Happy 30th anniversary/birthday and welcome to the 31st year!
DEFINITION & DESCRIPTION
The 31st year is the 12-month season following the 30th anniversary or birthday. Year 31 is the third year in the fifth seven years of life. The Bible patterns for understanding the 31st year are 1) the third day of creation narrative; 2) the 31st book of the Bible; 3) the 31st chapters of the Bible; 4) the 3rd five chapters of Deuteronomy, the fifth book of the Bible.
BIBLICAL PATTERNS FOR THE SEASON
1. Year 31 is a third day of creation season. On the third day of creation, God moved the waters under the firmament and gathered it together in one place, caused the dry ground to appear, and commanded it to bring forth vegetation. On the third day of creation, God fought the last battle against the waters. As it were, He judged the waters under heaven and rescued the earth and its fullness, on the third day. The 31st year is a year of breakthroughs.
2. Year 31 is like a book of Leviticus year in a seven year season expressing the book of Deuteronomy. Leviticus is the third book of the Bible and is guiding light for the third year. Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Bible and is guiding light for the seven year season (years 29-35) that expresses the fifth book of the Bible. The ‘third point’ is when real action begins. The book of Leviticus is about rules for approaching God. The book of Leviticus reveals the conditions for peace with God. The 31st year is a year devoted service to God.
3. Year 31 is a Deuteronomy 11-15 year; because it is the third year of the fifth seven years; and chapters 11-15 are the third five chapters of the fifth book. In these chapters, God releases His demands from Israel. Fulfilling the demands would bring blessings; but disregarding the demands would bring curses. Chapter 11 is a call to observe God’s commandments with love because of His acts and promises of favor and because of the consequences of disobedience. The twelfth chapter is a call to appoint a place for offerings and sacrifices; and shun idolatry and the idolatrous practices of their neighbors. They are not to eat blood with the meat. The thirteenth chapter is a call to beware of false prophets and fake guides; and to deal ruthlessly with them. The fourteenth chapter is a call to not mourn their dead the way their neighbors do; to eat only clean animals and avoid the unclean animals. In this chapter, they are also given tithing principles. The fifteenth chapter is about generosity – releasing debtors and bondservants at the end of every seven years – the seventh year of release. It also addresses the consecration of ‘the first’ to the Lord. Going through Year 31 is like going through Deuteronomy 11-15. It is a year of special devotion to God.
The fifth seven years is about the justice of God in blessing or cursing. The third year in that seven year season is the time to get serious with the demands and goal of the season. The 31st season is a season of judgment. This is ‘when the cyclone makes a landfall’. Those who have understanding and are humble will seek mercy in this season. The proud would just move on and be destroyed.
4. Year 31 is a book of Obadiah year. Obadiah is the 31st book of the Bible. In this book, Edom is cursed and judged because of his attitude to Israel in the day of Israel’s troubles. In this book, God proposes to cut off “everyone from the mountains of Esau”. In this book also, He promised there would be deliverance of Mount Zion; and that the House of Jacob shall possess her possessions.
5. Year 31 is a 31st-chapters-of-the-Bible year. The 31st chapters of the Bible reveal that the 31st is an ‘end season’ and a new beginning. In Genesis 31, Jacob departed Laban’s house with his wives and children. In Numbers 31, God commanded Moses to fight against the Midianites and overthrow them. They also killed Balaam there. In Deuteronomy 31, Joshua became the new leader of Israel. Moses gave his farewell speech to Israel here. In First Samuel 31, Saul and his three sons died in battle. That was the end of the reign of King Saul. In Second Chronicles 31, Hezekiah carried out sweeping religious reforms and overthrew idol worship in Judah. Job ended his speeches in the 31st chapter of the book. The book of Proverbs (the storage of divine wisdom) ends at the 31st chapter; and the 31st chapter ends at the 31st verse. That book of wisdom reveals that ‘the 31st’ is ‘the end’. The 31st chapter is also the beginning of the voice of a woman in the book of Proverbs. In Psalms 31, the psalmist prays for deliverance and against coming to an end. He also prays for the end of the wicked. Isaiah 31 is a pronouncement of judgment upon those who rebel against God – to bring them to an end. Jeremiah 31 is the New Covenant chapter. It is in this chapter that God spoke of ending the Old Covenant and introducing the New Covenant. Read Jeremiah 31:31-34. In Ezekiel 31, the prophet spoke of the overthrow and humiliation of Egypt. The 31st year is when the old narrative ends and the begins.
The longest months in the year have 31 days. After the 31st day, a new month begins. No month has 32 days! This year, decree and expect an end to certain things that should not continue in your life, family, work, nation, and world. Decree that the good will continue. In 1991, Nigeria’s 31st year, the nation moved her capital from Lagos to Abuja’s The 31st year is a year to move on; but without ‘the old’. It’s a new season! This 31st year, per the power working in you, decide what must stop and what must start.
Happy 31st year!!! Congratulations on your 30th anniversary or birthday.
