Katrina and Sandy … Harvey and Irma. These are familiar names of devastating hurricanes that hit the United States in the last decade. ‘Tis the “hurricane season” and as you might suspect, this season of flooding is nothing new to the Lord. In fact, it was established long ago on God’s calendar. Yes, Cheshvan is the month of Noah’s great flood, but also the eighth month of “new beginnings.” Eight is the number of new beginnings, so let’s uncover Cheshvan and see how we can emerge from its waters stronger than ever!
If you have been tracking along with His calendar, you will recall we just completed Tishrei, which means “beginning.” Two back-to-back months about beginnings? Is this a typo? No, not at all! In order for us to go back to the “beginning,” we have to have a new beginning. If we want to go back to Eden where there was peace with God, we have to have a new beginning. Jesus even says this in the Gospels; we must be born again. This new birth happens when we repent of our sins and receive God’s forgiveness. If you have never experienced this new birth through confessing your sins, today is the day of salvation and is the perfect time to become a new creation in Christ (John 3:3-8, 2 Cor 5:17-21, 1 John 1:1-10).
Most of us would not associate a fresh start with a flood, but the Lord does. Why did the Lord bring the flood upon the earth? We find the answer in His Word: “God looked on the earth and saw it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth” (Gen 6:12). The Lord saw how lost the world had become and brought the flood upon the world in His righteous judgment. “I will bring a flood of waters on the earth to destroy all flesh, wherever there is the breath of life under heaven, and everything that is on the earth will die” (Gen. 8:17). Genesis 7 reveals the flood began on Cheshvan 17 and rained for 40 days and 40 nights. As we continue to Genesis 8, we discover it was a year later, on Cheshvan 27, when the floodwaters receded. This is interesting to note. His floods of destruction are followed by even stronger waves of His mercies … “But I will establish My covenant with you; you must go into the ark—you, and your sons, and your wife, and your sons’ wives with you” (Gen 6:18). Noah found favor in the sight of the Lord. He preserved Noah and his family in His ark. The ark is a picture of Jesus and a lesson for us today. When floodwaters rise in our lives, may we run into His presence in the ark of Jesus and find safety and rest.
What happens when floodwaters move in? They move things around and expose things—like roots! This is exactly what the Lord wants to do this month. He does this in the natural as well as the spiritual. The Lord uses the water of His Holy Spirit to reveal our actual root systems. It is a lot easier to pull out roots when they have been watered or even flooded. Is the Lord putting His finger upon any of your “root” issues this month? He wants to get past the symptoms and down to the root. He wants to uncover roots of bitterness or unforgiveness. He wants to unearth relational root systems with family, friends and others He has put in our lives. He desires to “get to the bottom” of health and financial concerns so we can start anew. When the Lord reveals something, He just doesn’t leave us sitting there with our roots hanging out … when He reveals, He heals and gives us rest. It says in Isaiah… “For the earth will be filled of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. In that day, there shall be a Root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner for all peoples. For him shall the nations seek. And his rest shall be glorious” (Isa. 11:9-10). Let us connect to the Root of Jesse and find our resting place in Him even now.
Lastly, as we look at the actual calendar of Cheshvan, we will notice there are no “appointed times” cited. No feasts or fasts. Nothing. Silence. For this reason, the Jews say this month is “reserved” for the Messiah. All of the other months of the year are full of feasts and fasts, yet Cheshvan is the only month with a vacancy and plenty of room to host such an occasion. Even the Hebrew letter of the month, “Nun”, depicts an heir, an offspring, a son … a Messiah! Scripture tells us, “As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man” (Matt. 24:37). So do all these things mean that Jesus is definitely coming back in the month of Cheshvan? The previous verse tells us the answer: “Concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only” (Matt. 24:36) No one knows but the Father Himself, yet as believers, we can know the season and are commanded to be sober and awake, ready for His return at any time. (1 Thess. 5:1-9)
In this month of new beginnings, have you experienced the new birth in Christ? Will you be ready for His return? If you feel the waters rising this month, run into the ark of Jesus. He is your salvation during the storms of life. Remember, He calms the seas and will bring you to a safe haven. He is a gentle Master. What root issues is He unearthing in your life? Allow Him to be the root of your life and may your heart testify… “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed; His compassions do not fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness” (Lam 3:22-23). {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