Hello scattered family and friends in Messiah! I hope you all are doing well. Hanukkah is nearly upon us! Let the countdown begin. For historical reference: The first book of Maccabees (I Maccabees 4: 52–59) describes the ceremonies as lasting for eight days: Early in the morning on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month, which is the month of Kislev, [164 BCE], they [the Maccabees] rose and offered sacrifice, as the law directs, on the new altar of burnt offering which they had built…There was very great gladness among the people, and the reproach of the gentiles was removed. Then Judah and his brothers and all the assembly of Israel determined that every year at that season the days of dedication of the altar should be observed with gladness and joy for eight days, beginning with the twenty-fifth day of the month of Kislev. This was probably intended to mirror Solomon’s dedication of the First Temple (I Kings 8:1–2), which took place during the eight-day holiday of Sukkot: Then King Solomon summoned into his presence at Jerusalem the elders of Israel, all the heads of the tribes and the chiefs of the Israelite families, to bring up the ark of the Lord’s covenant from Zion, the City of David. All the men of Israel came together to King Solomon at the time of the festival [of Sukkot] in the month of Ethanim (Tishrei), the seventh month. This book is about renewing the Temple cult and cleansing the Temple from defilement. The second book of the Maccabees (II Maccabees 1:1–36) describes Hanukkah as a Sukkot of the winter and as a “festival of the fire.” Shabbat Shalom scattered family in Messiah! For additional reading:
If you choose to observe, may you, have a blessed Feast of Dedication (lights/Hanukkah) in the light of Yeshua Messiah from our family to yours! “I am the light of the world. The one who follows Me will no longer walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."- Yeshua (JN 8: 12 TLV) Video resource: (5) How to Celebrate Hanukkah - David Wilber - YouTube Until next time: May Adonai bless and keep you as you: press on pursuing the goal for the reward of the upward calling of God in Messiah Yeshua. Phil 4:13 * For our Statement of Faith: Statement of Faith - Pursuing the upward call of God in Messiah Yeshua- Phil 3:14 YOU CAN NOW CONNECT WITH US ON FACEBOOK HERE! : (1) Pursuing the upward call | Facebook This is a public "personal blog" pg via Facebook to make it easier for readers to connect and share. Stop in for a visit, invite a friend. Hope to see you all there!
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Hello friends and scattered family in Messiah! Let's talk about Hanukkah! Hanukkah is not one of the Appointed times (commanded Feasts), however, there is still much to be learned here as a commemoration celebration of Yah's deliverance and victory to His people as they set themselves apart from the surrounding culture. "As His temple, we recognize from Hanukkah that unless we are dedicated, we are not spiritually useful to God, and therefore we live unfulfilled lives. As we look at Yeshua's dedicated life we can understand how God works in our lives as He conforms us to the image of Messiah (Romans 8:29)" - Messiah in the Feasts of Israel, Sam Nadler pg 188
" Dedication is not just a matter of a well-rounded education, but rather being properly focused on the truth. For all of us, the lack of spiritual maturity comes from a lack of consistent dedication. Godly discipline in childhood brings godly self-discipline in adulthood. To dedicate a child is to train up the child in light of who he actually is, just as God does with you. But remember, when we train up a child it is the dedication of the parents, not the child, that is being considered. More than just praying, reading the Bible, and hearing godly teaching, dedication is the consistent application of truth in a person's life." Messiah in the Feasts of Israel, Sam Nadler pg 190 We can reflect on the solid conviction of the Macabee family as they refused to compromise. Our culture rather forcefully demands that we, as believers and servants of Yeshua, compromise and conform to their preferences and "their truth," and many in the broader Christian church cave to worldly culture Our allegiance is to ONE KING, and one kingdom.
BIRTH OF YESHUA FORETOLD: Many Bible believing scholars believe Yeshua was born during the Feast of Tabernacles (Sept/Oct) This can be deduced and understood by looking at Scripture. And in the sixth month (of Elizabeth’s pregnancy) the angel Gabriel was sent from YHWH unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin (Miriam/Mary) espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. This is one of the most valuable clues given of Yeshua’s foretold timing of His birth. It is said that Gabriel visited in the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. Elizabeth conceived after the Priestly Course of Abia, which is in the Hebrew month Sivan (May/June). Six months from Elizabeth’s conception in Sivan takes us to the Hebrew month Kislev (December), that is when Yeshua was conceived in Miriam’s/Mary's womb (NOT born)—meaning late in December. And three months later was the time of John’s birth, and that would be approximately Pesach (Passover). This is very important as the religious Jews at that time (even today), expected that Elijah would appear during Passover (Mal 4:5). Remember, John came in the spirit of Elijah (Mat 11:7-14) and not in the flesh. Now, Luke tells us clearly that Elizabeth was six months pregnant when the angel Gabriel visited (Miriam/Mary.) The beginning of Elizabeth’s sixth month would have been the 25th day of the month of Kislev/December, which relating to the first day of Hanukkah. Hanukkah is known as the “Feast of Lights” or the “Feast of the Dedication”. (John 10:22) This date is considered, by some, to be the first day of the dedication of the Wilderness Tabernacle and of the First and Second Temples as well as the rededication of the Second Temple after the Maccabean revolt. Except for the rededication following the Maccabean revolt, it is not completely clear from Scripture what role the day of Kislev 25 played in the dedication—but Scripture tells us that the foundation of the Second Temple was laid on Kislev 24. (Hag 2:18) It is, however, clear that Miriam was being dedicated for a purpose of enormous magnitude. Also, if (Miriam/Mary) conceived during Hanukkah, the feast of the Dedication of Lights, then John 1:6-9 makes perfect sense: “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world”.
