Shalom dear friends,
As we enter the biblical month of Tammuz, I have been reflecting on the unique lessons this season offers us as believers.
One of the remarkable things about the biblical calendar is that it continually reminds us of God’s faithfulness throughout history. Each month carries memories, lessons, victories, and challenges that point us back to His character and His ongoing work among His people.
The fourth month on the biblical calendar is no exception.
For the people of Israel, Tammuz is connected to some of the most difficult moments in our nation’s history. It was during this season that the walls of Jerusalem were breached by the Babylonian army, setting in motion events that would ultimately lead to the destruction of the Temple and the exile of God’s people. For those who lived through those days, it must have felt as though everything familiar had been shaken. The city they loved was under attack, families were separated, and the future appeared uncertain.
Yet what I find so encouraging is that this same month is also associated with one of the most powerful revelations of God’s glory recorded in Scripture.
The prophet Ezekiel writes:
“In the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month… the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God”
Ezekiel 1:1
The timing of that statement is significant. Ezekiel was not standing in Jerusalem during a season of victory. He was living among the captives in Babylon. He was witnessing the consequences of national tragedy and exile. Yet it was there, far from home and surrounded by uncertainty, that God revealed His glory.
I believe this speaks powerfully to us today.
We often assume that God’s presence will be most evident when circumstances are favorable and life is moving in the direction we hoped. Yet throughout Scripture, we see a different pattern. Time and again, God meets His people in moments when they feel weak, dependent, and in need of His guidance. He reveals His faithfulness not only during times of blessing, but also during seasons when His people are learning to trust Him more deeply.
The exile was real, but so was God’s presence.
The challenges were real, but so was God’s glory.
As Ezekiel describes his vision, one verse stands out to me in a special way:
“Wherever the Spirit wanted to go, they went”
Ezekiel 1:20
What a beautiful picture of the life of faith.
The heavenly beings moved in complete harmony with the Spirit of God. They followed His direction without hesitation. As believers, this remains our calling today. In a world filled with uncertainty, competing voices, and constant distractions, we have the privilege of being led by the Holy Spirit. The Lord still guides His people. He still opens doors, directs our steps, and reveals His purposes. Our role is to remain sensitive to His leading and willing to follow wherever He calls us.
As the vision unfolds, Ezekiel sees a throne and One seated upon it with the appearance of a man. As followers of Yeshua, we cannot help but see a beautiful glimpse of God’s redemptive plan. Long before Messiah came into the world, God was already pointing toward the One through whom salvation would come.
The chapter concludes with Ezekiel describing what he witnessed as “the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord” (Ezekiel 1:28).
What an incredible reminder that even in seasons of uncertainty, God’s throne remains secure. His purposes continue moving forward. His promises remain true.
As I look at Israel today, I am reminded that the same God who sustained His people through exile continues to watch over them now. History has not always been easy, and our generation faces its own challenges and uncertainties. Yet the faithfulness of God remains unchanged. The God who revealed His glory to Ezekiel is still at work, drawing people to Himself, transforming lives through the Gospel, and fulfilling His purposes in Israel and among the nations.
As we begin this new month, my prayer is that each of us would draw closer to the Lord and learn to follow His leading more fully. Perhaps you are facing circumstances that seem uncertain. Perhaps there are prayers you are still waiting to see answered. If so, take encouragement from Ezekiel’s story. God is not limited by your circumstances. He is not hindered by difficulty. The heavens are still open, the Holy Spirit is still leading, and the Lord is still faithful.
May this be a month in which we experience His presence in fresh ways, trust His guidance more completely, and witness His faithfulness at work in our lives. And as we continue to stand with Israel, may we remember that the God of Israel remains the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Shabbat Shalom from Israel,
Pastor Israel Pochtar