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After the Babylonian captivity and during the Medo-Persian era there
are many references to a '24th day'.
As this date does not carry any significant meaning in the Mosaic Law,
why are there so many references?
THE 'DAY OF TWENTY AND FOUR'
The wording in Scripture is presented in the following form.
'24TH DAY' VERSES LISTED
Timing - Third year of Cyrus King of Persia
1st month
- Around the time of the decree of Cyrus
Dan 10:4 Now on the twenty-fourth day of the first month,
as I was by the side of the great river, that is,
the Tigris,
Timing - 2nd year of King Darius
6th month
- Haggai delivers word of God, Hagg 1:1
Hagg 1:15 on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month,
in the second year of King Darius.
Timing - 2nd year of King Darius
9th month
- unclean work of priests, Hagg 2:14
Hagg 2:10 On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month,
in the second year of Darius, the word of
the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying,
Timing - 2nd year of King Darius
9th month
- I will bless your agricultural yields
Hagg 2:18 Consider now from this day forward, from the
twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, from
the day that the foundation of the Lord's
temple was laid - consider it:
Timing - 2nd year of King Darius
also ninth month
- shake heaven and earth, Zerubbabel will be a signet ring
Hagg 2:20 And again the word of the Lord came to
Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the
month, saying,
Timing - 2nd year of Darius
11th month
- coloured horses vision
Zech 1:7 On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh
month, which is the month Shebat, in the
second year of Darius, the word of the
Lord came to Zechariah the son of Berechiah,
the son of Iddo the prophet:
Timing - After wall repaired, 20th year of King Artaxerxes
(Refer Neh 6:15 and 2:1, 5:14)
7th month, after the Feast days (Ezra 8:2, 8:18),
- acknowledged their sin,
made a covenant! Neh 9:38-10:31
Neh 9:1 Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month
the children of Israel were assembled with
fasting, in sackcloth, and with dust on
their heads.
24TH DAY DISCUSSION
The 24th day is associated with the months 1st (in Daniel), 6th and 9th,
(in Haggai), 11th (in Zechariah) and 7th (in Nehemiah).
It is interesting to notice that the Haggai message in 2:15-19, (talking
about future agricultural blessings), is then apparently the same day
followed by another message, (talking about judgment of nations and
Zerubbabel being like a signet ring of God).
This is despite the wording "again the word of the Lord came to Haggai",
suggesting a longer passage of time between these two messages.
Could it be that this unexpected 24th day reference, associated with
many different months and mentioned over many years, is not actually
referring to a date within a calendar month?
Could it be that it is a cryptic reference to a lengthened duration
which spanned the Daniel 10:4 to Neh 9:1 period. That the reason
why this varied repetition is encountered is to provide a hint at
its true nature?
A period which started after the close of Daniel's period of mourning.
That is from about the time freedom was granted. After the infamous
decree of Cyrus. "He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem
which is in Judah." Ezra 1:2.
A period which then finishes many years later, ending with the
confirming (renewal) of a major covenant with God. As recorded in
Nehemiah 9:38-10:39.
Did this period represent the duration which remained (post captivity)
of what would have been the 24th covenant cycle?
Had there indeed been a series of cycles which ran continuously.
Initially beginning when Israel entered the Promised Land (when they
confirmed a covenant on Mt Gerizim and Mt Ebal). Refer Josh 8:30-35.
NB: The Judges chronology also infers the
existence of such a cycle.
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| Biblical Chronology - Judges Period |
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The envisaged renewal every forty years would suggest that the end
of the 24th duration, would represent the passing of 960 years.
(Being 24 durations of 40 years). The passing of 960 years after
Joshua had brought the children of Israel into the Promised Land.
Therefore, this would mean that the closing 24th Nehemiah covenant
(Nehemiah 9:38-10:39) marked the passing of 1,000 years since the
departure of the children of Israel from Egypt.
A truly major milestone!
Is there anything which confirms this perspective?
Chapter Eight - Year of Release
Prior to the recording of the covenant mentioned in Nehemiah in
chapter nine, there is the observance of the days which needed
to be observed in the seventh month.
1st day of the 7th month - Neh 8:2 - Day of Trumpets
'2nd day' of observance - Neh 8:13 - Day of Atonement
time of 'booths' - Neh 8:17 - Feast of Tabernacles
'eighth day' - Neh 8:18 - the Last Day
From the description of the Feast of Tabernacles we have the
whole assembly gathered for this occasion. The gathering of
the whole congregation for this 7th month feast is necessary
at the start of an agricultural Jubilee year (i.e. year of
release).
Deut 31:10 And Moses commanded them, saying: "At the
end of every seven years, at the appointed
time in the year of release, at the Feast
of Tabernacles,
:11 when all Israel comes to appear before the
Lord your God in the place which He chooses,
you shall read this law before all Israel
in their hearing.
:12 Gather the people together, men and women
and little ones, and the stranger who is
within your gates, that they may hear and
that they may learn to fear the Lord your
God and carefully observe all the words
of this law,
NB: The word 'every' in verse 10 is not
in the Hebrew and its addition is
incorrect.
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It is hard to underestimate the biblical chronological significance of
these perspectives;
a) the closing of the 24th covenant renewal
(the passing of 960 years since entry into
the Promised Land, 1,000 years since Exodus),
b) the arrival of the 20th Jubilee (also indicating
the completion of 1,000 years since Exodus).
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