing of Abib/Nisan" - Reprinted from Blessings of the Biblical Calendar - Copyright © 2015 Wendy Bowen – ALL RIGHTS RESERVED WORLDWIDE