Preparing for Deliverance: Entering the Biblical New Year

The biblical new year is such an exciting time, even though it’s rarely met with much celebration. The reason why we get so excited about biblical new year is because it marks the point at which we can look forward to Passover. We are commanded to keep Passover as a sacred ceremony through all our generations because it reminds us of how mighty the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is – yesterday, today and forever.

Often called the "watershed event" of the Jewish people, the Exodus from Egypt is one of the most defining moments of God‘s faithfulness to His word, His people, and His promises. It’s because of this special event that the biblical new year is marked as 14 days before Passover—what Scripture calls Rosh Chodeshim, the beginning of months—established by God in Exodus and ordered according to the lunar cycle. As we welcome the biblical new year in today, our sight must be pointed forward towards Passover and this season of deliverance.

"Now Adonai spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt saying, “This month will mark the beginning of months for you; it is to be the first month of the year for you."
— Exodus 12:1-2 TLV

Usually, when people think of the new year starting, they think of all the ways that they are going to refresh their lives. They use resolutions or commitments like getting a new gym membership or enrolling for a new class as a way to force themselves into a new way of thinking or behaving. But in Exodus six, God gives us the pattern for how he renews and refreshes us.

“Therefore say to Bnei-Yisrael: I am Adonai, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. I will deliver you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. I will take you to Myself as a people, and I will be your God. You will know that I am Adonai your God, who brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.”
— Exodus 6:6–7 TLV

It's very clear that when we are in bondage, whatever it may be whether it's to adrenaline, sugar, coffee, or anything else, it is by God's divine hand that we can be delivered.

• He will take you out.

• He will deliver you.

• He will redeem you.

• He will take you to Himself.

Most people believe they can deliver themselves into a new season of life or new habits by sheer force of will. But anyone who has ever dieted will tell you that sheer force of will can only go so far. Which is why God so lovingly gives us the biblical new year as a point in time and space in order to begin the process of preparing.

Being ready for your deliverance is a process in itself. Many people would think that the Israelites were only set free within a short amount of time after the final plague. But that is not the case! The 10 plagues were just as much about preparing the hearts of his people as they were for tearing down Egypt's idols. The Exodus from Egypt didn't just happen overnight. And neither will any type of deliverance that you may need in your life today.

Of course, we serve a miracle working God. And at any point, he can enter a situation and completely change it. But in living out the Bible and meeting him for his appointed feasts, we hear at the Bible Society have learned that his patterns and time signatures are still true today the way they were at Sinai.

So here are three things you can do today in order to begin, preparing your house, your family, and your heart for whatever season of freedom God is bringing you into.

1. Prepare Your House
   Passover is the time of unleavened bread. This day marks the beginning of many Jewish households in their endeavor to clear their premises of loving agents. Hence, the idea of spring cleaning! Do something today to reset your living space whether it is deep cleaning your refrigerator, shaking out your toaster, or finally sorting through your junk drawer. Even just a little bit goes a long way!

1. Prepare Your Family
   gather your family and take some time to discuss, list or tell each other exactly what each member of the family's prayer needs are. This season of preparing for deliverance requires everyone to be on the same page spiritually. And that means taking the time to recognize, and have compassion for, where each other might be struggling. By doing this, your family can come together and be ready for whatever God has for you!

1. Prepare Your Heart
   To prepare your heart for true change, it has to start with knowing exactly where you're feelings, thoughts, behaviors, and actions are currently. Write yourself a letter or a journal entry admitting. to yourself, exactly what you are praying that God will deliver you from. Apply the Exodus verse and write out what you are preparing your heart for! Here is a sample:
   

“Heavenly Father, I believe that you can take me out of this situation. I believe that you will deliver me from anxiety and fear. I believe that you will redeem my fears and turn them into peace. I believe that you will take me to Yourself and make me more like you. Please help me grow in love and joy in this season.”

If Passover can teach us anything, it can teach us that God is faithful no matter what the circumstance. He is dependable. He is steadfast. He is strong and loving. So have a little faith and know that freedom is just around the corner!

“Then Adonai passed before him, and proclaimed, ‘Adonai, Adonai, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness and truth, showing mercy to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, yet by no means leaving the guilty unpunished, but bringing the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, to the third and fourth generation.’”
— Exodus 34:6–7 TLV