When asked to explain the theology of Judaism, a rabbi replied, “I don’t have a theology. I have a calendar.”
The Jewish calendar explains who God is by reminding us of what God does: celebrating the Sabbath points to a Creator; Passover reminds us that God is a Redeemer; Pentecost shows God as a King who rules over us; on Yom Kippur God forgives our sins; Succoth (Tabernacles) celebrates God who is our Provider.
Time matters to God. The first thing called holy in the Bible was the Sabbath and God’s first command was to set up a calendar (Exodus 12:2). But of course, He is not bound by our chronological sense of time. He is the “high and lofty One who inhabits eternity” (Isaiah 57:15). And in history God has and does intervene. At a time of God’s visitation we can be called to service, blessing or judgment. This is true for individuals as well as for nations. And when God’s time interrupts the normal, predictable flow of things in our lives, we need to respond. As Jonah says, “It’s time to repent.” As Paul says, “Time is short” (1 Cor. 7:29). And Jesus says, “Now is the time. Repent and believe the Gospel” (Mark 1:15).
“He made every nation of men . . .and determined the times set for them and the boundaries where they should live” (Acts 17:26).
“Jerusalem will be trodden by the Gentiles until the time of the Gentiles is fulfilled” (Luke 21:24).