If you choose to observe, may you, have a blessed Feast of Dedication (lights/Hanukkah) in the light of Yeshua Messiah from our family to yours! “I am the light of the world. The one who follows Me will no longer walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."- Yeshua (JN 8: 12 TLV) Video resource: (5) How to Celebrate Hanukkah - David Wilber - YouTube RELATED BLOG POSTS:
YOU CAN NOW CONNECT WITH US ON OUR FACEBOOK HERE! Pursuing the upward call | Facebook This is a public "personal blog" pg via Facebook to make it easier for readers to connect and share. Stop in for a visit, invite a friend. Hope to see you all there! Until next time: May Adonai bless and keep you as you: press on pursuing the goal for the reward of the upward calling of God in Messiah Yeshua. Phil 4:13 *side note DISCLAIMER: I do not receive compensation from ANY of the resources I share or use. They are just resources, curriculum, etc that have blessed our family and may bless yours!* Hello friends and scattered family in Messiah! WHAT DID YESHUA DO? Jesus/Yeshua made a three-day journey from Nazareth to be in the Temple during the Feast of Dedication/Hanukkah. "Yeshua was walking in the Temple around Solomon’s Colonnade. Then the Judean leaders surrounded Him, saying, “How long will You hold us in suspense? If You are the Messiah, tell us outright!” Yeshua answered them, “I told you, but you don’t believe! The works I do in My Father’s name testify concerning Me. But you don’t believe, because you are not My sheep. My sheep hear My voice. I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life! They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all. And no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” John 10:23-32 TLV Yeshua answered them with a declaration that He and the Father are one! Think of the godly wisdom and timing for Yeshua to choose the Temple and the Feast of Dedication, Hanukkah, to reveal that He is God! Antiochus of Epiphanies' made a similar claim, the coming anti-Christ will do the same and now here is Yeshua confronting the cultural, political, and religious leaders with the truth that He is the Messiah; "I and my Father are one. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him." (John 10:30).
"Again Jesus/Yeshua spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12) "I am the light of the world" (John 9:5). "I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness" (John 12:46). We are excited to begin this journey again. During the darkest part of the year as we remember our Messiah. Messiah Yeshua, as the light of the world and show Him forth in: practical application, sharing the gospel, and the Fruits of the Spirit to point others back to Him. As Darren eloquently explains on pg 21-22 of Eight Lights: A Hanukkah Devotional for Followers of Yeshua, "Night One the highest candle or set apart candle you see is the shamash, or servant, its job is to pass the flame to each of the 8 candles of the Hanukkah menorah. Its job is to serve (avodah) the other candles by passing its light and heat to them. It doesn't get counted like the other candles, yet it is always present. Every night we first light the shamash and then use it to light the other candles. It really has a thankless job. The shamash works hard to make the other candles shine brightly, but receives little attention for this important task and is not counted among the special eight lights of Hanukkah." Yeshua said, " So if I, your Master and Teacher have washed your fee, you also ought to wash each other's feet. I have given you an example-- you should do for each other what I have done for you. Amen, amen I tell you, a servant isn't greater than his master, and the one who is sent isn't greater than the one who sent him..."- John 13: 14-16 TLV Yeshua is Master of all and yet taught as a servant how to be a servant, saying, " I have given you an example-- " Yeshua passed on the "light" to us... "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper so He may be with you forever-- the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him. You know Him, because He abides with you and will be in you. I will not abandon you as orphans; I will come to you." John 14: 16-18 Hanukkah is a "belated" Sukkot celebration. At the time of Sukkot, the temple was not in the hands of God's people and had been desecrated. "The historical reason for 8 days is actually based on Sukkot, the Feast of Booths. The Jews celebrated joyfully for eight days as on the Feast of Booths/Tabernacles, remembering how a little while before, they had to spend the Feast of Booths living like wild animals in caves on the mountains. Carrying rods entwined with leaves, green branches, and palms, they sang hymns of grateful praise to Him who had brought about purification of His own Place (2 Maccabees 10)- Messiah in the Feasts of Israel, Sam Nadler pg 179 "The Feast of Sukkot was the most recent Feast in the calendar when the Temple was rededicated for holy worship, but during the last three celebrations they were engaged in guerrilla warfare. However, they recognized the Lord's provision and protection in bringing them victory... Today, despite what some may think, the Feast of Dedication is more than a gift-giving alternative to Christmas. Hanukkah is a joyous holiday to be sure, but it is meant to celebrate the victory God gave our people through the heroic efforts of the Maccabeean family." Messiah in the Feasts of Israel, Sam Nadler pg 180 RELATED BLOG POSTS:
