Promise of gladness and joy
Today, December 25, 2022, is the first of Tevet 5783. While all Hebrew months begin in the darkness of a new moon, Tevet comes on the scene glowing with the light of the fully lit Hanukkah Menorah. Since the Hebrew day is from sundown to sundown, Tevet actually began last night at sundown. The first two days of Tevet are always the final two days of the eight day Feast of Dedication, the festival of light. Hanukkah, which means dedication commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple after its desecration by the Greeks, led by Antiochus IV Epiphanes circa 164 BCE. The celebration always begins on 25th of Kislev. It is an eight day feast. Tonight, at sundown we light the final candle on the Hanukkah Menorah celebrating the evidence of God’s abiding presence among us.
I find it interesting that the Babylonian siege against Jerusalem began on the 10 of Tevet. (587 BCE) The event ultimately culminated with the destruction of Solomon’s Temple (the First Temple).
Zechariah prophesied that the sorrowful fast days associated with the invasion and destruction of the Temple would one day be festivals of gladness.
“This is what the LORD of Hosts says: The fasts of the fourth, the fifth, the seventh, and the tenth months will become times of joy and gladness, cheerful feasts for the house of Judah. Therefore you are to love both truth and peace.” ~ Zechariah 8:19
Religious Jews still fast on these days. Yet we have a reason to celebrate. Messiah has come. We have our redemption. God
The days etched in the minds of God’s people as days of sorrow and loss will be exchanged for joy, gladness and goodness. King David wrote “I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!” ~ Psalm 27:1. He further wrote: “One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.” ~ Psalm 27:4
The apostle Paul wrote “For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” 2 Cor. 6:16
Jesus said in John 14:16-17 ~ “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.”
John. 14:23 ~ Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”
During the month of Tevet keep in mind that we are the Temple of the Living God, the sanctuary that houses the very presence of the Most High. The Light of His presence shines in and through us. He redeems our past. He transforms our lives. He exchanges our sorrow with His joy and gladness. We certainly will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
During the month of Tevet remember God promises joy and gladness in Christ Jesus!
Job 19:25 ~ But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives!
The Lord Bless you
You must be logged in to post a comment.