The tenth month of the Hebrew calendar, known as Tevet falls on New Years Eve/Day this year. Ten is the number associated with godly order, authority, and testimony. What a great way to start out 2025 with a testimony of thankfulness to the LORD for all He has done.

Tevet begins the winter season of “rest.” The next three months are suited to spend time “resting” with the Father, digging into His Word and prayer. This season lends itself to intimacy, renewed strength, and clarity to understand God’s direction ahead.

This month is also associated with the tribe of Dan. Dan was one of the tribes that formed a branch on the north side of the tabernacle, along with Asher and Naphtali. These tribes were the known as the “rear guard,” and chosen to protect the tribes from any enemies coming from behind or through the “backdoor.”

The “backdoor” is usually an entrance for those who are familiar to us like family and friends, whereas the front door is met with a formal greeting and permission to come in. In a season of “rest” we must be watchful of letting our guard down with people and situations that are “familiar.” This is where we are most vulnerable, and when the enemy can “sneak up” on us and engage us in battle by surprise or unarmed.

Genesis 49:16 -18 says, “Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel. Dan shall be a serpent by the way, and adder in the path, that bites the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backwards.”

Dan’s name in Hebrew means “to judge, to rule, or to execute judgment.” God equipped Dan with a gift of wisdom to rule righteously and establish God’s path. This doesn’t mean Dan always exercised that gift with Godly character.

To “judge” and exercise Gods authority is part of our calling as believers but to do so with a heart of humility that is yielded to the Holy Spirit. As we step into a situation with righteous authority, the witness will be Godly order, deliverance, and peace in the midst of chaos, which is a valuable asset.

Dan’s gift can ignite a “holy anger” when injustice occurs. “Holy anger” can be used in prayer effectively to seek God for His judgment and action plan. However, anger left uncircumcised can lead to bitterness and destructive behavior outside of Gods authority. Esau’s bitter anger toward Jacob led to generations who were fueled to destroy Jacob’s lineage all throughout the Old Testament.

The Pharisees were also an example of uncircumcised authority, rooted in their need for power and control. Their “doctrines of men” imposed created a “holy”enslavement system to keep the people under their rulership. The legalism made way for these “judges” to become bullies and tyrants.

Samson was from the tribe of Dan, and his story shares the ups and downs of the characteristics of the tribe of Dan (Judges 13-16). God chose to raise up Samson to be a “judge” to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.

Samson had grown up to be smart, cunning, and had a love for justice. His supernatural gift of physical strength was given with one condition of not cutting his hair. Nothing more. Later in life, Samson became quite head strung because he didn’t have to lean on anyone to help him succeed. Sadly, this included God.

Samson fell into the trap of the “sins of the flesh,” which can happen easily when we are gifted, yet lack humility. Samson leaned into his gift to acquire assets and feeding his own desires. (Judges 14:12).

Samson also chose to disobey God’s laws. The Israelites were not to have relations with a harlot, marry a Philistine, or eat from the carcass of an unclean animal. These are just a few things Samson chose to do despite Gods instruction. However, each of these choices opened up the door for the “destroyer” to cut off his anointing and weaken the nation to their enemies.

Betrayal summarized much of Samson’s love life, igniting ANGER in his heart that fueled revenge and killed many (Judges 15:7). As a result, Samson mimicked the traits of his enemy rather than a righteous witness for God.

Samson managed to have 20 years of leading Israel to help them live peaceably with the enemies around them because this was Gods purpose in anointing Samson. But as he continued to compromise and follow his own ways, the consequences of these actions caught up to him and left him to deal with them in his own strength.

The judgment came after Samson fell prey to his lust for Delilah (Judges 16). The Philistines soon sought to hire Delilah to obtain the secret of Samson’s supernatural strength. Delilah agreed to the lucrative deal, and set forth to use her charm to try and get the intel. Samson became worn down with her persistence, and finally shared his secret to her. While he was sleeping (unaware), she “cut off” his hair (his anointing) and handed him over to the Philistine leaders. This was a classic “back door” sneak attack scenario that came through betrayal but brought on by Samson’s disobedience to God.

