Shevat – The Month of the Rod
The biblical month of Shevat is the eleventh month in the biblical calendar. It is the month of ‘the rod and tribe’.
Shevat is the month that is aligned with Asher who was the 8’th son of Jacob and the second son of Leah’s maid Zilpah (means:‘bowl, shell’). Asher means ‘happiness’.
The position of Asher as 8’th son of Jacob as well the name of his mother Zilpah shows us that Shevat is a season of expecting a new day filled with great joy (cf. Nehemiah 8:10).
Nehemiah 8:10:
10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
With the time of the tribe of Asher comes a principle of joy that is working like a spiritual ‘technology’ and is revealed in Psalm 1:1-2.
Psalm 1:1-2:
1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.
1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.
The word ‘blessed’ in Psalm 1 is the Hebrew word ‘אֶשֶׁר – esher’ and is close related to the name of ‘Asher – אָשֵׁר’.
The spiritual ‘ability’ of Asher is linked to walk the way of righteousness and who has his delight in the ‘Torah’ of the Lord as well as internalizes it. It was the tribe of Asher that got blessed at last by Moses with ‘delight’ mentioned as ‘most blessed’ (cf. Deuteronomy 33:24).
Deuteronomy 33:24:
24 About Asher he said: “Most blessed of sons is Asher; let him be favored by his brothers, and let him bathe his feet in oil.
24 About Asher he said: “Most blessed of sons is Asher; let him be favored by his brothers, and let him bathe his feet in oil.
This means that the blessing of Asher is ‘equivalent to the most blessed of all the sons of Israel, the one who was specially favored by the Lord.’ (Note: italic quoting according to Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Tenakh/Old Testament).
Asher is the last tribe that Moses blessed and is a sign that the Lord has kept the very best for last which includes the dimension of joy, happiness and delight. It infiltrates the air – spirit, the water – soul and the earth – body. And it is the joy of the Lord that is linked with strength (cf. Nehemiah 8:10).
Nehemiah 8:10:
10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
The joy of the Lord is an important ‘ability’ in order to rewrite atmospheres. This is revealed by the parable of the prodigal sons (cf. Luke 15:21-32).
It is apparent from this parable that a servant who is joyful will be made a son and a joyful servant is more than sons (cf. Luke 15:19.21-24).
Luke 15:19.21-24:
19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ …
21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.
24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ …
21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.
24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
The First Sign of Jesus Glory and the Bread of Life
Cana of Galilee, where Jesus turned the water into wine, was in the inheritance of Asher (cf. Joshua 19:24.28 i.c.w. John 2:1-11).
Joshua 19:24.28:
24 The fifth lot came out for the tribe of Asher according to its clans. …
28 It went to Abdon, Rehob, Hammon and Kanah, as far as Greater Sidon.
24 The fifth lot came out for the tribe of Asher according to its clans. …
28 It went to Abdon, Rehob, Hammon and Kanah, as far as Greater Sidon.
John 2:1-11:
1 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.
3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, ‘They have no more wine.’
4 ‘Woman, why do you involve me?’ Jesus replied. ‘My hour has not yet come.’
5 His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’
6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from eighty to a hundred and twenty litres.
7 Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water’; so they filled them to the brim.
8 Then he told them, ‘Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.’ They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realise where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, ‘Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.’
11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
1 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.
3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, ‘They have no more wine.’
4 ‘Woman, why do you involve me?’ Jesus replied. ‘My hour has not yet come.’
5 His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’
6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from eighty to a hundred and twenty litres.
7 Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water’; so they filled them to the brim.
8 Then he told them, ‘Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.’ They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realise where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, ‘Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.’
11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
This area was also the territory where Jesus revealed Himself as the ‘Bread of Life’ (cf. John 6:22-59).
From the region and the transformation from water to wine, we can see the call of God to allow Him to take our relationship with Jesus Christ higher (Note: wedding of Cana => covenant relationship by Jesus’ blood => love of the Heavenly Father) so that we are surrounded in a new way of His glory in order to understand the Word of God in a greater manner and to release His strength.
The importance is on the wine which reflects the Father’s love by Jesus’ shed blood in order to position us in the realm of a king and priest (Note: divine government and administration by divine relationship with Him) as well as to be trained in this position by the seven spirits of God (cf. Revelation 1:5-6 i.c.w. Revelation 4:5).
Revelation 1:5-6:
… 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father – to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
… 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father – to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
Revelation 4:5:
5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God.
5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God.
Furthermore water can also represent coldness and a lower level of feelings, whereas blood stands for warmth (Note: love), enthusiasm and vitality.
It is important that we overcome our limitations by allowing ourselves to be transformed inwardly through the intervention of Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit in order to reveal the love of God and His eternal life (cf. John 3:16).
