We are in the season of the important biblical appointed times described in Leviticus 23:24–44: Yom T’ruah, traditionally known as Rosh Hashanah; Yom Kippur; and Sukkot. Leviticus 23:24 describes Yom T’ruah as a day of “a reminder by the blowing of trumpets” and a holy convocation. The sounding of the shofar can be understood as a spiritual wake-up call. The days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are traditionally known as the Ten Days of Repentance (Aseret Yemei Teshuvah) and also as the Days of Awe (Yamim Nora’im).
The Hebrew concept of “awe” is expressed by the word yirah, which can be translated according to context as fear, reverence, or awe. Deuteronomy 10:12 says, “And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.” The word yirah in this passage carries the idea of reverence and a profound awareness of God. It does not mean to be frightened of God. We see a helpful distinction in Exodus 20:20, where Moses tells the people, “Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin.” The passage distinguishes being frightened, from being in awe of God.
As Israel came out of Egypt, they witnessed God’s awesome power. Moses declared in Deuteronomy 10:21, “He is your praise and He is your God, who has done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen.” The Hebrew word translated “awesome” in this verse comes from the same root associated with yirah. God’s power is not separated from His love. He demonstrated His mighty power on behalf of a people He had chosen and loved. Deuteronomy 4:37 says, “Because He loved your fathers, therefore He chose their descendants after them. And He personally brought you from Egypt by His great power.”
Another important part of Deuteronomy 10:12 is that God calls Israel not only to fear Him but also to love Him with all their heart and soul. In verse 15, Moses says that the LORD “set His affection” on Israel and chose them. The God whom Israel is called to revere is also the God who loves, chooses, delivers, and remains faithful to His covenant people.
Deuteronomy 6:12–13 gives Israel a serious warning not to forget the LORD after entering the Promised Land. They were to fear Him, serve Him, and remember that He alone is God. The message is not limited to the Ten Days of Awe. It is a call to a daily living reality of God’s presence, power, and faithfulness that results in worship and obedience.
God is not merely a subject to be studied as a historical figure. He is the living God who cares about His people and remains faithful to His covenants. The people of Israel were eyewitnesses of God’s miraculous deliverance from Egypt. Yet when they entered the wilderness and faced hunger, thirst, and uncertainty, they sometimes struggled to trust that God would provide for them. The same thing can happen to us today. We can experience God’s faithfulness and then, when new difficulties arise, forget what He has already done.
The Christian world needs this spiritual awakening today. We may intellectually know that God is all-powerful, yet we also need a present and living awareness of His power, holiness, faithfulness, and the depth of His love for us. Jesus warned His followers to remain spiritually alert: “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming” (Matthew 24:42).
Christians can come to Israel, be eyewitnesses of God miraculously fulfilling His Word, and know God’s faithfulness to His covenants with Israel. When we see the continuing story of Israel through the lens of Scripture, we are reminded that God’s promises are not empty words. His Word is our truth and our authority. The culture around us continually attempts to define our moral compass, identity, and truth, but it is the Bible that should speak to us, to teach us, correct us, and establish what is true. As Jesus said, “Your word is truth” (John 17:17).
This truth sets us free to love God with all our heart and to seek His will in our lives. It also helps us recognize His faithfulness in the world around us and to pray with confidence for His purposes concerning Israel and the nations.
We all understand the seriousness of the current situation in the Middle East and the importance of praying for Israel. I also want our AMI Center friends to know that we are working toward several tours to Israel in 2027. We are also praying about opportunities to travel to Europe, the United States, Brazil, and Mexico to meet with pastors and their churches. Our desire is to help people around the world understand God’s covenants with Israel and to see how, in His faithfulness and love, He continues to fulfill His Word.
Please also pray with us that the major airlines will resume regular service to Israel so that people from the nations can once again travel freely to the land of Israel. Scripture looks forward to a day when “many nations will come and say, ‘Come and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; that He may teach us about His ways’” (Micah 4:2).
May these Days of Awe be a call to us to awaken spiritually to who God is—to His holiness, power, covenant faithfulness, and love—and that awareness lead us to repentance, worship, and renewed trust in Him.