by Batya Wooten | Jan 14, 2020 | Articles
The Book of Esther is an all but forgotten book in most Christian circles-but every year, at Purim, the story is read and celebrated in synagogues. Celebrations include reading a Megillah- a small scroll that contains a book of the Bible. As the book of Esther is read, the people make loud noises as the good and bad characters in the story are mentioned. They applaud the name of Mordecai and boo Haman. Children dress in costumes like the characters, presents are given, and much food and drink is consumed.
Purim is not listed with Israel’s feasts in Leviticus 23. Nonetheless, it is based on the Biblical story of Queen Esther and tells of the demise of a wicked man named Haman. Purim is a time for the Father’s people to rejoice in His ability to save them from their enemies.
The enemy in this story is Haman, a descendant of Amalek. King Saul was supposed to kill all of the Amalekites when he conquered them, but he spared their king, Agag. This refusal to totally annihilate the Amalekites cost Saul his kingdom. YHVH had devoted them to destruction and not one of them was to be spared. These attackers of Israel were such a serious threat that Gideon wanted reassurance from the Almighty before he would engage them in battle. King David, too, later had to fight with them (Leviticus 27:28-29; Numbers 14:25,43,45; Judges 6:3,33; 7:12; 1 Samuel 13:13-14; 15:18-24; 27:8; 30:1,18; 2 Samuel 1:1). When King Saul had met them in battle, he did not kill off their king, and they consequently continued to plague Israel. By the time of Queen Esther, one of their heirs, Haman, had become an official in the court of King Ahasuerus in ancient Persia.
The story of Esther tells of Queen Vashti, who refused to go to a banquet hosted by King Ahasuerus (or Xerxes). She was consequently banished, and Ahasuerus began to search for a new queen. Among the contestants was young Esther, a beautiful orphaned Hebrew girl from the tribe of Judah. Mordecai was her uncle, and he had taken Esther under his wing.
It is interesting to note that, when Esther first came to the king’s court to be prepared to meet the king, she was placed under the care of Hegai, who was the king’s eunuch, meaning, his valet, his “helper,” if you will. And, when Esther’s turn came to be examined by King Ahasuerus, she asked to be arrayed only in what Hegai, the king’s eunuch/helper suggested for her. So it was that Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her (Esther 2:15).
The king’s helper knew what the king liked. Esther wisely listened to his counsel and thus won the king’s heart. Similarly, the Holy Spirit is the “Helper” of our King, Messiah Yeshua (John 16:7). And, we would do well to similarly ask His Helper to clothe us in the way that He knows is best for us. Then, our appearance will be pleasing in the eyes of our King.
Returning to our story, we see that Haman was a powerful man who liked the praise of men, and to have them bow before him. But, Mordecai, the Jew, who daily sat by the king’s gate, refused to bow before Haman.
Angered by Mordecai’s refusal to submit to his ways, Haman plotted to have King Ahasuerus authorize a royal decree calling for the death of an unspecified nation-one that Haman claimed was not being “loyal” to the king. Haman then casts lots, or dice, to determine the day for this planned annihilation. The Hebrew word for lots is “pur,” and the name Purim comes from this casting.
Thus a day was set to annihilate the Jewish people. Hearing of this evil plan, both Mordecai and Esther asked their fellow Jews to join them in fasting and prayer. Esther then took her life in her hands, by appearing unannounced before her king. Her plan was to reveal Haman’s hidden plot to destroy her people. To accomplish this, she invited both the king and Haman to join her for a special dinner.
After the dinner, the king was so pleased with Esther that he offered her up to half of his kingdom. Had Esther not been a spiritual woman, her head might have been turned with such an earthly temptation, but Esther wanted something greater than earthly possessions. She wanted to save her people. So, she simply asked that the King and Haman might return for dinner the next day.
That night, Haman ordered workers to build a gallows on which he planned to have Mordecai hung the next day. But, unbeknownst to Haman, King Ahasuerus was not able to sleep that night, so he had his servants read to him from the chronicles of his reign. Thus, he was reminded of a story about Mordecai-who had discovered and exposed an assassination plot against the king. Mordecai had saved the king’s life and Ahasuerus wondered if he had ever been properly rewarded for his loyalty.
