Hanukkah 2023
A time to stand with Israel and to re-dedicate our temples

Do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.
​Romans 6:13

Then Joshua said to the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you."
​Joshua 3:5

​We are living in historic times.   In the darkest of months, we are dealing with war, rising anti-semitism, and violence and in much need of divine intervention.  Interestingly, Hanukkah and the anniversary of Pearl Harbor and the start of WWII, converge on December 7th.  This date marks a significant spiritual timing.  We invite you to a collaborative initiative with Lamplighters Ministry in the USA to stand with Israel and contend for God’s intervention and the destiny in the nation(s) at this critical time. . 
      Hanukkah (the Hebrew word for “dedication”) is an annual 8-day celebration, commemorating the rededication of the 2nd Temple in 164 BC. The rededication culminated in a successful three-year campaign led by five sons (primarily Judas) of a priest named Mattathias Maccabee. The revolt was against an oppressive Greek (Seleucid) regime, notably Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who had outlawed the Jewish faith, abused Jews with horrific violence, and defiled the Temple by erecting an altar to the Greek god Zeus.
      When Judah repossessed Jerusalem and re-dedicated the Temple, there was but one vial of oil left for the Temple menorah — only enough for one day. The legendary story shared throughout the generations is that when the Temple oil was lit, it miraculously stayed lit for eight days. The Shamash is the light that lights all the other lights, so this represents the Spirit of God who lived within the Maccabee family and stirred them up to do mighty exploits!  — the word Shamash refers to a servant - one who serves others - so as believers we usually talk about the Shamash on the Hanukkiah as representing Yeshua, the Servant King, who is the Light of the World
      As believers in Jesus, Yeshua, we enter into this 8-day “festival of lights”, celebrating the victory of light over darkness, and re-dedicating and purifying ourselves from anything that would defile our “temples.” 
      Today, Jews face rising violence and antisemitism, ominously reflecting this history. We invite you to participate in this initiative to stand with Israel in commemorating this history with the character and nature of the Maccabees. We are calling watches between December 7-15 to focus on topics reflecting such a nature. 

Here are collaborative strategies: 
"Light the Night" 7 December: sponsored by Lamplighters Ministry, Jon and Jolene Hamill, 

•  LIGHT A CANDLE this December 7, the first night of Hanukkah! Join intercessors and leaders nationwide in a virtual candlelight vigil to show our solidarity with Israel and America, with the Jewish people, and against anti-semitism nationally and globally. Below are easy ways you can connect and share.
• Here are four easy steps to participate. Light a candle. Take a picture or a brief video. Pray for the remaining hostages to come home. Then post your photos on social media, along with your prayer if you’d like. Be sure to share your photo on our Light the Night Facebook event page!  For more information Click here

"Overcoming Darkness"  7-15 December Each night light an additional candle starting 7 December ("Light the Night") through the 15th December.  We are asking all watches to participate in focusing on key characteristics the Maccabees must have had in overcoming the oppressive and abusive regime that ruled over them.  Here are suggested prayer focuses for the watches and supporting scriptures:: 

1. Family
Hanukkah is celebrated as families, often with children lighting the candles.  With the hostage situation involving children, God is highlighting the importance of children and families.  Hanukkah represents a historic time of overcoming oppression.  Sons of a high priest, the Maccabees were a strong family.  With war and violence rising in the nations, the next generation of children are being exposed to horrific violence.  As we launch Hanukkah, let us turn towards our families, children, and friends in ways that will nurture the future in spiritual health and healing.  The Maccabess were both family and strong fighters with God-given vision. 
Verses:  Gen 1:28;  Josh 24:15; Eph 4:14-21; Ps 127:3-5 
Stories:  Ruth 1:16
 
2. Faith
The Maccabees were not merely fighting for political or national freedom, they saw themselves as fighting for God Himself. They prayed to God for success in their battles. Judah told his troops that victory depends not on the number of soldiers, but on their faithfulness to God. He used historical examples where a few devoted Jews defeated thousands of enemies.
Verses:  Mk 11:24; Eph 3:14-20; Rom 15:13; 1 John 5:4
Stories:  Isaac is born (Gen 21:1-7); Abraham willing to sacrifice Isaac (Gen 22:9-17) 
 
3. Courage, Even When it Seems Impossible
The Jewish Maccabees, a Hebrew term rooted in the word for Hammer, were outnumbered yet mighty.  Led by Judah Maccabee, they drove the Seleucids out of Jerusalem, restored the second temple and re-lit a Menorah.  They leave us with an empowering message that resonates in all times and all places when the enemy acts to defeat or intimidate us.. Seek the Lord, trust in God, and success is sure to come.
Verses: 1 Chron 28:20; Josh 1:9-11; Ps 37, 56:3-4; Is 41:10-13; 1 Cor 15:58; Eph 6:10; Phil 1:28
Stories: David and Goliath (1 Sam 17)
 