John 3:16:
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Asher and His Given Favor
Asher is linked to the rich food, favor and the anointing as well as the secure/bold walk with the Lord (cf. Genesis 49:20).
Genesis 49:20:
20 “Asher’s food will be rich; he will provide delicacies fit for a king.
20 “Asher’s food will be rich; he will provide delicacies fit for a king.
The personal blessing for Asher by his father Jacob means for us today that we should grow or rather mature spiritually to be enabled to get more solid spiritual food which means being equipped with spirit-filled messages for this time in order to share it with the saints that help them to rule in their given field of authority (cf. Hebrews 5:14).
Hebrews 5:14:
14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.
14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.
It is important to know how to provide ‘food’ based on the threefold cord of happiness, joy and delight (cf. Romans 14:17).
Romans 14:17:
17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, …
17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, …
It means that the ‘food’ of the realm of the kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy.
These three attributes create the bread of angels (cf. Psalm 78:25).
These three attributes create the bread of angels (cf. Psalm 78:25).
Psalm 78:25:
25 Human beings ate the bread of angels; he sent them all the food they could eat.
25 Human beings ate the bread of angels; he sent them all the food they could eat.
The corporate blessing of Asher as a tribe by Moses (cf. Deuteronomy 33:24-25) represents for us today the walk under the blessings of our Heavenly Father in order to reveal the secrets of the lightnings of God.
Deuteronomy 33:24-25:
24 About Asher he said: “Most blessed of sons is Asher; let him be favored by his brothers, and let him bathe his feet in oil.
25 The bolts (Note: shoes) of your gates will be iron and bronze, and your strength will equal your days.
24 About Asher he said: “Most blessed of sons is Asher; let him be favored by his brothers, and let him bathe his feet in oil.
25 The bolts (Note: shoes) of your gates will be iron and bronze, and your strength will equal your days.
The Hebrew word for ‘blessing’ is ‘bārak’ and is linked ‘to equip with the power of anointing’.
Power in link with the presence of God is a lightning and the lightning of God is glorified fire.
Power in link with the presence of God is a lightning and the lightning of God is glorified fire.
It is the fire of God that consumes and the lightning of God which empowers and accelerates in order to come at the right time to the appointed place of the Heavenly Father (cf. Deuteronomy 5:24; Hebrews 12:29; Matthew 24:27.36).
Deuteronomy 5:24:
24 For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.
24 For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.
Hebrews 12:29:
29 For our God is a consuming fire.
29 For our God is a consuming fire.
Matthew 24:27.36:
27 For as the lightning comes out of the east, and shines even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. …
36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. …”
27 For as the lightning comes out of the east, and shines even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. …
36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. …”
Anna, the Prophetess from the Tribe of Asher
As Jesus Christ came as a new born child on the earth to Israel, it was the elderly prophetess Anna from the tribe of Asher who awaited the Lord Jesus Christ and instantly recognized Him by her prophetic anointing when His parents brought Him into the temple where she was. This is a sign for the cooperation of prophet-hood with sonship and parenthood (cf. Isaiah 60:1).
Isaiah 60:1:
1 “Arise, shine (Note: prophet-hood), for your light has come (Note: sonship), and the glory of the Lord rises upon you (Note: fatherhood, parenthood).
1 “Arise, shine (Note: prophet-hood), for your light has come (Note: sonship), and the glory of the Lord rises upon you (Note: fatherhood, parenthood).
Anna announced Jesus Christ as the Lord to those who had open eyes and were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem (cf. Luke 2:36-38).
Luke 2:36-38:
36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.
38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.
38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
For us today it means that we should be in the presence of our Heavenly Father in His Son Jesus Christ who are the temple of the Bride as a governmental sphere (cf. Revelation 21:22).
Revelation 21:22:
22 I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.
22 I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.
By this we await or rather transmit the manifestation in the earth realm which we see spiritually in the eternal realm, so that the assigned region of ‘government – Jerusalem’ is cleansed from wrong rulership in order to receive the redemption of the eternal King of Kings, who is Jesus Christ (cf. Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:16)!
Revelation 17:14:
14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
Revelation 19:16:
16 On his robe (Note: the operation in the divine governmental anointing in Jesus Christ) and on his thigh (Note: the walk in the divine promise in Jesus Christ) he has this name written: King Of Kings and Lord Of Lords.
16 On his robe (Note: the operation in the divine governmental anointing in Jesus Christ) and on his thigh (Note: the walk in the divine promise in Jesus Christ) he has this name written: King Of Kings and Lord Of Lords.
