“He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.” Daniel 11:32
December 7, 2023
What does it mean to know God? Those Jews who stood against the evil Antiochus Epiphanes (175-164 B.C.) tell us to stay strong by their heroic stand in opposing powerful forces seeking to destroy God’s covenant people, Israel. Over 80,000 Jews had been slaughtered and enslaved. A statue of the Greek Olympian Zeus had been placed in the Jewish Temple. Torah scrolls were destroyed, the Sabbath and circumcision forbidden, swine’s flesh had been forced upon the Jews and official sacrifices abolished. All this was to force an idolatrous Greek culture upon Israel. Finally, an elderly priest, Mattathias, and his five sons (the Maccabees) led a revolt. Against overwhelming odds, their Syrian tyrant, Antiochus, was defeated. The Temple was cleansed. This marked the commencement of the Jewish Feast of Dedication or Lights. We know this as Hanukkah. Those who know their God will have the courage to stand against those who wish to banish God and His righteous law from our society. Are you able to count yourself among those who know their God? Knowing God is like swimming in the ocean in contrast to swimming in the motel pool. Teach me, Lord, what it means to know you.
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In this season of the celebration of Hanukkah pray for Israel that many will turn to their Messiah, the Light of the world. Pray that Christ’s church will hold high the light of the truth of the gospel.