What is Teshuvah?
by Kelly McDonald, Jr.
The sixth month on the Hebrew Calendar is called Elul. This month is also called Teshuvah, which means ‘return’ in Hebrew. Many Jewish people spend this month in prayer, reflection, and repentance. I believe that Christians should do the same and there is Biblical evidence to back this practice.
(The month of Elul began August 24th at sunset)
The Fall Feasts of the Lord all occur in the seventh Hebrew month, called Tishri. Some people continue Teshuvah into the first ten days of this month as well because due to the seriousness of these days. Consider the meanings of these days for Christians:
Trumpets (1st day of the seventh month) – On this feast, we look forward to the return of the Lord to judge the earth (Lev. 23:23-25; Revelation chapter 19).
Atonement (10th day of the seventh month) – On this Holy Day, we honor the eternal atoning sacrifice of Jesus to reconcile us to the Father. Unlike other feast days, it involves fasting (Lev. 23:26-32, Acts 27:9, Romans 3:25, Hebrews 9:11-15). This day also prophetically corresponds to the putting away of Satan before the millennial reign (Rev. 20:1-3).
Tabernacles (15th – 21st day of the seventh month) – During this festival, we honor the obedient life of Jesus when He tabernacled among mankind. We also celebrate the coming one-thousand-year reign of Jesus on earth in righteousness and justice (Lev. 23:33-43, John 1:14, Rev. 20:4-10).
The Last Great Day (22nd day of the seventh month) – On this closing feast, we honor the final harvest of mankind for the Great White Throne Judgment (Leviticus 23:36, 39, Rev. 20:11-15).
Among the themes of these festival days are God’s judgment, reconciliation, and supremacy over all other authorities. It would benefit Christians greatly to take time and reflect on our sins and repent for where we have allowed something or someone other than God to rule in our lives.
A great book of the Bible that helps us understand more about the importance of repentance during this time of the year is Haggai. It starts out in the sixth month of the year, and its theme is repentance.
Haggai 1:1-7
“1 In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, came the word of the Lord by Haggai the prophet unto Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, saying, 2 Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the Lord’s house should be built. 3 Then came the word of the Lord by Haggai the prophet, saying, 4 Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste? 5 Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways. 6 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. 7 Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways.” (KJV)
In this opening chapter, the Lord asks the people of Judah twice to consider their ways on the first day of the sixth month. Literally, this means to look inside your heart and consider the overall direction your life is going in. Why was it so important for Him to communicate this message of turning their hearts back to Him?
In Genesis 1:14 and Leviticus chapter 23, we learn that the feasts days are called mo’adim. This Hebrew word refers to an appointed time. The Feasts of the Lord are appointments where we meet with God and each other as we worship God. His presence is most concentrated on earth during these times as He connects to His people through His Spirit.
God does things intentionally and with great purpose. His Words to the people of Judah in the sixth month reflected His heart reaching out to theirs. He wanted His people to have their heart right with Him before the Fall Feast season. This is even more true considering the deep spiritual meaning connected to these days – judgment, reconciliation with God, and dwelling with Him.
For those of us in the New Covenant, this preparation is even more important because we have the revelation of the Messiah. He is the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world to reconcile us to the Father (John 1:29; Rev. 13:8). In Christ is found the true meaning of these days (Colossians 2:15-17).
It is important for us to take the time and examine our lives during this season. In our fast-paced world, we can be so on the go that we forget to stop and reflect on our relationship with God. During this season, the Lord is asking us to stop and see where we are in HIM.
Notice the things that God addresses in these verses. 1) He addresses giving thought to our ways (that represents our walk with Him). 2) He addresses the harvest. 3) He addresses our physical state.
Practical Application
Spend serious time in repentance before the Lord during this season. We want to repent for our sins, but we also want to ask God to reveal the deeper issues within our heart. Why do we sin the way we do? What is going on within our hearts and minds which brings forth sin.
Sin is: transgression of God’s Law (I John 3:4); inward lawlessness (Matthew chapter 5, 23:27); Knowing the good we should do and not doing it (James 4:17); not acting on faith (Romans 14:22-23). As part of this process, examine our hearts (Matthew 15:1-20).
We want to be clean before God before we celebrate the fall feasts, which connect us to the Atoning work of Jesus for our sins. During this time, some people will make a list of their personal struggles and burn it before the Fall Feasts. This practice is based on Hosea 14:2: “Take with you words, and turn to the Lord: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.”
When we repent, it is important to take words with us. Fasting during Teshuvah can also be a great practice to help us focus on God’s correction and affection in our lives (Joel 2). We fast and weep over our sins because we have offended God. When Jesus comes back to judge the world, the unrepentant will mourn because they have been caught (Matthew 24:30).
Repentance will release the refreshing of the Lord in our lives. “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19).
This Fall Feast season, let’s take the time to turn to God in light of all that He has done for us. He has sent His only begotten son, Jesus, to die for us. He is coming back to judge the earth and satan. He is going to rule and reign with us for 1,000 years. He is going to resurrect all of humanity for judgment.
Let us meet with God in the reverent fear of God; if we will humble ourselves under His hand, then He will lift us up! (I Peter 5:6).
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.” (I Peter 5:6)
Amen!
Kelly McDonald, Jr. served as BSA President from 2016-2023. He presently serves as the Pastor of David’s Tent Christian Fellowship www.davidstentjackson.com.