Blessings and Shalom as you continue to "pursue the upward calling of God in Messiah Yeshua"-Phil 4:13 YOU CAN NOW CONNECT WITH US ON OUR FACEBOOK HERE! Pursuing the upward call | Facebook This is a public "personal blog" pg via Facebook to make it easier for readers to connect and share. Stop in for a visit, invite a friend. Hope to see you all there! Until next time: May Adonai bless and keep you as you: press on pursuing the goal for the reward of the upward calling of God in Messiah Yeshua. Phil 4:13 *side note DISCLAIMER: I do not receive compensation from ANY of the resources I share or use. They are just resources, curriculum, etc that have blessed our family and may bless yours!* Both books can be purchased off of Amazon: Hello friends and readers! I hope you had a blessed observation of this special time. I am sorry to say that I have been delayed in creating posts due to being ill. Both my husband and myself among our other responsibilities this blog fell to the wayside. We are both still sick so prayers are appreciated. None the less I wanted to give you all something to read and create a post. So above are the pics of our Hannukiah over the 8 nights. We use a devitonal: Eight Lights: A Hanukkah Devotional for Followers of Yeshua - Kindle edition by Huckey, Darren N.. Religion & Spirituality Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com. Each of the points listed above is a focus for the night mentioned (ie: 1, 2, 3 etc) Our Hanukkah devotional time centers around building up our character into the likeness of Messiah (represented by the Shamash, Servant candle) Being ever present, passing on the "light" or good news of the Gospel with: prayer, love, humility, faith, a message of repentance, and of a giving nature not expecting notice or reward.
I hope that the Feast of Dedication/Hanukkah was a blessing to your family as it most certainly was to ours! Blessings and Shalom as you continue to "pursue the upward calling of God in Messiah Yeshua"-Phil 4:13 WHAT DID YESHUA DO? Jesus/Yeshua made a three-day journey from Nazareth to be in the Temple during the Feast of Dedication/Hanukkah. "Yeshua was walking in the Temple around Solomon’s Colonnade. Then the Judean leaders surrounded Him, saying, “How long will You hold us in suspense? If You are the Messiah, tell us outright!” Yeshua answered them, “I told you, but you don’t believe! The works I do in My Father’s name testify concerning Me. But you don’t believe, because you are not My sheep. My sheep hear My voice. I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life! They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all. And no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” John 10:23-32 TLV Yeshua answered them with a declaration that He and the Father are one! Think of the godly wisdom and timing for Yeshua to choose the Temple and the Feast of Dedication, Hanukkah, to reveal that He is God! Antiochus of Epiphanies' made a similar claim, the coming anti-Christ will do the same and now here is Yeshua confronting the cultural, political, and religious leaders with the truth that He is the Messiah; "I and my Father are one. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him." (John 10:30). "Again Jesus/Yeshua spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12) "I am the light of the world" (John 9:5). "I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness" (John 12:46). We are excited to begin this journey again. During the darkest part of the year as we remember our Messiah. Messiah Yeshua, as the light of the world and show Him forth in: practical application, sharing the gospel, and the Fruits of the Spirit to point others back to Him. As Darren eloquently explains on pg 21-22 of Eight Lights: A Hanukkah Devotional for Followers of Yeshua, "Night One the highest candle or set apart candle you see is the shamash, or servant, its job is to pass the flame to each of the 8 candles of the Hanukkah menorah. Its job is to serve (avodah) the other candles by passing its light and heat to them. It doesn't get counted like the other candles, yet it is always present. Every night we first light the shamash and then use it to light the other candles. It really has a thankless job. The shamash works hard to make the other candles shine brightly, but receives little attention for this important task and is not counted among the special eight lights of Hanukkah." {The devotional can be purchased here: Eight Lights: A Hanukkah Devotional for Followers of Yeshua: Huckey, Darren N.: 9781549853678: Amazon.com: Books } Yeshua said, " So if I, your Master and Teacher have washed your fee, you also ought to wash each other's feet. I have given you an example-- you should do for each other what I have done for you. Amen, amen I tell you, a servant isn't greater than his master, and the one who is sent isn't greater than the one who sent him..."- John 13: 14-16 TLV Yeshua is Master of all and yet taught as a servant how to be a servant, saying, " I have given you an example-- " Yeshua passed on the "light" to us... "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper so He may be with you forever-- the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him. You know Him, because He abides with you and will be in you. I will not abandon you as orphans; I will come to you." John 14: 16-18 Upon Shavuot/Pentecost, what happened? " When the day of Shavuot had come, they were all together in one place. Suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And tongues like fire spreading out appeared to them and settled on each one of them. They were all filled with the RUach ha-Kodesh (Holy Spirit)....Acts 2: 2-4 TLV Amen and Amen! The Holy Spirit fell like fire on the believers! From our family to yours may you be blessed in observance during this time as we shine the light of Yeshua in a dark world and share the gospel as Ambassadors for the Kingdom! Blessings and Shalom as you continue to "pursue the upward calling of God in Messiah Yeshua"-Phil 4:13 * I am not paid or sponsored in any way to offer or present this book or the other resources found on the blog.* |
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