Rosh Hashanah 5781: The Year of the Plumb line
Many of us, both Jew and Gentile, will prepare to celebrate and step into this New Year, beginning sundown on September 18th. As has become my custom, I sought The Lord on what He wanted to say about this coming High Holy Time. Immediately, what came before my spiritual eyes was a plumb line.
Last year, we entered the Decade of Peh (pronounced Pay), as represented by the number 80 (5780). Peh means “mouth, speech” (Jewish Dictionary). We moved from a decade of seeing (closing on two years ago, 5779) to a decade of saying, as of last September (5780). Looking at this month, the ‘81’ of this New Year (5781) resembles to me our very selves as a building next to a plumb line; where the ‘8’ represents us as individuals and what we say, and the ‘1’ resembling God’s plumb line that is coming along side us to measure what we say, what we stand for, how we stand, and our corresponding actions.
God’s timings are for ALL of His creation, whether we operate in them or not. While initially given to the Jews, they have since long ago, been released for everyone to align with so that we can step into the fullness of every plan, purpose, and blessing that God has for each and every one of us. God wants us to win! Whether we win or not is up to each one of us. Our Creator provides the plan, the equipping and the equipment, road map, and provision for us to go where we need to be; but again, it is up to us whether we want to endeavor in God’s best by showing up.
God’s Sacred and highly appointed Times and seasons are destination spots for those who follow the compass of His Word, and arrive on time, in place, and in position to these oases of revelation, refreshing, restoration, intimacy, and blessings abounding! Rosh Hashanah is one such Pocket of Provision, serving as a greater Haven of Intimacy with the One Who cares most about us, and loves us with an everlasting love.
According to the Oxford Dictionary, Rosh Hashanah is “the Jewish New Year festival, held on the first (also sometimes the second) day of Tishri (in September).” Hebcal.com further explains: “It is marked by the blowing of the shofar, and begins the ten days of penitence culminating in Yom Kippur. Rosh Hashanah, literally meaning ‘head [of] the year’, is the Jewish New Year. It is the first of the Jewish High Holy Days.”
Isaiah 28:17 measures up as it stands tall proclaiming “I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line; hail will sweep away your refuge, the lie, and water will overflow your hiding place.” And Zechariah 4:10 lines up with “For who has despised the day of small things? But these seven will be glad when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel—these are the eyes of the Lord which range to and fro throughout the earth.”
Webster’s Dictionary straightens things out in bringing the plumb line into perspective: “a cord (as connecting), especially for measuring; measuring-line; a line (as of cord) that has at one end a weight (such as a plumb bob) and is used especially to determine verticality; a tool that consists of a small, heavy object attached to a string or rope and that is used especially to see if something (such as a wall) is perfectly vertical.”
These next few days require of us deep individual reflection and introspection, sometimes painful internal searching, and a humbling of and dying to self to determine and choose how we each, personally, will align, measure up, and be measured. Will you choose to align with the ways of the world, or take the higher place by traveling on the road of righteousness? Will you situate yourself in remaining steadfast in what is right; or choose to forsake and lay aside righteousness by waning and wandering to worship at the altar of what is considered popular, or politically correct? Will you choose to betray what you truly know deep down inside to be who you are called to be, and do what you are called to do; or will you determine in your heart and purpose in your mind to follow God’s Golden Compass of His Word, and travel on His Holy Highway, rounding the Bend of Blessings and arriving at the place where “the grain and grapes grow faster than they can be harvested. Where new wine drips from the mountains and flow from all the hills, where you will be among those who will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them, planting vineyards, drinking wine; making gardens and eating their fruit” (Amos 9:13-14).
The alignment you choose will determine the way you travel, and the places you arrive. You can either embark on straight and smooth paths leading to delightful destinations abounding with abundance; or traverse upon roads riddled with rough and crooked terrain, leading to deserts of desolation and despair. The choice is yours. And God will not love you any less. I pray you choose to properly align with the strongest, purest, most profoundly transformational, and most reliable Strong Tower ever built—The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Eternal One who never changes, and is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The Faithful Father who is fiercely for you and me and wants us to win.
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