Don’t just submit to God’s will – welcome it! But make sure to do your part…(1 Chronicles 19:10-13)

How often have you heard that we need to submit to God’s will?  As Christians, we hear this theme in many contexts – through our prayers, in the face of key decisions – when consoling those suffering a great loss.  These directives can lead to a mental picture of removing ourselves from the equation completely – thereby allowing God complete control without any intervention from us.  Just get out of God’s way and let Him take care of it! 

While it is true that we are to bow to God’s will, the passage for today goes further. It goes further in that we are to participate in God’s will to the best of our abilities – but then we are to seek out God’s will in the situation, not just separating ourselves through submission.  God’s Word…

“When Joab saw that the battle was set against him both in front and in the rear, he chose some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Syrians. The rest of his men he put in the charge of Abishai his brother, and they were arrayed against the Ammonites. And he said, “If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me, but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will help you. Be strong, and let us use our strength for our people and for the cities of our God, and may the Lord do what seems good to him.”” (1 Chronicles 19:10-13 ESV) 

Fyi - This scene is also described in 2 Samuel 10:11-12.

A little background is in order.  David is now king over Israel; Jerusalem has been captured and made the capital; a few battles have been completed with the Philistines and an alliance was formed with Hiram of Tyre.  Israel’s government is established and orderly - “So David reigned over all Israel, and he administered justice and equity to all his people.” (1 Chronicles 18:14, ESV).

Nahash, the king of the Ammonites recently died and David sent condolences to his son Hanun.  Hanun’s leadership convinced him that David’s men were spies and so they shaved them and cut the bottom of their clothes so that their butts were exposed – and sent them cowering back to Jerusalem.  David he incepted his crew and offered them protection and asylum to avoid more humiliation. 

Of course this made David quite mad – and the Ammonites knew it!  So they mustered their fighting forces and hired mercenaries to help.  Verse 6 tells us that Hanun paid 1,000 talents of silver or 75,000 pounds – which is valued at $36 million at today’s market value ($30/oz as of 12/28/2012).  It is a huge sum to pay – all because they misinterpreted David’s gesture of good will!

David then sent his armies to ward off any attacks – with Joab at the helm. Picture the scene in v8-9 – an army of 32,000 chariots, standing at the gate of the city - kings from other lands at a distance opposite David's army (see 2 Sam verses for clarity).  

From Logos Deluxe Map Set

Surrounded, Joab divided into groups for battle –

“When Joab saw that the battle was set against him both in front and in the rear, he chose some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Syrians. The rest of his men he put in the charge of Abishai his brother, and they were arrayed against the Ammonites.” (1 Chronicles 19:10–11, ESV).

David’s leaders could have very easily thrown up their hands in the face of this adversity – and declare that this was in God’s hands now because it was beyond their capabilities.  They did not however – they relied on the talents God gave them through their previous experiences at war. 

“And he said, “If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me, but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will help you.” (1 Chronicles 19:12, ESV)

Joab and Abishia did what they could given their resources and their talents as military leaders - and they agreed to help each other if they got into trouble with their respective duties.  So, they not only trusted their God given talents - but also trusted each other.

Most importantly they acknowledged the sovereignty of God and desired the will of The Lord.

“Be strong, and let us use our strength for our people and for the cities of our God, and may the Lord do what seems good to him.”” (1 Chronicles 19:13, ESV) emphasis mine.

How can we use the teaching in 1 Chronicles and 2 Samuel in our lives today? 

First – be sure to do what you are able with the talents God has given you.  Do you know what those talents are? We all have God given capabilities in the form of natural talents and all Christians have special talents from the Holy Spirit!  If you’re not sure, maybe it is time to take a Spiritual Gift Inventory. Ephesians Four Ministries has a free evaluation tool.  It is our obligation to know and use the Gifts to edify the Body (1 Corinthians 12).

Next, trust your partnerships – never go it alone!  Partners come in many forms – your spouse or other family members, friends from small group, etc.  Maybe you don’t have all the talents needed to tackle the challenge – but God certainly equipped someone with the means to aid you. 

Most importantly, call on the will of God and trust that He is able to see you through – “…and may the Lord do what seems good to him”. 

Allow Him to be the guide through the adversities of life!

In addition to The Holy Bible, A Harmony of Samuel, Kings and Chronicles (Crockett, William Day & Beecher, Willis Judson) was used as a reference in this blog.  Both available resources in Logos Bible Software v4.

Christians: We should also celebrate Hanukkah!

The celebration of Hanukkah, otherwise known as the Festival of Lights or the Feast of Dedication is often seen as only relevant to the Jewish faith and therefore not to be observed by Christians. Sure, we’ll politely greet our Jewish friends with “Happy Hanukkah” when seasonally appropriate, but most would never consider celebrating along with them. 

I had been inspired to research the topic a bit more recently and have concluded that not only is Hanukkah something we can openly observe – it also presents opportunities for us to be witnesses for Christ! 

I admit this blog is a little late in coming – however I think the subject is still top of mind enough to be worthy of sharing.  I hope this discovery warms your heart as much as it has warmed mine during the research. 

My Inspiration:

Our youngest daughter, Megan, has a couple new roommates at college this year.  While she gets along with all of them, one in particular appears to have become her new best friend. Her name is Ariel – they socialize together, they study together, they participate in each other’s clubs and interests - they seem to do most everything together.  In fact, Ariel has been around our house so much that she’s become a part of the family.  She is a delightful woman and we really love seeing her!