In the morning, Haman appeared before the king, his heart full of a murderous plot. But, before he could say anything, Ahasuerus asked Haman how he thought someone who had saved the kings life should be rewarded. Vainly thinking the king was speaking of him, Haman suggested that the person should be wrapped in one of the king’s royal robes, placed on one of his horses, have a royal crest placed on its head, and be led about the kingdom by one of the king’s most noble princes.
“Excellent,” said the king. “Go at once and do this for Mordecai the Jew who sits at the king’s gate.”
So it is that Haman had to acknowledge Mordecai and the fact that he was greatly esteemed by the king of the realm.
That twist of fate alone should have been enough to stop Haman. He was even warned by his family to stop, but Haman had murder in his heart. He would not be satisfied with anything less than the total annihilation of anyone who would not bow before his boastful spirit.
That night, the king and Haman went to dine with Queen Esther, and once again, the king asked her, “What is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.”
Esther answered, “If I have found favor with you, O king, and if it pleases your majesty, grant me my life-this is my petition. And spare my people-this is my request. For I and my people have been sold for destruction and slaughter and annihilation. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.”
The king then asked, “Who is he? Where is the man who has dared to do such a thing?”
Esther answered, “The adversary and enemy is this vile Haman.”
Haman was terrified. The king, being in a rage, strode out into the palace garden, and Haman then began to beg Queen Esther for his life. Then, as the king was returning to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining. This caused the king to exclaim, “Will he even molest the queen while she is with me in the house?”
Due to this “death-worthy” act, one of the kings attendants said, “A gallows seventy-five feet high stands by Haman’s house. He had it made for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king.”
The king replied, “Hang him on it!” So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had so gleefully prepared for Mordecai.
Haman was hanged on the exact gallows that he had built for Mordecai. Furthermore, that same day, the king gave to Esther, Haman’s estate. And, she told the king how she was related to Mordecai. With this news, the king took off his signet ring, which he had reclaimed from Haman, and he presented it to Mordecai. And, Esther then appointed Mordecai as the ruler over Haman’s estate.
Next, Esther pleaded with the king to put an end to Haman’s evil plan to destroy the Jews in all of the king’s provinces. So, he told her to “write another decree in the king’s name in behalf of the Jews as seems best to you, and seal it with the king’s signet ring-for no document written in the king’s name and sealed with his ring can be revoked.” A decree was thus written in the king’s name that granted to the Jews the right to annihilate any armed force that might attack them and their women and children; and to plunder the property of their enemies.
The day appointed for the Jews to do this was the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar.
That day, Mordecai left the king’s presence wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen. And, the king’s city of Susa held a joyous celebration. For the Jews it was a time of happiness and honor. In every province there was feasting and celebrating. And, in that day, many of the people became Jews because they feared them and their God-who was so obviously protecting them.
Thus was sorrow turned to joy, and a time of mourning into a feast day.
This is truly an awesome story of deliverance, yet, some people have little regard for the Book of Esther because the name of God is not found in its pages. While His “name” is not mentioned, we clearly see His mighty right arm of protection in action (Psalm 98:2; Isaiah 56:1). His name may not be written in the text, but signs of His salvation abound in the story.
We therefore suggest that Purim celebrations can be times for us to proclaim the good news of the salvation of our God. They can be times when we rejoice and know that our God will protect us from attacks from the enemy.
All of us have had, or perhaps are presently having, times when we need to be delivered from our enemies. But let us trust that, like Mordecai and Esther, our God can save us.
Some enemies are more evil in their intent than others. Some are like Haman, they want our destruction and will not be happy with anything less. But, our enemies do not scare our God. He can turn the tables on perverse people in the blink of an eye. He can cause the destruction once planned for others to be used against the perpetrator.
People can appear to be “Nobles in the Court,” when in reality, they have evil intent toward those who will not bow before their ignoble claims. We need to trust that they will one day be brought to justice. We need to rest in the fact that, one day they will fall, and their wickedness will be exposed.
As we celebrate Purim and tell this story about Israel’s deliverance, let us determine the following in our hearts:
When we hear the name of Haman, if we have any hatred in our hearts for others, let us “boo” it away. If we know brethren who are walking in destructive hatred, let us seek to privately counsel them to repent and be healed before it is too late.
When we hear the name of Mordecai, let us “applaud” his many good traits: taking care of orphans, refusing to bow to evil, and repenting with fasting when he hears of the evil plans of others against him.
