What better time to post this topic than now in preparations for next year’s Passover. Too many people believe that a “barley search” is in order before we can identify the start of the Hebrew New Year, but nothing could be further from the Truth!
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Our GOD-given Lighted “Signs” in the Heavens are our INDICATORS For the BEGINNING of months unto us NOT a Barley Search
“By the word of the LORD were the heavens made;
and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
“Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.” Psalm 33:6,8,9
“And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven
to divide the day from the night;
and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
“And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven
to give light upon the earth: and it was so.” Genesis 1:14.15
MONTHS are determined by the Lighted “Sign” of the sun.
DAYS are determined by the Lighted “Sign” of the sun. The evening and the morn (Genesis 1st Chapter).
YEARS are determined by the Lighted “Sign” of the sun.
New Moon Crescents are Sighted by the Lighted “Sign” of the sun’s reflection on the moon.
March 19 21 (Spring), the time of the “Equinox” which is determined by the sun. (The First New Moon Crescent following the Equinox marks the Hebrew New Year.)
There is an obvious and clear connection denoted in regard to the above Lighted “Signs” in the Heavens (Genesis 1:14,15) and the words: month, year, time, and season found in the Hebrew Scriptures listed below, and it should be understood that “barley” in no way is a part of this Heavenly equation. And to add the “barley search” theory, an meaningless imagination, is to instigate confusion and discredit and belittle the CREATOR’s Commandment to use the Lighted “Signs” for “Seasons, Days, and Years”.
It would be nave and unwise to imagine that any of the roles of the Hosts of Heaven changed, as a result of the CREATOR instituting the BEGINNING of Months unto the Children of Israel ahead of their coming out of the Land of Egypt. All the Seasons, Days, and Years were all in place just as they were when the Hosts of Heaven were made. The GOD of Israel only informed the Israelites of when their New Year would begin.
“And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.” Exodus 12:1,2
“This day came ye out in the month Abib.” Exodus 13:4
“Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:)” Exodus 23:15
“The feast of unleavened bread shalt thou keep. Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, as I commanded thee, in the time of the month Abib: for in the month Abib thou camest out from Egypt.” Exodus 34:18
“Let the children of Israel also keep the passover at his appointed season.” Numbers 9:2
“And God said, Let there be LIGHTS in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for SIGNS, and for SEASONS, and for DAYS, and YEARS: And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven TO GIVE LIGHT UPON THE EARTH: and it was so. And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,” Genesis 1:14 17
“He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.” Psalm 104:19
“O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever: The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:” Psalm 136:3 8
“Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name:” Jeremiah 31:35
All the above occurrences fulfill their roles by the Lighted “Sign” of the SUN that the CREATOR put in the Heavens specifically for our understanding of “periods of TIME”. Therefore, if in Genesis 1:14,15 we are Commanded to use the Lighted “Sign” (Sun) in the Heavens to determine the “Beginning of Months” (Days) unto us, then using barley for this purpose is strictly out of the question. GOD’s foolproof wonders are positioned obediently and humbly in the Heavens for our use, thus, there is no need to follow the imaginations of our hearts and reinvent other indicators for “Season, Days, and Years”.
Thus, we should know how to determine the BEGINNING of Months unto us – our Hebrew New Year the Spring Season according to the time of the equinox and the New Moon Crescent Sighting that follows (marking the First Day of the BEGINNING of Months). We should realize that if wisdom is obtained by means of keeping GOD’s LAW (Deuteronomy 4:5-8), then where is wisdom in following the “barley search” theory for determining the Hebrew New Year – a practice that is neither found in the LAW nor mentioned at all in the Hebrew Scriptures but actually defies what is specifically written and Commanded of us to follow in Genesis 1:14,15? With a solar and lunar Calendar, there is never a need to tamper with the Calendar, i.e., add an intercalary month NEVER
Moreover, let us be more appreciative of the CREATIONS in the Heavens. After all, Our CREATOR does not need them; HE manifest these Wondrous Works for us. Remember, HE desires Dwelling in the Darkness. Therefore, give THANKS unto HIM for the Wondrous Works of the Lighted “Signs” in the Heavens, for without them, we, who need these Lights, especially the Sun, would be lost. Plants need this Great Light in the Heavens for growth and for our consumption.
For as long as people have traveled the seas throughout the night, they used the Stars for direction, as well people have used them for Seasons by their movement in the Heavens. And we would not be able to determine Seasons, Days, and Months without the Lighted Crescent Moon. Therefore, let us be humbled knowing that we are exceedingly Blessed with these Magnificently designed WORKS established by the POWERS of Our CREATOR GOD of Hosts.
