Missionary Renegade: Word of Messiah Ministries ~ November Newsletter 2013

When our economic and political future is uncertain, clearly we need Thanksgiving—a time when we can give thanks to the One who holds all things securely. We see the principles of this attitude in the offerings laid out in the Hebrew Scriptures. The thanksgiving offering found in Leviticus 7 was called todah, the Hebrew word for thanks, and was part of the peace offerings.

“If he offers it [the peace offerings] by way of thanksgiving, then along with the sacrifice of thanksgiving he shall offer unleavened cakes mixed with oil… of the sacrifice of his thanksgiving peace offerings” (Leviticus 7:12,15).

It is only when we have true peace with God that we can offer true thanksgiving to God. If we lack a thankful heart before God then perhaps we should see if we have genuine peace with God. This is why Yeshua is also our “peace [offering]” in Ephesians 2:14, “For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one.” Both Jews and Gentile are made into one family in God by partaking together in Messiah our peace offering. Indeed, peace with God is the basis for peace with one another. The Scriptures mention that no leftovers were permitted with the Thanksgiving offering:

Now as for the flesh of the sacrifice of his thanksgiving peace offerings, it shall be eaten on the day of his offering; he shall not leave any of it over until morning” (Lev. 7:15).

There was sense of urgency to be thankful as a testimony to God’s faithfulness. Our giving of thanks must not be left over until morning. So often we want to wait to see how things will turn out before we give thanks to God. But this ‘wait and see’ attitude reveals a lack of faith. In the midst of problems, faith testifies that “we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, who are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28). This is why the New Covenant teaches, “in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Messiah Yeshua” (1 Thess. 5:18).

Do not wait to see how things will turn out, instead, give thanks to God now. Thanksgiving is a sacrifice of faith that reflects trust in God’s sovereign will. In fact, those who left over the todah (offering) for a later time committed a sin, and were not accepted before God (Lev. 7:18).

God does not force us to believe; we believe Him because He is trustworthy. Personal faith in God means dependence on who He is. Sometimes our circumstances are so difficult that giving thanks to God is truly a choice —a free will offering of faith. We are exhorted to offer the fruit of our lips, the sacrifice of thanksgiving to our God today, this month and forever (Hebrews 13:15).

We are thankful to you and for you, as together we are reaching out to Jewish people around the world. There is no better time than this Thanksgiving season to express our deepest appreciation to you. Todah rabah—Thank you very much!

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The Meaning of Hanukkah

In light of the upcoming Hanukkah season, this year it begins November 27 at sundown, let’s take a look at what the Scriptures teach us through Hanukkah and our new life in Messiah. Hanukkah teaches us what it means to be truly dedicated to the Lord.

Hanukkah was established in 165 BC as a memorial to the purification and rededication of the temple in Jerusalem. This cleansing was necessary due to its defilement three years earlier. In 168 BC Antiochus Epiphanes, the king of Syria, captured Jerusalem, plundered the temple treasury, and to add insult to injury, profaned the temple by sacrificing a pig to Zeus on the temple altar. His persecution of and attempt to Hellenize the Jewish people in Judea resulted in what is called the Maccabean revolt. Led by Judah Maccabee, the Israelis resisted and fought against the occupying Syrian army, and after three years, defeated them.

Why Eight Days?

The celebration lasted for eight days, beginning on the 25th of the month of Kislev (December). Hanukkah is thought by many people to be eight days long because of a legend regarding the oil in the Temple. According to this tradition, when the Maccabees recaptured and rededicated the Temple, they attempted to light the Temple menorah. This menorah, which was to burn continually, represented the eternal light of God. But alas, there was only enough oil to last for one day. Miraculously, the oil lasted eight days when the Temple was rededicated. However, the legend of the oil is not historically accurate. It developed during the Roman occupation long after the events occurred. Why this legend? Perhaps to avoid the warlike aspects of the holiday, the legend of the oil became popular. After all, celebrating the overthrow of your oppressors would be perceived as politically incorrect by the Roman army, and would likely have caused unwanted trouble for the Israelis of that day.

Perhaps a better explanation of why Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days is because when the Temple was rededicated for holy worship, the great feast of Sukkot had already passed. Hanukkah, therefore was considered an additional, second Sukkot for the victorious Jewish army.

Hanukkah Today

Hanukkah today centers on a nine-branch menorah called a hanukkiyah, in contrast to the temple menorah, which has only seven branches. The nine branches include the shamash, or “servant” candle, which is used to light the other eight candles. These represent the eight days of Hanukkah. Interestingly, the shamash is usually higher than, or separate from the other eight candles, and as a servant, it presents a beautiful picture of Messiah Yeshua! But as the name indicates, Hanukkah is about dedication, specifically, the dedication of the temple of God.

