Happy Tu B’Shivat!
You may be wondering what is Tu B’Shivat and what does it have to do with you?
Each year in the US, we have times set aside to mark the start of a new calendar year. Fiscal years, and even school years denote these new beginnings.
Judaism also has several special times that mark a new year… for example Tu B’Shivat is the New Year for trees!
Originally Tu B'Shivat, the New Year for trees, was used to calculate the age of trees for First Fruits tithing.
In Leviticus 19:23-25, God commanded His people that:
“When you come into the land, and have planted all kinds of trees for food, then you shall count their fruit as uncircumcised. Three years it shall be as uncircumcised to you. It shall not be eaten. But in the fourth year all its fruit shall be holy, a praise to the Lord. And in the fifth year you may eat its fruit, that it may yield to you its increase…”
Each year on Tu B’Shivat, every tree is considered to be one year older—one year closer to providing fruit for God’s chosen!
Last year, during Israel’s Tu B’Shivat, it was also a SHMITA year for Israel (5775)—a year where the nation entered into a season of rest and ceased from striving and relying on their own strength.
Now, as the Shmita year has come to a close, Jubilee 5776 has finally arrived! Isn’t it exciting! The time to receive our Jubilee inheritance is here, where we can expect complete restoration of ALL that has been stolen or lost in past seasons.
5776 is a Jubilee year and the 70th Jubilee year observed since Joshua led the children of Israel into the Promised Land!
Tu B’Shivat is extremely symbolic for My Olive Tree and what we do in the nation of Israel. As we continue to plant in the arid soil of the desert we are that much closer to restoring the land to the lushness that once was, before centuries of neglect stole its original beauty.
“Remember the word which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, saying, ‘The Lord your God is giving you rest and is giving you this land.’ …until the Lord has given your brethren rest, as He gave you, and they also have taken possession of the land which the Lord your God is giving them. Then you shall return to the land of your possession and enjoy it, which Moses the Lord’s servant gave you on this side of the Jordan toward the sunrise.” —Joshua 1: 13, 15
Part of possessing and enjoying the land is in the planting of trees. What a pleasure to not only inherit the land, but to also be a major part in stewarding the gifts bestowed upon us by the Lord.
Trees declare a future.
Olive trees boost the agricultural economy.
And olives decree that you, Israel, belong in your homeland—a homeland of peace.
If you would like to plant a tree, as a prophetic symbol of Jubilee restoration, during this Tu B’Shivat, CLICK HERE.
