This holiday will be bittersweet, but it reminds us all to look to God, to rededicate ourselves to Him, and to remember His provision and the hope that is found in Him.
How God Delivered His People
Roughly 170 years before the birth of Christ, the nation of Israel was severely oppressed by Antiochus IV Epiphanes, king of the Seleucid Empire from 175 BC to 164 BC. Antiochus committed terrible atrocities. He massacred Jews, took roughly 10,000 captives, forbade the reading of Scripture, punished those who worshiped the true God, and desecrated God's temple with an altar to Zeus.
When a Jewish priest named Mattathias was ordered to sacrifice a pig to pagan gods in his village square, he boldly refused. This one man's courageous stand sparked a struggle for freedom which was continued by his son, Judas Maccabeus. Those who courageously fought against Antiochus' oppression came to be known as Maccabees, and by God's providence, they won astounding victories against overwhelming odds.
When the Maccabees regained control of Jerusalem in 165 BC, they rededicated the temple and set up the Menorah. This lampstand, according to God's instructions, was supposed to burn continually (Exodus 27:20-21). The Maccabees were dismayed to find only enough undefiled oil to last for one day. However, the oil miraculously lasted for eight days—enough time to make more oil for the Menorah! This is why Hanukkah menorahs have eight branches on them, plus a ninth for the candle that lights the others.
One of the first prayers of Hanukkah is the Shehecheyanu, "Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season."
Hanukkah's Significance this Year
The same God who providentially watched over Israel during that trying time is the same God who rules over world events today. Antiochus IV's nickname, Epiphanes, means "god manifest," yet the man came to nothing. The true God . . . and His people, were victorious.
Israel and her people are once again in a struggle for survival against those who hate them. Many are mourning their family members who were murdered, still held captive, or are in fear for their lives. With the rise of antisemitism across the globe, simply celebrating Hanukkah and displaying a menorah is a courageous act for many.
This is a stark reminder of why we must continue America's legacy of religious liberty. We must continue to uphold, with informed votes, the Judeo-Christian values which form the basis for freedom, equality, and a government that punishes evil and protects the God-given rights of her citizens.
The light can answer the darkness again in 2023, and Hanukkah can serve as an opportunity to keep your Jewish neighbors—and the nation of Israel—in prayer. Let it also remind you that God is sovereign and will fulfill His promises to His people. He can accomplish His purpose through even one brave person willing to stand for what is right.
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Matthew 5:14-16
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