Psalm 83 ESV “O God, do not keep silence; do not hold your peace or be still, O God! 2 For behold, your enemies make an uproar; those who hate you have raised their heads. 3 They lay crafty plans against your people; they consult together against your treasured ones. 4 They say, “Come, let us wipe them out as a nation; let the name of Israel be remembered no more!” 5 For they conspire with one accord; against you they make a covenant— 6 the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, Moab and the Hagrites, 7 Gebal and Ammon and Amalek, Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre; 8 Asshur also has joined them; they are the strong arm of the children of Lot. Selah 9 Do to them as you did to Midian, as to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon, 10 who were destroyed at En-dor, who became dung for the ground. 11 Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna, 12 who said, “Let us take possession for ourselves of the pastures of God.” 13 O my God, make them like whirling dust, like chaff before the wind. 14 As fire consumes the forest, as the flame sets the mountains ablaze, 15 so may you pursue them with your tempest and terrify them with your hurricane! 16 Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek your name, O Lord. 17 Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever; let them perish in disgrace, 18 that they may know that you alone,whose name is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth.”
We are now on the third day of Cheshvan, also known as Marcheshvan, mar, meaning bitterness. The month has begun on a bitter note as war continues in Israel. We continue to pray for civilians, military, and hostages, both Israeli and Arab, being held in the Gaza Strip. That is why I wanted to begin with Psalm 83: though the enemies of Israel rise up, God will have the final move.
Each Torah cycle brings new insight, and each month is different from year to year; God has certain things He emphasizes. This month, the Lord is highlighting our need to be connected to our roots. Our revelation originates in the Torah, for it is the Torah that Jesus taught. This is the eighth month on God’s calendar when the Jewish Sages believe Messiah will begin His reign.
As we move through this month, let us look to the Lord and His Word to gain revelation and know how to move forward. One of my favorite Scriptures is Joshua 1:8 in the Classic Amplified, “This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success.”
The Flood began and ended in this month. This is a time to let old things be wiped away and give way to the new. If you’ve kept up with the months, you may be wondering why each month has some component of a restart; that’s the grace of God – Our Father never wants us to get stuck in a place where we are not able to move forward in His call on our lives.
The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord. Let God direct your steps this month; let revelation from Scripture flow through your mind and spirit and bring renewal. Allow the process of the last several months to bring clarity as you move forward.
For more information on the Hebrew Calendar, visit chabad.org and consult A Time to Advance: Understanding the Significance of the Hebrew Tribes and Months by Chuck D. Pierce with Robert and Linda Heidler.
Casey D. Bell 
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