As we come into 2021 we enter the Hebrew month of Shevat , which is the Babylonian name for the 11th month on the religious calendar and the 5th month on the civil calendar begins Wednesday, January 13 at sundown. This is a month where we remember the abundance of God coming forth into the earth. In this month is the celebration of is Tu B’Shevat on 15 Shevat, which begins sundown on January 27- sundown on January 28, in which another New Year on the Hebrew calendar is recognized. Tu B’Shevat represents the bringing forth of produce from the trees after a rainy season. It is a time to remember we have abundance and sustenance from the earth. This abundance not only comes from our knowledge of understanding what is happening in the earthy realms during this time but also how we as followers of Messiah live our lives abundantly and trust in His sustenance in order to advance His kingdom on the earth.
The month of Shevat is mentioned below in Zechariah 1:7-8 (NASB)
On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, that is, the month Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah the prophet, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo, as follows: I saw at night, and behold, a man was riding on a red horse, and he was standing among the myrtle trees which were in the ravine, with red, sorrel, and white horses behind him.
Myrtle trees are used to make medicine and they often represent love, beauty, peace and fruitfulness. It would be fitting that Zecharaiah receivd this vision among these trees. Queen Esther’s Hebrew name was Hadassah which means myrtle tree.
Zecharaiah 1:16-17 (NASB)
Therefore the Lord says this: “I will return to Jerusalem with compassion; My house will be built in it,” declares the Lord of armies, “and a measuring line will be stretched over Jerusalem.”’ Again, proclaim, saying, ‘This is what the Lord of armies says: “My cities will again overflow with prosperity, and the Lord will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem.”’”
The Lord is saying He will have compassion or in the greek this is word racham which means love, mercy, pity. He is speaking among the trees which represent this very thing.
Psalm 1:13 (NASB)
Blessed is the person who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight is in the Law of the Lord,
And on His Law he meditates day and night.
He will be like a tree planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season,
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.
As we prepare for making an impact in 2021 and remembering Shevat, we must reflect on the fact that God has given us kingdom mantles to rule and reign on the earth today through sustenance already provided by Messiah. We have been given the tools we need in order to advance the kingdom through the finished work of Jesus Christ. We are simply His change agents or sent ones to impact the earth on His behalf.