Here in South Africa we are in a transition from summer into winter, this period is called autumn. This is also the period after Easter on the Gregorian calendar we all became accustomed to living by.
In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII created and introduced the Gregorian calendar in order to change the date of Easter so that the whole world could celebrate Easter on the same day. The Jewish calendar, however, is different to the Gregorian calendar, although it is still the same as ancient times.
During Easter, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus our Christ, which is a foundation of the Christian faith.
A synonym for the resurrection is restoration, regeneration, or renewal. This is when Jesus, after being buried for three days, slipped like a butterfly out of a cocoon, out of the white cloth that was wrapped around him – totally the opposite of Lazarus who had to be unwrapped when he was awakened after his death. Jesus’ action here means that he paved the way for us to slip into a new life. This is a life where we can have communion with God through the presence and manifest presence of the Holy Spirit.
Easter to the Jews, who do not acknowledge Christ as their saviour, celebrates the Passover. The Passover is a major Jewish spring festival that commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from the Egyptian slavery, lasting seven or eight days.
When 2-3 million Israelites left Egypt they started a journey of renewal. They moved from a slave mentality to a mentality where they were living in God’s provision, healing and miracles. They also slipped into a new life or shall we rather say they walked into a new life.
The exodus from Egypt took place during the month of Iyar on the Jewish calendar.
Iyar is about 29 days long and falls between April & May on our Gregorian calendar.
The Bible refers to this month Iyar, as “the second month” or as “hodesh ha Zif” (the month of blossoming or splendour) (1 Kings 6:1, 37). Iyar is the time of new growth, a time of spring in Israel. Later it was called Ziv – a word that originated from Canaan – meaning growth or blossom.
On the first day of Iyar (their new life) after the journey from Egypt, their dependence for their daily provision started.
The thirsty Israelites reached a well of bitter water (Exodus 15:23-26). Moses cast a tree into the water and it miraculously became sweet. God then promised that if Israel followed His ways: “The diseases I have placed on Egypt I will not place upon you, for I am the Lord your Healer.”
23 And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. 24 And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? 25 And he cried unto the Lord; and the Lord shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, 26 and said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.
Iyar is a month packed with symbolism that we can pray to manifest in our lives. Apart from it being a month of new beginnings (like January of the Gregorian Calendar), it is also a wonderful time for healing and provision.
We can slip out of our own cocoons into a new life of supernatural restoration, healing and provision.
We can leave all the insecurities of being a slave to this worldly things and slip into a life of dependency on God, just the same as the sojourning Israelites.
After the 15th day of Iyar in the desert, the manna that fed the Israelites for 40 years during their journey began to fall from heaven (Exodus 16). How can we not look forward to our own manna/miracles to fall from heaven during this time of the year?
The Hebrew letters Iyar form an acronym (aleph-yud-resh) of Ani YHVH Rapha. I am the Lord your Healer, thus Iyar is this wonderful time for healing and to totally expect God’s provision.
Can you trust God to heal you?
Can you trust God to provide for all your needs?
This is also a perfect time to surrender your will and your faith to the God who designed and made you.
Look at Iyar the same way as you look at January when we all make fresh resolutions on how we will conduct our lives in the next year. Be resolute that the Lord our God will heal you and will provide in this new season even if you are not living in Israel.
Keep moving ahead
Traditionally, the 12 months of the year have been assigned to the 12 tribes of Israel. The month of Iyar was assigned to Issachar. The anointing of Issachar, “who understood the times and knew what Israel should do.” Compare this with Eph. 5:15-17, which commands us to understand the times for the days are evil.
15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 redeeming the time because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
This will allow you to keep on going on and not get paralysed with fear because of all the shenanigans of evil around us.
Understand the times
We have been experiencing glorious open heavens since late 2015 and in this very special period, God made it easy for us to experience His manifest presence – the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Find a place or space in your home or workplace where you can be quiet and where you can experience His peace and presence. That is where the healing takes place – in His presence.
Visit that place frequently to surrender yourself and yield or handover your prayers to Him who knows everything.
In the spirit give your private remote control to God and let Him press the buttons, let Him change your channels. It is in this place where you can connect to give your praises, to show your gratitude for what you have and ask freely.
It is in His presence where we should ask God to help us to understand what He wants to do in our lives.
References:
www.biblegateway.com – The Authorised King James BibleIyar