September is a important month on the biblical calendar. As we move from the final days of Elul into the month of Tishrei, we encounter reminders of Creation, the rebuilding of the Second Temple and dedication of the First Temple, the return of Moses from Mount Sinai, and the beginning of the fall feasts.
The biblical calendar gives us a unique way to connect the events we read about in Scripture with the bigger story of God's work throughout history. These dates remind us of God's faithfulness, His holiness, His provision, and ultimately our need for a Savior.
So grab your biblical calendar and let's take a look at some of the significant events traditionally remembered during September!
September 6 - Elul 24
- The building of the Second Temple Began: The first group of captives left Babylon and arrived in Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple.
The prophet Haggai called the people to consider their ways and encouraged them to get back to the work God had given them.
Haggai records that the people began working on the house of the Lord on the 24th day of the sixth month. . Haggai 1:1-15
September 7 - Elul 25
- Day 1: Jewish history identifies Elul 25 as the first day of Creation week. On this day, God separated light from the darkness. Genesis 1:3-5
- Walls and Gates Completed: Under the leadership of Nehemiah, the walls and gates of Jerusalem were rebuilt in 52 days! This marks some of the last chronological events of the Old Testament. Nehemiah 1:15
September 8 - Elul 26
- Day 2: On the second day of the Creation week, God divided the waters above from the waters below. Genesis 1:6-8
September 9- Elul 27
- Day 3: On the third day of the Creation week, God created dry land, plants, and trees. Genesis 1:9-10
September 10 - Elul 28
- Day 4: On the fourth day of the Creation week, God created the sun, moon, and stars. Genesis 1:14-19
September 11- Elul 29
- Day 5: On the fifth day of the Creation week, God created fish, sea creatures, and birds. Genesis 1:20-23
September 12 - Tishrei 1
- Day 6: On the sixth day of the Creation week, God created Adam, Eve, and land animals. Adam and Eve were given the responsibility of caring for God's creation and were blessed with the command to be fruitful and multiply.Genesis 1:24-31
September 13 - Tishrei 2
-
Day 7:
Tishrei 2 marks the seventh and final day of Creation week. On this day, God ceased from His work of creation and blessed the seventh day. The pattern God established at Creation became the foundation for the weekly rhythm given to His people: six days of work followed by a day of rest. . Genesis 2:1-3; Exodus 20:11
September 19 - Tishrei 8
- Dedication of Temple: Tishrei 8, 826 BC, marks the day that King Solomon dedicated the First Temple. The First Temple replaced the Tabernacle as the central place of worship and sacrifice for Israel. Solomon gathered the people together, and the Ark of the Covenant was brought into the Temple as the glory of the Lord filled the house. 1 Kings 8:22-66
September 21 - Tishrei 10
- Day of Atonement: Today is the second fall holy day of the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, a day of fasting, repentance, and atonement. This was the one day of the year the High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies to make atonement for himself, his family, and the nation. As Christians, this day points us toward Jesus, our perfect and eternal High Priest, who offered Himself once for all. Leviticus 23:26-32; Hebrews 9:1-28
- Moses Returned: On Tishrei 10, 1312 BC, Moses returned from Mount Sinai with the second set of tablets. When Moses came close to the people, they were afraid of him because his face glowed. This was the second time Moses had ascended and then descended Mount Sinai. Exodus 34:29-35
- Rebekah: Tishrei 10, 1677 BC, is the birthday of Rebekah according to Jewish history. Rebekah was the wife of Isaac and mother to Jacob and Esau. Rebekah is buried in the Machpelah Cave, along with Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, and Leah. Genesis 49:31
September 26 - Tishrei 15
- Feast of Tabernacles Begins: This is the last of the fall feasts and is a joyful celebration lasting eight days also known as Sukkot. The first day and last days of this week are days of rest. During this time, the people are to build “tabernacles” to remember the time the children of Israel spent wandering in the desert and living in tents/tabernacles. Leviticus 23:33-44
- Furnishing the Temple: Scripture records Tishrei 15 as the day the Ark of the Covenant was transferred from the Tabernacle to the newly built First Temple in Jerusalem. 2 Chronicles 5:2-10
- First Celebration: Even before the Second Temple was built, the first group of captives to return from Babylon gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. Ezra 3:1, 6
September 28 - Tishrei 17
- Ark Rested: On the seventeenth of Tishrei, the Bible records that the ark finally came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. Genesis 8:4
The biblical calendar gives us more than a list of interesting dates. It gives us opportunities to remember.
As we look at these events, we see God's power in Creation, His faithfulness to His people, His holiness, His provision in the wilderness, His mercy after judgment, and His plan of redemption unfolding throughout Scripture.
And that is one of the reasons studying the biblical calendar with our children can be so meaningful. These dates give us natural opportunities to open our Bibles, revisit familiar stories, and help our children see how the people and events of Scripture fit together into one bigger story.
As you mark the dates on your calendar this September, take some time to read the Scriptures connected to them. Look back, remember what God has done, and use those reminders to point your family toward the faithfulness of God today.
