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Today is the first day of the eighth month on the Biblical Calendar.
In this month, Solomon completed building the Temple after seven years of building. However, he did not dedicate the Temple to the Lord until almost a year later during the Feast of Tabernacles.
A generation later, it was in this month that King Jeroboam instituted counterfeit feasts at Bethel in the Northern Kingdom of Israel after it had separated from the Davidic line and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. These feasts were established on days that were not prescribed by God and were carried out by priests who were not Levites or sons of Aaron. Sacrifices were offered at an altar at Bethel rather than the Temple in Jerusalem which was the only place God had prescribed for sacrifices to be made to Him. Jeroboam put these feasts in place to prevent the people of his kingdom from traveling to Jerusalem to worship God according to the Law of Moses out of fear that they might return to the Davidic line and kingdom.
The prophet Zechariah opened his prophetic ministry in this month, calling people on behalf of the Lord to "return to Me and I will return to you."
Pre-exile, this month was called Bul which means "increase" or "showers." Post-exile it has been called Chesvan or Mar-Chesvan which simply means eighth month, eight being the number of new life and abundant blessing.
In Jesus' name, may you be blessed this month with finishing an assignment from God and staying the course that God has ordained for you. May you not be distracted by counterfeits, the cares of this world, or the fear of man. May you turn and return to Jesus with your whole heart and may His presence be increased in your life with showers of abundant blessings.
Shalom and love,
Wendy
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