12 19 25 – Dedication

What are we doing when we observe Hanukkah? Unfortunately, many people consider this time of dedication to be pagan, which, in my personal opinion (which happens to be right :-), is definitely not pagan—nor is it just Jewish, for that matter. But we are often afraid of things we don't know. Seven days and eight nights?

Is this just a man-made holiday acting as a Jewish substitute for Christmas? A tradition that has ascended above the commandments of God's prophetic holidays (Gen. 1:14; Lev. 23:1–24:4)? Definitely not. Allow me to guide you through this journey of the true, deeper, and more meaningful meaning of Hanukkah—the dedication of the altar and the revelation of the true Shepherd who will lead in the path of righteousness (Jn. 10:22–31).

Before we begin, can I ask you a question? Would you admit with me, honestly, have you really looked into why Hanukkah is observed? Why seven days and nine branches on a menorah—also known as a hanukkiah? That is a question I ask myself every year at this time of Yeshua's conception. And every year I answer the question to myself, "I have so much to learn applicably!"

Seven days thou shalt make an atonement for the altar, and sanctify it; and it shall be an altar most holy: whatsoever toucheth the altar shall be holy.
(Ex. 29:37)

So you have seven days of dedicating the altar, and on the eighth day it is an altar to the Lord—open for business :-).

On a hanukkiah, just as on the menorah, the central branch, which stands above the rest, serves the other branches. This branch is known as the servant lamp.

But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
(Matt. 23:11)

When each candle is lit, on one level, it represents another day of preparing the altar for sacrificial and worshipful service to the Most High. Just like the ceremony to inaugurate the high priest and his sons took seven days to be living at the door of the tabernacle in their dedication and the incorporation of the priestly office (Ex. 29:35), which led to the eighth day when they would bring their offering to the altar, so too is the timing of the dedication of the altar.

There is a blueprint in Scripture that teaches us about the seven days of dedication and that the eighth day is actually when they are in office. In this case you have the priesthood, then you have eight days, and then you have the altar dedicated at the time of the Temple and the Tabernacle. Later on, in 1 Maccabees 4, we see the rededication of the altar in the time of the Maccabean conquest.

Maybe, just maybe, during this winter season, there is more to this time of dedication—Hanukkah—than a mere substitute for Christmas.

Shalom!
Alan

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