8/9/2025

SHABBATH NACHAMU

Shabbath Nachamu is the Sabbath following Tzom Lachodesh Hachamishy (The Fast of the Fifth Month). Its name comes from the first words of the haftarah for the day, in parshath Va’ethchanan, which says “Nachamu, Nachamu ami, yomar Eloheykem,” which means, “Comfort ye, Comfort ye my people, saith your Elohym.” The scripture is a reassurance that Yisrael’s time of chastisement is now over, “for she has received at the hand of YHWH double for all her sins.” It is the first of the “Seven Sabbaths of Consolation” which are read in the weeks between the Fast of the Fifth Month and the festival of Yom Teruah, bringing a message of hope to the people of Yisrael from her soon returning King.

The scripture readings are: Devarym 3:23-7:11 and Yeshayahu 40:1-26. The Haftarah includes the verses which say:

“Comfort, comfort My people!” says your Elohim. “Speak to the heart of Yerushalayim, and cry out to her, that her hard service is completed, that her crookedness is pardoned, that she has received from the hand of YHWH double for all her sins.” The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of YHWH! make straight in the desert a highway for our Elohim! Let every valley be raised, and every mountain and hill made low. And the steep ground shall become level, and the rough places smooth. And the esteem of YHWH shall be revealed, and all flesh together shall see it! For the mouth of YHWH has spoken!”

In the Writings of the Disciples it is also written concerning this time:

“The word of Elohim came to Yoḥanan the son of Zeḵaryah in the wilderness and he went into all the neighborhood of the Yarděn, proclaiming an immersion of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it has been written in the book of the words of Yeshayahu the prophet,saying: ‘A voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of YHWH, make His paths straight. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough become smooth ways, and all flesh shall see the salvation of Elohim.’”

The True Bride is returning to her betrothed with repentance and tears! He is coming to her! We now have seven weeks until Yom Teruah (Festival of Trumpets) which symbolizes the return of our Groom and King. It is time to get oil in our lamps now and be prepared for him. Do not be like the five foolish virgins who waited until the day of his return!

Comfort Ye, Comfort Ye My People...