The month of Elul is traditionally a hard time for many. There are tests and trials, and whether we search our own hearts or not, it is normally a time when the Lord puts us in situations to reveal to us where we are spiritually. This has its roots in Jewish tradition as well as many major events have been reported to have happened during the Biblical month of Elul.

Jewish tradition points to the name of the month as symbolically appropriate — the letters of Elul form an acronym for the words in the verse Ani ledodi vedodi li–“I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine” as written in the Song of Songs chapter 6 verse 3.

When we assign to ourselves an elevated status over another, we assign self-worth rooted in our flawed flesh. The Bible is full of men and women who at one time found favor in the eyes of the Lord, and at another time acted in the same way as the heathens.