Daily Devotionals

Voice of the Lord

Devotional: 24th of Kislev

Serve him truly and sincerely (Joshua 24:14).

No doubt about it! Chanukkah (the Feast of Dedication) is a fun holiday. The sights and sounds of this festival remind us of the great miracles that happened so long ago. The chanukkiyah (Chanukkah menorah, or lampstand) brings to mind the miracle of the Temple worship which was restored after the Syrian- Greeks defiled the House of God. Although there was only one day's worth of kosher (ceremonially acceptable) oil, we are told in the Talmud that the oil burned for eight full days until a new supply could be produced by the priests. Perhaps the greater miracle was found in that the army of the Maccabees was able to drive out the powerful Syrian-Greek forces of Antiochus Epiphanes. Mattathias and his sons realized that unless they stood against the pagan culture, the Jewish people would perish by sword or assimilation.

As we reflect on the history of Chanukkah, we realize that it was actually a test by the Ruach (Spirit) of God. The path was easy leading to compromise with the Hellenistic world. Many chose that route. But the road was narrower and more difficult that lead to God's kingdom. Putting it another way, Chanukkah was a battle of the gods! Who would prevail? Would it be the god of the world or the one true God of Abraham?

Every generation faces the same crossroads. Joshua called Israel to make the choice and responded to his own challenge, saying "as for me and my household, we will serve ADONAI" (Joshua 24:15).

As we light the chanukkiyah this year, what will our choice be?

...choose the path of HaShem (God), even though it will probably be more difficult than the world's path.

BK