Sermon Tone Analysis

Chanukah - The Feast of Dedication - Festival of Lights

Chanukah is the Hebrew word for dedication, Chanukah is used 12 times in the Old Testament, although 5 of the uses have nothing to do with dedicating the altar, or purifying The Temple.

Chanukah is used twice when Nebuchadnezzar dedicated an image he had set up, (Dan 3:2-3), once when David wrote, "A Psalm, A Song At the Dedication of the House of David."

(Ps 30 title), and twice for the dedication of the wall the Israelites rebuilt under the directions of Nehemiah when he was released to go back to Jerusalem by King Artaxerxes (Ne 12:27).

The remaining 7 uses of Chanukah are for dedicating the altar and for the dedication of The House of God/Temple, 4 times at the command of Moses in the desert, at the dedication of the altar outside The Tent of Meeting, also called The Tabernacle, (Nu 7:10, 11, 84, 88), once when Solomon dedicated the first Temple (2 Ch 7:9), and twice when Ezra the scribe recorded the dedication of the restored Temple when the children of Israel returned from captivity in Babylon (Ezr 6:16,17).

Chanukah is a yearly celebration during the 9th Jewish month of Kislev, (November-December, often near the time of Christmas).

Chanukah uses a 9 branch candelabrum, modeled after the 7 branch candelabrum in The Temple called the Menorah, which is the Hebrew word for lampstand.

The Chanukah menorah is also called, menorat chanukiah, menorot, chanukiah, or chanukkiyot, (which are plurals of the Hebrew words Menorah, or Chanukah).

According to the Jewish Oral Traditions, and The Apocrypha, during the time of the Maccabees, (1 Maccabees 4:52–56), Judas Maccabeus had a new Menorah and altar for the Temple built, because the armies of Antiochus Epiphanes had stolen the Temple Menorah and defiled the altar by sacrificing a pig on it.

Then it was decided to perform the purification of the Temple and dedicate the new altar and Menorah, and because it was recorded that Solomon celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles at the same time he had the Temple dedicated, (2 Chronicles 7:8–10), and as they were both 8 day feasts, Judas Maccabeus decided to do the same thing, (2 Maccabees 1:18), The priests only had enough oil to keep the new Menorah lit for one day, yet the Menorah miraculously stayed lit for the entire 8 day dedication and purification of the Temple and the altar.

After the destruction of the temple in A.D. 70 The Feast of Dedication was observed by the lighting of lamps in private homes, thus, the name, Festival of Lights.

Although the word Chanukah is not used by the Prophet Ezekiel, The LORD gave clear instructions on how the 8 day ritual to dedicate the altar of the LORD was to be performed to cleanse the altar for daily sacrifices (Ez 43:18–27).

The LORD makes an interesting clarification to Ezekiel, The LORD uses the term, 'on the eighth day.'

This term is used not to merely signal the completion of the cleansing and dedication of the altar, but also to signify a special Sabbath rest.

The eighth day heralds a new beginning, of setting of one's mind upon The LORD, as the sacrifices for sin are now acceptable to The LORD.

The eighth day is especially crucial to mark the end of the Feast of Tabernacles, when Israel was ushered into the Promised Land, their new home, to rest and no longer to live their lives as nomads wandering in the desert after their exodus from Egypt.

This eighth day Sabbath of a new beginning, is also seen in the circumcision of a male child, the dedication of the firstborn male to the LORD, and when The LORD commanded Moses to tell the children of Israel, "When a man or woman makes a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to dedicate himself to the LORD."

This wording indicates it is an expected ceremony from the children of Israel to become holy and dedicated to The LORD.

The consecration stipulates abstinence from any grape product, not becoming unclean by touching anything that is dead, even for a family member, and for the males to not shave, or let a razor touch their head, for the duration of their vow of consecration and holiness (Numbers 6:1–21).

This particular Hebrew word for razor is only used in conjunction with the Nazarite vow, and the Payot, or hair on the edge of their head.

Hannah vowed if God blessed her with a son, his head would not be touched with a razor and she would dedicate Samuel to the LORD (1 Samuel 1:11), while The LORD declared Samson a Nazarite to God from the womb (Judges 13:5, 16:7).

Jesus in Chanukah

The angel of The LORD also declared John the Baptist a Nazarite to God from the womb, when He told Zacharias his wife would give birth to a son he was to name John, even though the word Nazarite never appears in the text, "For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother’s womb."

(Luke 1:15).

Some believe Jesus was also a Nazarite, because Luke uses the words, “Jesus the Nazarene.” in Paul's witness to the Jews, (Acts 22:8), and the orator of the High Priest called Paul a, "ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes."

(Acts 24:5), during Paul's trial before Felix.

While it is likely Jesus probably observed the Nazarite ceremony during His Life and Ministry, as He was often found in the Temple in Jerusalem, notably when He was forgotten after Passover when He was 12, (Luke 2:41–52), and when He was walking into the Temple during The Feast of Dedication, (John 10:22–23).

While Jesus probably did not drink wine at the wedding in Cana, as evidenced by His comment to His mother, (John 2:1-12).

Jesus did not live His entire life as a Nazarite however, as Jesus was mocked for being a gluttonous man and a drunkard, (Luke 7:34), because Jesus drank wine at Passover, (Matthew 26:29, Luke 22:18), and touched the hand of Jairus' dead daughter when He brought her back to life, (Mark 5:21-43).

Artwork and other artifacts excavated near Jerusalem from the time Jesus walked the earth, indicate that there were several large stone menorahs that were lit each night of The Chanukah Festival.

