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Friday, November 29, 2013

Hanukkah, the Biblical Feast of Dedication

Tonight we will be joining millions around the world lighting the third candle on their Hanukkah Menorahs.  In Hebrew the word Hanukkah means Dedication.  While many call this the Festival of Lights, it is more accurately called the Feast of Dedication.


Surprisingly, the Feast of Dedication, is a biblical feast.

Perhaps you have heard that Hanukkah is not in the bible, or only merely mentioned in the book of John as Jesus spoke in the temple during the Feast of Dedication.  But when I searched the word I found the Feast of Dedication to have a rich and beautiful history that is spoken of NUMEROUS times in scripture.

After years of war, David was able to secure a time of peace for Israel.  But due to his involvement in bloodshed, YHWH would not allow him to build the Temple.  But his son, Solomon, was given that great commission.

Solomon knew that he was blessed to be a part of this endeavor.  In letters to nearby kings, looking for skilled laborers and materials needed for the construction, Solomon said, "Behold, I am building a temple for the name of the Lord my God, to dedicate it to Him, to burn before Him sweet incense, for the continual showbread, for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the Sabbaths, on the New Moons, and on the set feasts of the Lord our God. This is an ordinance forever to Israel. And the temple which I build will be great, for our God is greater than all gods. But who is able to build Him a temple, since heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him? Who am I then, that I should build Him a temple, except to burn sacrifice before Him?" 2 Chronicles 2:4-6


After it was built all of Israel celebrated for seven days with feasting and rejoicing and on the eighth day held a solemn assembly for the dedication of the altar.  "So Solomon observed the feast at that time for seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great assembly who came from the entrance of Hamath to the brook of Egypt. On the eighth day they held a solemn assembly, for the dedication of the altar they observed seven days and the feast seven days. Then on the twenty-third day of the seventh month he sent the people to their tents, rejoicing and happy of heart because of the goodness that the LORD had shown to David and to Solomon and to His people Israel." 2 Chronicles 7:8-10

Then Babylon came and destroyed the temple.


For years it lay desolate as was foretold in Leviticus 26, one of the punishments for NOT following the laws of YHWH. "You, however, I will scatter among the nations and will draw out a sword after you, as your land becomes desolate and your cities become waste. Then the land will enjoy its sabbaths all the days of the desolation, while you are in your enemies' land; then the land will rest and enjoy its sabbaths. All the days of its desolation it will observe the rest which it did not observe on your sabbaths, while you were living on it.…" Leviticus 26:33-35

After many years the Persian King allowed a remnant to return to Israel and rebuild their temple.  He even gave them supplies and all the temple items back.

Ezekiel 43 tells us EXACTLY how the temple was to be dedicated.  It detailed the 7 days of sacrifices and prayers and then ends with, "When these days are over it shall be, on the eighth day and thereafter, that the priests shall offer your burnt offerings and your peace offerings on the altar; and I will accept you,’ says the Lord God."


After it was completed the celebration, known as the Feast of Dedication began once again.  It is recounted in Ezra 6:16-18, "Then the children of Israel, the priests and the Levites and the rest of the descendants of the captivity, celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy. And they offered sacrifices at the dedication of this house of God, one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs, and as a sin offering for all Israel twelve male goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel. They assigned the priests to their divisions and the Levites to their divisions, over the service of God in Jerusalem, as it is written in the Book of Moses." and Nehemiah 12:27, "And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps."


Of course the most common story for the Feast of Dedication surrounds the battle of the Maccabees again Antiochus and his armies.  This story is included in First and Second Maccabbees.  Today these accounts are not in the canon.  But these books were considered scripture until The King James Bible!  It is still included in most canons around the world, but not the Protestant Canon (which was finalized in 1568 with the King James Version of the Bible) and Orthodox Tewahedo.


