Gtcotr/ss121822
Ecclesiastes 1:9 History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new.
During the second century BC, division in Israel became more and more evident along with the rise of Greek influence in society. In brief, the major division was one of opposing ideologies. It was not the first time nor the last in which families, friends, and communities divided along political, social, and religious lines.
The division between the progressive liberal Jews who loved all things Greek and the traditional conservative Jews who followed the law of Moses, brought the nation to war. The Seleucid Greco-Syrian King, Antiochus Epiphanes, set up Greek gods in Jerusalem and even turned the Temple Ezra had built for Jehovah into a Temple to Zeus. He sacrificed a pig on the brazen altar and sprinkled the pig’s blood in the Holy of Holies.
The liberal element of the Jewish government which was in power at that time supported the Seleucid mandates to stop celebrating the sabbath and all the feasts, they did not complain when required to stop circumcising their sons and begin sacrificing pigs to the pagan Greek gods.
A group of conservative Jews led by Judas Maccabee and his 4 brothers used unconventional tactics to wage war on the Seleucid army for three years before finally achieving victory and gaining access to Jerusalem and the desecrated Temple.
This is a marvelous part of history to study as we can see it played out over and over through the millennia. The account continues as Judas Maccabee and his followers began to destroy the pagan idols, cleanse the Temple, and get it ready to rededicate to Jehovah.
There was however a big problem. There was not enough consecrated special oil to light the menorah, a holy lamp which was to burn continually in the Temple without fail. This lamp, once lit, should never go out. But there was not enough oil and not enough time to purify and consecrate more. There was only enough for one day.
Nonetheless, as history records, on the 25th day of the month of Kislev, in the year 165BC, with all Jerusalem watching, Judas Maccabee ordered the lamp to be lit in faith. That small amount, only enough for one day, continued to burn, keeping the light shining in the Temple for 8 days, until more oil had been purified and consecrated for use in the Holy Place.
In light of the miracle God gave the children of Israel, Judas Maccabee ordered the children of Israel to observe the 25th of Kislev each year by lighting candles and shining lights in each home and throughout the cities wherever Jews lived joined by celebrations and joyous giving of gifts. Thus began the Festival of Lights which is still celebrated each year in memory of that first Hanukkah, which means dedication.
The month Kislev on the Jewish calendar coincides with our December. This is the season in which the angel Gabriel visited a young girl named Mary in the town of Nazareth and told her she had been chosen by God to be the mother of the Messiah. This is also the time of year when we find Jesus visiting Jerusalem as recorded in John 10. Let’s read from that passage.
People were also divided in Jesus’ day. There were the progressively liberal Sadducees and the more traditionally conservative Pharisees. The people were the same, only the names change … history just continues to repeat itself.
John 10 New Living Translation
19 ¶ When he said these
things, the people were again divided in their opinions about him.
22 ¶ It was now winter, and
Jesus was in Jerusalem at the time of Hanukkah, the Festival of Dedication.
23 He was in the Temple,
walking through the section known as Solomon’s Colonnade.
24 The people surrounded him
and asked, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the
Messiah, tell us plainly.”
25 Jesus replied, “I have
already told you, and you don’t believe me. The proof is the work I do in my
Father’s name.
26 But you don’t believe me
because you are not my sheep.
27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
·
Listen
to My voice
·
I
know them
· They follow Me
28 I give them eternal life,
and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me,
29 for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.
1.
Listen
to His voice.
a. He speaks … directly
to your heart.
b. He affirms and He
concerns .
c. We are not left
without a witness.
d. And we have been given
His Word.
2.
Do
you know Him?
a. More than knowing
about Him …
b. Does He know you?
c. God wants a real
relationship … not a passing acknowledgement.
3.
Follow
Jesus.
a. Be like Jesus …
b. Would you be better or
worse if you followed Him?
c. Love; forgive; pray;
care; share; encourage; do good; heal.
d. Lead others to choose heaven.
Even
though history repeats itself, let’s choose to not be divided this
Christmas. And by the way … this year Hannukah begins today and will continue
through next Sunday. Happy Hannukah!