When we hear the name of Queen Esther, let us “applaud” her many good traits. Let us acknowledge this Queen for having been more concerned with the well-being of her family than with having position or possessions. Most of all, let us applaud her for being wise enough to want the king’s helper to dress her; and, let us determine in our hearts that we, too, want our “King’s Helper” to clothe us in a way that will please our King, Messiah Yeshua. Let us determine in our hearts that we want to yield to the Almighty’s Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit).
We Wish You a Blessed Purim!
Angus and Batya Wooten
Used by permission
by B'ney Yosef North America | Jan 14, 2020 | Articles
We welcome our newest addition as B’Ney Yosef North America Elders, Dan and Kathy Collier.
After moving from Nashville, Tennessee, Kathy and Dan met in Seattle, Washington in 1963 where Dan was attending the University of Washington studying a business curriculum. They were married shortly thereafter, have remained so for 56 years. They moved to Nashville to finish his business degree a year later.
They have two children, Brooks and Laurie (in eternity), 5 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
They became believers in 1972, and over the years, Dan has served as an elder, pastor, teacher and has led a local congregation for 10 years having interacted locally with other congregations in their area and in other states as well. They have been in the Messianic walk for over 20 years.
Dan has been very active in business initiatives locally, nationally and internationally and for 5 years represented an Israeli company in the US.
Kathy has been an interior designer in the Nashville area for over 36 years managing her own construction crew, both designing and building as needed on her jobs.
by B'ney Yosef North America | Jan 14, 2020 | Articles
As Hebrews in exile, we are subject to at least two major calendars; i.e., methods of dividing and naming days, weeks, months, and years. Practically speaking, it is impossible to live and work in “the world” without making concessions to their standard calendar, which is the Gregorian. Although there are many culture-based calendars that are not the Gregorian, every culture on the planet recognizes and refers to the Gregorian calendar as a common standard.
The Hebrew calendar, like almost all non-Gregorian calendars, is lunisolar, meaning essentially that the changing of the months is based on phases of the moon and changes from one year to the next are based on the relative position of the Sun in relation to the Earth.
Biblical references to times and dates are generally in relation to the Hebrew calendar.
The calendar can easily become a subject of much discussion, disagreement, and controversy. Agreeing on exactly which day(s) to observe the various moedim (appointed times; i.e., times appointed by YHVH through the instructions of Torah) can be challenging, and brethren have been known to discontinue fellowship over these types of disagreements.
Our hope, desire, and intent at BYNA is to extend love, grace, and understanding toward any who might disagree so that the spirits of worship, devotion, obedience, grace, peace, and righteousness might prevail.
With that in mind, we offer the following “calendar,” not as an expression of legal exactitude, but as a guide for personal consideration, examination, and observance.
We include the biblical Feasts as well as some Jewish traditional commemorations and some Israeli civil holidays, for your information and as a reference for further study and research.
We present this in the context of the Gregorian year designated 2020, which includes the last several months of the Jewish year 5780 and the first few months of the Jewish year 5781.
In the Hebrew manner of reckoning, the day begins at sundown, so the translation to Gregorian requires a two-date span of reference.
Keeping Shabbat – Exodus 31:13-17, 35:2-3, Lev. 23:3, 26:2, Deut. 15:12-15, 28:9, Is. 58:13-14, Jer. 17:21-27
Rosh Chodesh (New Moon) – means “beginning, head, or renewal” (Num 10: 10, Num 28:11-15, Ps 81:3)
* Traditional Jewish Holiday/Festivals (not Biblical)
Moedim as identified in Torah
*Asarah B’Tevet – commemoration of Nebuchadnezzar’s siege of Jerusalem in 425 BCE. 1/7 (10 Tevet) A day of fasting for Jews.
