Lights of WorshipWhile its name means "dedication," the real, more common ,association with Channukah is that of the "Festival of Lights;" and for good reason. The entire holiday revolves around an 9-armed candelabra, or modified "menorah." A traditional menorah only has 7 arms, but since the miracle of Channukah lasted eight days, a special menorah was crafted and used specifically for the holiday. But from where did the idea of the original 7-arm menorah come?
During the Israelite exodus from Egypt to the Promised Land, God presented His covenant people with His Law, or Torah. This divine law incorporated not only civil law, but also religious & ceremonial law. (It is also interesting and important to note that the two were not exclusive. Civil law was understood as carrying the same consequence as religious law; everything was a direct act of worship to God; but, I digress and will save that for another post...) All matters of worship were presented inside of the Law, including the specifications of the place and instruments to be used. One of these sacred instruments was the golden lamp-stand, the Menorah.
Exodus 25:31-40, describes a solid gold lamp which was to be found inside the sacred Tabernacle, or "dwelling place" for God. It was to be cast of out of one piece of gold, and was to resemble an almond branch in its design. Its sole purpose was to give light inside the meeting place so that the priests of God could carry out their duties, specifically, the presentation of the consecrated bread and the offering of incense to the Lord. Every day, the priests would enter the tent and present fresh bread and offer up fragrant spices to the Lord on the altar in symbolic worship. The bread was called, "the bread of the Presence," and was a sign that the Lord was amongst His people. The altar of incense was the "high altar" and would also be used each year on the Day of Atonement to purge, or cover, the sins of the nation before the eyes of God. Both of these acts were of critical importance, and the menorah was the sole means of light making these acts possible inside the Tabernacle.
However, once the Israelites landed inside the Promised Land, and the kingship of David was established inside the city of Jerusalem, this portable tabernacle was replaced by a permanent Temple. While more elaborate in size and outward appearance, all the specifications and instruments of worship from the tabernacle were directly carried over into the Temple. Thus, when the Maccabee revolt of Channukah took place, the primary item needed to rededicate the Temple and restore worship to God was the temple Menorah. Without it, no acts of sacred worship could commence and, spiritually speaking, all would be for nothing. The identity of every Jewish person was directly tied to his/her worship of God, and without the lights of the Menorah burning, it would be as if they were still ostracized from God's blessing. Miraculously, however, God sustained the one day supply of oil for eight days, and the Maccabees were able to not only acquire a supply of oil, but more importantly, rededicate the temple and their lives back to God.
APPLICATION:
So much could be extracted from the meaning and importance of the Menorah's relationship to worship. However, it is its ability to worship that I would like to focus on. Yes, the lighting of the menorah was a form of worship, but its primary cause was to enable worship. Without its presence, no other worship could be celebrated. Without its light, the presence of God found in the sacred bread would be hidden from the people, and the necessary offering to remove sin would be unable to be carried out. The lights enabled worship and revealed the presence and mercy of God.
Pslam 119:105, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Our greatest gift is the Word of God that instructs us how to not only live amongst others, but more importantly, how to live righteous before our God. The Bible is no mere religious artifact, nor is it to be a simple family heirloom. The Bible is God's divine gift to us so that we may know Him, see Him, and worship Him. Do not let God's light burnout in your life!
Like the priests of the old, I implore you to not begin your day until you have kindled the lights of God's word into your heart. Read your Bible, and read it to see Jesus and to know of His sacrifice on our behalf. If reading the Bible is hard for you, then get a buddy to help you. Find a good church where the Bible is clearly read, explained and valued. (I know a good one in Forest Hills, NY.)
Hebrews 4:12-13, "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
During the Israelite exodus from Egypt to the Promised Land, God presented His covenant people with His Law, or Torah. This divine law incorporated not only civil law, but also religious & ceremonial law. (It is also interesting and important to note that the two were not exclusive. Civil law was understood as carrying the same consequence as religious law; everything was a direct act of worship to God; but, I digress and will save that for another post...) All matters of worship were presented inside of the Law, including the specifications of the place and instruments to be used. One of these sacred instruments was the golden lamp-stand, the Menorah.
Exodus 25:31-40, describes a solid gold lamp which was to be found inside the sacred Tabernacle, or "dwelling place" for God. It was to be cast of out of one piece of gold, and was to resemble an almond branch in its design. Its sole purpose was to give light inside the meeting place so that the priests of God could carry out their duties, specifically, the presentation of the consecrated bread and the offering of incense to the Lord. Every day, the priests would enter the tent and present fresh bread and offer up fragrant spices to the Lord on the altar in symbolic worship. The bread was called, "the bread of the Presence," and was a sign that the Lord was amongst His people. The altar of incense was the "high altar" and would also be used each year on the Day of Atonement to purge, or cover, the sins of the nation before the eyes of God. Both of these acts were of critical importance, and the menorah was the sole means of light making these acts possible inside the Tabernacle.
However, once the Israelites landed inside the Promised Land, and the kingship of David was established inside the city of Jerusalem, this portable tabernacle was replaced by a permanent Temple. While more elaborate in size and outward appearance, all the specifications and instruments of worship from the tabernacle were directly carried over into the Temple. Thus, when the Maccabee revolt of Channukah took place, the primary item needed to rededicate the Temple and restore worship to God was the temple Menorah. Without it, no acts of sacred worship could commence and, spiritually speaking, all would be for nothing. The identity of every Jewish person was directly tied to his/her worship of God, and without the lights of the Menorah burning, it would be as if they were still ostracized from God's blessing. Miraculously, however, God sustained the one day supply of oil for eight days, and the Maccabees were able to not only acquire a supply of oil, but more importantly, rededicate the temple and their lives back to God.
APPLICATION:
So much could be extracted from the meaning and importance of the Menorah's relationship to worship. However, it is its ability to worship that I would like to focus on. Yes, the lighting of the menorah was a form of worship, but its primary cause was to enable worship. Without its presence, no other worship could be celebrated. Without its light, the presence of God found in the sacred bread would be hidden from the people, and the necessary offering to remove sin would be unable to be carried out. The lights enabled worship and revealed the presence and mercy of God.
Pslam 119:105, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Our greatest gift is the Word of God that instructs us how to not only live amongst others, but more importantly, how to live righteous before our God. The Bible is no mere religious artifact, nor is it to be a simple family heirloom. The Bible is God's divine gift to us so that we may know Him, see Him, and worship Him. Do not let God's light burnout in your life!
Like the priests of the old, I implore you to not begin your day until you have kindled the lights of God's word into your heart. Read your Bible, and read it to see Jesus and to know of His sacrifice on our behalf. If reading the Bible is hard for you, then get a buddy to help you. Find a good church where the Bible is clearly read, explained and valued. (I know a good one in Forest Hills, NY.)
Hebrews 4:12-13, "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