Samson’s story speaks loudly today that we cannot just lean on the grace of God to further His kingdom cause. We need to line up with His truth and ways because the compromises over time steal our ability to exercise Gods authority, and leave us vulnerable to the enemy who waits until the opportune time to strike a blow. Not only did the Philistines de-platform Samson as leader, but they ripped his eyes out and shackled him to prevent him from leading again.

Although Samson was captured and imprisoned, eventually, the gift grew back (his hair) in his brokenness before God. Out of his “fiery trial,” Samson received spiritual” eyes to see Gods kingdom cause, which later gave him the ability to wipe out the Philistines while sacrificing his own life. Samson found a measure of humility to judge righteously.

God’s gift in us all can appear to be swallowed in darkness because of our pride, but it is never snuffed out. In humility, God will allow His gift in us all to rise to a greater measure when we submit to His authority. Samson’s strength was the greatest in his last act before his death.

Coincidently, this month of Tevet is associated with the Hebrew letter AYIN, which is a picture of an eye. Like Samson, God wants us to learn to see through our spiritual eyes what is happening in our lives and in the world around us. Hopefully, we can take some pointers from Samson’s story this month so we don’t have to learn this the hard way!

This month, ask God for His discernment so you can judge yourself righteously and those around you with the help of the Holy Spirit. What or who has the attention of your eyes and tugging on your heart? What does Our Father in heaven, the great JUDGE, see when He observes you? These are great questions to ponder as you examine your heart to prepare for the new year.

The ninth month of the Hebrew Covenant Calendar, known as Kislev, begins at sundown on December 1st. Kislev means, “security, trust, and coming full circle.” This is the last month of the “harvest” season, and associated with the tribe of Benjamin; the youngest son of Jacob. Benjamin was the only son born in the Promised Land.

Benjamin was actually given two names at his time of birth. The first came from his mother Rachel. Having great difficulties in giving birth, Benjamin’s mother died right after seeing her son born. Rachel named him “Benoni” which means “son of my sorrow (or iniquity). The name of her son was a death confession of her stealing the family treasured idols (Gen. 35:18).

As much as Jacob loved Rachel and wanted to honor her request, when he saw his newborn, God put it on his heart to change his name to fit the destiny God had shown him. So instead of Benoni, his name became Benjamin, which means “son of my right hand.”

The meaning of a person’s name in the Bible often reveals clues to their God given identity and destiny. Notably, when God changed a person’s name, it significantly shifted His covenant forward.

For example, Abram’s name means “exalted father.” But after Abram left to the Promised Land, God changed it to Abraham, which means, “Father of many nations.” This name change fit the covenant promise to Abraham and his family inheritance, which includes Christian’s today that reside in all nations.

Another example of a significant name change was when God changed Jacob’s name to ISRAEL. Jacob’s birth name means “supplanter, or deceiver,” and this name fit his character in the first portion of his life. But after Jacob wrestled with God and came face to face with the Lord, God changed his name to fit his calling to ISRAEL, which means “ruler or prince with God” (Gen. 35:10).

This encounter was the very reason why Jacob/Israel was prompted to change Benjamin’s name because he knew the Father’s heart. Benjamin was the only son born after Jacob’s divine encounter with God. This then was Jacob’s firstfruit to the Lord when he dedicated his son to be the “son of God’s right hand.”

Incidentally, Jesus went through an identity change as well when He was being baptized. The Father said, “This is My Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matt. 3:17). From that moment on, Jesus was not identified as a carpenter’s son, but rather as the son of God sent to save man from sin.

Before Jacob/Israel died, God used him to give a latter day prophetic covenant blessing to all his sons. In Genesis 49:27, Jacob declared over Benjamin:

“Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.”

This word reveals the two sided nature of Benjamin. The “ravenous wolf” goes after the things of the flesh with a vengeance to satiate a worldly appetite. However, the matured Benjamin “divides the spoils,” to serve Gods people with His manna.

Obviously, there is a war within Benjamin on which nature will rule within his heart. This war is similar to believers shifting from being saved by grace and carrying on “as is,” to one who wrestles with God to know Him while selflessly serving at His instruction.

