As I share about our family's journey with Biblical Feasts, please do not be offended by what we learn, ponder and share. I know it doesn't seem like the "norm" for Christians to celebrate only the Lord's Feasts and other Biblical Feasts the Bible mentions... we didn't use to celebrate these ourselves... but we have {and still are} learning the significance of these and so choose to keep them. Please read my Word Study on Unity post before reading this.
And now, to continue about our family's journey...
I really didn't know what to think about menorahs when I saw them. But once we began studying how Christ is typified in each piece in the Tabernacle (Temple), I saw their beauty. Once we learned why they are used in the celebration for The Feast of Dedication, I saw their significance.
Since The Feast of Dedication is about the historical account of the Maccabees, God's people, rededicating the Temple to God, our family studies about the menorah which typified Christ in the Tabernacle. {In fact, all of the pieces typified Christ, but we focused on the Menorah as it is a part of the Hanukkah celebration.} What a fascinating study!
Since The Feast of Dedication is about the historical account of the Maccabees, God's people, rededicating the Temple to God, our family studies about the menorah which typified Christ in the Tabernacle. {In fact, all of the pieces typified Christ, but we focused on the Menorah as it is a part of the Hanukkah celebration.} What a fascinating study!
The Menorah in the Tabernacle:
Firstly, the menorah in the Tabernacle was The Golden Lampstand and not a candlestick (as is described in the King James). We read about it in Exodus 25:31-39; 37:17-24; and John 8:12.
In the book, Seeing Christ in the Tabernacle, we learn that the Lampstand depicts the full and perfect deity of Christ. Do you notice in your reading of the above listed passages, that there aren't any dimensions given? This reminds us that deity knows no boundary. Infinity is without limits!
I was amazed to learn that the talent of gold reminds us of the enormous price which Yeshua paid to redeem us. It so happens that one talent of gold {at the time Seeing Christ in the Tabernacle was written} is valued as exceeding one-half million dollars! And even still, a price cannot be put on His love for us and what He did for us!
Jesus is "the true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. {John 1:9}
"He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light." {John 5:35}
He said, "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." {John 9:5}
We remember, though, that He expects His Church to be "the light of the world" as Matthew 5:14 teaches us.
In the book, Seeing Christ in the Tabernacle, we learn that the Lampstand depicts the full and perfect deity of Christ. Do you notice in your reading of the above listed passages, that there aren't any dimensions given? This reminds us that deity knows no boundary. Infinity is without limits!
I was amazed to learn that the talent of gold reminds us of the enormous price which Yeshua paid to redeem us. It so happens that one talent of gold {at the time Seeing Christ in the Tabernacle was written} is valued as exceeding one-half million dollars! And even still, a price cannot be put on His love for us and what He did for us!
As we learn about the Tabernacle, we learn that there were no windows for light to enter! The only light offered was that of the Golden Lamptsand. This typifies Yeshua:
Jesus is "the true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. {John 1:9}
"He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light." {John 5:35}
He said, "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." {John 9:5}
We remember, though, that He expects His Church to be "the light of the world" as Matthew 5:14 teaches us.
The Hanukkah Menorah:
Can you imagine being blessed to keep light of The Golden Lampstand going in the Temple? The menorah was God's lamp; He's the One Who designed it and had it made. And amazingly, it typifies Yeshua!
Well, you may notice that the Hanukkah menorah {Hanukkiah} is different. Aside from not being an oil lamp, it has one shaft and eight branches. The eight branches are for each day of the celebration. It reminds us of this historical Mighty Work of God. It reminds us that Yeshua is the Light of the world and that He expects His Church to be the light of the world.
Why Celebrate for Eight Days?
We understand it to last eight days because the Jews, under suppression of the Greco-Syrian pagan rule, had missed The Feast of Tabernacles {one of the Lord's Feasts}. The two celebrations were combined.
There is also information about the Maccabees only having oil to light the Golden Lampstand for one night and that Yahweh extended the oil for eight nights. While we believe Yahweh could have done this, we aren't sure if this happened.
Reflections:
Our older children grasp what is being learned. We are creating memories and growing spiritually together. We are continuing to learn what Romans 12:2 means and to be challenged by it. What are ways that we have maybe assimilated into the pagan culture? Where do we need to individually rededicate ourselves to the Lord? We are continuing to learn together how the Old and New Testaments fit together... making a complete book. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" {2 Timothy 3:16}
Then, this year, one of our youngest children asked something I shall not soon forget...
A few days ago our daughter, Dreamer, asked me, "Mama? Is Yeshua still a baby?" I looked at her and could see the innocent bewilderment in her eyes. At this time of year, she is aware of many people preparing for what is known as advent... preparing for the arrival of the baby Jesus.
Dear sweet Dreamer... it's like her to be the one to ponder something like this. A simple question... but a question with much depth.
And So I Pause and Ponder...
Why has man given focus to the celebration of the birth of our Savior? He is not "re-birthed." The work which He completed was on the cross... not as a babe. Without His obedience to the Father, without His completion on the cross and resurrection we would not have our salvation.
A question I'm still pondering...
The Cause of Celebration for Believers in Yeshua the Messiah:
Yeshua is the Light of the world! Being saved by grace through Him, we talk about how we are temples and about the importance of cleansing our temples of unrighteousness and rededicating ourselves to Him.
Our gaze is fixed forward on the return of our Messiah... an adult
You can order Seeing Christ in the Tabernacle in paperback on Amazon for $7.19.
Or, you can order it for Kindle at the low cost of $4.99.
I hope you see the joy and significance in celebrating the Biblical Feast of Dedication. I hope you find my above affiliate links helpful for you to purchase Seeing Christ in the Tabernacle for your own studies.
Blessings!
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