Tishri 5780 | Encouraging Words

Tishri 5780 — Overcoming Fruit From the Tree of Life

By Beth Auman and JoBeth Kested

On the evening of September 29th, we begin the Hebraic month of Tishri that lasts for 30 days. Before the Babylonian exile this month was called Ethanim (1 Kings 8:2), meaning “strength and endurance.” Tishri is the first month of the civic year and the seventh month of the ecclesiastical year, which began with the month of Nisan. Historically, in a book* by Edwin R. Thieve, he stated that the Kingdom of Judah counted years using the civil calendar starting in Tishri, while the Kingdom of Israel counted the years with the ecclesiastical new year beginning with Nisan.

What is so significant about the month of Tishri?

Clue — The High Holy Days and the Fall Feasts of the Lord.

“And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘The feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts.” Leviticus 23:1-2

Tishri has more than any other month of appointed times, including a total of 13 days of special religious significance, seven of them are holidays with no work permitted. It is important for us to not only recognize and understand the scriptural and historical significance of the Fall Feasts, but also the prophetic importance of their symbolism yet to be fulfilled when Jesus returns.

Beginning with the Feast of Trumpets, it is commanded in Leviticus 23:24, “in the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a Sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets.” This not only begins Rosh Hashanah, referred to as the Head of the Year that starts the Jewish New Year, but prophetically points to when Jesus — the Messiah, will appear in the heavens with the sound of a trumpet, as the Bridegroom returning for His Bride, the redeemed Church. (Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:22 KJV)

[A popular Rosh Hashanah custom is to eat apples dipped in honey. It was believed in ancient times that apples had healing potential and honey signified hopes that the new year would be sweet.]

The Feast of Atonement, also called Yom Kippur, points to the day when Jesus returns. That will be the day of atonement for the Jewish remnant when they “look upon Him whom they have pierced,” repent and receive Him as their Messiah. (Zechariah 12:10 and Romans 11:1-6, 25-36 KJV).

The Feast of Tabernacles, also called Sukkot, pointing to the Lord’s promise that He will return to reign over all the earth from Jerusalem. “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them.” (Revelation 21:3).

What is the ripe fruit for us to partake in this month of Tishri? (Rev. 22:2a)

Clue — Completion and spiritual perfection!

“But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”James 1:4

“For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.” Colossians 2:9-10

“It is God who arms me with strength, And makes my way perfect.” Psalms 18:32

Though Tishri is the Head of the Year, it is also the 7th month and there is always spiritual significance in sevens. The number 7 is the most recognized number in the Bible used more than 600 times and used the most in the book of Revelation. It means “divine fullness, completeness and totality; including spiritual perfection”. It comes from a Hebrew word meaning “to be full,” “to be satisfied,” and “to have enough.” We will want to be prepared and receptive to all the fullness, completeness and perfection the Lord has for us in this month.

The sound of the trumpets commemorated the end of the harvest, celebrating the fruitfulness and completion of the old year. The trumpet sound was understood as the call to introspection, repentance and the solemn time of preparation in “The Days of Awe,” also referred to as “Ten Days of Repentance” leading to the “Day of Atonement.” It’s a month of awakening and removing anything which would keep us from returning to the Lord’s plans and purposes for our lives. The Fall Feasts are the times ordained for us to return to God, receive His atonement for our sins that separate us from Him and to experience His Glory.

What time is it?

Clue — Time to open our mouth to declare the Word of the Lord!

“You will also decree a thing, and it will be established for you; And light will shine on your ways.” Job 22:28 NASB

With the blasting of the trumpets announcing the Hebraic civil New Year, we are also entering a brand new era. We are moving from the “Year of Seeing the Snake in the Grass” in 5779, to the year of 5780 that begins “The Year to Open Our Mouth to Declare the Word of the Lord.”