After the Maccabees battles were over, they cleaned the temple, rebuilt the altar and began the Feast of Dedication. "For eight days they celebrated the rededication of the altar. With great joy they brought burnt offerings and offered fellowship offerings and thank offerings. 57 They decorated the front of the Temple with gold crowns and shields, rebuilt the gates and the priests' rooms and put doors on them. 58 Now that the Jews had removed the shame which the Gentiles had brought, they held a great celebration. 59 Then Judas, his brothers, and the entire community of Israel decreed that the rededication of the altar should be celebrated with a festival of joy and gladness at the same time each year, beginning on the twenty-fifth of the month of Kislev and lasting for eight days." 1 Maccabees 4:56-59

Years later, the Messiah, stood in that very temple, in Solomon's Porch, during the Feast of Dedication and spoke about his role as our Shepherd and those who were His sheep. "Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone 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 My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.” John 10:22-30


Now today, we do not have the temple, and we do not have the altar.  Does that mean that this Feast holds no meaning for us?

I believe it pertains to us, personally, EVEN MORE!!!

Christians around the world celebrate year after year, Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came down onto the Disciples and filled them.


Yahshua, Jesus promised that He would send the Holy Spirit, and that He dwells in us (2 Timothy 1:14), fills us (Acts 13:52), teaches us (Luke 12:12, John 14:26, 1 Corinthians 2:13), renews and regenerates us (Titus 3:5 ), and seals us (Ephesians 4:30).

The Holy Spirit most especially had a particular role in the New Covenant.

Jeremiah 31:31-34
“Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— 32 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them,[a] says the Lord. 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 34 No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”

The sacrifices were always imperfect, insufficient, and needed to be done again and again.... and the heart of man was unchanged and still willed to sin.  But the New Covenant would seal a people to YHWH whose HEARTS were made of flesh, and the Law was IN THEIR HEARTS, written by the Holy Spirit.


This was reiterated in Hebrews 8:8-12, "Because finding fault with them, He says: “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”

What did YHWH find fault with?  What was YHWH replacing?  Imperfect priests, offering imperfect sacrifices, for hard hearted people.

This New Covenant was sealed with the blood of Yahshua, Jesus, as stated in Matthew 26:28 "For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."


Paul explains how WE, followers of Yahshua, Jesus, ARE NOW THE TEMPLE! "Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are." 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 and "Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body." 1 Corinthians 6:18-20

Throughout the scriptures we are urged to consecrate ourselves, dedicate ourselves, set ourselves apart for YHWH alone.

Leviticus 11:44 For I am the Lord your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy. Neither shall you defile yourselves with any creeping thing that creeps on the earth.

Leviticus 20:7 Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am the Lord your God.

Numbers 11:18 Then you shall say to the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you shall eat meat; for you have wept in the hearing of the Lord, saying, “Who will give us meat to eat? For it was well with us in Egypt.” Therefore the Lord will give you meat, and you shall eat.

1 Samuel 16:5 And he said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons, and invited them to the sacrifice.

2 Chronicles 29:31 Then Hezekiah answered and said, “Now that you have consecrated yourselves to the Lord, come near, and bring sacrifices and thank offerings into the house of the Lord.” So the assembly brought in sacrifices and thank offerings, and as many as were of a willing heart brought burnt offerings.

1 Peter 1:13-16 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

During this Feast of Dedication we find the perfect reminder to re-evaluate our hearts and minds and souls that we are supposed to give wholy to YHWH as Deuteronomy 6:5 tells us, "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might." and is repeated by Yashua, Jesus in Matthew 22:37.

We can also Dedicate our families, our homes, our marriage to Him.  We can evaluate our labors, our time and our money usage and Dedicate portions of these to Him as our situation allows.


Tonight, we light the third candle, this being the third day in this year's Feast of Dedication.  We will first light the highest candle on our menorah, called the Shamash, the Servant.  And then lifting it, we will carry it to the other smaller candles and gently light them, one by one.


