A Visitation from King Jesus

​We start Elul, the sixth month on the Hebrew calendar, at sunset tonight.  The name Elul is a Hebrew acronym,  "Ani L'dodi V'dodi Li, meaning "I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine." (Song of Solomon 6:3)  This being the sixth month, we should look at the picture that represents the Hebrew letter for six or Vav.  Vav is a picture of a tent peg or nail used to make something secure.  Indeed, God wants us to be secure in our relationship with Him and did something spectacular to show us how much He loves us and desires to be in our company. 
 
What did God do that is so amazing?  Luke 1:26-27, 30-31, gives us the answer.  "In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David.  The virgin's name was Mary...The angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.'"  The angel went on to give more details of this immaculate conception and God's intent for His life.  “…So, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35)
 
Could Mary's pregnancy that begins in the month of Elul be why the Jews say, "The King is in the field?"  I believe God appointed this time for us to connect with Him in such an intimate way that we will never doubt His great love for us.   To confirm this in the heavens, He placed the constellation Virgo (The virgin) in the night sky.  Elul is a month of nurturing or mothering.  I think it is no accident that Rebekah gave birth to her twins, Jacob and Esau, during Elul.
 
Contemplate with me what a woman does when she learns she is pregnant.  A time of preparation begins so that the baby can be welcomed and cared for in the best way possible.  Since this is the season when "The King is in the field" should we not be prepared to meet Him?  He welcomes our approach.  He demonstrated His love for His people during this month by allowing Moses to return to Mount Sinai for a second set of tablets.  He truly is a God of mercy!  Elul precedes the month of Tishrei, when the fall feasts are held.  An invitation is given to all of us to join the Lord for these feasts.
 
The manifest presence of the Lord is described perfectly in John 1:14.  "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us." Dwelling is a name for tent or tabernacle.  He tabernacled among us.  Imagine the King of all creation leaving HIs perfect heavenly throne to be with us!  Such love!  "This is love:  Not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." (1 John 4:10)  It is time for us to remember the nail that secured our King to us.  Isn't it significant that the Lord was nailed to the Cross?  He was attached and secured to the Cross because of His amazing love for us.  That love should lead us to repentance, which leads to God's mercy and fruitfulness for our lives. What an awesome God we serve!