12.21.24 ~ Remove the Wasted 'Altars'

Good morning!

Commercial: Last night's zoom call: Hanukkah: What is it?! Is it more than: stories, pastries, a pious form of winter worship? More than an attempt to be Jewish, like Jesus? Exploring how to live a dedicated/hanukkah lifestyle and rebuild the altar of your life during the winter months.


When Judah Maccabees had the temple altar, which had been desecrated, just as Daniel the prophet spoke, the stones were removed and placed in what is known as the outer court of the Gentiles, or the portico of Solomon's Temple; which is not the Temple, but is on the temple mount. This was a common or unclean place (1 Maccabees 4:44). The altar, because it had been desecrated with 'porky pig' would be destroyed and never used again. Then, according to the protocol of Torah, they rebuilt the altar (1 Maccabees 4:45-47). At that time there was not a Prophet alive, so they waited for His arrival to determine what would be done with these stones (Deut. 18:9-22).


The text tells us that the Maccabees broke up the old altar, deposited them on the portico of Solomon's Temple, and it is here that we find Yeshua walking up and down at this site at the Eastern wall. Hence, the question, 'If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly'. Yeshua claims Himself to be equal with God and it's hear that the Jews stone Him (John 10:31-33). The big question is: 'Where did they get the stones'?


If you've ever been to the Temple mount, and Yah-willing, you'll notice that there's all types of trees, bushes, dirt, etc., all around it. But, during the days of Yeshua there wouldn't have been a tree, a grove, a bush, birds, crickets, etc, according to the commandments of Torah (Deut. 16:21). The only thing on the temple mount, the portico of Solomon, were stones from the desecrated altar, waiting for a Prophet to show up and tell them what to do.


In the minds of everyone there, at that time, they were waiting for the declaration of the Messiah. When Yeshua declares to be equal with the Father, that's when the Jews pick up stones, flashbacks of Antiochus Epiphanes declaring to be one with the Father, and they attempt to stone Him with the stones from that broken down altar.


This time of year is more than a Christmas celebration and New Year resolutions. It's a time to remind ourselves to remove the wasted 'altars' of our lives that have been desecrated, and allow the Messiah to empower our lives through a dedicated decision to follow in His steps (Jn. 10:4, 27, 28). Remember, it's at this time that the Messiah revealed Himself as the One Equal with God. There is coming a day, when another will reveal Himself as Equal with God...know the difference and don't be fooled by the counterfeit (Deut. 13:1-8).


Shabbat Shalom!

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