More Than Enough by Shawna Edwards
Hebrew Language Puzzle
The more I study the Hebrew language and customs the more I see and feel the absolute beauty and understand Scripture far more. It truly is a puzzle. I usually hate puzzles for they are frustrating. Not so with Hebrew. The puzzle pieces fit together perfectly and a picture the Lord wants us to see comes into a panoramic view. Rosh Chodesh is a puzzle celebrating women and all we bring to the church (body of the bride).
Middle Eastern Cultures Women Are “Less Than”
In Middle Eastern cultures, women are often seen as “less than.” They may be viewed as pieces of property and can be treated in any way a man deems suitable. Women are considered to be like children and punishable (for any and all offenses) up to and including death at the man’s discretion.
Jewish Culture Women are Celebrated
In Jewish culture, this is not so! On the Jewish calendar, which is based on the lunar cycle, each month with the exception of Rosh Hashanah, women are celebrated by rosh chodesh which means “head of the month.” It begins at sundown on the 30th day of each Jewish month and ends at sundown on the 1st day of the next Jewish month, as each month rolls into the next.
Month of the Bride
The month of Elul (begins Aug 9 this year) is considered the month of the Bride (astral sign betulah or virgin). This comes from the Song of Songs and Elul is an acronym for the phrase, “I am to my beloved and my beloved is to me.” (S of S 6:3) Elul is a month without festivals or holy days except for Shabbat or the sabbath day of rest.(http://www.chabad.org/holidays/JewishNewYear/template…)
Chavah embodies the essence of life
These days of remembrance are all about the celebration of Chavah, the mother of all life: Eve. Eve was not the first mother’s Hebrew name. The Jews link the name Eve with evil. Chavah on the other hand “embodies both the essence of life itself and the creative ability to grant that life to others.” The woman we know as Eve was Chavah.
In Hebrew when a root word is part of another word, the root has great significance and adds to the meaning as does its numerical value. Birthing is not just physical birth, but creativeness in life, and the experience of life. The chavah nurtures life in all aspects of another’s life and expression.. (http://www.chabad.org/theJewishWoman/artice_edo/aid/335943/jewish/Chavad-Mother-or…)
Most Bride Becomes Longs to Be a Mother
The Bride has the expectation of becoming a chavah, mother. Indeed, this was God’s command to Eve: “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” (Genesis 2:21-25) Jesus’ command to His Bride was “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19) This was how the Bride was to be fruitful and multiply!
Rosh Chodesh Women gather to worship
Today, Jewish women gather on Rosh Chodesh to celebrate, study God’s Word, and worship. God the Father, was pleased with His creation of Eve from Adam. Each month, this creation is celebrated! “The marriage of the first couple, Adam and Chavah, is truly a marriage of the human experience, the human condition.”
Prayer for Life
Here is a challenge. Mark Rosh Chodesh on your calendar. (July 2021 Rosh Chodesh begins on July 9th at sundown) Look for the New Moon. Remember God loves His creation of you as a woman, and your creative ability to grant life to others (if you are a woman you have “mothered” someone!). Pray for those whose wombs have yet to open and give life to another. We can pray for those whose wombs have held another life and were unable to bring forth that life. Pray for your local Pro-Life organizations. Remember to pray for widows and singles who “mother” others in a million small and unseen ways. Pray for your own biological and adoptive moms. Chavah is about life! Be fruitful and multiply the kingdom.
I Will Carry You by Selah
Mama’s Song by Carrie Underwood
