Kislev – The Month of ‘Thickness’
The biblical month of Kislev is the ninth month in the biblical calendar. It is the month of the ‘thick winter rain clouds’. The word ‘Kislev’ means ‘thick’.
This month is linked to the tribe of Benjamin (means ‘son of the right hand of God’). Benjamin was the twelfth son of Jacob and his youngest son.
Benjamin had special favor in the eyes of Joseph and got blessed in Egypt five times more than his older brothers (cf. Genesis 43:34).
Genesis 43:34:
34 When portions were served to them from Joseph’s table, Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as anyone else’s. So they feasted and drank freely with him.
34 When portions were served to them from Joseph’s table, Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as anyone else’s. So they feasted and drank freely with him.
Benjamin and Joseph
Benjamin is a sign for the Body of Christ on earth, because Joseph is a sign for Jesus Christ. Jesus became what we are so that we become what He is.
It was the will of the Heavenly Father to send His only begotten Son Jesus Christ into our sphere of life in order to give us the opportunity to be where He is (cf. Ephesians 2:6 i.c.w. Colossians 1:13-14; Colossians 3:1-4).
Ephesians 2:6:
6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, …
6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, …
Colossians 1:13-14:
13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 3:1-4:
1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Jesus went before us to show the love of the Father in the world and to prepare a table in front of our enemies. The world is represented by Egypt (cf. Psalm 23:5).
Psalm 23:5:
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
It was the Pharaoh by the grace of God who put Joseph after the interpretation of his dreams into the position of the authority of a father (cf. Genesis 45:8 i.c.w. Genesis 41:39-43).
Genesis 45:8:
8 “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.
8 “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.
Genesis 41:39-43:
39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you.
40 You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”
41 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.”
42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck.
43 He had him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command, and people shouted before him, “Make way!” Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt.
39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you.
40 You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”
41 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.”
42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck.
43 He had him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command, and people shouted before him, “Make way!” Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt.
The Outward and Inward Anointing
The blessing of God gets activated in the presence of our enemies if we stay first in unity as saints in the relationship with God. Then God unlocks the outward anointing and then the inward anointing (cf. Psalm 23:5 i.c.w. Psalm 133:1-2).
Psalm 23:5:
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Psalm 133:1-2:
A song of ascents. Of David.
1 How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!
2 It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe.
A song of ascents. Of David.
1 How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!
2 It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe.
If we operate as Body of Christ in divine unity and doing the tasks of the Father by the Holy Spirit and allowing the truth of the Holy Spirit in us to increase then His truth flows out of us (cf. John 16:13).
John 16:13:
13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
Seated Between the Shoulders of the Lord and Benjamin, the Wolf
Benjamin got blessed as a tribe by Moses to be seated between the shoulders of the Lord (cf. Deuteronomy 33:12).
Deuteronomy 33:12:
12 About Benjamin he said: “Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders.”
12 About Benjamin he said: “Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders.”
This seat is the place where the anointing of divine kingship and priesthood is attached because the robe of a king/priest is affixed to the two shoulders and the anointing to the neck (cf. Isaiah 10:27).
Isaiah 10:27:
27 And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off your shoulder, and his yoke from off your neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.
27 And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off your shoulder, and his yoke from off your neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.
It was Benjamin who got blessed by his father Jacob to have the quality of a wolf who was able to make prey and to distribute the plunder (cf. Genesis 49:27).
Genesis 49:27:
27 “Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; in the morning he devours the prey, in the evening he divides the plunder.”
27 “Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; in the morning he devours the prey, in the evening he divides the plunder.”
The Nighttime and the Favor of the Father for the Tribe of Benjamin
This shows that Benjamin was able to use the power of the new day in order to make prey and giving a blessing for the night to his people. The ability to make prey is linked to divine wisdom how to use the value of time even if the times are evil (cf. Ephesians 5:15-17).
Ephesians 5:15-17:
15 Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
15 Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
Especially in the month of Kislev, that is the month linked to Benjamin, we should show our readiness to receive dreams/visions or get awaken by God during the night in order to get a strategy how to make ‘prey’, so that it becomes a blessing for us and our neighbors during the day.
