Birth

The Sabbath reading for this week is titled Tazri'a, which means "she bears seed", or "childbirth". This is also the Sabbath before the new month of Nisan begins. "Nisan" is a Babylonian word. The Hebrew word for this new month is Aviv. It is designated by God to be the first of the months of the year (Ex. 12:2). The Passover Feast, and the Feast of Unleavened Bread take place in this month. The new month of Aviv also represents the ripening of the barley harvest, and so it is also associated with the spring season, renewal, and, as we will see, birth. Aviv also means "to bring forth shoots", and the root word of Aviv, is the word av, meaning "Father". Not only is human birth mentioned in this Sabbath's reading, but a powerful spiritual birth as well. We will see that in all of these cases, the birthing process is very special in the eyes and purpose of God. Our understanding of the Hebrew words used in the commands of God regarding birthing offer a special view into His thoughts. Scientifically, we know that the woman's body becomes a filtering process for the life in the womb. The placenta removes toxins from the blood going to the fetus, and produces antibodies for the benefit of the unborn child. After the birth, the mother's body continues healing and cleansing for about six to eight weeks. Man did not have this biological knowledge at the time, but the LORD did, and He made the necessary allowance for this physical and spiritual cleansing process to continue for a specific number of days, either forty (gimel - meaning to ascend a level) or eighty (Pe - meaning an opening, an entrance, a beginning), in Leviticus 12. The LORD then said in Lev. 12:6: "When the days of her purification are fulfilled...". The Hebrew language used here reflects great beauty and delight. The Hebrew word translated as "purification" is tohar/taher. and means "glory, splendor, brightness, majesty, clearness, to purify, to shine, to be bright". The word "fulfilled" is the Hebrew word mala, meaning "consecrate, replenish, gather, overflow, abundance, to satisfy, complete, to make full". The mother's glory is made full to overflowing in this process. As the new mother completed her days of purification as mentioned above, she was to bring offerings to God. The first offering she must bring was that of a lamb (keber - to dominate, a ram just old enough to butt, sheep in general). She also had to bring a pigeon (yona - a dove/pigeon, endearment, gentle, ardor), or a turtledove (tor/tur - term of endearment, to be especially dear to, also a circlet or ornament for the hair made of pearl, gold, or silver; succession; to search out, select, to follow after, to show the way in an unknown place). The offerings made here show us a very special endearing love, not in weakness and helplessness, but in strength. There is an acknowledgement of royal succession and the diadem of honor between the new mother and the LORD. We see this same respect, marvel, and glory from God regarding birth in another reading for this special Sabbath before the month of Aviv. In Isaiah 66, the LORD revealed how far His people's hearts had gone from him. Their offerings were made worthless to God because of their lack of love, respect, and reverence for the God who called them, redeemed them, and delivered them (v. 3). The LORD said that He looks instead "...on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word." (v. 2). The LORD said that when He spoke, no one answered or heard (v. 4). However, in the middle of these sad observations, the LORD declared a great birth: "The sound of noise from the city! A voice from the temple! The voice of the LORD, who fully repays His enemies! 'Before she was in labor, she gave birth; before her pain came, she delivered a male child. Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall the earth be made to give birth in one day? Or shall a nation be born at once? For as soon as Zion was in labor, she gave birth to her children. Shall I bring to the time of birth, and not cause delivery?', says the LORD. 'Shall I who cause delivery shut up the womb?' says your God." (Isa. 66:6-9). What the LORD, who marvels in birth, was causing to be born in this prophetic word would affect Jerusalem, as well as the Gentiles: "Rejoice in Jerusaalem, and be glad with her, all you who love her. Rejoice for joy with her; all you who mourn for her; That you may feed and be satisfied with the consolation of her bosom, that you may drink deeply and be delighted, with the abundance of her glory...on her sides shall you be carried, and be dandled on her knees. As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; and you shall be comforted in Jerusalem." (v. 10-13). This is not the end of the birthing, however, as the LORD spoke of the abundance of her glory (see above regarding the new mother's completion of purification). "For as the new heavens and the new earth which I will make shall remain before Me,' says the LORD, 'So shall your descendants and your name remain. And it shall come to pass that from one new moon (Rosh Chodesh) to another, and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh shall come to worship before Me', says the LORD." (v. 22-23). The beginning of the new month of Aviv is signified by the appearance of a new moon, or Rosh Chodesh. We can never doubt, especially in this coming month of Aviv, that God will be birthing something in the earth, not only to restore the hearts of His people back to Him, but to also accomplish the defeat of His enemies, as He said in Isaiah. Warfare is won through birth! As the fulfillment of His prophetic promise to the Serpent of his defeat (Gen. 3:14-15), the LORD caused His Salvation to come to the world through the miraculous and enduring birth of a Child in Bethlehem to a virgin (Lk. 2:6-7). This same birth will impact spiritual and world events of these last days also (Rev. 12:1-17). Birth is not just a natural individual event, but it is full of spiritual importance in the timing and purpose of the LORD. If you would like to be part of what God is birthing in your life, and in the world, you can pray with me: Heavenly Father, in this Aviv season of birth, renewal and resurrection, I pray that Your purpose be birthed in Me and in the earth. I pray for the ripening of the harvest of God. Because of Your Son, Jesus, I have experienced the new birth by faith in Him, and in His resurrection. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I am able to "bring forth shoots", and be fruitful for Your kingdom. In Jesus' Name I pray, AMEN."