Shalom dear friends,
As we enter the biblical month of Tammuz, I have been reflecting on the significance of this season and what it can teach us as followers of Yeshua today.
One of the things I love about Scripture is that it never hides the difficult chapters of God’s people’s story. The Bible speaks honestly about both victories and failures, moments of celebration and moments of great sorrow. Yet through it all, we see the faithfulness of God. The fourth month on the biblical calendar is a powerful example of this tension.
For many in Israel, this month is associated with painful memories.
It was during this season that the walls of Jerusalem were breached by the Babylonian army, leading to the destruction of the city and the exile of God’s people. The prophets Jeremiah and Zechariah both refer to these events, and they became part of Israel’s national remembrance. When we think about those days, we can only imagine the grief and uncertainty people felt. The city they loved was under attack, families were torn apart, and the future that once seemed secure suddenly appeared fragile. Many must have wondered whether God had forgotten them or whether His promises would still come to pass.
Yet what makes this month so remarkable is that alongside these memories of loss, Scripture also records one of the most extraordinary revelations of God’s glory. The book of Ezekiel begins by telling us that it was in the fourth month that “the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God” (Ezekiel 1:1).
The setting of this vision is important. Ezekiel was not standing in Jerusalem during a time of revival or national celebration. He was living among the captives in Babylon. His homeland had been devastated, his people were in exile, and much of what had once seemed stable had been shaken. Yet it was there, in the midst of uncertainty and disappointment, that God revealed Himself in a powerful way.
I find that deeply encouraging because it reminds us that God’s glory is not limited by our circumstances. We often imagine that we will experience His presence most clearly when everything is going well, when prayers are answered quickly, and when life unfolds according to our expectations. Yet throughout Scripture, we see that God frequently meets His people in seasons when they feel weak, dependent, and in need of His guidance. The exile was real, but so was the presence of God. The loss was real, but so was His glory.
As Ezekiel describes what he saw, one verse especially captures my attention. Speaking of the heavenly beings surrounding God’s throne, he writes, “Wherever the Spirit wanted to go, they went” (Ezekiel 1:20). Every time I read those words, I find myself praying, “Lord, help me to live that way.” How often do we ask God to bless our plans while He is inviting us to follow His? The life of faith is not simply about asking for direction when we need it; it is about cultivating a heart that is willing to follow wherever He leads.
This is especially important in the days in which we live.
There are many voices competing for our attention, many uncertainties around us, and many reasons why we could be distracted or discouraged. Yet the Holy Spirit is still leading God’s people today. He still speaks, He still guides, and He still directs our steps. Our responsibility is to remain sensitive to His voice and willing to obey.
As the vision unfolds, Ezekiel describes seeing a throne and One seated upon it with the appearance of a man. As believers in Yeshua, we cannot help but see a beautiful glimpse of God’s redemptive plan. Long before Messiah came into the world, God was already revealing His purposes. Ezekiel was given a vision of the glory of the One who would one day come to save us and reconcile us to the Father.
The chapter concludes with Ezekiel describing everything he had witnessed as “the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord” (Ezekiel 1:28). What an amazing statement. Everything in the vision pointed to God’s majesty, holiness, authority, and power. Through Yeshua, that same God has invited us into a relationship with Him. We are no longer separated from His presence. His Spirit dwells within us, His Kingdom is our inheritance, and His glory continues to work in our lives, often in ways we do not immediately recognize.
As we begin this new month, I believe the message of Tammuz is especially relevant. The same month that reminds us of Jerusalem’s fall also reminds us that God revealed His glory to Ezekiel in exile. In other words, difficult circumstances do not prevent God from accomplishing His purposes. They do not prevent Him from speaking. They do not prevent Him from revealing Himself to His people.
Perhaps some of you are carrying burdens today. Perhaps there are unanswered prayers, concerns for your family, challenges in your work, or uncertainties about the future. If so, take courage. The God who met Ezekiel in Babylon has not changed. The heavens are still open. The Holy Spirit is still leading. The Lord is still faithful.
My prayer for each of us this month is that we would draw closer to Him, learn to follow His leading more carefully, and discover His presence in fresh ways. May we see His hand at work in our families, our congregation, and throughout the nation of Israel. And may we learn, like Ezekiel, to recognize God’s glory even in seasons that seem difficult, trusting that He is always at work for His purposes and for our good.
Shabbat Shalom from Israel,
Pastor Israel Pochtar
