Jewish Month of Nisan, 5778

Nisan is the first or beginning of months on the Jewish religious calendar. (Exodus 12:2) One of the great questions this season poses is…what will we do with the fresh start and new freedom God is bringing to us?

On the first day of the first month Noah removed the covering of the ark and saw that the ground was dry. (Genesis 8:13-16) It was time for a fresh start for Noah and his family. However, Noah would remain in the ark for almost two more months before he would hear God’s voice release him from the ark back onto the ground. Will we build a ladder to release ourselves or wait on God?

The time of slavery Israel had experienced in Egypt came to an end in this month of Nisan. (Numbers 33:3) In their experience of new freedom and a fresh start, would they move from slavery into the freedom God’s order brings or would they become slaves to a different master?

Joshua and the people came up from the Jordan river on the tenth day of the first month. (Joshua 4:19) Their promised land is before them but so are their enemies. How will they walk in this new land of their promises?

Peter’s words to the saints scattered throughout Asia Minor are worth applying in this season. “Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.” (1 Peter 2:16 NASU)

Judah, Leah’s fourth son, is the tribe for this month. His name means “let God be praised.” Judah marched out first from the encampment and was considered the leader or ruler tribe. This month our focus will need to be on praising God “first” with words and actions as we move into fresh starts and new freedoms. In our dreams and visions this month, we should look for interpretation that applies to how we are to steward the “new” God is giving us.