The Tribe of Reuben/Month of Tammuz 5777

Tammuz is the fourth month of the Jewish calendar, which begins the summer season. The three months of this season—Tammuz, Av and Elul—correspond to the three tribes of the camp of Reuben, which include Reuben, Simeon and Gad, who were situated to the south of the Tabernacle.

During the month of Tammuz, Israel sinned by making the golden calf, which resulted in the breaking of the first set of tablets given to Moses by God. That very day, the 17th of Tammuz begins a three-week period—ending on the 9th of Av—which commemorates the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

This is also the month that the spies sent by Moses traveled through the Promise Land to see what was there and report to the people. They returned on the eve of the 9th of Av.

Tammuz is the month of Reuben. A lot of us have some Ruben in us. He was the firstborn, but lost his inheritance. As you study Israel’s history, a lot of tragic events have happened this month. However, Rueben had a redemptive side to him as well.

The way to move through this month is through worship. If you are not brilliant in worship, then idolatry looms at your door. The golden calf can kick up this month. Be careful no to agree with the development of a “golden calf.”

Worship becomes a very important aspect of our spiritual life in Tammuz. Worship the Lord in “Spirit and Truth.” Watch your mouth and confess the best the Lord has for you. Agree with His call on your life. Do not speak an evil report. Accept you call and speak forth your destiny this month. If you are not careful, you will speak evil reports about yourself as a result of something created in the atmosphere.

This is the month of the letter CHET, which pictures light radiating from your eyes. The light that we have been working on through the other months needs to be seen in your eyes. You have to watch carefully this month because the devil will try to put out the light in your eyes.

Think of Tammuz as the “filmstrip” month. You can review the progression of your life and stop to make adjustments. God can also show you where you will end up if you don’t watch and make the necessary changes.

Tammuz is linked with the constellation of Cancer, the crab. This is the month where we take the shell off of our body, which makes us vulnerable. If you do not take the shell off, you become hardened and cannot enter your next level of growth. Declare that every shell around you will break, and you will become vulnerable to the Lord. Guard your heart and your eyes this month so that you won’t get thrown off course like Reuben.