The Tenth Month

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We are in the middle of the 10th month on the Hebrew calendar--Tevet--which is associated with the Hebrew letter AYIN.  This letter pictures two things:  an eye and a spring.  Tevet begins the three months of the winter season.  And yet, this morning as I drove to church I saw a large plum tree in full bloom.  Our warm temperatures have forced the flowers to bloom out of season.  Plum trees are usually early spring bloomers.  I had to ask God what He wanted me to know about this since He sees things from a spiritual perspective.  He told me that the heat or passion of our worship would also bring us "into bloom" early.  The beauty of the bloom entices Him to draw closer to us.
 
2 Chronicles 16:9 says, "For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him..."  Just as God's eyes are drawn to good hearts, He wants our eyes to focus on good.  Images of sorrow and darkness are paraded before us regularly.  He wants us to see things from a heavenly perspective.  As we see things God's way it will lead us into greater understanding and obedience.  At the same time we will be able to break the power of evil structures that try to get us off track.  Since AYIN pictures a spring in addition to an eye, it is time for new life to flow.
 
The number ten is the number of godly authority.  As we are in the tenth month, it is very important for us to be in prayer for the people who are in authority over us.  Our governmental and church leaders are subject to attacks from the enemy.  He tries to derail us through attacks on our leaders.  Let us be especially vigilant in prayers for our leaders during this month.
 
The constellation Capricorn--the goat--is connected with Tevet.  We must be aware of who we make alignments with.  Matthew 25:32-34 tells us that one day the Lord will judge the nations and separate them.  Sheep nations will be on His right side (the side of favor) and goat nations on His left.  We do not want to align ourselves with goat nations who are moving in the wrong direction.
 
Tevet is associated with the tribe of Dan which means to judge or rule.  This tribe was known for its artistic abilities.  Some of its members were brought in to help with the weaving and engraving of the Tabernacle furnishings.  This would be a month to ask God for new creative expressions in worship.
 
Remember how Esther was taken to the palace of King Xerxes to be prepared to meet him after one year of beauty treatments?  It was on the 10th month that she was taken to the king and gained favor with him. (Esther 2:16)  Later she learned of the plot to destroy her people.  Before going to see the king to ask for his help in destroying the wicked plan, she fasted for three days with the Jews in Susa.  Chuck Pierce's book, A Time to Advance, tells us that during the 10th month it is appropriate for us to fast for three days in order to cleanse our blood.
 
The end of Hanukkah, Christmas and the beginning of the New Year all fall within the month of Tevet.  These holidays draw us into a time of reflection as we remember how God's mercy and love abound.  We have rich inheritances in Him but we may need to battle for them.  We should also pay attention to the prophetic words given to us so that we do not miss our destinies.