Ariel was raised in a family that follows the Jewish traditions.  Ariel has been taking the time to share her traditions of Hanukkah with Megan and with us during this festive season.  Those discussions have caused me to do some thinking about Hanukkah and the role that it possibly played in the formation of Christianity.  After all, my Lord and Savior is a Jewish Carpenter! 

So I wonder what Jesus followed as it relates to those traditions?  I did some research and there is only one mention of Hanukkah in Scripture – John 10:22. Holman refers to it as Hanukkah, however most translations refer to it as the Feast of Dedication or the Festival of Lights.

“At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon.” (John 10:22–23, ESV)

(NOTE: The apocryphal book 2 Maccabees and the Babylonian Talmud document the events leading to Hanukkah and the celebration itself.  John is the only mention in the 66 books of the Old and New Testament.)

At first pass, it appeared to me that it was there only as a reference to the time of year.  Me thinks I was wrong – but more on that later.  So anyways, Ariel has given us a little information – like why it lasts eight days.  It had something to do with a miracle where the Temple lantern (Menorah) burned for eight days with only a one day supply of oil.  This was the extent of the explanation we received. 

What is Hanukkah?

Hmm – seems like there should be more.  And there is – upon research, I learned that Hanukkah is a celebration commemorating the restoration of the Temple worship and traditions as a result of the Jewish revolt led by Judas Maccabees in 168 - 165 BC.  The revolt was a response to years of oppression at the hands of Seleucids who are descendants of Alexander the Great.  Alexander is credited for expansion of the Greek culture (Hellenism) and was a known for his infrastructure feats (roads, bridges, etc) that enable his conquests as well as the expansion of Greek language along with the culture.

Basically, Alexander the Great’s Generals entered into a power struggle after his untimely death (311 BC) which resulted in multiple kingdoms and leaders – most prominent in this story is Ptolemy and Seleucus.  Judea was originally in the control of Ptolemy, but fell to the Seleucid’s in 200 BC.  Temple leadership was perverted during this time – sold to the highest bidder as part of Hellenization. 

Antiochus IV’s actions were the straw that broke the camel’s back however.  He instituted a stern Hellenistic campaign – making possession of a Torah a capital offense!  He outlawed circumcision, built altars of Greek gods, sacrificed unclean animals – he even placed a representation of Zeus on the Temple altar!!

Enough was enough!  In steps Judas Maccabees and his army of Jewish nonconformists – they defeated the Seleucids, destroyed the pagan altars, circumcised the boys and cleansed the Temple (Lange, The Illustrated History of the Jewish People).  Part of the Temple cleansing was to destroy the jars of oil that were contaminated and restart the Menorah with purity.  A problem however - they found only one sealed jug which is a one day supply.  Tradition holds that the lamps burned for eight days which is the amount of time needed to acquire more pure oil.  So, God made sure that the Temple worship process was secure even though the resources would have been exhausted – hence the miracle and reason Hanukkah is eight days.

So, what does this mean for Christians?

Possibly we could look at the Maccabean revolt and subsequent restoration of the Temple worship to be included in the list of catalysts that made the timing of Christ’s presence on earth the perfect one.  For example, Alexander the Great is certainly a catalyst!  His conquests enabled wide spanning routes so that world trade was commonplace.  Greek culture – and a common language made timing right as well.

He was brilliant and an enabler to a modern society. Alexander meant those things for his power and conquest – but as Paul teaches us, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28, ESV).  The roads used for conquest became the same roads that Peter and Paul and others used to spread the Gospel!

There is another aspect of the political climate at the time.  Jesus came back addressing both Jews and gentiles. Alexander’s roads and the Hellenistic culture gave Jesus plenty to talk about with the gentiles – the Jewish people were addressed as well and the Maccabean revolt was the catalyst.

Bible following Jewish people were politically insignificant prior to the revolution.  They were oppressed at the hands of the Seleucids – no voice, no power.  The atrocities had gone too far and finally God’s chosen people revolted and reclaimed the Temple – the most important aspect of their connection with God!  They restored the traditions and worship practices whereby the political climate was changed. 

The Jewish people were a force to be reckoned with now.  They had proven that they can conquer and can overcome tyranny.  Maccabean control was short lived, however the stability of the Temple worship and the clout of the High Priest remained intact.  Future leaders over Jerusalem decided the best path to lasting peace was to permit the Jewish hierarchy of leadership to continue.

The Festival of Dedication can be seen as a contributor to bringing about the Church age.  Had the religious leaders of the time not had some clout –some power – they would have never been able to incite the crowds and influence Pilot to crucify Jesus.

If Jesus did not have a complete way to be considered the radical against the Jewish leaders and the Roman government, and if it would not ultimately led to His crucifixion, then the time would not have been right.  Interestingly, the section of Scripture that references Hanukkah is one where Jesus declares His deity while in the Temple – “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30 ESV)!  The timing of that declaration in line with Hanukkah is clearly not a coincidence.  The glory of God returned!!!

Next Steps for us All:

Hanukkah is a festival that Christians can celebrate along with the Jewish followers.  And if we were to follow it more openly and positively – embracing it – it could lead to conversations that would give us permission to explain our connection as well as explain why we have hope of everlasting life.  We can explain how the story of Jesus is true and real – and that He came to save us from the spiritual death we deserve. 

Would this open doors?  I think it would.

So, celebrate Hanukkah for what it is – the restoration of the Temple traditions, as well as the restoration of political clout for the Jews which was an enabler for the timing of Jesus’ teachings and crucifixion.  Secondly, celebrate Hanukkah as a means to opening doors. 

Why are you Christians celebrating Hanukkah?  I’m glad you asked – let me tell you.