All of the disciples of Jesus, minus Judas Iscariot, were from the tribe of Benjamin. When Jesus called on each of them to be His disciples, they received a new identity. After spending time with the Lord and going through a transformation process, God was able to use them as His light to share the Good News. Their new name became “Christ-ians,” meaning “sons of the Anointed One.”

God prophesied that the tribe of Benjamin would be His LIGHT when He split the kingdom in two:

“And to Solomon’s son I will give one tribe (Benjamin), that My servant David may always have a LAMP before Me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen for Myself, to put My name there (1 Kings 11:36).

Saul, who converted to Paul, was also a Benjamite (Romans 11:1). We read about his encounter, identity change, and how he was used as a “light” in Act. 9:1-22. Saul had believed himself to be so righteous as a Pharisee, persecuting the Christians UNTIL His encounter with the Father. After his “face to face,” he went from being a “son of sorrow/iniquity” to that “son of God’s right hand” (Gen. 35:18).

America will need a National “face to face” encounter as well as we have lost our identity and purpose as a nation established by God. God will raise the “sons of light” to help with this redemptive process that all creation is groaning for (Rom. 8:19).

As nations are warring, and bitterness is being fueled with the injustice and evil that is dominating the stage, it is important we take the mature side of Benjamin and war in the Spirit and not in the flesh. God has given us His mighty weapon of warfare for the pulling down of strongholds and everything that exalts itself against the LORD’s truth (1 Cor. 10:4).

God also prophesied over the Benjamites through Moses a special protection and covering. Moses declared:

“The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him, who shelters him all the day long; and he shall dwell between His shoulders.” (Deut.33: 12)

This word is comforting to take hold of and and to press into as we go through the shakings. By His grace, we are shielded under the governmental mantle of Jesus Himself, along with His hosts of Angels.

Esther and Mordacei came from the tribe of Benjamin as well, and leave us with an example of the matured Benjamins that God used to save a whole nation of people. They resolved to lay their lives down for God’s greater Kingdom cause. Their faith was unwavering and uncompromising even against impossible odds. Seeking God through prayer was key as it made way for the TIMING and strategy of God to do their part. God brought the increase that was out of their control. Can we follow that example today?

God’s Covenant sign of the rainbow after the flood is also associated with the tribe of Benjamin. (Gen.8,9). The rainbow, which has all the colors, is symbolic of the heart of the Benjamites who desire is to see God’s glory flood and restore all things (Acts 3:21).

Kislev is the ninth Hebrew month, and the biblical number associated with visitation. After His resurrection, it is recorded in the scriptures that Jesus appeared alive to nine groups of people. He IS the light of men, and the son of God who sits at the right hand of the Father interceding for us all.

On the flip side, the counterfeit “light” comes through a spirit of anti-Christ, using sorcery (witchcraft) which the Old Testament recounts nine different groups or individuals who practiced sorcery. This was an abomination to the LORD. The war battling between the false and true light on the world stage today requires us to ask for a greater level of discernment to distinguish between the two. The LORD gave us a sign to look for: “You will know them by their fruit.”

There are 9 fruits of the Holy Spirit to help us distinguish between the true sons of light and the imposters.  Galatians 5:22,23 gives us a list of all nine fruits: love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  This list is a divine completeness of the manifestation of the character of Christ, which we all should aspire to become.  

When the world can see the manifestation of the “sons of light” united as one like a well- oiled machine, operating (submitting) under the headship of Yeshua and His authority, the heavens and the earth will rejoice. Creation will come into an abundance of fruitfulness and a new name will be written over these overcomers by the LORD Himself:

“… I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God. And I will write on him My new name” (Rev. 3:12).

The scripture goes on to say, “He who has an ear to hear, let him hear.” Let us be open to hearing and obeying so we can be a part of the building of the city of the New Jerusalem up ahead.

This city will not made of hands, but radiating the LIGHT of His glory in the fullness of His splendor. We must identify and purpose our hearts to join His vision to become His corporate temple for the world to see (Rev.21:1-3).

I pray God connects your light to the company of the “sons of light” whom He has prepared for this hour to rise in His glory “as one” in His hand to save the nations. It is God’s desire and plan to use His “Benjamites” in His great visitation!

“For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly awaits the revealing of the sons of God” (Romans 8:19).