Celebrating Yahuwah's New Moon

Celebrating the New Moon

Scriptures and Thoughts on Observing the New Moon

During the observance of the time of the New Moon there was the blowing of the shofar (ram's horn, or trumpet). Psalm 81:3 reveals to us that not only was it an appointed time and a solemn feast day, but that it was a time of the blowing of the trumpet. "Sound the shofar at the new moon..." 

The New Moon was a time dedicated to worshiping God. Ezekiel 46:3 tells us: "The people of the land are also to prostrate themselves in worship before the Lord at the entrance to that gate on the Sabbaths and on the new moons." And in Ezekiel 40:44 we learn: "Outside the inner gate, in the inner courtyard, were rooms for the singers..." The people worshiped and the singers sang.

Observance of the new moon is to be a memorial of God's creation of the heavenly bodies (sun, moon, planets and stars) and, what's more significant, the consequent establishment of His calendar for all mankind. The observance of the New Moon keeps God's people in remembrance of His true calendar and its High Days, month by month.

King David and King Saul kept the New Moon Festival by having a special meal. 1Sam20

New Moon was to be kept by having access to the man of God. Who was the man of God? Had to be the priest or a prophet. Why go to the man of God? I can only assume he was to teach from God's Word and lead the people in prayer. So the New Moon Festival is an opportunity to study and learn from God's Word as well as additional prayer. It is a day of worship, though not a Sabbath. (There is one New Moon during the biblical year that is considered as a Sabbath; it is the 1^st day of the 7^th month, Day of Trumpets.)

"Judaism is based on a lunar calendar. Each month begins with the appearance of a new moon. The first of each new month is an occasion for special prayers and celebration. It is called Rosh Chodesh (the head of the month) and is observed for one or two days. When there are two days of Rosh Chodesh, the first day is the last day of the preceding month. Rosh Chodesh is announced in the synagogue on the preceding Sabbath with a special Prayer for the New Month." (from an article on the Jewish Calendar)

Observation of the New Moon could include extra prayer, extra Bible Study, meditation and a commemorative meal. If possible it could also be observed with a short worship service.

In looking at how the time of the New Moon was observed, we see the following major themes: 

   

·   blowing of the shofar 

·   worship and singing 

·   sweet incense 

·   free will offering 

·   reconciliation for the House of Israel 

·   mirth 

Blowing of the shofar is important because this has an effect in the spirit realm by way of spiritual warfare, whose benefits ought to be pursued.  Sweet incense is a type for petitional prayer! We see this from Rev. 5:8: "And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and the four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of the saints." 

A free will offering today can be money, but it can be an offering of thanksgiving or praise to go along with the time of worship. It can be an offering of a vow (but vows have to be kept, otherwise they are displeasing), or an offering of our personal time. 

Reconciliation for the House of Israel can be made by way of intercession which is different from petitional prayer in that intercession is not for yourself, it is on behalf of someone else. And intercession includes identifying with those being interceded for, and travailing for them, and thereby coming to a place of authority before God on their behalf. That is what Yahshua is doing in heaven for us right now (see First John 2:1-2). 

Of course, Yahshua is also our sacrifice, and our offering. So, that burnt offerings, drink offerings, meat offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, and oblations are now replaced by a time of personal confession of sin and of repentance. 

Mirth. Going into the House of the Lord with other believers and worshiping and praising is really a celebration. During these times, Israel was commanded to rejoice and be glad before the Lord. It is a command! "Serve the Lord with gladness. Enter his presence with joyful songs." -Psalm 100:2. 

Eastern Gate of Heaven Open on the New Moon

In the book of Ezekiel, there is an awesome revelation about the time of the New Moon. In Ezekiel 46:1 we read: "Thus saith The Lord God, the gate of the inner court that looketh toward the east shall be shut six working days; but on the Sabbath it shall be opened, and in the day of the new moon it shall be opened." Now the prophet Ezekiel was speaking of what he was seeing in his day in the natural. But we know that the patterns that we see here on earth are types of the real (the heavenly). Moses was to follow the patterns given to him precisely. In Heb. 8:5 we read: "Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount." And in Hebrews 9:24 we see: "For Messiah is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us" This then is the awesome revelation of Ezekiel: that the gates of the inner court of heaven are open at the time of the New Moon! 

Deeper meaning of the New Moon

What is the deeper meaning of the time of the New Moon? For one thing, it speaks of favor with God. The New Moon is a time of divine invitation. In the book of Esther, one quickly grasps what a difference the favor of the king makes! Now, what about the favor of the Kings of Kings and Lord of Lords? 

In Esther 4:11, we read: "All the kings servants, and the people of the kings provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live..." 

And in Esther 5:1-2 we read similarly: "Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood on the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house. And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre." 

A Royal Invitation: Favor with YHWH

On the day of the New Moon, we have favor; the heavenly gate of the inner court is open unto us and we can enter in. We have a royal invitation to do so. We need to grasp this one thing: as New Covenant believers we have access to God at any time we choose to seek Him. But in the time of the New Moon, God is seeking to have access to us! 

The inner court is no ordinary place. It is a place of glory! It is a place of divine visitation! This is another reason for the new moon day to be considered holy. The “gates are open” during this (holy) time. The gates are closed on the days that are not considered “Holy.”

Look at Ezekiel 10:3-4: "Now the cherubims stood on the right side of the house, when the man went in; and the cloud filled the inner court. Then the glory of the Lord went up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the Lord's glory." 

At this appointed time of the New Moon, you are not required to meet with God, though He has ordained this time to meet with you. You will meet with Him at this time for only one reason: that You love him.

Isaiah gives us a clue that the Sabbath and the New Moon will have a special place in our lives in the future;

“And is shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord.” Isaiah 66:23

Credits:

Celebrating the New Moon Wayne Bedwell www.studiesintheword.org

Celebrating Rosh Chodesh www.shemayisrael.org

Revised June 27 2011