Tammuz means ‘offspring of life, real child of the depth of the waters, the Lord of the green growing grass, which is caused and nourished by fresh water’. It is the month that is aligned with Ruben who was the first born son of Jacob and his wife Leah.
The name Ruben means ‘Behold a son!’
Ruben and the Turbulent Waters
The sphere of Ruben is connected to turbulent waters and thus a watery place of self-reflection because water is self-reflective (cf. Genesis 49:3-4).
Genesis 49:3-4:
3 “Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, the first sign of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power.
4 Turbulent as the waters, you will no longer excel, for you went up onto your father’s bed, onto my couch and defiled it.
3 “Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, the first sign of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power.
4 Turbulent as the waters, you will no longer excel, for you went up onto your father’s bed, onto my couch and defiled it.
This self-reflection should take place in the presence of the crystal sea of the throne of God – the domain of the Heavenly Father and His standards in the sobriety of the spirit and not in the sphere of one’s own water which is the domain of the heart including the weighing based on one’s own understanding of the Word of God in connection with a false understanding of identity.
This false weighing is akin to someone looking into a mirror and then forgetting how one looked like (cf. Revelation 4:6a i.c.w. James 1:23-24).
Revelation 4:6a:
6a Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. …
6a Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. …
James 1:23-24:
23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
The dimension of Ruben is a principle of sonship because he was the first born son of Jacob. It is about to have a right to provision which means that we have a relationship where God just gives us access to inheritance because of the characteristic of Ruben as the firstborn.
Due to the special position and inheritance as a firstborn it is of high importance to be aware of the boundaries of authority without violating a higher realm of authority by our own drive.
It was Ruben who slept with his father’s concubine and thus violated as a son the sphere of authority of his father (cf. Genesis 35:21-22a).
Genesis 35:21-22a:
21 Israel moved on again and pitched his tent beyond Migdal Eder (means ‘a tower of a flock’ => vision for the generations).
22a While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard of it. …
21 Israel moved on again and pitched his tent beyond Migdal Eder (means ‘a tower of a flock’ => vision for the generations).
22a While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard of it. …
The Brim – God’s Set Boundary
In the time frame of Tammuz God brings our inner man to the brim which represent our spiritual boundaries. He shows the potential of His set boundaries for us that are linked to protection and security of our field of authority.
The reason boundaries are set is that this is the place where we train ourselves for rulership because a man who rules his spirit is greater than a man who rules a city (cf. Proverbs 16:32).
Proverbs 16:32:
32 Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.
32 Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.
A person who rules himself is greater than a person who rules a nation. So God is training us in order to help us understand how to move sensitively in the spiritual realm.
In this dimension of Ruben it is needed to learn how to respect boundaries and what it means to walk in God’s principles. The walk in God’s principles and in His order implies that desire is in agreement with God’s appointed time and standard in order to obtain what one desires according to God’s will (cf. Psalm 20:4).
Psalm 20:4:
4 May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.
4 May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.
The manifestation of the pure desire according to the standard of the Word of God causes a realm of life to become visible. This realm extends into the future and testifies of the eternal life in Christ, the firstborn (cf. Proverbs 12:13b i.c.w. Romans 8:29; Colossians 1:18).
Proverbs 12:13b:
… 13 b but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
… 13 b but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
Romans 8:29:
29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
Colossians 1:18:
18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
The Phase of the Teaching by the Holy Spirit
The time frame of Ruben includes a phase of learning from the Holy Spirit and being taught about the personal God given potential as the excellency of strength, honor and power (cf. Genesis 49:3) by people who are in a higher spiritual authority. As it was Moses who redeemed the tribe of Ruben by his given blessing because he had the authority over water (cf. Deuteronomy 33:6) as well as this month is also related to developing self-control (cf. John 16:13a i.c.w. Galatians 5:22-23).
John 16:13a:
13a But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. …
13a But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. …
Galatians 5:22-23:
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.