*Tu B’Shevat – Jewish new year of the trees. 2/10 (15 Shevat)
Rosh Chodesh (New Moon) Tevet / Shevat
Sundown 1/26 to sundown 1/27
Rosh Chodesh (New Moon) Shevat / Adar
Sundown 2/25 to sundown 2/26
*Purim (Feast of Lots)
Sundown 3/9 to sundown 3/10 (14 Adar)
Rosh Chodesh (New Moon) Adar / Nisan
*Rosh Hashanah (biblical: Exodus 12:2)
Sundown 3/25 to sundown 3/26
Our understanding of how the first three commanded feasts should be observed…
Pesach (Passover) one night – (Lev 23:5, Deut. 16:1) this is when the commemorative meal should be shared among immediate family (traditional Jewish Seder is somewhat more elaborate than what scripture calls for)
Sundown 4/7 (since 14 Nisan begins at sundown 4/7)
Feast of Matzot (Unleavened Bread) SOLEMN ASSEMBLY (Ex. 12:15-20)
(aka holy convocation to commence Matzot; essentially an “extra” Shabbat)
Sundown 4/8 to sundown 4/9
Matzot (Unleavened Bread)
Sundown 4/8 to sundown 4/16
Matzot (Unleavened Bread) SOLEMN ASSEMBLY
(aka holy convocation to end Matzot: essentially an “extra” Shabbat)
Sundown 4/15 to sundown 4/16
Our understanding is that First Fruits should be observed on “the morrow” of the regular Shabbat that happens in the midst of Matzot. Shavuot should always be on a Yom Rishon; thus, counting omer from one Yom Rishon (First Fruits) to another, seven weeks later. Leviticus 23:15-16
Bikkurim (First Fruits) commence the Counting of the Omer (Deut. 16:9-12)
Sundown 4/11 to sundown 4/12
*Yom Hasho’ah (Holocaust Remembrance Day)
Sundown 4/20 to sundown 4/21 (27 Nisan)
Rosh Chodesh (New Moon) Nisan / Iyyar
Sundown 4/24 to sundown 4/25
*Yom HaZichron (Israel Memorial Day)
Sundown 4/28 to sundown 4/29 (5 Iyyar)
*Yom HaAtzma’ut (Israel Independence Day)
Sundown 4/29 to sundown 4/30
*Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day)
Sundown 5/21 to sundown 5/22
Rosh Chodesh (New Moon) Iyyar / Sivan
Sundown 5/23 to sundown 5/24
Shavu’ot (Feast of Weeks) (Lev 23:5, Deut. 16:1)
Sundown 5/30 to sundown 5/31
Rosh Chodesh (New Moon) Sivan / Tammuz
Sundown 6/22 to sundown 6/23
*Tzom Tammuz (Fast of Tammuz)
Sundown 7/8 to sundown 7/9 (17 Tammuz)
Rosh Chodesh (New Moon) Tammuz / Av
Sundown 7/21 to sundown 7/22
*Tisha B’Av (Ninth of Av)
Sundown 7/29 to sundown 7/30
*Tu B’Av (15th of Av)
Sundown 8/4 to sundown 8/5 (15 Av)
Rosh Chodesh (New Moon) Av / Elul
Sundown 8/20 to sundown 8/21
40 Days of Repentance / Teshuvah (all of Elul plus first ten days of Tishrei)
Sundown 8/20 to sundown 9/27
Yom Teruah (Feast of Trumpets) (Lev 23:23-24)
Rosh Chodesh (New Moon) Elul / Tishrei
Rosh Hashanah (Civil New Year)
Sundown 9/18 to sundown 9/19
Days of Awe
Sundown 9/18 to sundown 9/28
Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) (10 Tishrei) – SOLEMN ASSEMBLY (Lev 23:27)
Sundown 9/27 to sundown 9/28
*Tashlikh (Micha 7:18-20, Ps 33, 118:5-9. 130)
Afternoon of 9/20
Sukkot (Feast of Booths/Tabernacles) (Lev 23:41-43, Deut 16:13-17)
Sundown 10/2 to sundown 10/9 (15 Tishrei thru 21 Tishrei)
SOLEMN ASSEMBLIES
Sundown 10/2 to sundown 10/3 – beginning of Sukkot
Sundown 10/8 to sundown 10/9 – end of Sukkot
*Shemini Atzeret (Eighth Day)
Sundown 10/9 to sundown 10/10
*Simchat Torah
Sundown 10/10 to sundown 10/11
Rosh Chodesh (New Moon) Tishrei / Cheshvan
Sundown 10/18 to sundown 10/19
*Yom HaAliyah (Israel Immigration Day)
Sundown 10/24 to sundown 10/25 (7 Cheshvan)
Rosh Chodesh (New Moon) Cheshvan / Kislev
Sundown 11/16 to sundown 11/17
*Chanukah (Feast of Dedication / Festival of Lights)
Sundown 12/10 to sundown 12/18
Rosh Chodesh (New Moon) Kislev / Tevet
Sundown 12/15 to sundown 12/16
*Asarah B’Tevet
Sundown 12/24 to sundown 12/25
by B'ney Yosef North America | Dec 12, 2019 | Articles
HANUKKAH
Hanukkah is a celebration of events in Jewish history that took place more than two thousand years ago. The historical events behind this holiday are recorded in two books called “Maccabees,” which were written between the time of the Tanach and the re-newed Testament, and were also described in the historical works of Flavius Josephus, in his “Antiquities of the Jews,” (Book 12, Chap. 5).