4. Perseverance: A Prophetic Persistence to Obey Adonai
Some scholars maintain that the name is a shortened form of the Hebrew maqqab-Yahu (from naqab, “to mark, to designate”), meaning “the one designated by Yahweh." Later, it signified all the Hasmoneans who fought during the Maccabean revolt. In the thick of a victorious battle, Judah was killed. The surviving brothers were disheartened, knowing that his strength had been equal to all four of theirs combined. Heartbroken himself, the elderly Mattathias encouraged his sons to continue fighting, even offering to go out to battle with them.
Verses:  1 Sam 15:22; 1 Chron 16:11;  Isaiah 62:6-7; James 1:2-4; Rom 5:3-5; 
Stories:  Abraham and Isaac (Gen 17);  Jacob wrestles with God (Gen 33:22-32); Hannah's persistence yields the promise (1 Sam 2:1-10)

5. Understanding of Spiritual and Physical Warfare.
According to the ancient scroll of Antiochus, the brothers were not just expert fighters; they got strength from fasting and praying, beseeching God to send them success.
Verses:  1 Sam 17:45; 2 Cor 10:4-6; Eph 6:10-20; Ps 46;
Stories:  David and Goliath 1 Sam 17:45

6.  Miracles: Walking in signs and wonders
The legendary story relays how the Maccabees found just enough pure oil in the temple to kindle the menorah for a single day. As they had done so many times before, they threw reason to the wind and placed their trust in God. They lit the menorah, and a miracle occurred: the oil burned for 8 days until more could be obtained. They declared that these 8 days be celebrated as the Festival of Lights, commonly known as Hanukkah (“dedication”). The New Testament mentions John 10:22-23 (Jesus visiting the temple during Hanukkah).  
       There were many miracles of Jesus.  The first turning water into wine introduced Him to mankind, John 2:1-12.  For a full list click here.  What is even more miraculous is that Jesus promised those who believe would do even greater works, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father," John 14:12
Verses:  John 5:20; 14:12; Lu 17-20
Stories:  Acts 3:1-10 (First healing after Pentecost);  Mary receiving the word of the Lord (Lu:26-38)
 
7. Wisdom and Strategy
They used guerilla tactics. At times, the Maccabees faced overwhelming odds, vastly outnumbered and out-weaponed by the massive armies of Greek soldiers and mercenaries sent their way. Yet, with a prayer on their lips, they managed to surprise the enemy and send them fleeing in fear time and time again.  Upon his father’s death, Judah took over the rebel leadership. He proved to be a military genius, quickly overthrowing four Syrian (Seleucid) armies and restoring the Temple of Jerusalem. Upon the death of his elder brother Judah, Jonathan took over the leadership of the Maccabean revolt. A brilliant diplomat, if not quite so good a soldier as his elder brother, Jonathan refused all compromise with the superior Seleucid forces, taking advantage of their internal troubles to free Judaea again from external rule. 
Verses:  Lu 10:21-24; 2 Sam 5:19; Col 4:5-6; Mt 6:33
Stories:  Esther; Israel defeats 3 enemies with divine strategy (2 Chron 20); Gideon defeats the Midianites (Judges 6)
 
8. Victorious: Victory Over Enemies.
Through the bravery of the Maccabees—inspired by Judah—the Greeks were finally ousted from the land, and the Jews celebrated their victory with the holiday of Hanukkah.  Today we continue to give thanks for Jesus' victory over death
Verses:  1 Sam 23:1-5; John 11:25; 1 John 4:4; Mt 5:1-12; Lu 10:17-20; Rev 1:18
​Stories:  David victorious over the Philistines, (1 Sam 23:1-5); Jesus' resurrection and commission (Mt 16-20)

9. Cleansing the Tabernacle and Bringing Forth the Pure Oil For Our Lamps.They restored the holy temple in Jerusalem. After decisively routing the Greeks from the Land, Judah led his band of battle-hardened men to Jerusalem to restore the Holy Temple to its sacred use.Personal application: Rededication and purification of ourselves as “temples” of the Holy Spirit, refilling our lamps with fresh oil.  
Verses: Mt. 25:1-13; 1 Peter 2:9; Rom 6:19
​Stories:  Jesus turns the tables in the temple (Mt. 21:12-13; Mk 11:15-18); Communion (Lu 22:19-22); Josh and people taking the Promised Land (Josh 3:5)

10. Mighty Warriors
High priest Mattathias Maccabee compared his sons to historic Jewish heroes. His son Judah fought fearlessly like a lion for the freedom to serve God and live in accordance with the Torah.  Judah and his brothers were fierce fighters, described by the Greek General Bagris (Bacchides) as “stronger than lions, lighter than eagles, and faster than bears.” Perhaps the best-known explanation is that the word “Maccabee” comprises the initial letters of a verse the Jewish people sang after G‑d split the sea: “Mi kamocha ba’eilim Adonai (מי כמוך באילים י׳), “Who is like You among the mighty, O God.” This phrase was said to be the Maccabean battle cry, written upon their banners and shields.
Verses:  2 Sam 23:8-39; 1 Chron 11;10-41; Judges 6:12
Stories:  Jephthah overcomes rejection and becomes a leader in Israel at great cost to him (Judges 11:1-40); Gideon's defeat of the Midianites Judges 6:1-32

Prayer and Prophetic Decrees: 
The story of Sennacherib’s threat in Isaiah 36:1-22,
The prayer of Hezekiah (from the house of God) and
The prophetic decrees of Isaiah in Isaiah 37:1-38; 2 Chronicles 32:1-23. Israel’s experience in 2023 is like the Sennacherib threat in Isaiah (the 23rd book of the Bible).