Our given power and strength that is hidden for the public brings forth the result of blessing for others. This hiddenness points to the importance of the relationship with the Heavenly Father (cf. Matthew 6:6).
Matthew 6:6:
6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
The Four Night Watches and the Four Leprosy Men
The value of the night is hidden in the four night watches and they function similar as the four leprosy men at the gate in the time of Elisha where the city Samaria was besieged by the Arameans.
The four leprosy men brought in the midst of their ‘dark hour’ a message of hope to the king into the city of Samaria (see 2 Kings 7:3-11).
2 Kings 7:3-11:
3 Now there were four men with leprosy (Note: 4 quarters of a circle => representing the power of the full moon – full measure) at the entrance of the city gate. They said to each other, Why stay here until we die? 4 If we say, 'We'll go into the city’- the famine is there, and we will die. And if we stay here, we will die. So let's go over to the camp of the Arameans and surrender. If they spare us, we live; if they kill us, then we die.
5 At dusk they got up and went to the camp of the Arameans. When they reached the edge of the camp, not a man was there, 6 for the Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots and horses and a great army, so that they said to one another, Look, the king of Israel has hired the Hittite and Egyptian kings to attack us!
7 So they got up and fled in the dusk and abandoned their tents and their horses and donkeys. They left the camp as it was and ran for their lives.
8 The men who had leprosy reached the edge of the camp and entered one of the tents. They ate and drank, and carried away silver, gold and clothes, and went off and hid them. They returned and entered another tent and took some things from it and hid them also.
9 Then they said to each other, We're not doing right. This is a day of good news and we are keeping it to ourselves. If we wait until daylight, punishment will overtake us. Let's go at once and report this to the royal palace.
10 So they went and called out to the city gatekeepers and told them, We went into the Aramean camp and not a man was there – not a sound of anyone – only tethered horses and donkeys, and the tents left just as they were.
11 The gatekeepers shouted the news, and it was reported within the palace.
3 Now there were four men with leprosy (Note: 4 quarters of a circle => representing the power of the full moon – full measure) at the entrance of the city gate. They said to each other, Why stay here until we die? 4 If we say, 'We'll go into the city’- the famine is there, and we will die. And if we stay here, we will die. So let's go over to the camp of the Arameans and surrender. If they spare us, we live; if they kill us, then we die.
5 At dusk they got up and went to the camp of the Arameans. When they reached the edge of the camp, not a man was there, 6 for the Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots and horses and a great army, so that they said to one another, Look, the king of Israel has hired the Hittite and Egyptian kings to attack us!
7 So they got up and fled in the dusk and abandoned their tents and their horses and donkeys. They left the camp as it was and ran for their lives.
8 The men who had leprosy reached the edge of the camp and entered one of the tents. They ate and drank, and carried away silver, gold and clothes, and went off and hid them. They returned and entered another tent and took some things from it and hid them also.
9 Then they said to each other, We're not doing right. This is a day of good news and we are keeping it to ourselves. If we wait until daylight, punishment will overtake us. Let's go at once and report this to the royal palace.
10 So they went and called out to the city gatekeepers and told them, We went into the Aramean camp and not a man was there – not a sound of anyone – only tethered horses and donkeys, and the tents left just as they were.
11 The gatekeepers shouted the news, and it was reported within the palace.
The First Night Watch – The Evening (‘ereb’) - 06:00 p.m. until 09:00 p.m. (cf. Genesis 19:1; Genesis 24:11.63; Exodus 27:21; 2 Samuel 11:2; 2 Kings 7:5; Ezra 9:5; Psalm 55:17-18; Matthew 14:15.23; Mark 1:32; John 20:19)
This night watch is linked to be separated from the world by coming to rest. It is the time to calm the heart and to meditate about God’s promises.
Isaac for example meditated/prayed in order to see his good future called ‘Rebekah’ coming (cf. Genesis 24:63).
Genesis 24:63:
63 He went out to the field one evening to meditate, 6 and as he looked up, he saw camels approaching.
63 He went out to the field one evening to meditate, 6 and as he looked up, he saw camels approaching.
The first night watch is the possibility to ask God for vision of the future.