It is the fruit of self-control that helps to keep the waters calm and not stirred up at the wrong time.
The turbulent water is connected with sexual lust, physical and carnal desires and feelings which do not match the standards of God.
It is important that we don’t stir up the water in a wrong way, otherwise it will come from the inside to the outside and swallows us by the circumstance of pleasure. This means that we no longer have control over desire, but desire takes over to control us (cf. James 1:14-15).
James 1:14-15:
… 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.
15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
… 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.
15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
We shouldn’t be controlled or driven in our feelings by what already surrounds us, but should practice the soberness of the spirit and be led by the Holy Spirit (cf. 1 Peter 5:8).
1 Peter 5:8:
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
That is why it is important to be trained to walk in the Spirit and keep up walking in the Spirit without falling into sinful patterns (cf. Galatians 5:16-17).
Galatians 5:16-17:
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.
The dimension of Ruben is mainly about what gives someone pleasure and this is why it is a phase where the Holy Spirit is examining our heart and mind (cf. Psalm 17:3a; 1 Chronicles 29:17a; Jeremiah 17:10; Jeremiah 20:12a).
Psalm 17:3a:
3a Though you probe my heart, though you examine me at night and test me, …
3a Though you probe my heart, though you examine me at night and test me, …
1 Chronicles 29:17a:
17a I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. …
17a I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. …
Jeremiah 17:10:
10 “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.”
10 “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.”
Jeremiah 20:12a:
12a Lord Almighty, you who examine the righteous and probe the heart and mind (note: reins), …
12a Lord Almighty, you who examine the righteous and probe the heart and mind (note: reins), …
Living in Submission
Since, according to the Word of God, the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked, it is wise to live in submission under mature saints who are in a higher spiritual authority and not too hastily advance by your own feelings (cf. Jeremiah 17:9).
Jeremiah 17:9:
9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
Therefore, it is helpful to have fellowship with wise saints who live in humility before God without making compromises.
Ruben is the sphere where the Holy Spirit deals with us personally (Note: current behaviors and level of maturity) and we should not step back from this process. When we allow this to happen, the Holy Spirit takes us further and further into higher spiritual dimensions so that we can deal with greater things entrusted to us by God.
In the time frame of Ruben, it is worthwhile to study about boundaries in the word of God that are associated with water (cf. Numbers 21:13.24; Deuteronomy 3:12; Joshua 19:26).
Numbers 21:13.24:
13 They set out from there and camped alongside the Arnon, which is in the wilderness extending into Amorite territory. The Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites. …
24 Israel, however, put him to the sword and took over his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, but only as far as the Ammonites, because their border was fortified.
13 They set out from there and camped alongside the Arnon, which is in the wilderness extending into Amorite territory. The Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites. …
24 Israel, however, put him to the sword and took over his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, but only as far as the Ammonites, because their border was fortified.
Deuteronomy 3:12:
12 And this land, which we possessed at that time, from Aroer, which is by the river Arnon, and half mount Gilead, and the cities thereof, gave I unto the Reubenites and to the Gadites.
12 And this land, which we possessed at that time, from Aroer, which is by the river Arnon, and half mount Gilead, and the cities thereof, gave I unto the Reubenites and to the Gadites.
Joshua 19:26:
26 Allammelek, Amad and Mishal. On the west the boundary touched Carmel and Shihor (note: river) Libnath.
26 Allammelek, Amad and Mishal. On the west the boundary touched Carmel and Shihor (note: river) Libnath.
Ruben and the Four Rivers of Eden
Ruben as a firstborn son has four positive characteristics and these are equivalent to the principle of the four rivers of Eden that bring treasures of the soil to the surface. Even if only one river is mentioned, which is named directly with treasures of the soil, it can be assumed that this principle is imparted to the other rivers because God is a God of abundance and fruitfulness (cf. Genesis 49:3 i.c.w. Genesis 2:10-14).
