At sundown on February 9th, we enter into the twelfth month of the Hebrew calendar known as ADAR.

In Hebrew, the word Adar means “strength,” which captures the heart of God desiring His people to finish the year strong. Are you ready with a new or renewed mandate to carry forth into the new year? This may require wrestling with God for the increase, especially now given we are at the end of an age when pioneers are preparing to launch with His instruction and provision.

This month is linked with the tribe of Naphtali, whose name means, “to struggle and wrestle forward.” Naphtali’s name even reminds us all of the necessity of wrestling seasons that come through fiery trials that shift us forward in God’s purpose for us for good, and not evil.

“… We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Rom. 5:3,4).

Naphtali’s mother was the concubine of Rachel. Rachel named him Naphtali because of her own struggles to conceive:

“With great wrestling’s I have wrestled with my sister, and indeed I have prevailed.” (Gen. 30:8).

Naphtali’s father, Jacob, also had an “all-star” wrestling match with the Lord as well, found in Genesis 34. During that time, Jacob was hard pressed on all sides. He was wrestling God because his circumstances far outweighed his skill set and resources to breakthrough.

God sent an Angel that he wrestled with all night. The fiery trial set up Jacob to shift into a heavenly mindset that ultimately paved the path for Jacob to fulfill his destiny. 

Quite often, we can be blinded to the very thing that can hinder our destiny. In Jacob’s case, he had adopted and justified deception to achieve his goals. This part of Jacob’s character was so familiar to him that he couldn’t see it wasn’t pleasing to God. Through his wrestle with God, this heart issue came to the surface and was dealt with.

Once the veil came off of Jacob’s eyes through this wrestle, he grabbed hold of the torch of the Abrahamic covenant, and allowed God to take the reins of his heart and pursuits. This is why God renamed him ISRAEL, which means “God rules”….not men….yet this truth can take a lifetime for some to figure out, especially when stubborn. Expect God to reveal His understanding of the God of ISRAEL (the One in whom has supreme and sovereign rulership over all, and in covenant with those who call on His name) to you. Some of you may be surprised by what He shows you. You can start here in your discovery: https://youtu.be/rYS-L30o3wg

Before Jacob/Israel died, he prophesied over the tribe of Naphtali these words:

“Naphtali is a deer let loose; he uses beautiful words.”

The word “loose” comes from the Hebrew word “shalach” which means, “to send away, to cast out, let depart, or push away.” God wants us to “loose” or “push away” idolatry to make way for greater intimacy with Him. This comes through a heart of humility.

Indeed, it appears Naphtali had a revelation of speaking words of life and love. This quality comes fluidly when our heart is free from bitterness and resentment.

Coincidently, the banner that identified the tribe of Naphtali was primarily a deer. A significant fact is that deer have NO gall bladder. The gall bladder is a membranous sac attached to the liver, in which excess bile is stored and concentrated. Bile is the “bitter” fluid secreted by the liver. Bile produced and stored is like bitterness that is produced from an angry and jealous heart.

The beauty of Naphtali is that this tribe had the characteristic of one who had NO BITTERNESS! And because of that, “beautiful words come out of Naphtali’s mouth. “ God’s word says, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Matt.12:34).

This month is an appointed time to examine the kind of communication coming out of our mouth, especially since God wants to increase the anointing our tongues with His fire. We are commanded to “cast off” any bitterness, even bitterness toward ourselves, so we can enter into the joy of the Lord and His strength.

“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without no one will see the Lord; looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness, springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled (Heb. 12:14,15).

In Judges 4:6, we read about one hero of Naphtali named Barak, who joined Deborah, the judge God appointed over Israel, to overcome the enemy.

At first, Barak chose not to listen to the Lord’s instruction to deploy troops, most likely because leading troops wasn’t his strong suit. Naphtali’s tribe was known to cover the rear guard, and not the front lines. But Deborah was used by God to confront Barak on why he wasn’t listening to the Lord. Deborah’s strength was what Barak needed to get the job done. He requested that Deborah assist him with this task which she agreed to, and they became a strong team and victorious.

Barak uniting with Deborah is great example of collaboration needed today to be the LORD’s victorious overcoming remnant. Who do you need to team up with to do what God has commanded? There is a Firstfruits company that is incomplete without your gifting.

Moses also prophesies over the tribe of Naphtali in Deut. 33:23:

“O Naphtali, satisfied with favor, and full of blessing of the Lord, possess the west and the south.”

“Possessing the west” spoke of the land that lay to the west of Naphtali, which was the Mediterranean Sea. It was the gateway to new lands and new adventures. This is symbolic today of “entering into the New Year through the gateway God opens, full of adventure and authority through Him.”

“Possessing the south” spoke of the pleasant things, which was at the foot of Naphtali. It was in the southern coast of Naphtali that Jesus preached most of His life, near the sea coast of Galilee and the town of Capernaum. The Sermon on the Mount was preached in the land blessed for Naphtali, in which Jesus said, “Blessed are those… the famous Beatitudes” (Matt.5).

Adar is the twelfth month, and twelve is the number symbolic for “government.” Jacob/Israel had twelve sons, and Jesus had twelve disciples. The first recorded words of Jesus in the New Testament was when He was 12 years old (Luke 2:42).

Twelve is God’s foundational measurements of the New Jerusalem, which is described as having 12 walls and gates in Rev.21:12-14. Christ’s bride in Revelation 12 wears a crown of 12 stars. The Lord measures His overcoming remnant as 144,000 which is 12×12. (This is a symbolic number and not literal).

The remnant today are being matured to handle the covenantal responsibility of God’s authority as Jacob was to establish His kingdom on the earth. Embrace this month’s wrestle and the LORD’s leadership and strength. Jesus is coming back with “government on His shoulders” to rule and reign (Is. 9:7). But we are also being prepared to understand how we abide and assist Him in His purpose with a greater measure of influence and authority.

ADAR is a key preparation month for the body of Christ. And this year, we have 2 Adar’s in order to align the calendar with the harvest seasons. My experience in following this Hebrew Covenant calendar is that when a second Adar is added, it is because something significant is up ahead that we need the extra time to align and be ready for.

2024 will go down in the history books as the year of a monumental shift that changed the nations. In the Hebrew Covenant Calendar, it will start with a Northern American Eclipse, completing of a 7-year sign in the sky over America that I will share in a video coming up. The LORD instructs us to”look up, for your redemption draws near.” What is the sign of the “promise to come” saying to those who are seeking Him? The greatest rescue mission will come forth as the LORD releases His angel armies to deliver His people. Are you ready to step into your assignment and become a participant in this historical shift?

In the Bible, Esther was one who God used for a historical shift to rescue His people as God used her and her uncle’s obedience to overturn the edict to kill all the Jews. This story hinged in the month of Adar. Join me next month as I highlight God’s strategy through Mordecai and Esther when circumstances seemed impossible.

“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him” (Psalm 28:7).