The story of God always involves redemption and grace, and the biblical calendar reminds us of
this wonderful truth each fall. Elul is the twelfth month on the Hebrew calendar and is
distinguished as a time of teshuvah meaning “returning” or “repentance.” This month serves as
spiritual preparation for the upcoming high holy days of Rosh Hashanah (Head of the Year) and
Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) and is a period ripe for new year resolutions and a turning
away from sin in pursuit of fresh beginnings.
This period is not just a month but a season that spans forty days, extending from the 1st of Elul
through the beginning of the next month, Tishrei, to Yom Kippur. Why forty days? Some say
this duration mirrors the forty weeks an infant is nurtured in the womb. Teshuvah signifies the
death of old sinful ways and rebirth into a new creation described in 2 Corinthians 5:17. It
represents an awakening from sin-induced slumber spurred by the Holy Spirit moving within the
believers as they experience God’s salvation.
It also corresponds to the time Moses spent interceding on Mount Sinai when God forgave the
sin of the golden calf. Moses had ascended the mountain to receive revelation from God. Upon
his return, he found the people had grown restless and reverted to their former patterns of sin
creating a golden calf for worship. After judging their sin, Moses returned to the mountain for
forty days to intercede for the people, and God extended his forgiveness.
On the mountain, God revealed himself to Moses as “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and
gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love
for thousands of generations, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin…” This covenant with
the people is akin to a marriage covenant, and the worship of the calf represented unfaithfulness
to that sacred bond. The profound declaration of his love and mercy in the wake of such betrayal
is truly breathtaking.
Elul can also be understood as an acronym of the Hebrew phrase from Song of Solomon 6:3: “I
am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.” This song, often interpreted as an allegory of God’s
love for his people, is traditionally read during the month of Elul emphasizing the desire for
teshuvah is ultimately about restoring our relationship with a holy God characterized by mercy,
grace, and lovingkindness.
This is further emphasized in the upcoming fall feast called Sukkot, that is, the Feast of
Tabernacles. Once the solemn business of repentance and forgiveness has been experienced, the
joyous festival of Sukkot celebrates the freedom from sin and restored relationship with our
bridegroom. Sukkot can be seen as a rehearsal for the wedding celebration of the Lamb.
Repentance is a precious gift intended to restore us to our rightful place not a tool to subjugate
us. God yearns for a bride who loves freely rather than a robotic follower obeying rules out of
fear of punishment. May you embrace the gift of repentance this month anticipating the joy of
your salvation once again.
One of the many blessings of following the biblical calendar is a multitude of opportunities the
Lord provides for us to repent and return to Him as He demonstrates His lovingkindness. He is
consistently wooing and drawing us into a deeper relationship. His banner over us is love.
Terri Starcher graduated Summa Cum Laude from The Ohio State University in 1994 with a
degree in history. She attends Church of the Messiah in Xenia, is on the worship team and
teaches in various formats.