(By Ron Allen) On Aug. 21, 2017 a total solar eclipse will run across America—an event many intercessors believe is a call to prayer marking the beginning of the 40- day Jewish Teshuvah season of repentance. The idea that God would use a sign in the heavens to send a message seems strange to many. Yet the idea goes all the way back to Genesis, where the sun, moon and stars were described as signs for the appointed times (Gen. 1:14). The Hebrew Torah commentaries included eclipses among those signs. The Talmud stated that eclipses were bad omen, a darkness coming because of sin. However, later
Jewish sages modified this view, holding that eclipses are warnings against sin, and an opportunity for prayer and introspection. The fact that the eclipse comes on Teshuvah, the 40-day Jewish season of repentance leading up to the Day of Atonement, magnifies its meaning. “Teshuvah” literally means to return to the presence of God, and the psalm associated with Teshuvah by Jewish Rabbis, Psalm 27, speaks of the benefits of dwelling in God’s presence. However, the second scripture associated with Teshuvah is Ezekiel 33, which warns believers of punishment for failure to warn sinners, and warns sinners of the judgment to come. READ MORE