A powerful Syrian tyrant named Antiochus IV Epiphanes held the Jews prisoners in their own land for three years. Antiochus brought a huge army from Syria to destroy the Jewish religion and to force Jews to worship Greek gods. Antiochus tried to force the Jews to live like Greeks. He made laws to prohibit all Jewish practices, and he put Greek idols in the marketplaces and in the Temple. He even commanded that pigs, a scripturally unclean animal, be sacrificed in the Temple. He personally sacrificed one and poured its blood over the Holy scrolls and on the altar. Antiochus took over Jerusalem and ruined the Holy Temple of YHVH. The Jews fought back, but they were outnumbered and might not have survived if it hadn’t been for a strong man named Judah on their side. Judah and his four brothers were men of priestly descent, and refused to obey the new laws. Judah became the leader after his father, Mattathias’ death. Judah and his followers were called “Maccabees,” which means, “hammer” in biblical Hebrew. They lived in the village of Modi’in and led a small, brave army against the Syrian forces. The Maccabees used their street-smart brains to fight the troops of Antiochus. Judah and his troops finally won back the city of Jerusalem and freed the Jews, but the Temple was badly damaged and defiled. The priests of YHVH had to clean the Temple, making it pure again, which would take eight days according to scripture. Finally, on the twenty-fifth day of the Hebrew month Kislev, in the year 165 B.C.E., the Temple was “rededicated,” or declared holy again. It was declared a holiday. The name of this holiday, Hanukkah, is derived from the Hebrew word for “dedication.”
The eight days of Hanukkah today reflect the eight days during which the Temple was being purified. Today, we light a special eight-branched menorah called a Hanukkiyah (or sometimes called an eight-branched menorah) each night in celebration. A ninth taller branch is also lit each night in which the others are taken from, called the “shammash”, meaning “servant” in Hebrew. Oil was used in the time of the Temple for burning the Menorah, but today, many of us use wax candles or electric bulbs in our household menorahs.
In the book of Yochanan (John), chapter 10, verse 22, it is written:
“Then came Hanukkah in Yerushalayim. It was winter, and Yeshua (Jesus) was walking around inside the Temple area, in Sholmo’s Colonnade.” (Complete Jewish Bible)
The story of Hanukkah can also be compared with future end-time happenings described in the books of Revelation and Daniel. Antiochus is a type of the antichrist. Just as happened under the rule of Antiochus, Daniel prophesied in the Book of Daniel 9:27:
“He will make a strong covenant with leaders for one week (of years). For half of the week he will put a stop to the sacrifice and the grain offering. On the wing of detestable things the desolator will come and continue until the already decreed destruction is poured out on the desolator.”
Every year in Israel, on the first night of Hanukkah, a special torch is lit in the town of Modi’in and carried by relay to a giant menorah in Tel Aviv. For those who love YHVH, Hanukkah is the celebration of a great triumph in Jewish history, in which the people of YHVH survived an enemy as powerful as Antiochus, and every enemy who has followed since! It is a time in history when we clearly see that idol worship should not hold a place within the temple of our hearts, our synagogues, or our churches! As believers in the One True YHVH, we have much to learn from Hanukkah. It is clear that the words of Yeshua, along with the prophets and historians, paint a clear picture of YHVH-breathed survival for His people today.
This year, may we receive Yeshua, our Servant Shamash, and light our candles for eight days of holiness within our Spirit-filled Temples; thus, creating a living torch, dedicated to relaying the Truth of the Torah to a very dark world.
DAY ONE
Read: Romans 6:11-23
- We were slaves/servants to sin.