Jesus likely stood in the Temple several times during The Feast of Dedication, with His arms raised toward heaven, with one of the large stone menorah's ablaze behind Him, when He made these three declarations, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life."

(John 8:12), “While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.”

(John 9:5), and, "For a little while longer the Light is among you.

Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes.

While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light.”

(John 12:35-36).

Jesus made a point of using the very Scripture readings describing The Feasts of the LORD to indicate the foretelling and portrait of His coming in each prophesy.

Jesus was referred to as The Root, and the Branch, indicating something that grows and bears fruit (Isaiah 11:1).

One of the readings for Chanukah is Zechariah's vision of The Golden Menorah and the two olive trees, (Ze 4:1-14).

The Temple Menorah is already a picture of the Triune Nature of The LORD, the three sets of Lamps on either side, resembling three sets of arms, (Father Son and Spirit), to indicate three separate and distinct Persons, while the center Lamp represents The Singular Nature of The Godhead.

The vision of Zechariah showed The Menorah no longer tended to by men, but continually supplied by The LORD, as The LORD told Zechariah to say, "‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts."

(Ze 4:6) This vision came to life as Jesus was nailed to the Almond Tree that grew from Aaron's staff.

The same staff David left on the mount of olives, with an olive tree on either side.

When Jesus's Terrestrial Human Nature, the Servant of all, was nailed to the tree, His Essence was eternally blended with the Celestial Nature of the Triune Godhead.

The cross declares Jesus, fully man, and fully God.

Zechariah's vision is duplicated in John's vision of heaven, (Revelation 1:12-13, 20).

John sees the seven golden lampstands, with one like the Son of Man, namely Jesus, who lives and dwells in the middle of the Essence of The Menorah, (the two olive trees are named as the Two Witnesses in Revelation 11:4).

John adds the sevenfold Spirit of The LORD in his greeting, before relating Jesus' messages to the seven churches.

It is interesting to note, the names of the churches paint a picture of salvation while the messages warn of the deceptions and failings that can snare a believer in their walk with The LORD.

Jesus was not born December 25th, but many do believe Chanukah was the time of year, when The Holy Spirit came upon Mary, and planted the Seed heralding the conception of Jesus, when The Light first came into the world (Luke 1:26–38).

Which would put Jesus’ birth during Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles, when Jesus clothed Himself in humanity and Tabernacled with us.

A fuller picture of Chanukah may be seen when you ad the sevenfold Spirit of The LORD, the names of God, The Beatitudes, the Feasts of The LORD, the seven I Am statements, the seven last words of Jesus, and the fruits of the Spirit to Jesus' messages to the seven churches.

Instead of thinking of a centuries old miracle, let The LORD consecrate and make you holy as you make a special vow to the LORD, and let Him declare you holy, and purify the temple of your heart.

Day 1

Prayer 1: Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tsivanu l’hadlik ner shel Chanukah.

Blessed are You, LORD our God, King of the Universe, who hallows us with precepts, commanding us to kindle the Chanukah lights.

Prayer 2: Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, she-asah nisim laavoteinu v’imoteinu bayamim hahaeim baz’man hazeh.

Blessed are You, LORD our God, King of the Universe, who performed wonderous deeds for our ancestors in days of old at this season.

Prayer 3: Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, shehecheyanu v'kiy'manu v'higiyanu laz'man hazeh.

Blessed are You, LORD our God, King of the Universe, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.

Scripture Reading:

"I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life."

(John 8:12), “While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.”

(John 9:5), and, "For a little while longer the Light is among you.

Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes.

While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light.”

(John 12:35-36)

The Golden Lampstand and Olive Trees - Zechariah 4:1-14

Righteous Reign of the Branch - Isaiah 11:1-5

God’s Promise concerning His Servant - Isaiah 42:1–9

Lord of the Sabbath - Matthew 12:17–21

Day 2 - Numbers 6:22–27

22 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 23 “Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, ‘Thus you shall bless the sons of Israel.

You shall say to them: 24 The LORD bless you, and keep you; 25 The LORD make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; 26 The LORD lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.’

27 “So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I then will bless them.”

The Loveless Church - Rev 2:1-7 - Ephesus (permitted)

1 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil.

And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.

4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.

6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’

Pesach - The Feast of Passover - Redemption - The Messiah, our Passover Lamb - (Ex 12:11) - Yahweh Yira (יֵרָאֶה יְהוָה) – ‘The LORD provides’ - (Gn. 22: 8) - Spirit of the Lord - (Is 11:2) - Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

- (Mt5:3) - “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”

- (Luke 23:34 - “I am the bread of life” - (John 6:35) - Word of wisdom Word of knowledge - (1 Cor 12:8)

Day 3 - Is 60:1-3

1 “Arise, shine; for your light has come, And the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. 2 “For behold, darkness will cover the earth And deep darkness the peoples; But the LORD will rise upon you And His glory will appear upon you. 3 “Nations will come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising.

The Persecuted Church - Rev 2:8-11 Smyrna (myrrh, bitter)

8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: 9 “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer.

Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days.

Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

11 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”

’

Matza -The Feast of Unleavened Bread - Sanctification - (EX 12:17) - Yahweh Nissi (נִסִּי יְהוָה) – ‘The LORD is my banner’ - (Ex. 17:15) - Spirit of wisdom - (Is 11:2) - Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

- (Mt5:4) - “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

- (Luke 23:43) - “I am the Light of the world” - (John 8:12) - Faith - (1 Cor 12:9)

Day 4 - Is 60:4-6

4 “Lift up your eyes round about and see; They all gather together, they come to you.

Your sons will come from afar, And your daughters will be carried in the arms.