Overview
Elul is the last month of the Hebrew civil year and precedes the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Historically, it was a month of preparation and spiritual renewal, when God's people were called to examine their hearts and return to Him. The book of Haggai records the people's response during Elul as they obeyed God's call to rebuild the temple.
Key Scriptures
"Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him." (Haggai 1:12, ESV)
"In the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king, the word of the Lord came by the prophet Haggai, saying..." (Haggai 1:15, ESV)
Application
Use seasons of spiritual preparation to examine your heart, repent of sin, and recommit yourself to obedience and worship of God.