Romans 5:3-5 says,   “3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of Yah has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. [In this verse we see that it is by the Holy Spirit that was given to us that we have the love of Yah poured out in our hearts.]

Galatians 4:6-7 says; “6 Because you are sons, Elohim has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”  7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through Elohim.”  [We are no longer slaves but sons when we receive Yeshua as the Messiah; therefore, He sent forth the Spirit of Himself and His Son into our hearts.  When Yeshua ascended to His Father, He in turn sent His Spirit back to us who believe to take resident in our hearts.  This really is a profound thought when we stop and think about being the dwelling place of the Spirit.]

Deuteronomy 30:6 says, “Moreover YHVH your Elohim will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love YHVH your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.” [Many verses in our Scriptures talk about the Spirit circumcising our hearts.  This truth and concept is found in the Torah as we see in the verse above.  What is interesting is that natural circumcision is to be done on the eighth day.  While this is a teaching all of its own, I want to make a few connections to the feast with the concept of eight and circumcision.  In the spring feasts with Passover and the seven days of Unleavened Bread you have eight days.  In the fall feasts with the seven days of Sukkot and the Last Great Day you have eight days.  But what about Shavuot when the Spirit was given?  When one begins to count the Omer from the 16^th of Nisan, the day after the festival Sabbath, which is the way three ancient historical documents say that the count began, you will land in an interesting place as you move toward the ascension of Yeshua. Yeshua was our Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7), therefore He would have died according to the Torah Command on the 14^th of Nisan at twilight.  Yeshua was in the grave for three days and three nights, therefore He rose on the 17^th day of Nisan (This is resurrection day…it is a date, not a day of the week).  So, if the count begins on the 16^th of Nisan and He rose on the 17^th of Nisan, this makes the 17^th of Nisan the second day of the Omer count.  Acts 1:3 says that Yeshua appeared to them for forty days and then He ascended. When you take the forty days He appeared to them and add it to the two days of the Omer, which is what it would have been on the day He rose (2+40=42), that would make the day of ascension on the 42^nd day of the Omer.  Since we are to count to 49 and then the next day, the 50^th day is Shavuot, that leaves EIGHT days from the ascension to the giving of the Holy Spirit which is what circumcises our hearts.  Now we can see that all three festival seasons have eights connected to them.  Eight is the number for new beginnings, but also the number for eternity…the world to come!!! Keeping these feasts in the day in which we live are a rehearsal and prophetic portent of our future day that we will ultimately live!!!]

Circumcision is a sign of the covenant.  Let’s allow the Spirit of YHVH to circumcise our hearts and cut away everything that doesn’t look like Him!!

Have a blessed and shalom filled day!!

Tammy

Courtesy of
River of Life Tabernacle
Tammy McLendon
Great peace have they who love Your law. Psalm 119:165a