“Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward men’” (Luke 2:13-14).

Few people knew He was coming. The world was taken by surprise, though all Israel had waited and hoped for Messiah. But they never guessed the big event would be staged in the heart of Bethlehem farmland.

Yet, there was a multitude tracking His progress months after months. Perhaps months passed more quickly from their perch, high above our “time-space” continuum. I’m speaking of angels. Heavenly host. They were poised to party. Ready to sing, shout or proclaim, “Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”

If angels smile, you know they were smiling big that Bethlehem night. And they had to tell someone, so they traumatized the shepherds to inform them their Petah Tikvah (Hebrew for “Door of Hope”) had just arrived. They knew what Jesus was coming to do.

The one thing I wonder is whether or not they’d been commanded to celebrate or had volunteered, unable to keep back their exuberant shouts of “Glory to God.” I picture “fist-pumping, wing-flapping, trumpet-blasting” praise. This was no stately choir but more like a scene in the stands of the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day after The Ohio State Buckeyes win a Championship (Go Ohio!). Perhaps it was somewhat reverent, but this was the beginning of a revolution. The first of many victory chants…“WELL DONE, GOD.”

Their work was not done. Thirty-three and a half years lied ahead, but Jesus was here. The Messiah was on site. And that was worth a party. Can I get an AMEN?

“Joseph went up from Nazareth to Bethlehem with Mary his fiancée who was clearly pregnant” [paraphrase] (Luke 2:4-5).

Note Joseph and Mary’s experience. Whether they took the winding central route through Israel, up and down, over and around hills, mountains, valleys, streams and other obstacles; or the easier road along the Jordan river valley, then up the dangerous, treacherous Jericho road (Luke 10:30), they’d have nearly 100 miles from Nazareth and Bethlehem. Mary was in the last days of her mysterious, miraculous pregnancy. She and Joseph accepted God’s will without knowing what lied ahead. What went through their minds on those seven to 10 days of travel?

Imagine their “discussion” as they traveled to Judea:

“Can you believe we’re doing this?”

“What do you think He’ll look like?”

“Thank you, Joseph, for staying when you could have left.”

“Have you heard any more from Gabriel?”

“Do you think we’ll ever get back to Nazareth?”

“What if my family in Bethlehem doesn’t believe our story?”

“What if it’s a girl?!?!?!”

“Are we almost there?”

Maybe they sang the “Songs of Ascents” (Psalm 120-134) as they climbed the hills toward Jerusalem.

Honestly, we have no idea what they talked about on the road. What does stand out, however, is Mary and Joseph’s endless act of worship in the form of daily, consistent surrender to God’s will, as they walked this out together and made a home for Jesus, the Messiah. This young couple painted a vivid picture of what a loving God looks like in real time, step after step after faithful step in our long journey with Jesus. Worship always begins with an act of obedience. And then another…

Just keep walking.

In part one of this series, we looked at the historical background that led to the feast of Hanukkah. A tumultuous period in Jewish history that climaxed with the Maccabean rebellion, rededication of the Temple, lighting of the Menorah, and ultimately, Jewish independence from a tyrannical ruler who sought their destruction.

Although Hanukkah is not a biblically mandated feast in the Torah, and considered only a minor holiday in Israel today, there is much more to this holiday than candles and delicious doughnuts.¹

Fulfillment of Prophecy

Although keeping the feast is never commanded, the events at the center of the feast are prophesied in the Bible. In the book of Daniel, there are prophecies about the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes. It says that, “Forces from him shall appear and profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away the regular burnt offering. And they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate” (Daniel 11:31). The abomination refers to the statue of Zeus that Antiochus had installed in the Holy Place. Elsewhere the prophet Daniel specifically mentions the time when the Temple will be rededicated – the events remembered at Hanukkah: “For 2,300 evenings and mornings. Then the sanctuary shall be restored to its rightful state” (Daniel 8:14). Far from being a curiosity of Jewish history, the Lord Jesus referenced these events in order to warn his disciples that history will once again repeat itself in the last days. He told them that if they should see “the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place” (Matthew 24:15) they should flee Jerusalem.

