Elul … An Invitation to Transformation

A rabbi once told his students, “Repent the day before you die.” They responded with confusion, saying, “But Rabbi, we don’t know when we will die!” The rabbi replied, “Then you must repent every day.” What good advice! For people of faith, nothing should be more important than time set aside to humble ourselves and seek the face of God. The month of Elul, twelfth on the Jewish calendar, plus the first ten days of Tishrei are dedicated to that very thing. The ten days of Tishrei start with Rosh HaShana (the Feast of Trumpets), continue through the ten Days of Awe and culminate with Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement). Jewish people around the world spend these forty days praying, repenting and fasting for themselves and on behalf of their families, communities and even their nations. Following the example of the ancient prophets, they seek the mercy and forgiveness of the Lord with true humility, desiring to face the transgressions of the past year in order to ensure that they are not repeated.

Elul is a month of soul searching or, as some Jewish sages have called it, the month of accounting. Any good businessman knows that in order to keep his business profitable and strong, he must keep detailed ledgers and regularly create a profit-and-loss statement. So, they say, we need to do an annual audit of our “spiritual business.” The month of Elul provides the opportunity to examine all we have done throughout the year and make sure our “accounts are in order”

King David was a firm believer in “accounting.” Often asking God to reveal even his hidden sins, David was quick to repent and cry out for forgiveness. With great passion and pain, he confessed that he knew his sins were committed against the Lord Himself, which caused David great anguish. Once he had acknowledged his iniquity and repented, he asked the Lord for a right spirit and a clean heart. He had done his accounting and sincerely repented; he was now a cleansed receptacle into which God could pour His holiness.

It is taught that we enter the month of Elul “back to back,” having slowly let the cares of the world turn us away from the love of God. But during Elul, we have a special invitation to turn once again toward the Lord, leaving the hindrances of the past year behind. If we make the right choices, we end the month of Elul panim el panim, face to face with the One who desires to be the love of our lives.

As Christians, we know that we can enter the throne room of God at any time, repenting and seeking forgiveness. But responding to His invitation to dedicate 40 days to special fellowship with Him can bring about real transformation in our lives. We are offering a 40 day devotional called “Repent the Day Before You Die,” as a guide for Christians who are willing to take the challenge and join us on this remarkable, annual journey. If you are interested, check it out here.

Check out ‘Repent the Day Before You Die:  A 40 day Devotional Journey’ that will guide you through the life-changing experience that is Elul. Check it out now!

Blessings and Shalom,

Issachar Community