“For I am the LORD who heals you” (Exod. 15:26) NKJV
We have entered into the Second Month of the Hebrew Religious Calendar called “Iyar.” Iyar is known as a month of healing. Iyar is an acronym for “I am the LORD that heals you” (Exod. 15:26), “Ani Hashem Rofecha”—”I am G-d, your healer.” Iyar is a link between the Feast of Passover and the Feast of Weeks, Shavuot/Pentecost.
We are wise to pay special attention to this linking-time. It is a time of transition. The Children of Israel were going through a process, fundamentally, a transition in their ability to think differently. From the Exodus to Mt. Sinai, God was taking them through a process as they transitioned from bondage and a slave mentality, to their receiving and understanding Divine covenantal instructions and revelation.
During their short fifty day process from one place (Passover) to another (Pentecost), they had instances of murmuring and complaining. Because of their spiritual immaturity, they could only focus on what was missing in their lives. Forgetting all from which they had been delivered, they became critical, possibly ignorant of the fact that unfounded criticism is actually a perversion of true discernment, and a barricade between them and their destiny. They forgot that they had a prophetic destination. Moses called that destination “the Mountain of God.” They forgot Moses’ prophetic song of the LORD about their destiny: “You shall bring them in and plant them in the Mountain of Your Inheritance, the PLACE” (Exod. 15:17). I believe God offers opportunities for continuous, new levels of clear thinking for us, His people; that through faith and patience we inherit our prophetic promises….but with conditions. We must caution to not murmur, complain or interpret our situation incorrectly through any eyes but His.
THE MOUNTAIN OF THE LORD
David had much to say about the Mountain of God. “Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? (Psalm 24:3). “Or who shall stand in His holy PLACE?”(Psalm 24:3). “He who has clean hands and a PURE heart” (Psalm 24:4). If our hearts are pure, we have the ability to think clearly, SEE God and receive the secret of the LORD. David says, “LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle?” (Psalm 15:1). Who may dwell in Your holy hill?” ( Psalm 15:1) “He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart” (Psalm 15:2). “He does not backbite with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor does he take up a reproach against his friend” (Psalm 15:3).
TRANSITION
During a pregnancy, shortly before the birth of a child, a woman goes through “transition,” a very difficult phase in the labor process. Though it is intense and can cause the mother to become discouraged and somewhat disoriented, it is the shortest phase of the pregnancy usually lasting about one and one-half hours. During transition, a mother needs great emotional support from her partner or coach. She needs directions and instructions on how to breathe, how to focus, how not to give into panic, and how to endure the inevitable pain.
Spiritually, or otherwise, many of us are in this transition period. We must be encouraged to focus on the MOUNTAIN of REVELATION and not the VALLEY OF DOUBT. Just as the expectant mother is told to FOCUS, the Lord is encouraging us to do the same, to FOCUS on the mountain of the LORD. “Therefore, since we also are surrounded with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily besets us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us” (Heb. 12:1). “You have come to Mt. Zion and to the city of the living God” (Heb. 12:22). “See that you do not refuse Him who speaks” (Heb. 12:25).
ISSACHAR AND SET TIMES
The Feasts of Jehovah are set times and appointments when God gives His children critical revelation knowledge. Through this revelation, we must be able to interpret the times. Iyar is also the month that the Tribe of Issachar is recognized. Issachar, the 9th son of Leah and Jacob, received a blessing from his father. Jacob blessed him by saying “when he sees how good is his resting place and how pleasant is his land, he will bend his shoulder to the burden and submit to forced labor” (Gen. 49:14-15). This passage has been interpreted to mean that Issachar bent his shoulder (labored) to study the Torah/the instructions of God.
Moses exalted Issachar by saying he was blessed in his tent, meaning he concentrated on studying Torah, God’s instructions (Deut.33:18-19). The tribe of Issachar knew the times in which they lived. They knew how to bind the enemy. They could do so because their study caused them to know the Word of God and understand His secrets. Likewise, we can know exactly what to do by studying the instructions of God in His infallible Word (Rom. 12:1-2) as was received from the mighty Mountain of the Lord.
May you be blessed and encouraged.