Genesis 49:3:
3 “Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might (1), the first sign of my strength (2), excelling in honor (3), excelling in power (4).
3 “Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might (1), the first sign of my strength (2), excelling in honor (3), excelling in power (4).
Genesis 2:10-14:
10 A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters.
11 The name of the first is the Pishon; it winds through the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold. 12 (The gold of that land is good; aromatic resin and onyx are also there.)
13 The name of the second river is the Gihon; it winds through the entire land of Cush.
14 The name of the third river is the Tigris; it runs along the east side of Ashur. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.
10 A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters.
11 The name of the first is the Pishon; it winds through the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold. 12 (The gold of that land is good; aromatic resin and onyx are also there.)
13 The name of the second river is the Gihon; it winds through the entire land of Cush.
14 The name of the third river is the Tigris; it runs along the east side of Ashur. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.
We may be confident that where we have submitted ourselves to the training of the Holy Spirit, we suddenly see the blessing of God flowing from the area where we have seen drought in our lives due to a wrong attitude of heart and our false conclusions of the past (cf. Isaiah 41:18).
Isaiah 41:18:
18 I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs.
18 I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs.
Through the training of the Holy Spirit, which has caused us to renew our spirit and mind, we gain access to walk in the high ways of God and proceed in His high plans (cf. Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:23; Hebrews 9:14; Isaiah 43:19; Isaiah 55:8-9).
Romans 12:2:
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Ephesians 4:23:
… 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; …
… 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; …
Hebrews 9:14:
14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death (Note: useless rituals), so that we may serve the living God!
14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death (Note: useless rituals), so that we may serve the living God!
Isaiah 43:19:
19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 55:8-9:
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Tammuz – The First Summer Month
Tammuz is the first month of summer, so there is the boundary of a season which can be seen in this month. And the reason why God brings us to the ‘brim’ is because He is revealing the ‘sum’ of the sown seed of the last three spring months.
Tammuz is the first month of summer, so there is the boundary of a season which can be seen in this month. And the reason why God brings us to the ‘brim’ is because He is revealing the ‘sum’ of the sown seed of the last three spring months.
This seed works like a film strip that we created by our deeds according to our faith in the past three months in order to re-look and adjust according to God’s will.
In the last three months a new divine thing began to grow in the hidden which God brings up in the coming season. The atmospheric conditions of Tammuz are the ‘fire’ that brings our spirit into movement so that what God has placed into us is becoming done and finally ‘cooked’.
The Unfolding of the Hidden Realm
God is unfolding the ‘gift wrap paper – riddles/parables’ of the hidden realm in order to show the ‘fold – entrance’ of the sphere of intimacy with Him.
Within the fold is the truth that was laid aside over a period of time which now comes up. It is now the season to take this truth again, becoming one with it and nurturing it (cf. Exodus 33:21-23; Jeremiah 13:4.6 i.c.w. Ephesians 6:14a).
Exodus 33:21-23:
21 Then the Lord said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock.
22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by.
23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”
21 Then the Lord said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock.
22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by.
23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”
Jeremiah 13:4.6:
4 “Take the belt you bought and are wearing around your waist, and go now to Perath (note: Euphrates => 4’th river of Eden, it flows to an unknown place) and hide it there in a crevice in the rocks.” …
6 Many days later the Lord said to me, “Go now to Perath (note: Euphrates 4’th river of Eden) and get the belt I told you to hide there.”
4 “Take the belt you bought and are wearing around your waist, and go now to Perath (note: Euphrates => 4’th river of Eden, it flows to an unknown place) and hide it there in a crevice in the rocks.” …
6 Many days later the Lord said to me, “Go now to Perath (note: Euphrates 4’th river of Eden) and get the belt I told you to hide there.”
Ephesians 6:14a:
14a Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, …
14a Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, …
Amen and Amen.
In His Wisdom,
Daniel Glimm
