The Month of Shevat

The month of Shevat is the 11th month on the Biblical calendar, counting from Nisan. This month is first mentioned by name in Zechariah 1:7. However, sometime after Israel’s Babylonian captivity, its name was changed to Shevat. Its name means, “the rod of the ruler.” and is a symbol of God’s power and judgment against His enemies. Shevat usually coincides with January- February on the Gregorian Calendar.

The month of Shevat: a time of renewal and rebirth

The month of Shevat marks the signs of renewal and rebirth in the land of Israel. The winter months slowly give way to spring, as the heavy rain season ends, and the tree sap rises.

The almond tree is one of the first trees to bloom in Israel and heralds the approaching spring. The word almond means, “wakeful.” It was said that the almond tree never slept and was always watching for the arrival of Spring. For this reason, some referred to it as the watching tree. In fact, the prophet, Jeremiah, mentioned it in a vision (Jeremiah 1:11). In this verse, God used the image of the almond tree to introduce a spiritual truth. God watches over our lives, like the almond tree watches for the arrival of Spring.

The 15^th of Shevat (Tu B’ Shevat)

Tu B’ Shevat (also called “The New Year for Trees”) is considered the high point of the month. It marks the beginning of a new fruit-bearing cycle for trees, in the land of Israel.

Jewish people commemorate the day by eating the seven major fruits and grains grown in Israel (wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates. In addition, the day is celebrated as an ecological awareness day in the Jewish community. Many use this day to honor loved ones by planting trees in their names.

The month Israel renewed their covenant with God

After 40 years of wilderness wandering, a new generation of Israelites were ready to enter the Promised Land. So, on the first day of Shevat, Moses gathered them and delivered his final message (Deuteronomy 1:3). Moses also summarized God’s teachings and instructions in the book of Deuteronomy. Jewish tradition says that Moses preached the contents of Deuteronomy for 37 days (the entire month of Shevat) until his death on Adar 7^th. Since the previous generation had died out in the wilderness, the next generation had to renew their covenant with God and accept His laws as the rule of their lives.

A month to renew our covenant with God and the study of His Word

The month of Shevat often coincides with the month of January. This month begins our new year, which makes it an opportune time to renew our covenant with God. We can begin by accepting His Lordship over our lives and seeking His forgiveness for our sins. Then, we forsake everything we know to be displeasing to Him.

Besides renewing our covenant with God, the month of Shevat is a good time to renew our study of God’s Word. Studying God’s Word doesn’t just give us spiritual life but physical life, as well (Matthew 4:4). Moreover, God’s Word will guide our steps, strengthen our faith and give us grace to overcome any difficulty that may arises in the year ahead. What is more, the Word of God will also empower us to stand strong against the schemes of the devil.

Bearing fruit for God’s Kingdom

There is a spiritual truth that can be derived from the trees’ natural behavior of bearing fruit. In the Bible, the word fruit is often used to describe a person’s deeds or outward behavior. Jesus said in John 15 that we are branches and He is the Vine and His Father is the Vinedresser (vv. 1, 5). The job of the branch is to bear fruit, and God wants much fruit from all of us.

The apostle Paul lists the nine Christlike behaviors, that make up the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). However, this spiritual fruit is not something we can produce on our own. How then can we bear fruit? Jesus said, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.” (John 15:4). So spiritual fruit can only be produced by the power of the Holy Spirit at work within us.

The next question may be, “How do we abide?” Abiding involves staying in fellowship with the Vine so that His Spirit can work in us. A branch draws strength and nourishment from the vine. However, it quickly dies and becomes unfruitful, if it is broken off. Likewise, when we neglect our spiritual life and God’s Word, we become like a branch separated from the vine. As a result, our lives become fruitless. Jesus speaks of the trees that do not bear fruit and their end, in the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 3:10; 21:19).

As we continue to trust in the goodness of the Lord, let us pray that His Holy Spirit nourishes us so that we will be rooted like the trees and grow strong, bearing much fruit.

CLICK HERE: Jewish-Gregorian Calendar