- Now in Yeshua we are servants to the Lord.
Discuss: Single out the Shamash on the Hanukkah menorah, which is the servant candle that you use to light the rest of the candles. Use it as an object lesson…
Point out that the Shamash pictures the Messiah. This special candle is used to give the other candles their light. In the end, it is given a separate place, a place of honor. So it is with us who are servants of Messiah: we are to give ourselves to Him for His use, and when He returns He will give us honor! The Shamash is a great illustration for what the servant of the Lord is.
Ask Questions:
- What does the Shamash do?
- Why do you think it is placed apart from all the rest of the candles?
- What do servants do?
- Why are servants separate from others?
Pray: Ask YHVH to help you to yield yourselves to righteousness and to continue to serve the Lord.
Play “Shamash for a Day!”
Decorate a shoe box to look like a candle. Each family member writes several ideas for how to serve one another-each idea on a separate slip of paper. (Ideas: pray for Mom and dad, make someone’s bed beside your own, share a special treat, share a Bible verse, etc.) Each day of Hanukkah, family members take turns being the shamash. The shamash’s job is to pull out at least one idea and do it the following day. What a way to shine Yeshua’s Light, by being a servant, like Him!
DAY TWO
Read: I Maccabees 4:30-59
“Seeing that the army was strong, he prayed thus: “Blessed are you, O Savior of Israel, who broke the rush of the mighty one by the hand of your servant David and delivered the camp of the Philistines. into the hand of Jonathan, the son of Saul, and his armor-bearer. Give this army into the hands of your people Israel; make them ashamed of their troops and their cavalry. Strike them with fear, weaken the boldness of their strength, and let them tremble at their own destruction. Strike them down by the sword of those who love you, that all who know your name may hymn your praise.”
Then they engaged in battle, and about five thousand of Lysias’ men fell in hand-to-hand fighting.
When Lysias saw his ranks beginning to give way, and the increased boldness of Judas, whose men were ready either to live or to die bravely, he withdrew to Antioch and began to recruit mercenaries so as to return to Judea with greater numbers.
Then Judas and his brothers said, “Now that our enemies have been crushed, let us go up to purify the sanctuary and rededicate it.”
So, the whole army assembled, and went up to Mount Zion. They found the sanctuary desolate, the altar desecrated, the gates burnt, weeds growing in the courts as in a forest or on some mountain, and the priests’ chambers demolished. Then they tore their clothes and made great lamentation; they sprinkled their heads with ashes and fell with their faces to the ground. And when the signal was given with trumpets, they cried out to Heaven.
Judas appointed men to attack those in the citadel, while he purified the sanctuary. He chose blameless priests, devoted to the law; these purified the sanctuary and carried away the stones of the Abomination to an unclean place. They deliberated what ought to be done with the altar of holocausts that had been desecrated. The happy thought came to them to tear it down, lest it be a lasting shame to them that the Gentiles had defiled it; so they tore down the altar.
They stored the stones in a suitable place on the temple hill, until a prophet should come and decide what to do with them. Then they took uncut stones, according to the law, and built a new altar like the former one. They also repaired the sanctuary and the interior of the temple and purified the courts.
They made new sacred vessels and brought the lampstand, the altar of incense, and the table into the temple. Then they burned incense on the altar and lighted the lamps on the lampstand, and these illuminated the temple. They also put loaves on the table and hung up curtains. Thus, they finished all the work they had undertaken.
Early in the morning on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month, that is, the month of Chislev, in the year one hundred and forty-eight, they arose and offered sacrifice according to the law on the new altar of holocausts that they had made.
On the anniversary of the day on which the Gentiles had defiled it, on that very day it was re-consecrated with songs, harps, flutes, and cymbals. All the people prostrated themselves and adored and praised Heaven, who had given them success. For eight days they celebrated the dedication of the altar and joyfully offered holocausts and sacrifices of deliverance and praise. They ornamented the facade of the temple with gold crowns and shields; they repaired the gates and the priests’ chambers and furnished them with doors. There was great joy among the people now that the disgrace of the Gentiles was removed. Then Judas and his brothers and the entire congregation of Israel decreed that the days of the dedication of the altar should be observed with joy and gladness on the anniversary every year for eight days, from the twenty-fifth day of the month Chislev.”
Ask Questions:
- What happened to the temple?