The Second Night Watch – Midnight (night: ‘labil’; center: ‘chatsowth’) - 09:00 p.m. until 12:00 a.m. (cf. Exodus 11:4; Exodus 12:29; Numbers 11:9; Ruth 3:8; Matthew 25:6; Luke 11:5; Acts 16:25)
The second night watch is the time frame when God deals with the enemies of His children who try to prevent them from entering into His perfect plan for their lives.
It was the time at which the LORD allowed at midnight, all first born sons to die in the land of Egypt where He didn’t see the blood of the lamb at the doorposts of their houses (cf. Exodus 11:4, Exodus 12:29).
It is also the period when the righteous judgments of the Lord and words of thanksgiving are proclaimed, as it is revealed in Psalm 119:62: ‘At midnight I rise to give you thanks for your righteous laws.’
It is also the time to release declarations, which cut off the enemies from us.
The Third Night Watch – The Begin Of The Day (‘mishchar’; the time where the cook is crowing) – 12:00 a.m. until 03:00 a.m. (cf. Psalm 110:3; Mark 13:35)
During the third night watch much spiritual activity takes place.
This is a time when the Lord is giving more dreams.
It is a period that gives believers the possibility of taking authority over a spiritual covenant breaker, who stirs up doubts and unbelief as well as wants to break the direction of the way.
The habit of the cock in the east is to crow during the night at regular times. The ‘cock crowing’ was a sign in order to indicate a certain part of time (cf. Mark 13:35).
The Romans called it the last watch of the night. This watch could also be equated with ‘the daybreak’. This took place around three o’clock in the morning.
The Hebrews defined the period of the cock crowing by the designation of the words ‘the singing of the cock.’
The ‘cock crowing’ was an undefined hour of the night between midnight and morning (cf. Mark 13:35). It also is mentioned through all the Gospels in connection with the denial of Peter (cf. Matthew 26:34; Mark 14:30; Luke 22:34; John 13:38).
The crowing of the cock reminded Peter how simple it was to deny the Savior.
The Fourth Night Watch – The Morning (‘boqer’) - 03:00 a.m. until 06:00 a.m. (cf. Genesis 19:15; Exodus 30:7; Exodus 34:2; Joshua 6:12; Ruth 3:13-14; 2 Samuel 24:11; Nehemia 4:15; Matthew 14:25; Mark 1:35; John 21:4)
The fourth night watch is connected with the increasing morning light and daybreak. It is the last part of the night when the Lord prepares believers for the coming day.
This is the time to release declarations into your personal life, family, job/profession, community of saints/ministry, the environment and the future.
The night watches were created for one reason and this is to protect God’s people.
The Hebrew word for ‘morning’ refers to the day and also means the hour of the dawn or the time shortly thereafter (cf. Genesis 19:2; 2 Chronicles 36:15; Hosea 6:4; Luke 24:22).
Being a Part in order to Create the Rainbow
It is possible that we can create during the time of the night ‘the rainbow of the day’ that is linked to God’s promises. It means that if we transform our dreams during the day or react on them, God’s plan for our lives can be manifested.
The rainbow is a sign of God’s covenant with us and means that we will not have to war again with things that we faced in the past.
The Benjaminites – The Holy Bow Shooters
The people of the tribe of Benjamin were good archers and strong in their right and left arms. This means for us to decree or proclaim the Word of God by prophetic inspiration where the Lord allows us to do so.
In addition, the left side includes the call to go forward in faith and implement what you have been called to do by God here on earth. This goes hand in hand with the victory of God (cf. 1 Chronicles 8:40; 1 Chronicles 12:1-2 i.c.w. Psalm 118:16).
1 Chronicles 8:40:
40 The sons of Ulam were brave warriors who could handle the bow. They had many sons and grandsons – 150 in all. All these were the descendants of Benjamin.
40 The sons of Ulam were brave warriors who could handle the bow. They had many sons and grandsons – 150 in all. All these were the descendants of Benjamin.
