The Mission Of The Seventy-Two Continues

Winter, c. 30 AD

The Mission Of The Seventy-Two Continues

Expanding the reach of the Gospel, Jesus has appointed seventy-two others and sent them out in pairs to every city and place where He Himself was going to come. He warned them that they are being sent as lambs in the midst of wolves, urging them to carry no money belt, bag, or sandals, but to rely entirely on the hospitality and peace of God.

The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. This mission serves as a training ground for the global commission that will follow the Resurrection, emphasizing the urgency of the message and the necessity of total dependence on the Master’s provision during these winter months of ministry.

And He was saying to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore earnestly pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."
— Luke 10:2

Timeline Box: The sending of the seventy-two occurred during the later Judean ministry, bridging the winter months prior to His final Passover.

Prophetic Era, 520 BC

Zechariah Prepares The People For Divine Revelation

In the rebuilding city of Jerusalem, an atmosphere of prophetic expectation is building. The prophet Zechariah, who recently called the people to repentance, is known to be seeking the Lord fervently. As the month of Shevat nears its end, the remnant senses that Yahweh is about to speak powerfully concerning the future of the Temple.

Return to Me," declares Yahweh of hosts, "that I may return to you," says Yahweh of hosts.
— Zechariah 1:3

Timeline Box: Zechariah 1:7 records that he received his famous night visions exactly four days from today (24 Shevat), making this a period of intense spiritual preparation.

Mosaic Era, 1405 BC

Moses Warns Against The Idols Of Canaan

As the twentieth day of his address to the nation dawns, Moses has turned his focus to the absolute necessity of spiritual purity. He strongly warns the Israelites that when they cross the Jordan, they must completely destroy the pagan altars and high places of the Canaanites, lest they become a snare to the holy nation.

You shall utterly destroy all the places where the nations whom you shall dispossess serve their gods, on the high mountains and on the hills and under every green tree.
— Deuteronomy 12:2

Timeline Box: Deuteronomy 1:3 notes the speeches began on 1 Shevat. By 20 Shevat, Moses would be deep into the specific stipulations of the law found in the central chapters of the book.

Editorial: Preparing The Ground

Preparation is the dominant theme of late Shevat. The seventy-two are preparing the towns for Jesus, Moses is preparing the Israelites for the conquest, and Zechariah is preparing the exiles for divine visions. We cannot expect to experience the fullness of God's promises if we are unwilling to do the hard, preparatory work of repentance and obedience in the winter seasons of our lives.

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