Blow the Shofar on the New Moon!

"Blow the shofar on the new moon! At the time appointed, on our solemn feast day. For this is a statute for Israel, a judgment of the Elohim of Jacob."Psalm 81:3-4

Today is Rosh Chodesh, the new moon, a Sabbath. It is the first day of the fifth month, Av, on the sacred calendar that God gave to Moses as recorded in Exodus at 12 just before He redeemed the Israelites from Egypt. The month of Av is the 11th month on the civil calendar which began at creation. (I know. It is confusing at first. You just have to remember if you are looking at before or after the Exodus.)

Can you imagine back three thousand years ago or so when there was not a calendar to hang in their tents and there were no cell phones with the date and time to light up and tell you when you must take a sacrifice or offering to the altar or you would surely die?! How did people know when to celebrate the appointed festivals, ordinances, that God had given Moses? Once again, Yehovah Yireh had that covered...

The watchmen would watch for the first sliver of the new moon and then sound the shofar!

It is my understanding that the months were numbered until the Babylonian captivity and then they were given Babylonian names.

My 16-month calendar from Rabbi Jason Sobel's ministry, Fusion, records that this day in history, Av 1, was the passing of Aaron in 1274 BC, and Ezra arrived in Israel in 348 BC.

This is the month of Comfort and Consolation according to Rabbi Sobel. (Curt Landry Ministries has a great teaching on YouTube on the month of Av: "Preparing to Enter the Hebrew Month of Av".

Rabbi Sobel says, "This month is also referred to as 'Menachem Av. Menachem means consoler and Av means father. Due to the tragic events that occurred during this month, its name reminds us that God is there to comfort us in times of tragedy.

"Tu B'Av signifies rebirth after destruction and is a day for new beginnings."

You see, TuB'Av is the ninth of Av. The day both Holy Temples were destroyed. The first temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in 423 B.C. and the second temple was destroyed by the Romans in A.D. 69.

Curt Landry's ministry reminds us that this would be a good month for us to especially guard our temples--our bodies.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 tells us: "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies."

How? "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." Proverbs 4:23

How? "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:37-39

Did you hear the shofar?