Revelation & Glory in Iyar

​The second month on the Hebrew calendar, Iyar or Ziv, is known as one of revelation.  Much happened during this month of transition when God's people were moving from Egypt to Mount Sinai.  God used their journey through the wilderness to reveal His nature to them.  It was as the children of Israel were in need that they encountered God and were able to see who He really is.  Indeed, it was God Himself who led them into the desert so that they would have a revelation of His character.  I can testify to the way God has used wilderness seasons in my own life to disclose His nature to me.  He allows and uses these desert times to increase intimacy with us.  Look at what the prophet Hosea says: "Therefore, I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her.  There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope.  There she will sing as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt." (Hosea 2:14-15)  The desert is a stark place without distractions.  It is here that God reveals His true nature--a nature of kindness, provision, generosity, power and love.
 
For Believers, the anointing to carry the glory of God increases now.  This month of Iyar is frequently called Ziv, which means radiance.  The brightness of our countenance increases as our revelation of the Lord increases.  Let's look at the life of Moses and the way in which he encountered God.  Exodus 33:11 tells us, "The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend."   As Moses interacted with God and increased in understanding of who He is, the glory of God appeared upon him.  "When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant..." (Exodus 34:29-30)  The radiance that Moses carried after he met with the Lord is meant for us today.  "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18)
 
Three key revelations came to the Israelites as they traveled through the desert.  God began to demonstrate His power to them to transform their situations.  In their first encounter with God the Israelites were exposed to His healing power.  God demonstrated this power by healing the bitter water at Marah.  But God took this a step further by declaring, "If you listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His eyes, if you pay attention to His commands and keep all His decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord who heals you."   (Exodus 15:26)
 
After revealing Himself as "Yahweh Rapha," He revealed that He is "Yahweh Jaira," the Lord who sees and provides, by bringing manna (bread) and quail (meat) into the camp. (Exodus 16:12)  Finally, the Lord showed that He is "Yahweh Nissi," the Lord, my Banner of Victory, when the Amalekites attacked the Israelites.  As Moses raised his hands in praise to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (with the help of Aaron and Hur) the Israelites had victory in the battle.
 
God wants to continue to reveal more aspects of His personality to us.  He calls us to the place of intimacy with Him because this is where He reveals the secrets of His covenant.  He told His disciples, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you..." (Matthew 13:11) During this month of Iyar God is ready to pour out extra blessings on those who seek Him.  This is a key month for connecting with God and understanding His plans and purposes so that we can move forward on His path for the remainder of the year. Since this is the month linked with the tribe of Issachar, who understands the times and seasons and secrets of the Lord, (1 Chronicles 12:32) there is an increased anointing for us to do likewise.  This is the time for us to press in for more of the Lord, dear ones.  As revelation comes you will manifest His radiance.  "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you." (Isaiah 60:1)