The month of Elul has always carried the whisper of covenant love. Even the letters of its name, Aleph-Lamed-Vav-Lamed (אלול), form the acronym for “Ani l’dodi v’dodi li” — “I am my Beloved’s, and my Beloved is mine” (Song of Songs 6:3). At its heart, Elul is not only about repentance, but about intimacy — the Bride turning her heart back toward her Bridegroom.
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When the shofar first sounded on the 1st of Elul in Haggai’s day, the call was clear: “Rebuild My house.” The people obeyed, and the work of restoring the Temple began. But in the New Covenant, the temple of God is no longer built of stone alone — it is within you. Paul declares, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that His Spirit dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16).
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On the very first day of Elul in 520 BCE, the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai: “These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD” (Haggai 1:2).
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As we walk through Elul, we hear the daily shofar reminding us to awaken and return. But God has already built a rhythm of return into every single week — Shabbat.
Shabbat is more than a day of rest. It is a covenant sign (Exodus 31:16-17), a reminder that the work is not ultimately ours but His. Just as Elul prepares us for the High Holy Days, Shabbat prepares us for eternity. Each week, we step aside from labor, lay down our striving, and remember that redemption and provision come from the Lord alone.
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When Israel fell at Sinai with the golden calf, it could have marked the end of their story. But instead, God called Moses back up the mountain for another forty days. According to Jewish tradition, this second ascent began on the first day of Elul. For forty days and nights, Moses interceded for a rebellious people, pleading for mercy and the renewal of the covenant.
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The month of Elul carries the fragrance of mercy because it was born out of failure. Two great collapses mark Israel’s journey in the wilderness. The first instance occurred at Sinai, when impatience led to idolatry and the golden calf was raised. Moses descended with the tablets of the covenant, only to see the people dancing around an idol. In grief and holy anger, he shattered the Ten Commandments at the base of the mountain (Exodus 32:15-19).
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Elul is unlike any other month. As we mentioned yesterday, it is the 12th month on the civil calendar and the 6th on the prophetic calendar. This dual position gives Elul a unique character — it both closes a cycle and prepares for a new one. That is why the shofar sounds each day during Elul: it is a wake-up call, reminding us to reflect, repent, and return to the Lord before the great and awesome days of the Fall Feasts.
Keep going – the Lord may have more to show you.