A hypothetical person made some bad choices, starting with taking a job at a firm with a notorious reputation. To him, the idea to step out on his own away from the family business meant taking personal responsibility for his life.
His thoughts blinded him to problems others close to him could see. He personally did not commit any crimes, but he eventually became aware that the upper tier of investment managers were stealing from investors in a huge Ponzi scheme, yet he chose not to go to the SEC.
To make a long story short, the young man was indicted and sentenced. His rich father bailed him out and he accepted a plea bargain, which left his wife with a decision. Would she give him a second chance?
For the man in the story, from a recent movie by the way, time grew short. Darkness closed in fast, and he could not deny what was happening in his life, but a way out appeared. Though he had disappointed his father, his father’s love provided the way of escape for him. Figuratively, the young man was delivered from exile, and that deliverance reconnected him with his family.
Only one letter stands between exile and redemption. Adding the letter aleph in Hebrew transforms the former to the latter, exile to redemption. No matter what our circumstances, God has ordained them to lead us back to Him in preparation for our ultimate redemption. God is a God of second chances.
Exile is a continuation of God’s redemptive purpose for the ones He loves. The main purpose is not to punish but to cause us to return to Him in such a way that He remakes our past into the present and future He always desired.
The Hebrew calendar offers two beginnings, one is Nissan, the first month of the year, when kings were traditionally crowned, when God showed Himself as King by delivering Israel from oppression in Egypt. The mighty hand of God to deliver pointed to the future, to the one act of redemption when Jesus sacrificed Himself as the passover Lamb opening the way to deliver all from ultimate exile back to God.
The second beginning is Tishri, the seventh month on the Jewish calendar, indicating the beginning of creation, which is roughly September through October. The days after Tishri are shortened heading toward the winter solstice. Jesus told us this would happen for the salvation of the elect; otherwise, even we wouldn’t survive.
Rabbis teach the shortening of the days after Tishri was seen as the sign of God’s wrath, yet it highlights God’s great mercy. The shortening of the days is said to have brought Adam awareness of his sin, as the coming darkness brings fear, until the fire which God gives provides light in the darkness.
The days must be shortened for the sake of the elect, for if the elect don’t become whom God has called them to be, then the whole earth must be condemned. This may not be a comfortable process for the elect, but it’s to prepare us as a spotless bride for the return of Christ.
The point, then, of God shortening the days or bringing a sense of impending darkness, is not to cause harm. If we feel fearful, God wants to deliver us through Christ from all our fears as we put our trust in Him. He saves all who open their hearts to Him and listen to His voice in the word of God. Jesus has the keys to death and hell. He has overcome them both, and He empowers us to overcome as well.
The glorious truth is that during these shortened days a new light dawns in our heart to transform the world which is experiencing growing darkness. Christ truly is the only hope of the world before whom we shine as lights.
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