- How do you think the Hebrews felt when they found it destroyed?
- What did they do to repair it?
Pray: Ask YHVH for hearts and minds like the Maccabees. Pray that you can be dedicated to preserving and living the ways and Word of YHVH in today’s ungodly society.
DAY THREE
Read: 1 Corinthians 3:16 & 17
Discuss: The worst thing that Antiochus Epiphanes did was try to turn the Jewish people away from YHVH. He put a big idol (false god) and sacrificed a pig in the Temple to keep people from worshipping the one true God.
Hanukkah is a fun holiday, but it’s also a time to think of ourselves as temples. If you have invited Yeshua into your heart, the Bible says His Holy Spirit lives inside of you just like YHVH’s Spirit once dwelled in the Temple. When we allow other people or things to be more important to us than YHVH, it’s like having idols in our hearts.
The title for this holiday is derived from Numbers 7:4 which recounts the dedication of the tabernacle in the time of Moses.
Talk about dedication and its importance in all areas of our lives.
Ask Questions:
- What does it mean to be dedicated to YHVH? (Emphasize the concept of YHVH being the most important priority and first in every area of our lives.)
- Can things, as well as people, be dedicated to YHVH? Explain.
Pray: Talk to YHVH about your desire to be dedicated. Ask Him for help in specific areas.
DAY FOUR
Read: 1 Chronicles 29:11; Psalm 98:1; 1 Corinthians 15:57
Discuss: What was the real miracle at Hanukkah?
There is good historical evidence that the Hanukkah story concerning the miracle of the burning oil never happened! The story says that when the Jewish people wanted to light the great menorah in the newly dedicated Temple during the Maccabean revolt, there was only enough oil to last one day. But YHVH did a miracle! He caused the oil to last eight days, long enough to purify more oil.
The problem with the above story is that none of the most ancient sources for the history of Hanukkah (I, II Maccabees and Josephus) mention the above miracle. This does not mean that it never happened. It just means that the earliest and best sources for the history of Hanukkah never mention it. The miracle is first mentioned in the Talmud (Torah commentary), compiled about five or six hundred years after the first Hanukkah.
Does this mean that there wasn’t a miracle at Hanukkah? Indeed, there was a great miracle! It was both a spiritual and a military miracle.
First, the greatest miracle was that in the increasingly assimilating and hellenistic Jewish society, there rose up a family of faithful Torah-observant, YHVH-fearing Jews who made a courageous stand against those who were ignoring the Covenant of YHVH. Not only did Mattathias encourage his own family to live for YHVH, they also, in turn, were able to inspire others in their nation to do so. In the end, YHVH honored that courage and dedication to Him.
The second miracle came on the battlefield. The Maccabees and their followers were vastly outnumbered, out-equipped, and out-trained by their Antiochian enemies. Yet, through courage, smart tactics, and faith in YHVH, YHVH granted them the miraculous military victory they needed.
What about the eight days? It has been suggested that Hanukkah was celebrated for eight days because the Maccabees hid in the hills to fight their enemies and were not able to celebrate Sukkot. Therefore, when they celebrated their victory in Jerusalem, they included in their celebrations the eight-day celebration of Sukkot.
What was the real miracle at Hanukkah? The answer is that YHVH granted both a spiritual and a military victory to those who were dedicated to Him.
Ask Questions:
- Can we expect YHVH to help us even in the face of great danger? Explain.
- What purpose did YHVH accomplish when He helped the Maccabees? For you?
- What other miracles can we remember in our lives?
- What other great works has YHVH done for which we can sing praises to His Name?
Pray: Praise YHVH and thank Him, for He has done great and mighty things throughout all of history!
DAY FIVE
Read: Psalm 145:1-7
Discuss: The importance of remembering what YHVH has done for us in the past because, in doing so, we remember YHVH!
Ask Questions:
- Name some ways that you have received blessings from YHVH.
Pray: Thank YHVH for the blessings He has given you.
DAY SIX
Read: Matthew 5:14-16
Discuss: It is traditional for Jews to place the menorah in a window so that others may see and know that their home remembers YHVHs deliverance.
As Hebraic believers who understands the importance of commemorating the fact that YHVH is a God who goes before His people in battle, we too can put our menorot in the windows of our homes. We are His “called-out ones,” called to stand out as lights in a dark world, the living stones of His Temple dedicated to His service. We can stand courageous and strong against the ever-present powers of assimilation that endlessly seek to make us put a “bushel over our light.”
