The Desert Revelations

Yeshua and Shabbat

Today for our Shabbat Message, I am sharing Day 3 of The Desert Speaks 40 Day Community Journey.

The mystical teachings of Shabbat invite us to step into a space of surrender, silence, and completeness. The desert,as a sacred space of revelations, serves as a profound parallel to Shabbat. In the desert, Yeshua was stripped of worldly distractions, facing not just the physical deprivation of the wilderness, but the deeper spiritual silence, which allowed him to receive the revelation of Shabbat not as a ritualistic law, but as a gateway to the Presence.

The Origin and Meaning of Shabbat

Shabbat is the culmination of the Divine creative process, rooted in Genesis when it is written, “And on the seventh day, God finished the work that He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all the work that He had done” (Genesis 2:2). This “rest” is not a cessation out of exhaustion, but a profound and loving pause that is an essential part of creation. It is here, in this space of completion, that the Divine dwells in perfect presence with all that was created. Shabbat is a moment of Divine delight, a communion between the Creator and the created.

In the desert, Yeshua found the true essence of Shabbat: not as an obligation, but as a gift, a portal into the Divine, where there is no striving, no “doing,” only being. The deep silence of the wilderness allows us to hear the true voice of Shabbat, a voice that says, “Rest in Me. Let go of your efforts, your struggles. You are enough, as you are.” The soul, stripped of worldly noise, can feel this embrace in a visceral way.

The Moon, Womb, and the 15th Day of the Moon

In Kabbalistic teachings, the moon is a symbol of the Divine Feminine, Shekhinah, who reveals herself in the subtle and hidden places. The moon is ever-changing, reflecting the light of the sun without ever creating its own. This mirrors the relationship between the Divine Feminine and the Divine Masculine. The moon, like the womb, holds the potential for creation, for nurturing the life that emerges from darkness into light.

Shabbat and the moon are intrinsically connected. The weekly cycle of Shabbat is anchored in the lunar calendar. Each month, the 15th day of the moon represents a moment of fullness, a peak, a moment when the light is at its fullest. In mystical terms, this is when the Shekhinah is fully revealed, bathed in light, pouring blessings into the world. The 15th day of the moon, like Shabbat, is a time of completion, of rest, of basking in the radiance of the Divine, where no further striving is necessary. It is a moment to receive, to rest, to be held.

Shabbat and the Shekhinah

The Shekhinah, the feminine aspect of Divine Presence, is the one who dwells with us, immanent in the world. She is the Divine Feminine that resides in the holy silence of Shabbat. Shabbat is a time when we encounter the Shekhinah, where She invites us into Her arms, embracing us in a moment of surrender. The Magdalene, deeply attuned to the rhythms of creation, knew this embrace intimately. Her life with Yeshua was not merely about external ministry but about an inner, mystical communion. The way they observed Shabbat together was likely a sacred pause in which they allowed themselves to rest in the presence of Divine love, healing, and revelation.

The Shekhinah is often associated with the Sabbath bride, Kallah, who is welcomed into the home with joy and celebration. The welcoming of Shabbat is like the arrival of a beloved into one’s home, and this speaks to the intimacy and reverence we are called to embody in relation to the Divine Feminine. The Magdalene, with her profound connection to the Shekhinah, understood that Shabbat was not a duty but an invitation to commune deeply with the Divine, to rest in Her presence, to let the mind cease its constant striving, and simply to be held.

The Desert and the Revelation of Shabbat

In the wilderness, the Israelites were stripped of their comfort, their expectations, and their idols. Similarly, Shabbat calls us to step away from the demands of daily life, to be freed from the weight of productivity and to rest in the unearned grace of the Divine. The desert teaches detachment, and Shabbat invites us to detach from the illusions that bind us.

The manna that appeared to the Israelites in the desert is a deep symbol for this. The manna was a gift, not something they could store up for the future, but only enough for the present day. On Shabbat, the Israelites were forbidden to gather manna, and this is an important spiritual lesson: on Shabbat, we are called to trust in the sufficiency of the Divine in the present moment. The provision of the manna is a reminder that we are cared for, and Shabbat is the time to receive that care without the need to seek, to grasp, or to labor.

Honoring Shabbat in the Spirit of the Desert

To honor Shabbat in the spirit of the desert means to enter the sacred pause, to trust that the Divine will provide. It is a time to step into silence, to let go of the world’s demands, and to rest in divine abundance. In this way, Shabbat becomes a moment of revelation, a time when we encounter the Holy One in the quiet, in the absence of distraction.

Step into Silence: Allow yourself to be present in the moment. Let the distractions of the world fall away. This is not a time for action but for rest, for being.
Trust in the Manna: Trust that everything you need will be provided. Release the need to control or plan. Rest in divine provision and know that you are enough.
Rest in Love: Let Shabbat be a time of communion with the Divine, with your loved ones, and with yourself. Take the time to connect deeply, to share meals, to light candles, to meditate, to embrace the quietude.

Reflection Questions:

What does Shabbat mean to you beyond religious obligation? Reflect on how you might view Shabbat as a mystical invitation to rest and reconnect with the Divine, rather than merely a duty.
How does the desert mirror the spiritual journey of Shabbat? Reflect on the lessons of detachment, trust, and surrender that both Shabbat and the desert offer.
How can you embrace Shabbat in a way that deepens your divine connection? Consider ways you can make Shabbat a time of sacred rest, intimacy, and encounter with the Divine.

As we light the 2 Shabbat candles today and receive the Wedding Feast of the Wine and Bread, let us remember that we are held in this space of rest and Divine Communion.

SHABBAT BLESSINGS TO ALL OF YOU.

If you would like to join us for our monthly online MAGDALENE SHABBAT in the month of March, click on the link below. We ask for a small donation that does towards the children in India that we sponsor with their food, clothing and education.

https://thedesertrosemysteryschool.teachable.com/p/magdaleneshabbatjanuary202511

The image I have shared is from The Magdalene Revelations Oracle Deck. There are only a few days left of the pre-sale so you can purchase the cards at a discounted price, on Monday, the pre-sale ends. CLICK HERE to purchas.

Magdalene Myrraphores Accredited Practitioner Training. I have been teaching this training since 2012 within the Magdalene Priestess and Priest Training, it is now open for you to register and experience at your own pace. CLICK HERE for more information and to register.

If you would like to receive more reflections from The Desert Speaks, you are welcome to join this 40 day Community Journey. CLICK HERE

Sending love to all of you.

AHAVA,

Ana Otero