The Messianic Light

In the Gospel of John, we see the life of Christ organized theologically around the feasts of Israel. It was during the final days of the feast of Sukkot (Tabernacles) that Jesus entered the Temple courtyards and first proclaimed, “I am the light of the word” (John 8:12). Such a declaration would have had enormous impact, as during this time, there was a lamp-lighting ceremony in the courtyards where four 75 foot menorahs were lit at night. Josephus records that the light from the menorahs was so bright that it lit up all of Jerusalem. Shortly after this, John’s Gospel records Jesus again entering the Temple, this time at another celebration of light, the feast of Hanukkah (dedication) (John 10:22-42). In the pursuing dialogue with the Jews, he makes the remarkable statement that, “I and the father are one” (John 10:30). Most likely a reference to the Shema – “Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One” (Deuteronomy 6:4) and an implicit proclamation of His deity. Interestingly, this was also said to be the battle cry of the Maccabees when they attacked the enemies ranks.

During this season, Jesus presented Himself as the One true God who is the Light of the world. This is all the more relevant for Christians as we celebrate the incarnation during the advent season. The prologue of John’s gospel describes the mystery of God’s incarnation using the motif of light: “In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:4-5). Jesus is also described as “the true light, which gives light to every man” (John 1:9).

Glory for Israel and a Light for the Gentiles

During the eight days of Hanukkah, it is customary to light a nine-branched Hanukkiah (candelabra) from right to left. The candles must be lit using the center candle which is designated as the “servant” candle. It is easy to see the spiritual significance attributed to this act by those who follow Jesus. The servant candle gives light to all the others. These Hanukkah lights point us to the Light of the World who was Himself a servant according to the prophecy of Isaiah 52:13-53:12. Jesus said that the Son of Man “came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). In the New Testament nativity narrative, the Messiah is called “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel” (Luke 2:32).

The prophet Isaiah, who predicted Messiah’s redemptive work, first spoke of this when he said, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness on them light has shone” (Isaiah 9:2). Here we again see how this messianic imagery of light connects with Christmas, as a few verses down in the same chapter, we have one of the most common scriptures used at Christmas that speaks of a child being born who will be the one to fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy and lead men out of darkness into light: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…and his name shall be called, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). He will be none other than the Word made Flesh (John 1:14) who gives light to every man.

Shine Brightly

So, this season let us remember that God is faithful to His promise to preserve His people; He is the true Light of the World, and it is through Him that all people have the light of life (John 8:12). May we shine this light brightly during the dark winter months. Jewish Christian scholar Alfred Edersheim exhorts us with these words:

“But to us all, whatever our special views or conclusions may be, Christ is the true Temple, and His Incarnation the real Dedication of the Temple. God grant that from our homes the true Light of Christ, ‘a light to lighten the Gentiles,’ may shine forth into the wintery darkness of the heathen world, and also ‘so shine before men, that they may see our good works, and glorify our Father which is in heaven.’”²

Chag Urim Sameach

Merry Christmas

Notes:

¹ It is customary to eat sufganiot (deep-fried jam doughnuts) at this time.

² Edersheim, Alfred. The Leisure Hour. London, No 1147, Dec 20th, 1873. Pg. 810-812.

“Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Can a land be born in one day? Can a nation be brought forth all at once? As soon as Zion travailed, she also brought forth her sons” (Isaiah 66:8).

On Friday May 14, 1948, the modern state of Israel was born. The new prime minister David Ben Gurion read the Declaration of Independence. The opening statement of this declaration is significant as it mentions both Jewish identity and Jewish attachment to the land:

“The land of Israel was the birthplace of the Jewish people. Here their spiritual, religious and national identity was formed. Here they achieved independence and created a culture of national and universal significance. Here they wrote and gave the Bible to the world.”¹

Now, 70 years later, it is an appropriate time for the church to look at what lessons can be learned from this momentous event. While theological discussion concerning the relationship between Israel and the church has existed for nearly 2,000 years, the establishment of the modern state has breathed new life and increased vigor into the discussion. Although the subject may be complex, the relationship of Israel to the church is still of significant interest to many Christians. This should not come as a surprise given that the term “Israel” is mentioned over 2,000 times in the Old Testament and 70 times in the New. In addition, the biblical phrase “the God of Israel” occurs over 200 times, and the word “Zion” over 160 times. Many Christians recognize that they worship a Jewish Messiah; they study a Jewish Bible, written predominately by Jewish apostles, and many Christians interpret the Apostle Paul’s words in Romans 11:17 to mean that Gentiles are “grafted in” to a Jewish root.

