Shemini Atzeret 2022 Part 2

Posted on October 17, 2022

Eighth day of retention. It can be considered a day of pause,a day to detain us before going forward. I believe that this day is purposefully given to us by Ha Shem to help us retain the spiritual revelations that we received throughout this season. Spending one more day in prayer and supplication, to set ourselves to focus on how we move forward; applying all what we have learned throughout this holy season. And Before we return back to our “normal activities .”

Eighth day is a day to pause ourselves and to remember our covenant, atonement, our new start/healing, and our redemption. We find Adonai’s provision for these works as we have studied through our weekly Torah Parashot, and of course we find them ultimately fulfilled through the all sufficient sacrifice for sin through the blood of Messiah Yeshua as He gave His whole body for atonement in establishing the New Covenant.

All of these works are provided to Israel and the nations by the final work of Messiah on the tree, the tree of sacrifice. And I like to refer to it as the tree of life, since the work that Messiah accomplished on the tree has given us life.

Shemini Atzaret, a day to pause and to stop and remember: Through the atoning sacrifice of Messiah Yeshua (atonement) we have the healing (salvation) of Israel and the nations through the final work of redemption bringing us into the New Covenant to all who believe in Messiah Yeshua and confess to Him our sins asking for His forgiveness. And I hope we can all know and experience 1John 1:9. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Numbers are significant when studying the Hebrew Scriptures. The number 8 has been understood as meaning “new beginning’s.” With Hoshana Rabbah ending, bringing the final verdict of judgement. Shemini atzeret would mark the day of a new start.

We have returned back to him, we have repented of our wrongdoings, we have been accepted and forgiven. We now walk into the New Covenant, with our Messiah Yeshua.

With the slate wiped clean giving us a new start, we can come before him with our hearts now circumcised, and reconciled to Him, therefore we can be set on a right course, with our compass calibrated towards His direction, aligned with His plans and purposes.

But honestly how can we accomplish the work that He sets before us? How can we have the strength and endurance needed to succeed?

Well there is a tradition that begins on Shemini Atzeret as it marks the beginning of the rainy season. This day starts the prayers for rain (tifilat geshem or Tikkun hageshem) and they are recited beginning on Shemini Atzeret by asking Ha Shem to bless us with the winter rains in preparation for spring planting.

This is a good analogy for us. Just as a plant needs the rain to not only assist in providing the nutrients to be drawn up by the plant helping it grow, the rain also helps to keep the soil soft so that the roots can spread out providing a base of support to allow a good stem, or stalk to grow providing for branches, leaves and of course fruit.

And just as Adonai provides the latter rain, He has provided Ruach HaKodesh, Holy Spirit, for us. Holy Spirit gives us counsel to walk rightly, insight to understand the Word of G-d, and He gives us the power, strength, and determination to walk in obedience and to say yes to His Will and to say no to the things that do not align with His plans and purposes.

Just as we need water to drink everyday, keeping our physical bodies functioning smoothly, we need Holy Spirit to flow within us to revive and strengthen our spirit, our spiritual body, so that we can respond appropriately to Him and walk in love and obedience.

It is clear why Adonai gave us this 8th day to pause, reflect and to set our course directly towards Him, aligning ourselves to His plans and purposes.

On RoshHashana we crowned our judge and King, Messiah Yeshua on Sukkot we asked “oh G-d save us”and on Shemini Atzeret we pause, reflect and start a new.

Our G-d, from the foundation and the establishment of the earth, began by creating a family for Himself. Not one that is robotic who automatically respond to Him, but one who has choice. A choice to desire His presence, knowing Him and demonstrating love to Him by responding to His voice with loving obedience, reverence and with bended knee.

Shemini Atzeret, new beginnings. Could this also signify the establishment of Haba Olam, the New Heaven and New Earth? Could this be a day of solemnity due to the fact that one day in the future when judgement has come, not all will be able to participate in the Kingdom of G-d? Our G-d will need to say goodbye to many that He loves, many that did not choose to accept and receive His all sufficient sacrifice.

Can we choose this day to set our hearts on what He wants? To be the light to those around us who desperately need the good news of salvation, and do all we can to introduce them to Messiah Yeshua.

Let us be purposeful!
Let us move out beyond ourselves.
Let our days begin with prayer and earnest supplication seeking His plans and purposes for the day.
And let us be led by Holy Spirit, our Counselor and Helper.
Let us determine to look for opportunities to minister to those around us with an encouraging word, or prayer

Let us determine to introduce our Messiah Yeshua, to those around us who do not know of His atoning work which will bring them salvation and freedom from the consequences of their sin and the opportunity to be in covenant with Him through his redemptive work on the tree of Life.

Amen!

*All scripture verses taken from the Tree of Life version of the Bible.