Candles.144

                                                                     CANDLES

                                                                       Ref. 144

BIBLE READING: Genesis 1:3-5 and Psalm 119:105

INTRODUCTION:

Candles in general. Floating, Iced, Pagan-Isis looking for dead Osiris, Festivals of light. People hung lamps outside the home to illumine the spirits of the family to and from their graves on their "once a year visit". Rome - Vestal virgins kept the perpetual fire burning in the round Temple of Vesta.. Claudius had eternal light burning for his safety. New Age - burning candles for health.

1. TABERNACLE

   a. Burnt offering - morning and evening

   b. Golden menorah.

   c. Temple - Sukkot 7½ gallons of oil per lamp.

2. JEWISH

   a. Shabbat - Shabbat and Havdalah.

   b. Chanukah - Celebration and testimony

   c. Yahrzeit - memorial

   d. Eternal

   e. (n) is for Neshama (soul) which is called a (Ner) candle. The soul of man is the candle of the Lord. Prov 20:27. God tells man: "My candle is in your hands (commandments). Your candle (soul) is in my hands. If you guard my candle I will guard yours". Devarim Rabba 4:4

   RESULT: In Esther the people prayed and God delivered them.

           At the time of Antiochus (Maccabees) they went to war.

           Two holidays result (i) Purim  (ii) Chanukah.

           At both candles are kindled - Lesson: Pray and Do.

3. CHRISTIAN

   Rome - martyrs (human candles) Nero.

4. CHURCH

   a. Advent wreath - Christ Candle

   b. Church - Epistle and Gospel

   c. Votive - to saints (paganistic)

   d. Marriage ceremony