We are to stand up to these “armies” and say, “We are the people of the living God!” We are to know as Yehoshua knew, “no one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life” (Joshua 1:5). No matter what the army facing us looks like, we will not back down from who we are called to be, the “called-out ones” of the living God, to Him be the glory and power for ever and ever. Amen!
Ask Questions:
- Why is it important for people to know we are dedicated to being a light in a dark and evil world?
- How can we let people know what He has done for us?
- Discuss this whole theme in light of Matthew 5:14-16 and Acts 1:8.
Pray: For at least one person you know who doesn’t yet know Yeshua. Pray for those in the land of Israel. Pray that we all as Hebraic believers will embrace the Torah to live it. And we will again “see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve YHVH and those who do not.” (Malachi 3:18)
DAY SEVEN
Read: Romans 12:1-2; John 17:13
Discuss: Review the story of the Maccabees again. Emphasize the gladness and joy the people had when YHVH granted them victory over their enemies and permitted them to rededicate the Temple. Re-read I Maccabees 4:59 where it says “all the congregation of Israel decreed that the days of the rededication of the altar should be observed this season … with gladness and joy.”
Ask Questions:
- What does it mean for our lives to be “a living sacrifice”?
- What does our spiritual service of dedication/worship to YHVH consist of?
- What is the real source of our joy? (Read the whole of John 17.)
Pray: Pray using expressions of joy, praise, adoration, and thanksgiving to YHVH for the joy of knowing Messiah Yeshua.
DAY EIGHT
Read: John 1:1-14; John 8:12; John 9:5
- What does this passage call Yeshua?
- What does verse 9 mean when it says Yeshua gives light to everyone?
- What is the Light of Life?
- What have you learned these past eight days?
Ask Questions:
- With all the candles lit, what do we have plenty of? (Light!!)
- What are some things light does for us?
- What happens to darkness in the presence of light?
Discuss: Talk about applying the things we have learned to our lives.
Pray: Turn out all household lights, have everyone look at the menorah lights and pray to know yourself as shining lights for Yeshua.
by B'ney Yosef North America | Dec 12, 2019 | Articles
We welcome our newest Elders, Greg and Sandy Crawford!
Greg and Sandy met in junior high school and married shortly after Sandy graduated from high school. They have spent most of their married life in West Texas with a short 10-year stint in the Houston area. They have been married for 43 years and have raised three adult children and five grand-children. They live in Dunn, Texas but their Shul is in Westbrook, Texas. They founded COVENANT RANCH MINISTRIES (in 1992) and began ministering to the working cow-men and women of West Texas and Eastern New Mexico. Their ministry began while cooking out of an authentic working chuckwagon, where they faithfully feed the body with good food and bring the Gospel of Yeshua HaMashiac (Jesus Christ) to feed the soul so that many who otherwise may not have ever tasted how good forgiveness really is, might feast on G-d’s Holy Word.
Repeated questions of “spiritual leaders” remained unanswered in their quest for truth, such as “what are the commandments that Yeshua/Jesus requires our obedience to?” They turned to rabbinic sources and were surprised at the simple answer no one else could or would answer, TORAH. They began this Walk of Faith in earnest in 2000. They were hooked.
Knowing the TANACH was the Word made Flesh, they began observing the Feasts and consequently Torah. They have never looked back. Their first tour of Israel in 2016, left them thirsty and hungry for more of The Land. Subsequent pilgrimages have allowed them to visit a part of themselves they left behind on the first tour and to expand their quest for a richer understanding of Scripture. Texas may be their residence but their home is Israel.
They began conducting Shabbat Services at the Price Daniel Unit in Snyder, Texas (a medium security facility) in August of 2017 after their regular Shabbat Services at COVENANT RANCH FELLOWSHIP in Westbrook, Texas. Through their efforts, they hope to establish Messianic Services in every medium security facility in Texas before their race is run.
COVENANT RANCH MINISTRIES is now a Shabbat/Sabbath keeping, Torah Observant Christian organization striving to be obedient servants of our L-rd Yeshua/Jesus. They strongly support Israel and believe that those who bless Israel will be blessed and those whom curse Israel will be cursed.
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