Hanukkah
"Dedication"
Hanukkah (or Chanukah) is a Jewish holiday celebrated for eight days and nights. It starts on the 25th of the Jewish month of Kislev, which occurs during
late November - December .
Called the Festival of Lights", it commemorates a Jewish victory over the Greeks 164 BCE
Unlike the Menorah that has seven branches, this one has 9. The centre one is taller and called the `Shammash` from which the others are lit, one extra each night until all shine bright.
History
164 BCE, the Greek Seleucid ruler, Antiochus IV, forbade Jewish practices including observing the Sabbath and owning Scriptures.
He also had the Jerusalem Temple desecrated with idols and sacrificed pigs. He wanted to force the people to abandon their belief in God.
​
Many Jews had succumbed to a Hellenist way of life but his actions brought about resistance commencing with a family known as the Maccabees, meaning `hammer` They rallied the Jews with a slogan:
"Whoever is for the Lord, follow me"
They defeated the Greeks, reconquered Jerusalem, and cleansed the Temple. However they only found enough olive oil for the Eternal Light to last one day, and it would take 8 days until new oil could replenish the light. Miraculously the oil lasted for 8 days.
This was the first war fought for religious freedom.
​
​
“Command the Israelites to bring you pure oil from crushed olives for the light, in order to keep the lamp burning continually.
Leviticus 24:2
Who among the gods is like you, Lord?
Who is like you— majestic in holiness,
awesome in glory, working wonders?
Exodus 15:11
Hanukkah comes from the Hebrew root meaning `train` or `dedicate`. It is like when Samuel before his birth was dedicated
to God by his mother. He was to join Eli in the Temple to learn his duties. It was a regular ongoing training or dedication.
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6
The Jews in Maccabee’s day had not heard from God in hundreds of years. There had been no prophets, no miracles, and wouldn’t be for over another hundred years until Jesus came. Out of this 400 years of silence came a miracle of light, prophetically symbolizing The Light of the World yet to come.
“Teaching” and “training” cannot be accomplished without “dedication”!
It takes time, intentionality, and devotion to practice any skill. These ideas are interrelated.
Challenge
Sadly it can be easy to lose the impetus of our faith when results are not seen, God appears silent, and miracles unheard of.
A re-dedication can be required as a witness to our heart`s desire.
Reflect how well you are following your calling. -
and if you need to re-dedicate and be re-energised for that call.
New Beginning
I will turn your religious festivals into mourning
and all your singing into weeping. I will make all
of you wear sackcloth and shave your heads.
I will make that time like mourning for an only
son and the end of it like a bitter day.
Amos 8:10
The act of Dedication is like a new Beginning or new Creation. The old gone, and a fresh start.
In the writings of Maccabees, the Temple desecration is likened to Amos writing about the day of the Lord. Yet the bringing of new Temple vessels, the Lamp standard and the offering of incense rededicated the Temple and God inaugurated a new creation with light.
God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Genesis 1:3
When the Maccabees fought, they were making a stand for their faith and to reclaim the Temple. It is easy for society around us to draw us away and to compromise our faith in God, but we are called to be salt and light that will challenge those we encounter.
​
Reflect
What encounters have you had and what was your response?
“You are the salt of the earth . . . You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:13-16
Therefore I urge you, brethren . . . do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you
may prove what the will of God is, that
which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:1-2
7, 8, 9 ?
God described the requirements for the Temple menorah which has 7 lights.
There shall be six branches going out of its sides, three branches of the lampstand out of one side of it and three branches of the lampstand out of the other side of it. Exodus 25:32
The Hanukkah has 8 lights plus the central one.
They represent the 8 days it took to prepare and bring more oil to replenish the Lights, during which the limited supply kept them alight.
“Eight” in the Hebraic numeric system points to a “new beginning.” This is very poignant to the Christian, because it reminds us that, after we are cleansed by the blood of Jesus, we have a new beginning as the temple of the Holy Spirit and a new life in fellowship with our Lord Jesus Christ.
After he has suffered, he will see the light
of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge
my righteous servant will justify many, and
he will bear their iniquities.
Isaiah 53:11
The Gospel stories of the relationship of Jesus inner circle, Peter, James and John and their status reveals much about our needed attitude as well as Jesus` own example. In some ways the question of their status was only natural. Yet Jesus reminds them that the kingdom belongs to the humble. Authority and greatness for Jesus’ disciples are the reverse of the usual pattern of the world; true greatness comes with great service. Selfish ambition, status and grasping at power are not of the kingdom of Jesus.
The middle elevated candle is called the `Shammash` or “servant” that brings light to the other candles. It is lit first, and from there lights the other candles, one extra each evening until all are lit on the eighth night. It reminds us of the messianic prophecy of Isaiah 53, where the Messiah is called the Servant. Jesus, our Messiah, is our sole source of light.
Respond:
How can you serve others without being noticed, without applause and without selfish ambition?
‘A leadership in which power is constantly abandoned in favour of love is a true spiritual leadership. Powerless and humility in the spiritual life do not refer to people who have no spine and who let everyone else make decisions for them. They refer to people who are so deeply in love with Jesus that they are ready to follow him wherever he guides them.’
Henri Nouwen
Hanukkah Blessings
Jesus celebrated Hanukkah. He followed the proscribed Festivals as laid
out in Leviticus 23, as well as Hanukkah which was a celebration of God`s miraculous provision and intervention.
There are many traditions associated with celebrating Hanukkah. Similar to Christmas, special foods may be eaten, gathering together for fun, games and giving presents. However that was not part of the original call to celebrate Hanukkah and worship God for His provision.
Unlike the pilgrim Feasts, this festival is primary celebrated at home.
Each evening the central "Servant" Candle is lit which then lights one more candle. Before the first candle is lit, three Blessings are recited:
​
-
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the Hanukkah light.
-
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our forefathers in those days, at this time.
-
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.
It is worth reading and thinking about these Jewish Blessings and ask God how they apply to you.
Hanukkah teaches us about appreciating what we have, even if it seems limited at times, while trusting in the abundance of God. It also teaches us about having gratitude for all of the blessings and freedoms, both physical and spiritual we have
Jesus celebrated Hanukkah !
“At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem; it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon” John 10:22-23.
The Jews questioned Jesus whether he was the Christ, the Messiah. Jesus response was about sheep! This may seem strange, until we recognise they were celebrating Hanukkah about God`s military victory with a handful of faithful righteous people, and Jesus was saying:
"My sheep hear my voice" John 10:27-31
Do we trust God enough to take such a stand?
Is His Word true? Do we really believe everything He says and ready to follow?
James Tissot painting
Antiochus IV Epiphanes was unable to snatch the remnant out of God’s hand.
As Hanukkah is celebrated they celebrate the miracles God did for those who revolted in 167 BC against the intentional methodical attempt to obliterate the faith and obedience to God’s Word. They celebrate the rededication of a cleansed altar of worship to God in the Temple in Jerusalem, as we can rededicate ourselves to God and the ability to listen to His voice.