And tonight, I will know that just like the other Feasts of YHWH that my family has discovered in the Bible, that this Feast of Dedication is also a rich and intricately weaved story throughout the bible that reveals our purpose to YHWH and our beloved Messiah, Yahshua, Jesus, who is "the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world." John 1:9

'I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'"  (John 8:12)

And it points us to a beautiful, bright and glorious future in the New Jerusalem, with Our YHWH Elohim, who loves us, "I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb." Revelations 21:22-23


***

Liked this rain soaked ranting from La Soñador?  Check out these similar posts.....


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La Soñador ~: Yom Teruah - The Feast of Shouting and Trumpets - And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work. For you it is a day of blowing the trumpets.

La Soñador ~: Fire In My Bones - But the fervor was gone.  The fire that burned without quenching was gone.  The desire for Him was there but with just enough reciprocation to keep me going, 'Don't give up,' "Keep on keepin' on..."

La Soñador ~: Biblical Holy Days - The Feast of Dedication and Lights - I love history!  And that makes the celebration of Hanukkah particularly exciting to me!!  In reality, all the biblical feasts have such historical significance and a rich tapestry of meaning.  But the history of Hanukkah....

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Wednesday, November 27, 2013

My Prayer For Hanukkah

Around the world tonight millions will be lighting the Servant Candle on their menorahs and begin the celebration of Hanukkah, which is Dedication. As their prayers go up for the Temple of YHWH and for their own hearts and homes to be dedicated to Him, let us also pray that they realize how desperately we need and are blessed to have, the beautiful and perfect Servant, Yahshua, Jesus, our passover lamb, unblemished sacrifice for sins, and soon to be returning King of Kings.

Happy Hanukkah!!!

"Now at the dedication (Hanukkah) of the wall of Jerusalem they sought out the Levites in all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication (Hanukkah) with gladness, both with thanksgivings and singing, with cymbals and stringed instruments and harps."

Nehemiah 12:27

Monday, November 25, 2013

"Why is the Sky Blue?"

Have you ever had a little child ask you..."Why is the sky blue?"


Many of us can give the scientific/physical reason the sky is blue...

But really, why is the sky blue?

Numbers 15:38-39
“Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘Throughout the generations to come you are to make tassels on the corners of your garments, with a blue cord on each tassel. You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the Lord, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by chasing after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes.

The color blue is to remind us to observe our Creator's righteousness and not after things against the Word of God.

Have you ever stopped to think...perhaps that is why the sky is blue?

So that every time we look up to Him, we are reminded of His perfect ways?


May Yah bless you in walking in the whole Word of God!

Shalom!

119 Ministries

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Quote du Jour - David Hood

Men are saved only by grace through faith. Once a man sees the wonderful grace of God -- the truly converted heart desires to obey -- and does obey. If He is not so moved, the grace of Christ had no effect -- and grace has no value in His life. He is not saved. The evidence of grace through faith is obvious. After all, faith without works of obedience is dead.

David Hood - https://www.facebook.com/davehood

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Sincerity of Belief....

“Eve really believed the words of Satan, but her belief did not save her from the penalty of sin. She disbelieved the words of God, and this was what led to her fall. In the judgment men will not be condemned because they conscientiously believed a lie, but because they did not believe the truth, because they neglected the opportunity of learning what is truth. Notwithstanding the sophistry of Satan to the contrary, it is always disastrous to disobey God. We must set our hearts to know what is truth.”

Patriarchs and Prophets, p 56


You can read Patriarchs and Prophets by Ellen G. White online at - http://www.whiteestate.org/books/pp/pp.asp

Friday, November 22, 2013

Psalm 69:30

I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.

Psalm 69:30

Year of Jubilee


What is Jubilee?

Jubilee
A name given to every 50th year. It got its name from the fact that the beginning of the year was announced by the blowing of a trumpet on the Day of Atonement.

