On the 24th day of the month Kislev (the Hebrew month coinciding with November/ December) is the celebration of Chanukah. It is recognized by many as only a Jewish festival. To many non-Jewish believers Chanukah appears to be insignificant in relation to their life in Messiah. Since this is the case, it has become necessary to inform the believer about Chanukah and its relationship to Messiah. 

DEFINITION 

The word Chanukah is Hebrew meaning "dedication". The name was given to refer to the dedication of the Temple of God. 

BACKGROUND 

History records in 167-164 BCE that the Greco-Syrian King Antiochus IV set out to Hellenize the Jews. His purpose was to destroy the religion of Israel (the worship of Yehovah) and all the Jews who would not submit to the lifestyle of the Greek culture. In his pursuit to bring the Jews under the banner of Greek paganism, Antiochus had his troops to capture Jerusalem, enter the Temple of God, and desecrate the alters and holy vessels. Afterward, an alter was erected to the pagan deity "Zeus" and a pig was sacrificed on it in the Temple. Also, idols were set up in the Temple. 

A resistance among the Jews arose to take action against Antiochus' onslaught to destroy the worship of Yehovah and the Jews. The resistance came from a village in Judah by a priest named Mattithias and his five sons called the Maccabees (the Hammers). The Maccabees would not submit to becoming paganistic, and fought for the preservation of the worship of Yehovah. They organized small bands of freedom fighters to war against the forces of Antiochus. After three years of war, while being greatly outnumbered, the Maccabees miraculously drove Antiochus' Syrian troops out of Jerusalem and recaptured the Holy Temple. This victory was the first miracle of Chanukah in which the lesser power overcame the greater power. 

After the Temple was recaptured, the Maccabees cleansed the Temple of the idols, and made preparation to dedicate it for the worship of Yehovah. When lighting the Menorah (seven branch lampstand), they found that they had only enough kosher oil to keep the Menorah kindled for one day. In order to keep the Menorah lit continuously, it would take eight days to create a new supply. This was a problem. However, the Menorah was lit despite the lack of oil, and miraculously the one day supply of oil kept the Menorah lit for eight complete days until the new oil was supplied. Therefore, the Temple was "dedicated" (Hebrew=Chanukah) to the worship of Yehovah.

MESSIANIC RELATIONSHIP TO CHANUKAH 

Chanukah reflects two major principles within the overall plan of God. Those principles are (1) deliverance (salvation) and (2) preservation. 

(1) The principle of deliverance in Chanukah is an important aspect of God's plan. It points to the great deliverer Yeshua (Jesus) who provided a greater deliverance - an eternal deliverance from sin.

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