I
In the UK and Israel this issue
of SHARE Magazine comes
in the middle of Winter. The
last important Bible Feast was
Tabernacles in October last
year, Father God gave us no
feasts during this six months
period. However, the Bible does
allow the celebration of two
minor feasts - Chanukah during
December and Purim which this
year starts on the evening of
Wednesday, March 23rd.
In God’s eyes and in the view
of the Bible we are in a period
of joyous anticipation. The
Spring feasts will soon be upon
us. These will start with the
Passover meal on the evening
starting the 14 Nisan. (I.e. on the
evening Thursday, April 21st) On
this day we remember the final
meal of Jesus with His disciples.
The meal reminds us of our
deliverance from bondage to sin
into a life of joyous obedience to
our God and Saviour.
However, there were things to
look out for in these long Winter
months. One was the blossom
on the Almond trees. In Israel
this happens in late January to
early February. It is a glorious
time, similar to the wonderful
Cherry Blossom season in Japan.
Suddenly seemingly dead trees
spring into life with glorious white
or pink blossom. This blossom
seems to come from nowhere
because it happens before
any leaves appear. The white
blossom indicates sweet almonds
and the pink bitter almonds.
down with troubles and say, ‘I
don’t enjoy life anymore.’ ... 12:5
... Your hair will turn as white as
almond blossoms.”
Those of us who are a little older
understand this. We may not
be as physically able but we still
enjoy our service of the King
Jesus.
The almond tree was warmly
seen as the first signal of Spring.
Probably due to this its Hebrew
name is “shaqed” meaning “the
watcher”. Basic to this Hebrew
word is the idea of being alert.
It was this aspect the Prophet
Jeremiah was reminded of. In
Jeremiah 1:11-12 we read, “YHVH
showed me something in a vision.
Then he asked, ‘What do you see,
Jeremiah?’ I answered, ‘A branch
of almonds that ripen early.’
‘That’s right,’ YHVH replied,
‘and I always rise early to keep
a promise.’” Sadly, the promi