Day Eleven of the Forty Days of Teshuvah
Ani L’Dodi V’Dodi Li
September/Elul
It’s the eleventh today
We are meeting early again
No time for delay
The work is serious
No time for games
Every seed He shows me
Has a specific name
The kingdom He said
Begins when we repent
He keeps bringing this up
He won’t budge or relent
I don’t completely understand
But I’m following all of His orders
The tall and the short
Expanding my borders
© laurette laster September 11, 2019
An appointed time, a call to prepare. A mo’ed or mo’edim, a set time, a kairos, a time for eternal purpose with the purpose of God clearly felt, but still unknown. A desire so deep I can’t articulate, but so near I sense Him. Feelings of the heavenly realm wrapping around us like righteousness that can’t be shaken or penetrated by the world. A time for renewing our vows.
Ani L’Dodi V’Dodi Li
Felt like a drought in a thirsting soul, calling like hunger pangs, etched in our innermost being, calling out to the God of our salvation. Crying out as a lost child, bleating as the wayward sheep about to fall off the cliff; but knowing somewhere the answer will come. Why? Because Love always answers.
“As the crowds emerged from the village, Jesus said to his disciples, “Why would you say, ‘The harvest is another four months away’? Look at all the people coming—now is harvest time! Their hearts are like vast fields of ripened grain—ready for a harvest.”
John 4:35 TPT
[“Ani L’Dodi V’Dodi Li” is a phrase often quoted in reference to love and Judaism, and it is a quote from the Song of Songs, written by the wise King Solomon. It translates to “I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine.” But what is the meaning behind it? Why is this specific passage such an iconic symbol of love?
The meaning behind the passage starts in an unexpected place. The first letters of each of the words of “Ani L’Dodi V’Dodi Li” spell out Elul, in Hebrew, the month before the high holidays, a time of repentance and self examination. What does that have to do with love though?
As it turns out, a lot. The love referred to in this passage is that of our relationship with God, a compassionate relationship, full of understanding and forgiveness, a love that understands that life is a work in progress, and nobody is perfect from the start. The month of Elul gives us a chance to re-focus our attention and ensure that we are making progress in the right direction, towards letting the bit of God within us shine out in a beautiful way.” Quoted from Israel-catalog.com]
Elul, the seventh month, was first recognized, and used while in Babylonian captivity. What a blessing to hold deep in their hearts. A wayward people longing for their God and their land. And God…
And what a wonderful loving, long suffering God.. Exodus 34:6-7
God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord cause His countenance to rise upon you and give you Shalom.
Until next time, thank you for listening with me. Laurette
Through All Seasons 