The last ten years were the “Ayin” decade of the “Seeing Eye” where God directed us to “see.” We are now entering a new decade of the 80’s, correlated with the Hebrew letter “Pey” that is shaped like an open mouth. The primary definition of Pey is “mouth” with extended meanings of “word, vocalization, breath or speech.” This is a new era with God’s authority to “speak”. Pey comes from the word “Penuel,” which means “the face of God.” We will want to diligently seek God’s face and to know His will for the times and seasons upon us. “Ayin” was a season of insight. In this era of “Pey” — by the breath of the Holy Spirit, with our mouths, we are given authority with insight to declare and decree, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done.” (Matthew 6:10)

“For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.” Luke 21:15 RSV

“I am the LORD your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt; open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.” Psalms 81:10

“The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. He awakens me morning by morning, He awakens my ear to hear as the learned.” Isaiah 50:4

How do we guard our mouths in knowing what to speak and decree?

Clue — Heed the words of Jesus!

“Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does.” John 5:19 NIV

“For I have not spoken on my own initiative, but the Father who sent me has given me a command, namely, what to say and how to say it.” John 12:49 CJB

We need to have dove eyes for the LORD. (Song of Solomon 4:1) A dove can only focus on one single thing. We must keep our eyes on ADONAI at all times and remembering always the lesson that Jesus teaches us; to do what we see the LORD do and to say what He says. We are responsible for what we say. In pursuing to know His will, we can be assured of praying in agreement with the LORD when we pray His Word. For he tells us, “You have seen well, for I am watching over My word to perform it.” (Jeremiah 1:11 NASB) We can speak and decree in unity with His Word and His will.

The Tribe of Ephraim is identified with this month of Tishri and means “double fruit,“ His father, Joseph declared at his birth, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.” Ephraim was second born but received the double blessings of the first born.

Over 20,000 men of Ephraim came to David at Hebron and were referred to as Mighty Men of Valor. No matter our situations beyond our choices in life, we should look for our double portion from the Lord in this season and to persevere in valor as overcomers.

The “Quest of the Overcomer” is about learning how to navigate the path of our lives and overcoming the pits and traps and snares that would defeat us. Let’s look at two different translations of John 16:33:

“I have said these things to you so that, united with me, you may have shalom. In the world, you have tsuris (troubles). But be brave! I have conquered the world!” Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” New King James Version (NKJV)

Jesus knew that we would have tribulation but exhorts us to be brave; and in the other translation to be cheerful in knowing that He is our Overcomer. He has given us the Holy Spirit to guide us; to see what Adonai is doing, to speak and to decree with our mouths what He reveals to us. Being united in Jesus, we have His Shalom — nothing missing, nothing broken, whole and complete in Him. In the power of “His strength made perfect in our weakness,” (1 Cor. 12:9) we can be brave and be of good cheer because He has conquered and overcome the World!

“For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”1 John 5:4-5 NIV

Notes from Beth: God keeps speaking to me about knowing those who labor among us. He wants us to begin seeing with laser focus His gifts and His miracle working power available to those who labor in the fields, where He has placed us, in this season.

I hear Him speaking to my heart, “Look around at who is close. What do you see? Once you see… declare and open up! Stir up My gifts and I’ll apply fresh oil over you! Then, keep your focus on Me and My perspective. Move forward in My array — those splendidly adorned and displayed in divine order. For I have aligned and assigned each of you for My purpose in the earth for such a time as this. Declare, decree, open my portals around you for I have provided all that you need to walk in My Victory.” Amen, Adonai, amen!

“Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14b NKJV

I speak forth and declare His Word over you today. I am looking with laser focus through the heart of Adonai towards you. I decree His gifts and perfect completion upon you in this era. And, that He anoints you in the Spirit with fresh oil for victory and for His glory alone. In Jesus Name. Amen! Amen!

“But the LORD said to me: …’ For you shall go to all to whom I send you,

And whatever I command you, you shall speak. Then the LORD put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, To root out and to pull down, To destroy and to throw down, To build and to plant.”” Jeremiah 1:7,9-10

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* “The Mysterious Numbers of the Hebrew Kings“

All scriptures from the New King James Version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.

(Photography purchased or taken by Beth Auman and JoBeth Kested. Photo Art by Beth Auman)