“Hammer Time” – Rededicate YOUR Temple

The feasts of the Lord always provide us an opportunity to learn more about God and to grow in a deeper understanding of our purpose in Him.

The Feast of Dedication is not one of the mandated feasts of Leviticus 23, but it is very much a part of Jewish life. Jesus kept this feast (John 10:22). Also called the Festival of Lights, or Hanukkah, it celebrates a time when the miracle of the sacred oil accompanied cleansing the Temple from Syrian defilement. Although the priests had enough sacred oil for only one day, God multiplied it to last for 8 days.

The Greeks had so “Hellenized” the world that even mighty Syria was under the Greek influence. God raised up the Jewish priest Mattathias and his sons to defend the Temple. They did so. One son, Judah Maccabee (Judah “the Hammer”) was noted as a fierce defender of Jewish lore and life.

This is an important message for us today. We need to stand for the Judeo-Christian life and let God’s Word lead us and defend us!

The prophet Jeremiah says, “Is not my word like a fire?” says the Lord; “And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?” (Jeremiah 23:29).

During this season of Hanukkah, let’s fill ourselves with the oil of the Holy Spirit and our minds with the Word of God.

Let’s rededicate ourselves as His temples. (1 Corinthians 6:19)

Katharine Weiss