Sermon Tone Analysis

*CHANUKAH*

                                               (means Re-dedication)

 

Ref.

880

*BIBLE READING*: John 10:22-23

*INTRODUCTION*: This is the only place in the New Testament where the Feast of Dedication, which is Chanukah, is mentioned.

Chanukah often coincides with Christmas.

It starts on the 25th Kislev, the Jewish month which approximates our Dec.

The History of the Feast can be read in the book of the Maccabees in the Apocrypha.

But here is the background to Chanukah.

*1.

CONTAMINATION OF THE TEMPLE* In the year 169 B.C. Antiochus Epiphanes, the Hellenised ruler of Syria (175-163 B.C.E.) a vile and godless man, campaigned against Egypt.

Yet in spite of his victory he was compelled to withdraw from Egypt at the command of powerful Rome.

At that time Israel was under Syrian rule.

Returning to Syria, Antiochus, who by this time was in a foul temper, vented his wrath on the ill-fated Judeans by entering Jerusalem, destroying a large portion of the city, and slaughtering men, women and children.

The zenith of his infamy was reached when he invaded the Holy Temple, carrying away much of the Temple treasure.

Then to show his contempt for the Lord God of Israel, he sacrificed a pig to the god Jupiter.

He forbade the Jews to practice their religion, particularly the rite of circumcision, Sabbath day observance, and the laws of Kashrut.

He commanded that only pigs be sacrificed in the Temple of God.

He himself cooked a pig in the Temple and poured its broth on the Torah Scrolls and on the Altar, thus be-fouling what was Holy and Consecrated.

Syrian officers and supervisors were sent throughout the land, to even the smallest villagers to see that the cruel and blasphemous decrees of Antiochus were carried out.

Many Jews fled, some of the priests complied with the Syrian commands.

A small group of faithful’s dared to defy “Antiochus the Wicked” as he became known in Jewish history.

One day Appeles, an enforcement officer of Antiochus, arrived in the small village of Modin, three - four kms.

north of Jerusalem, and commanded the assembled Jews to sacrifice a pig.

Mattathias, (Matthew) the Maccabee, head of a priestly family, faithful to the Lord, and father to five faithful, stout-hearted sons, became enraged by the ungodly decree.

He killed the first Jew about to comply with the order.

Then he, backed by his sons turned on the group under Apelles and killed them.

*2.

CONQUEST OF THE TEMPLE DEFILERS* This was the sign for the uprising of the Jews against the Syrians.

Mattathias died soon after this incident, Judas, his son became the leader of the uprising.

Gathering together a considerable number of courageous Jews, he skilfully led them in battle against the Syrians.

Fired by the courage and devotion of Judas and his four brothers, the once timid and despairing population now flocked to the side of their leader.

They fought in the Mountains and valleys of Judea, they attacked guerrilla fashion, giving them no respite, the Syrians never knew when and where they would be attacked next.

As they grew in number and skill, they ventured to face the enemy in open battle, and defeated them.

They finally drove the Syrians from Jerusalem, together with the disloyal priests who had collaborated with the invaders.

*3.

CLEANSING OF THE TEMPLE*

After cleansing the Holy Temple they demolished the polluted altar of God.

Then on the 25th Kislev 165 B.C.E.

they re-dedicated the Temple to God amidst great rejoicing.

It was at this time that a new Altar was consecrated.

There was, however a problem, the stones from the old altar were precious, they had been consecrated to God.

Yet they were polluted.

So they were set aside in a corner of the Temple there to await the coming of Elijah or the Messiah, to tell them what to do.

*4.

CONSECRATION OF THE TEMPLE*

The Miracle of the Oil

The Temple was cleansed, there was a new altar, but not sufficient oil for the perpetual light in the Temple.

Then, hidden in a nook of the Temple was found a small cruse of oil, sufficient for only one night.

Behold! a miracle takes place.

The oil lasted for eight days, until a new supply could be prepared and consecrated.

In memory of the wonderful redemption from the hands of a wicked enemy, and the rededication of the Temple, and the miracle of the oil, it was decreed that for eight days eight candles should be lit in every Jewish household, beginning with one on the first day, two on the second and so on until the eighth day.

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CONCLUSION