Guidance for Tammuz

We should not live in the past but learn from it! This is the clear message from the month of Tammuz, the fourth on the Hebrew calendar. There is wisdom in looking to the past so that we can discern what God is trying to teach us. One of the reasons I keep tuned in to the Hebrew calendar is that it gives me direction each month on how to live my life for victory. The prophet Hosea warns us: "My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.”  (Hosea 4:6) When we are aware of the patterns of the Biblical calendar we are prepared for battle and poised for victory.
 
The Jews have a day of fasting on the 17th of Tammuz. This marks the day when the Romans breached the walls of Jerusalem in 70 AD. There is another fast that occurs on the 9th of Av, the fifth month, because both Temples were destroyed (in different years) on the same day. We need to be on guard during the month of Tammuz as our spiritual enemies want to repeat history. They will be pushing to entice us into destroying our spiritual temples and our walk with the Lord. Chuck Pierce of Glory of Zion Ministries calls this month "The Filmstrip Month." Our lives tell a story as we learn the pattern from the past and look at the "slides" of events that have occurred and are linked together. We can also learn from the Israelites, as they are the people who are the "root" of our Christian faith. (Romans 11:17, 18)
 
It was during Tammuz that the Israelites were waiting for Moses to return from his meeting with God on Mt. Sinai. They became impatient and looked for immediate gratification and comfort. In their desire they did not remember their past when God freed them from the bondage of Egypt with plunder, led them through the wilderness, and provided for their every need with water, manna, and quail. He even gave them victory over the Amalekites who attacked them. Psalm 78:42 puts it this way:  "They did not remember His power—the day He redeemed them from the oppressor." The children of Israel chose to worship an idol, a golden calf that they crafted, instead of God. Idolatry always leads to destruction and desolation. Our enemy, the devil, want us to repeat the pattern of idol worship and places before us a plethora of ways to shift our focus from the worship of the One True God. We must be on guard, especially during this month. 
 
Each month of the Hebrew calendar is associated with a letter from the Hebrew alphabet. Tammuz is connected with the eighth letter of this alphabet. It is called "Chet" and looks like a doorway. The letter means "life" or "wisdom." It is significant that the Lord Jesus became a doorway for us. He led us from sin and death and into a life of peace with God. Here is what Jesus said about himself:  "...Most assuredly, I say to you, ' I am the door of the sheep...I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture." (John 10:7, 9 – NKJV) It is only as we worship the one true God that we will find the door to peace.
 
All of us could make some adjustments in our lives to move toward God's direction. This is the time to look at what has happened in the past so that we can chart the course for the future. We must investigate the trials, battles, and blessings. We must recall prophetic words of direction for our lives. Our life's story is not complete. The way to walk in the right direction is to dedicate ourselves to worshiping the Lord so that we do not develop a "golden calf." We must guard our mouths making sure that the words coming out of it agree with the Kingdom of Light. God wants us to shine this month as Moses did when he entered the Lord's presence. (Exodus 34:29-35) Let us stay on the ancient path and walk in the good way so that we find rest for our souls. (Jeremiah 6:16)