Cool Eclipse or Significant Event?

            Today is a busy day, and yet, something keeps nagging in the back of my mind. Yesterday, the nation was abuzz with the solar eclipse taking place, yet so few understand the Godly significance.  The 21^st chapter of Luke tells us that there will be signs of the end times. Verse 25 says, “ There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars.”  If this were not true, it would not be written there.  So what significance is there in a solar eclipse?

            This particular eclipse had a path clear across our nation. The full view was available from Oregon to South Carolina.  Is it an accident that the eclipse passed through seven cities named Salem? Salem means Shalom, or peace. 

            Yesterday also marked the eve of the Hebrew month Elul, which is a forty day period for repentance, leading up to the day of atonement, Yom Kippur (September 29^th this year).

Jewish scholars have told us that the eve of Elul was when Moses took the second set of tablets up the mountain for God to re-inscribe the Ten Commandments. Moses returned to the mountaintop to repent on behalf of Israel for their disobedience, and making a golden calf to worship instead of the true God of Israel.

            We are also told that the eve of Elul was when Jonah went to Ninevah to warn the people of that city of their need to repent. They listened (much to Jonah’s dismay) and spent a forty-day period mourning of their sins.

            A Messianic Rabbi also stated that Jesus began his forty days in the wilderness at the start of the month of Elul.

            So if these things are true, (I am not a Historian, but am trusting they are), then what does that mean for us in these next forty days?

            I think about the people of Ninevah. What caused them all to repent at the short, angry words of a reluctant prophet? Something must have happened to turn hearts all at once. I know it wasn’t because of Jonah’s desire or influence, because he didn’t want to be there, and he didn’t want them to repent. He wanted them to be destroyed because of their behavior. Yet that was not God’s plan.

            What caused them to turn their hearts to the Lord?

            I am praying during these forty days for God’s people to awake from their slumber and to return to their calling. I am praying for the spirit of the living God to breathe new life into those who have forgotten who they are. I am praying for those who have denied Him to turn their hearts to hear.

            This is the time for God’s people to stand firm. Let our Yes be Yes, and not just when convenient.

            The eclipse was not just a cool thing that happened. There is a reason for astronomical events, and those who have ears to hear are called to walk in wisdom.