October 1989
New Moons and Sabbath Days
The Lord told us that in earlier days the New Moon was known to be a time for asking special things of the Lord. He put it to us in this way –
“Sow at the New Moon and reap at the Full.”
No doubt this was why the New Moon festivals were times of great rejoicing, similar to Sabbaths in Old Testament times. Much of the significance of these things is now lost, but just occasionally the Lord brings back to our notice an understanding that was known in olden times, but never found its way into print in the Word of God.
“In the New World tomorrow
I shall call all men to worship me on the New Moon and the Sabbath.
The New Moon is the time of starting,
the time of sowing,
the time of seeking and asking,
and as the Moon grows from New to Full
that which is sought by faith
will also grow until the Full Moon harvest.
And when it has accomplished its purpose,
it will slowly decline and make way for a new parcel of purpose.”
[In our own experience, dating from this word in 1989, we have found that some prayers are answered speedily, within one lunation, whilst others take longer to mature, but it is amazing how frequently we have found specific answers to occur at the full moon. We commend the practice of New Moon prayers.
In addition to this understanding, we were given to know that Satan and the dark powers also approach the Lord at the New Moon, to ask for special permission to perform some dark deed. An example of this is seen in the Book of Job. Although the text doesn’t specify it as such, the Lord assured us that on both occasions it was at the New Moon that he presented himself, along with many others, to the Lord.
It is an unfortunate but common practice today to look upon all forms of Sabbath observance, whether Saturday or Sunday, as wholly unnecessary, indeed, they are treated as legalism. But the law was never “nailed to the cross” as some people aver. According to the New Covenant, the laws of God should be written in our hearts rather than just engraved on stone. A Christian should delight in God’s laws, and learn why they were written. There is great wisdom contained in the Mosaic legislation, whereby one may find deeper riches of God’s character. The law is indeed a schoolmaster to lead us the Christ, but we are never enjoined to shoot the schoolmaster after we have found the Saviour!
All the laws connected with sacrifices were fulfilled at Calvary. All the laws relating to uncleanness, childbirth, and associated functions have likewise been contained within our Lord’s sacrifice, but there are many other areas of legislation that have a rich meaning if one studies them. Take the law relating to the weaving of cloth. Wool and cotton were never allowed together. A tailor told us that by experience, weavers have found that if both were used, they would work against each other, thereby making the cloth fall apart. Take the food laws as another example. There is no loss in enjoyment by taking note of the prohibitions. Apart from pork and shellfish, we adhere to God’s law. Nobody would think of eating rats, cats, jellyfish or any one of hundreds of other life-forms. How do we know whether or not the prohibitions were enforced to maintain the health of God’s people?
To love God’s laws, and to keep them as and when they are applicable to life today, will show an attitude to the Lord that is commendable. To treat the laws as “an ass”, as one brother wrote to tell us, is to attract the Lord’s displeasure. These brief comments were appended to the word above because a little explanation was needed.]