Jesus and Hanukkah

Messiah came to dedicate and restore humanity back to God so we could worship Him in spirit and truth. As His temple, at every Hanukkah season we recognize that unless we are dedicated, we simply are not spiritually useful to God, and we, therefore, live unfulfilled lives. Dedication is similar to the idea of holy, or kadosh, which means “set apart, to hallow, or to consecrate,” which carries the idea for God’s use only. So also Hanukkah illustrates God’s purpose for His Temple, to be consecrated and dedicated for worship only. Just as Judah Maccabee came to remove the enemies’ defiling hold over God’s Temple, Yeshua came that we would be “delivered from the domain of darkness into the kingdom of God’s beloved Son” (Col. 1:13).

The idea of dedication involves “limitation” if we are truly dedicated to the Lord; we restrict ourselves for His use only. For all of us, spiritual maturity is the result of consistent dedication which is based on a relationship with God. Dedication is not just a matter of a well-rounded education, but rather being properly focused on the Word as well as consistent application of the Word. Who does God use to free those dominated and ensnared by the enemy? He uses only the dedicated servants (hanikim). It is not our ability, but our availability that counts. The dedicated are spiritually successful and those who completely give themselves to God will share in His victory and glory. Many lives were sacrificed for the cause of liberating and rededicating the Temple. In a similar way, Messiah gave His life as a sacrifice to redeem us as a temple of the Holy Spirit.

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

Dedication is measured by sacrifice. When the Temple was dedicated, it fulfilled God’s purpose. When you are dedicated to Him, you find God’s purpose for yourself as well. Your heart is His dwelling place, an altar for prayer. This is where we meet with God intimately. If you restrict your life “for God’s use only,” then you will find fulfillment. Our Messiah is the perfect example of a dedicated life.

Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28).

He came only to serve. He gave up the glory of heaven to become a servant and to fulfill the will of God. Yeshua is the Son of God, who models for us the sonship that faith brings. He is the eternal Sanctuary of the living God:

I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple (Rev. 21:22).

Yeshua died for you. He paid a great price that you might be set free from the bondage of sin and live unto God. Victory is certain; therefore, be a dedicated temple of God. Dedicate, or rededicate, your life to Messiah, and have a Happy Hanukkah.

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Planter's Regional Conference

Register today for our Regional Conference: Florida 2014!" from February 15th-17th, 2014. To learn more go to www.MessianicLeadership.com or click here to download brochure.

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Partnering with Rose Publishing

A few years ago we had the privilege of working with Rose Publishing Company as they produced a six-part DVD curriculum on the The Feasts of the Bible from Leviticus 23. Along with the six messages on DVD there was a Leader’s guide and Participant’s guide developed that provides wonderful teaching for Sunday school groups and Bible studies to show how Jesus is the fulfillment of these Feasts. Through The Feasts of the Bible project many congregations and individuals have been blessed and enriched by this teaching and we were excited about the opportunity to work with Rose once again to film another DVD series on the book of Ruth.

Last week as we were in Los Angeles to film the messages for Ruth it became clear that there was a mutual desire to communicate that the book of Ruth is more than a Ladies Bible Study but rather something that could speak to the entire body of Messiah. In fact, the message of Ruth is relevant for each one of us as we understand that Ruth is the Old Testament counterpart to the New Testament book of Romans. Both books reflect the call of God upon Gentile believers to make Israel jealous through the mercy shown to them. The goal is that through this teaching many would accept Jesus as their true Redeemer (Romans 11:13-15).

The taping of the six messages revolved around the three main characters of the book who as ordinary people were living in difficult times. We follow the life of Naomi, a lost sheep of the house of Israel, who leaves Bethlehem, the place of promise and hope, to go to Moab, a dark place cursed by God. In this book Naomi goes from being totally bitter, hating the God of Israel, to being totally blessed and praising the God of Israel. Throughout this book Ruth’s faith in the one true God of Israel shines out like a brilliant star against the backdrop of death and despair. Ruth receives surprising grace in Bethlehem and brings her mother-in-law back to the Lord. This grace to Ruth is given by Boaz, the kinsman-redeemer, who prefigures the ultimate Redeemer, Jesus.

The filming took place at a newly renovated independent studio where the owners are believers who desire to honor the Lord with the projects they do. This was their inaugural project and most of the crew came from various walks of life. For some it was the first time to begin each day with prayer and then during the breaks we had opportunities to minister to individuals and share the hope we have in Jesus.

The filming of the messages is just the beginning of the project, the next step will be producing Leader’s and Participant’s Study guides. Please pray for Natalia Fomin as she works with Rose Publishing to complete the project by late spring. May the Lord use the Ruth project to build up the body of Messiah in His grace and also to reach out with the mercy and love to the lost sheep of the House of Israel.

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Word of Messiah Ministries

PO Box 79238

Charlotte, NC 28271 United States

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Missionary Renegade

Friday, November 1, 2013

Word of Messiah Ministries ~ November Newsletter 2013

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