Every 50 years, the Israelites were to celebrate a year long festival called the Jubilee. As part of those festivities, all land reverted back to its original owners and all Hebrew slaves were freed. Thus, Jubilee prevented economic hardships from being hereditary. Even if a family fell on hard times, it could start over in less than 50 years.

Below are some scriptures referring to this,

Leviticus 25:10 Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; each of you is to return to your family property and to your own clan.

Leviticus 25:12 For it is a jubilee and is to be holy for you; eat only what is taken directly from the fields.

Leviticus 25:28 But if they do not acquire the means to repay, what was sold will remain in the possession of the buyer until the Year of Jubilee. It will be returned in the Jubilee, and they can then go back to their property.

Leviticus 25:54 "'Even if someone is not redeemed in any of these ways, they and their children are to be released in the Year of Jubilee,

Leviticus 27:24 In the Year of Jubilee the field will revert to the person from whom it was bought, the one whose land it was.

We see that,

(1) Every captive was liberated.

(2) The exiled wanderer returned.

(3) The oppressed debtor was released from his debts.

(4) The unfortunate poor were restored to their ancestral heritage.

(5) Families that had been separated were now reunited.

First shared by Arrowhead Messianic Congregation


At this time, we do not know when the year of Jubilee occurs.  But we can certainly see the prophetic implications for the believer.  Our debts released, our lost wanderings brought to the end, reunification with those we have lost.

May Jubilee be given to all who rest in the word of YHWH and our beautiful Messiah Yahshua.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

3 Queens - The Life of Stay At Home Mamas


“My mom teaches me about the world, my mom is a cleaner, my mom is a doctor, my mom is an angel.”


They missed the part of the day where the kids are running in circles screaming and laughing and you can't hear anything. Or does that only happen in my home?? :)

But yes, our lives are so beautiful and it is nice to see it captured so sweetly.

With the Holly Days around the corner....

This is why many believers in Jesus Christ reject Christmas.

--

Sabbats: A Witch’s Approach To Living The Old Ways by Edain McCoy (A Practicing Witch)

(Page 53): “Yule is a time of mixed emotions for pagans. All around us we see evidence of the Christmas celebration…one which we know takes its form and meaning from ancient pagan practices. Virgin births, decorated trees, festive lights, feasting, wreaths, bells, and fragrant fires, were-and still areat the heart of pagan Midwinter observances.”

(Page 59): “For pagans, this usurping of Yule (by Christians) has one great advantage-it has preserved for us many ancient Yule customs which might otherwise have been lost. Look in any book and Christmas customs around the globe and you will find a plethora of pagan traditions.”



(Pages 85 and 86): “Music is another important part of Yule, and Christmas carols are yet another idea taken from paganism. Many common Christmas carols contain pagan images that are not so subtle. “Carols are form an Old /French word meaning “joyous songs”, and were also the name of round dances celebrating the rebirth of the Frankish pagan gods. The English Christmas Carol “Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly” contains not one Christian religious image.” (Note: That is because the images mentioned are pagan in their origin as we will see.) “When Yule rolls around you should feel free to have a lighted tree in your home, hang a wreath on your door, ring the jingle bells, and give gifts in memory of loved ones. Remember that this is a Sabbat, a pagan festival, a time that marks the return of the Sun god both to his Goddess Bride and to his joyous people.

---

Let the Pagans keep their holly days.

Let those who live by the Word of YHWH cling to the good, pure and perfect Holy Days that He gave us.


Saturday, November 16, 2013

Psalm 100:4

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.

Psalm 100:4

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Every Good Gift....

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights,
with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

James 1:17

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Philippians 4:6


Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and
petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Solar Eclipse Tomorrow Morning

Solar Eclipse Tomorrow Morning — Hybrid Solar Eclipse On Sunday, November 3 2013


Of course this is one among MANY amazing signs in the skies
that we will be seeing over the next couple of years.