THE STORY OF CHANUKKAH (Part 3)

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
Heaven and nature sing "Joy to the world, the LORD has come!"The 24th of Kislev was important to Israel years before the Maccabees memorialized it with Chanukkah. It was the day that "The FOUNDATION was laid for the LORD'S Temple." [Haggai/Chagai 2. 18 - 19] It was also a day when victory was promised to the Children of Israel, the ETERNAL ONE said, "Speak to Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah : I am going to shake the heavens and the earth. And I will overturn the thrones of kingdoms and destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathens. I will overturn chariots and their drivers. Horses and their riders shall fall, each by the sword of his brother -- for I have chosen you and will bring you close to ME, says the LORD OF HOSTS." [Haggai (Chagai) 2. 21 - 23 Tanakh, Nevi'im] {Special Note: Zerubbabel is the center of the MESSIANIC Line and like a signet, seals both branches together. . . OBEDIENCE -- present blessing; PROMISE -- future blessing.}

This Day now celebrated as Chanukkah was "A Day of Faith." It was in the dead of winter, food was scarce [Haggai/Chagai 2. 16 - 17] it seemed as if the ALMIGHTY had forsaken HIS people. Yet, the LORD said, "from THIS DAY, I will send you blessings." Haggai looked forward to the harvest (Succoth - Feast of Ingathering/Booths) which was nine months away. [Haggai/Chagai 2. 19]

Was MESSIAH YESHUA, therefore, conceived on Chanukkah; born on Yom Kippur, and circumcised the 8th day in the middle of the Feast of Tabernacles? "The WORD was made flesh and tabernacled among us." [John 1. 14] JESUS announced Jubilee at the beginning of HIS ministry. [Luke 4. 16 - 21] HE died as the Passover LAMB. [1 Corinthians 5. 7] On Chanukkah, HE plainly said that HE was the MESSIAH. [John 10. 22 - 25] On Pentecost, JESUS sent HIS SPIRIT "to guide you into all TRUTH." [John 16. 13] Maybe soon, on some Feast of Trumpets, the LORD YESHUA will come for all who believe in HIM. [1 Thessalonians 4. 13 - 18] On the following Day of Atonement, "HE will turn ungodliness from Jacob and take away their sins, and so all Israel will be saved." [Romans 11. 26 - 27] "Then the Kingdom will be set up, Israel will be re-gathered, and ALL the nations shall go up from year to year to bow low and worship the KING, the LORD OF HOSTS, and to observe the Feast of Tabernacles (Booths)." [Zechariah (Zecharyah) 14. 16 Tanakh, Nevi'im]

The MIGHTY LORD GOD delivered Israel to fulfill the promise through Haggai, HE delivered Israel in the days of the Maccabees, and HE is able to deliver Israel in this day. When things look the worst, when you see these things, know that the LORD JESUS is near, even at the door. [Matthew 24. 33]

Josephus, the Jewish historian, was the first person to make lighting one candle for each of the 8 Days. . . calling it the Feast of LIGHT. The custom of lighting the candles originated sometime shortly after the earthly life of MESSIAH YESHUA, and continues to this very day.

. . . to be continued




Sha'alu (Pray) for the Shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel !
Be blessed as we bid farewell to Shabbat! May the ALMIGHTY ONE, WHO separates the holy from the secular, forgive our sins and grant us a good week as we continue in HIS service!
Happy Chanukkah! The Seventh Light is the LIGHT of Justice. Trust in the LORD and wait patiently for HIM, May the LORD GOD teach you patience that you may endure every trial HE allows to make you strong.