As the youngest child in my family I always wanted to be older. I saw all the privileges my older brothers had and I wanted in. I just wasn’t old enough or allowed to do things they were able to do. They could stay up late, while I had to go to bed. They could drive, while I had to ride my bike. They were tall enough to go on the big roller coasters, while I went on the kiddie rides. How I longed to “be big.” I thought, Will there ever come a day when I will grow up and be old enough to do all the “fun stuff”? The answer soon came, and before I knew it, I was old enough to drive and go on the “big” rides.
What I didn’t realize was there was a whole lot of other stuff that comes with being big. Growth is also responsibility and servitude. That my friends, is what this month of Tevet is all about … growing up!
The word Tevet means “good,” and growing up is a good thing. Sure, there are growing pains, but as the Word says, it is worth it in the end (Heb 12:11). The Lord is there to help us grow up. He uses situations in our lives to test our faith and maturity. He doesn’t leave us alone in this process. He illuminates our path as soon as we step into Tevet, even as the candles of the menorah still burn bright from Chanukah. They are a reminder of His word being a lamp onto our feet and a light onto our path as we grow up (Ps 119:105).
A big part of growing up is perspective. Two people could look at the same situation, and one sees encouragement, while the other sees defeat. It’s all how we look at things. The Jews call this the battle between our “good eye” and our “evil eye.” The Lord highlights the importance of vision this month and calls us to see with our good eye, His eye, the heavenly perspective.
The Hebrew letter this month, “Ayin”, depicts an eye and is associated with vision and focus. This month we are to look at things and get focused. This is a great time to review our education and see where we need to advance. We should review those promises and prophetic words the Lord spoke over our lives and be reminded of His truth so we can move forward in our call and His destiny for us.
What are you focusing on this month? Is this bringing you fear or peace? Bring it to Him and allow Him to “grow up your eyes” and learn to see things from His vantage point. When you do, you will experience His wisdom and rest.
The tribe of Dan is connected with Tevet and instills valuable lessons on maturity. The name Dan means “to judge or rule,” and that alone requires maturity. Dan was positioned as the rear guard of the Lord’s army as they moved in the wilderness and in battle. They were strong warriors and knew how to take down their enemy without even touching them. This is foretold in Jacob’s prophecy over him… “Dan shall judge his people as one of the tribes of Israel. Dan shall be a serpent by the road, a viper on the path, that bites the horse’s heels so that its rider will fall backward” (Gen. 49:16-17).
Wow! Now that’s what I call moving in your gift! However, not everyone in this tribe moved in his calling. Samson was from the tribe of Dan. Samson was called to be a deliverer of Israel; however, he did not submit or grow up in the Lord but allowed his passions to control him. In the end, after losing his strength and sight, Samson did finally submit his will to the Lord. In His last and final battle, he did bring down pillars, knocking down the enemy without even touching them, but lost his life as well. Let us submit to the Lord’s call over our lives, so that we may grow and perhaps bring His deliverance to others.
Finally, getting our emotions and passions under control is another sign of maturity. As the Lord calls us into battle this month, anger may arise in us. We can be angry, “but do not sin” (Eph. 4:26b). Only by His Spirit are we empowered to do so. Give the Lord your emotions this month and make room for His Holy Spirit to fill you with His righteous power to fight the good fight with His wisdom and might.
So are you ready to “be big?” The Lord says, “Now is the time.” Ask the Lord to highlight those areas of your life where you need to grow up. Write down those areas and surrender them to the Lord. Ask Him to show you the rewards of maturity and the foolishness of folly. Are you allowing your evil eye to rule over you? Ask the Lord to give you His eyes to see from His heavenly perspective. What battle are you facing? “Be angry but do not sin.”
Ask the Lord to show you His strategy to take down the enemy without even touching him, like Dan. Take time to ask the Lord how to move forward in maturity in your work, ministry, education and so on. May He grow you up this month, so you can say these words like Paul: “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, and I thought as a child. But when I became a man, I put away childish things” (1 Cor 13:11). {eoa}
Christine Vales is an author and teacher of His Appointed Times: Hebrew /Gregorian Calendar & Journal and has been blessed with the privilege of uncovering the Lord’s prophetic calendar, teaching others how to connect with His ancient timepiece in real time in their lives. Christine sends forth her creative monthly Chalkboard Teachings on YouTube and social media, and also goes forth teaching at live gatherings, large and small, all to draw hearts closer to The Ancient of Days Himself—truly, our times are in His hands (Ps. 90:12).
To learn more, visit christinevales.com.
Ron Allen 
Charisma Media Staff 
Abby Trivett 