The New Year of Trees
The 15’th of Shevat (Note: ‘Tu biSchwat’) is the month of the new year of trees.
As the creation of the human being has a new year beginning in Tishri/Ethanim in the same way the trees have a new year that begins on the 15’th of Shevat.
The reason is because God created the trees on a different day (Note: 3’rd day) as he created Adam.
God gave also the trees a time to rest and to flourish according to the scripture of Leviticus 19:23-25.
Leviticus 19:23-25:
23 “ ‘When you enter the land and plant any kind of fruit tree, regard its fruit as forbidden (Note: uncircumcised). For three years you are to consider it forbidden; it must not be eaten.
24 In the fourth year all its fruit will be holy, an offering of praise to the Lord.
25 But in the fifth year you may eat its fruit. In this way your harvest will be increased. I am the Lord your God.
23 “ ‘When you enter the land and plant any kind of fruit tree, regard its fruit as forbidden (Note: uncircumcised). For three years you are to consider it forbidden; it must not be eaten.
24 In the fourth year all its fruit will be holy, an offering of praise to the Lord.
25 But in the fifth year you may eat its fruit. In this way your harvest will be increased. I am the Lord your God.
The trees celebrate their New Year much later, as we do ours, because of the rainy season that begins at Sukkot in Israel. It takes four months for the rain to get through the land. Only then do the trees have sufficient food for the coming season to grow fruit.
Saints as Trees
It is also important to understand that we as saints are like trees in the spiritual realm that are planted by the streams of water which flow from the Throne room of God (cf. Psalm 1:1-3; Jeremiah 17:7-8).
Psalm 1:1-3 (Note: personal blessing for those who live holy/consecrated/separated unto the Lord and having joyful relationship with God):
1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither – whatever they do prospers.
1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither – whatever they do prospers.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 (Note: personal blessing for those who live by faith):
7 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him (cf. Hebrews 11:1).
8 They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
7 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him (cf. Hebrews 11:1).
8 They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
God has planted us at His river so that we are able to receive the mysteries of His height by having a surrendered and humble heart towards Him (Note: a river has its spring in the height; cf. Revelation 22:1-2).
Revelation 22:1-2:
1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
The Threefold Helix of God
These trees of life are linked to us as His sons who operate in the threefold divine helix – the DNA of God. His helix is the helix of life that is three stranded.
Jesus Christ is the third activated strand in our lives as we became born again and who enabled us to drink continually from the presence of the eternal God in order to bring up and bear eternal fruit.
The activated DNA of life by having Jesus Christ in our heart is the eternal record of God in our lives that we manifest while we walk in our calling as His sons (cf. Psalm 139:15-16 i.c.w. Jeremiah 1:5; Ephesians 2:10).
Psalm 139:15-16:
15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
Jeremiah 1:4-5:
4 The word of the Lord came to me, saying, 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
4 The word of the Lord came to me, saying, 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
Ephesians 2:10:
10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Allowing Christ Jesus to Speak to You and Lift Your ‘Mountain’
It is important that we allow Jesus Christ to answer us while we feel that a fruit is missing in our lives.
This spiritual status is a status where we feel not really satisfied in our inner man. We have to allow Jesus Christ, the crucified – resurrected One and the Life to answer our present spiritual circumstance as He did with the fig tree (cf. Mark 11:12-14.19-22).
Mark 11:12-14.19-22:
12 The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry.
13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs.
14 Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it. …
19 When evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city.
20 In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots.
21 Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”
22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered.
12 The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry.
13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs.
14 Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it. …
19 When evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city.
20 In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots.
21 Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”
22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered.
This situation with the fig tree shall tell us today that we have to let go one season of our faith by allowing the power of the answer of Jesus Christ to pierce through our innermost being so that we move from a normal status of a ‘good believer’ (Note: forgiving of sins, laying on of hands, …) into the resurrected structure which contains governing from the kingdom realm of God into the earth (cf. Hebrews 6:1-3).
Hebrews 6:1-3:
1 Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
3 And God permitting, we will do so.
1 Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
3 And God permitting, we will do so.
By the access of Jesus Christ (Note: the answering of God to our present circumstance) we leave one faith level in order to go to a higher faith level and to rule in a transfigured and resurrected status of power.
It is about the mountain of our given authority within the crystal sea of God (see Mark 11:23-24)!
Mark 11:23-24:
23 “Truly (Note: If you have faith in God) I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.
24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
23 “Truly (Note: If you have faith in God) I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.
24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
It is the dimension of the month of Shevat that enables us in deeper joy and confidence to grow in resisting evil at a higher level of faith, to unfold our potentials that come with the anointing of Christ.
Amen and Amen.
In His Wisdom,
Daniel Glimm