1 Chronicles 12:1-2:
1 These were the men who came to David at Ziklag, while he was banished from the presence of Saul son of Kish (they were among the warriors who helped him in battle; 2 they were armed with bows and were able to shoot arrows or to sling stones right-handed or left-handed; they were relatives of Saul from the tribe of Benjamin): …
1 These were the men who came to David at Ziklag, while he was banished from the presence of Saul son of Kish (they were among the warriors who helped him in battle; 2 they were armed with bows and were able to shoot arrows or to sling stones right-handed or left-handed; they were relatives of Saul from the tribe of Benjamin): …
Psalm 118:16:
“… 16 The Lord’s right hand is lifted high; the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!”
“… 16 The Lord’s right hand is lifted high; the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!”
Examples of Divine Benjaminites
Mordechai as well as the apostle Paul were from the tribe of Benjamin (cf. Esther 2:5; Romans 11:1).
Esther 2:5:
5 Now there was in the citadel of Susa a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, named Mordecai son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, …
5 Now there was in the citadel of Susa a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, named Mordecai son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, …
Romans 11:1:
1 I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin.
1 I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin.
These two examples clearly show that we can bring security and the good news into our assigned region where we are responsible.
The Increasing Fire of Mercy
The month of Kislev is as well the month of the increasing fire/light that is linked to the presence of the Holy Spirit as oil in us and the igniting fire and fiery oven of God through the love sacrifice of Jesus Christ at the cross. It is a time similar to the visitation of Abraham, where he saw the LORD as a fiery furnace in the midst of his prepared sacrifice (cf. Genesis 15:17).
Genesis 15:17:
17 When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces.
17 When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces.
The reason of it is because in the month of Kislev begins Hanukkah – the feast of dedication that goes along with fire.
Jesus also stayed in the Temple at the time of Hanukkah, pointing out the obedience of His sheep who know His voice and follow Him (cf. John 10:22-23, 27).
John 10:22-23.27:
22 Then came the Festival of Dedication (Note: Hanukkah) at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. …
27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
22 Then came the Festival of Dedication (Note: Hanukkah) at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. …
27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
Hanukkah carries the message that in the midst of destruction there is mercy. It is God who builds our future (cf. Ephesians 2:10 i.c.w. Jeremiah 29:11).
Ephesians 2:10:
10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Jeremiah 29:11:
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
At Hanukkah the people of Israel remember the miracle of the thick liquid called ‘nephthar’ (Note: means ‘purification’) that was a pasty liquid found in a dry cistern by Nehemiah (cf. 2 Maccabees 1:19-20.35-36). It was previously hidden by the prophet Jeremiah (cf. 2 Maccabees 2:1) and would normally have lasted to burn for only one day. But it endured and burned marvellously eight days in the temple.
2 Maccabees 1:19-20.35:
19 For when our ancestors were being led into captivity in Persia, devout priests at the time took some of the fire from the altar and hid it secretly in the hollow of a dry cistern, making sure that the place would be unknown to anyone. 20 Many years later, when it so pleased God, Nehemiah, commissioned by the king of Persia, sent the descendants of the priests who had hidden the fire to look for it. …
35 To those whom the king favored, he distributed many benefits he received. 36 Nehemiah and his companions called the liquid nephthar, meaning purification, but most people named it naphtha.
19 For when our ancestors were being led into captivity in Persia, devout priests at the time took some of the fire from the altar and hid it secretly in the hollow of a dry cistern, making sure that the place would be unknown to anyone. 20 Many years later, when it so pleased God, Nehemiah, commissioned by the king of Persia, sent the descendants of the priests who had hidden the fire to look for it. …
35 To those whom the king favored, he distributed many benefits he received. 36 Nehemiah and his companions called the liquid nephthar, meaning purification, but most people named it naphtha.
2 Maccabees 2:1:
1 In the records it will be found that Jeremiah the prophet ordered the deportees to take some of the fire with them as indicated, …
1 In the records it will be found that Jeremiah the prophet ordered the deportees to take some of the fire with them as indicated, …
This density of God’s presence in the radiance of the Gospel reaches others in the month of Kislev, as we are positioning ourselves as brothers in Christ to reveal God’s grace.
Amen and Amen.
In His Wisdom,
Daniel Glimm