The Rock of Israel

As the British forces pulled out of the Middle East and the mandate period came to an end, fierce debate raged amongst Jewish leaders regarding one question of the Declaration of Independence: Should the name of God be included in the official text? The religious Jews were insisting that the name of God be included in the declaration, but the secular and non-religious groups wanted no mention of God in the document. Finally, a compromise was reached that would satisfy both parties. Instead of using the designation “Lord” or even “God,” the phrase that was agreed upon was the “rock of Israel” (Tsur Yisrael). This was cryptic enough to placate the non-religious, yet significant enough to pacify the religious. The closing paragraph reads:

“…Placing our trust in the ‘Rock of Israel,’ we affix our signatures to this proclamation at this session of the provincial council of State, on the soil of the homeland, in the city of Tel-Aviv, on this Sabbath eve, the fifth day of Iyar 5708 (May 14, 1948).”

Although this term was chosen to be an ambiguous alternative to the phrase “Lord,” when it is understood how this term is used multiple times in the Bible as a designation for God, it turns out to be a very fitting phrase for such a document.

In the Song of Moses from the book of Deuteronomy we read: “For I proclaim the name of the LORD; ascribe greatness to our God! The Rock! His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; a God of faithfulness and without injustice, righteous and upright is He” (Deuteronomy 32:3-4).

Here the Lord is referred to as “The Rock.”

He is described as a perfect, just, faithful and righteous God. Such are the qualities that belong to the great God of Israel. There is little ambiguity to be found in these verses.

Even more explicit use of the term “Rock” is found in Psalm 18, written by King David after the Lord delivered him from the hand of King Saul. We read:

“I love You, O LORD, my strength.The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies” (Psalm 18:1-3).

Here the Lord is described using several adjectives that each elaborate part of His character. The Lord is David’s rock, fortress and deliverer. This speaks to us of the solid and strong foundation that the Lord offers to David; He is the one who provides protection for David and keeps him from harm. He is also a refuge, a place of safety and rest from the enemy. A similar theme is expressed in Proverbs 18:10 and Psalm 61:3, “For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.”

David goes on to describe The Rock of Israel as a shield, something that is carried by the soldier into battle. This calls to remembrance David’s battle with the Philistine giant Goliath. David was given Saul’s armor to wear into battle, but he refused as it was not tested. David went into battle with a tested shield; he declares to Goliath, “I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted” (1 Samuel 17:45).

This Rock of Israel is also said to be the “horn of salvation.”

What an interesting phrase this is! In the New Testament we see this exact phrase applied to Jesus Christ from the lips of Zechariah:

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people, and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of David His servant”(Luke 1:68-69).

The designation that was previously applied to the LORD (Yahweh) in the Old Testament is now given to Jesus Christ. What is true of the God of Israel is true of the Messiah. Therefore, the church must be diligent as it seeks to understand all that the Old Testament has to say about the “Rock of Israel,” because as the apostle Paul says, “the rock was Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:4).

Jesus is the Rock of Israel; He is the one who is perfect, faithful and just in all His ways.

He continues to offer protection, refuge, deliverance and salvation to all those who call upon Him today. The same God who promised that, “He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:4) is also the one who promised the church that, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

How fitting it is that the term “Rock of Israel,” chosen to obscure any overt reference to God, actually ends up pointing toward Jesus Christ the Messiah of Israel. How providential that this reference is forever enshrined in the founding document of the modern State of Israel.

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Save from wrath and make me pure.
– Rock of Ages, Augustus Toplady, 1776

¹ Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel 14, May 1948. Israel Ministry of Foreign affairs.