A GREAT LIGHT

“He made the menorah of pure gold. He made it of hammered work; its base, shaft, cups, rings of outer leaves and flowers were a single unit.”
Exodus 37:17

Honestly, one of my favorite Jewish celebrations has to be Chanukah. I love the background, the prophecy both fulfilled and to come, and the zeal of the Maccabees. It is as I continue to study each year the background and remembrances of Chanukah, I continue to experience the turning on of many mental light bulbs. I also continue to find my faith being strengthened and perhaps my calling made clearer. I have spent hours researching on the internet and pouring over any material I can get my hands on in order to be knowledgeable obtain a better understanding. While today’s portion doesn’t have to deal with the Chanukah Menorah, also known as the Hanukkiah, it does have to do with a Menorah, and it is related in a way to this celebration.
There are many miracles that took place and are now celebrated as part of Chanukah, but I want to draw us to Isaiah 9:2. “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” The miracle may be that a band of brothers few in number defeated an army of thousands. The miracle may be that Adonai proved Himself as the God of more than enough and allowed the Menorah to burn way past its true ability. The miracle may be that dedication to Adonai came full circle. Still, it all started with the Hebrews taking the words given to Moshe from Adonai, and putting them into motion. A specific pattern had to be followed of six branches extending from the sides, three on each, with the branch for the Shamesh in the middle. Decorated with the addition of almond blossoms, the Menorah and its utensils were to be set in the sanctuary. Altogether the total weight was sixty-six pounds of pure gold.
Later in time, when the Greeks defiled the temple, the Menorah would cease burning. After three years of war the Jewish believers would re-obtain what was theirs and relight the Menorah with the little pure oil found. The fact that the Menorah burned for eight days was only one miracle, but the history of the Menorah traveled back in time to the days of Moshe. To me that is an awesome thought.

Exodus 37:17-29