Cheshvan 5785

Cheshvan: Call to Arms

This Cheshvan, from the coldest and darkest depths to the most secluded and treacherous heights, the hidden will be brought to the surface, and the highest will be brought low as the light of Yeshua goes forth, turning dark peaks golden and deep caverns bright and warm. This is the month when the Great Flood both began and ended, a time when the cold creeps in, yet the rains bring sustenance to the land—a month that has just begun. As always, our perspective is key: knowing what is happening in the world but remaining moved only by what we know and believe as sons and daughters of the King of Kings.

Halloween is celebrated in many places around the world the day before Rosh Khodesh, almost like a direct challenge from darkness to light. How will you pray for and bless those who curse you and hate you (Luke 6:28)? Remember, we too were once in darkness and were brought into the light. As we blow the shofar this Rosh Khodesh—fearless and victorious in Yeshua—let us proclaim: where there is darkness, let there be light! And where there is death, let there be life! In Israel and every nation of the world, in Yeshua’s mighty name.

Great Awakening

Cheshvan, a time of contrasts and judgments, brings this month with talks of a ceasefire with Lebanon, escalating conflict between Ukraine and Russia, a pivotal presidential election in the United States, and a global economy on the brink—all setting the stage for the nations of the world, including Israel, to decide whom to blame, whom to align with, and what moves to make. With no feasts or fasts, Cheshvan is like a flat plain on which the battlefield is being set. We know our battle is not against flesh and blood and that our weapons are spiritual (Ephesians 6:10-18). But billions who do not know this are recognizing that what is happening is not rooted in the natural but in the spiritual realm. The world is at an inflection point, with people searching for answers from “divine” sources, both good and evil, like never before.

The constellation Scorpio sits high in the night sky, known in Hebrew as Akrab, meaning “scorpion,” as well as “conflict” or “war.” A great awakening is underway, even in these times of war, as we choose to stomp on the heads of scorpions and snakes (Luke 10:19-20). The light of Yeshua is entering many hearts, and the Holy Spirit is bringing new life while the enemy’s work is in vain—if we truly take our places on the walls, behind the plows, on the mountaintops, and in the valleys. Watch as the rain becomes like oil, softening hearts, inspiring strategies, breaking chains, healing nations, reshaping economies, rooting out corruption, stopping plagues, halting wars, and showing the spiritually curious the true power of the Kingdom, leading many to salvation. We go forth in His victory this Cheshvan.

Manasseh: A New Beginning

This month is a time to start fresh, to gather all the baggage from past sins, regrets, shame, guilt, unforgiveness, lies, and traumas, and take them to the ocean’s depths, leaving them to sink to the bottom of the sea (Micah 7:18-19). This is what YHWH has already done for us, so let’s come into agreement with Him and begin anew. Just as Manasseh had a literal change of identity from Egyptian to Israelite, this parallels our own transition from living in the past to living according to the Father’s view of us, according to His heavenly blueprint. “Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh (meaning ‘causing to forget’), for he said, ‘Yahweh has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household’” (Genesis 41:51)

As we fight together in the Holy Spirit, let it be not from a place of brokenness but of healing. Come before the Father, and let go of any unforgiveness, hatred, jealousy, disappointment, trauma, envy, greed, or other burdens. Be healed in Yeshua’s name. As the rains begin to fall this month, let them be a reminder that you have been washed clean by the blood of Yeshua. The old you is dead and gone, flowing into the rivers and into the sea, forgotten by the One who matters—Elohim.

Conclusion

While Cheshvan has historically been a month of destruction, it also brought the rainbow after the flood, a reminder of God’s promises. This is our focus: though the waves may seem to crash around us, God’s promises are unwavering. We rest in His shalom, seeing and hearing the Father clearly as we take our battle positions, aligned with His will and decrees. No feasts this month? Why not celebrate every day of Cheshvan at Yeshua’s table, receiving strategy, wisdom, and giving praise. The enemy seeks to thwart God’s plans this Cheshvan, even before they unfold, but while they try to bait us into hatred and disdain, they themselves will be caught in the nets as we respond with blessing and prayer.

Raise your shofars on the walls of Jerusalem and in every nation, and let each blast pierce the night, flushing out darkness from the depths and shining light on the heights. Nothing withstood the flood that God sent over the world in this month—not even the greatest evils. We pray that every scheme of the fallen kingdom of darkness will be nullified by something stronger than those waters: the blood of Yeshua. Father, we pray that You would send Your angel armies to fight alongside Your sons and daughters this Cheshvan, that salvation would pour out in the tens of millions, and that all who need healing would find it in You. For Your glory and Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. Yahweh bless you and keep you!