Lessons from Hanukkah – What REALLY Happened? • Messianic teaching about Yeshua and the High Priest

This teaching from Founded in Truth Fellowship, delivered by Matthew Vander Els, explores the historical period between the Old and New Testaments, often referred to as the intertestamental period or the 400 years of silence. While the story of Hanukkah celebrates the Maccabean revolt against Greek oppression and the rededication of the temple, this message delves deeper into the tumultuous history that followed this victory, leading up to the birth of Yeshua (Jesus).

The speaker emphasizes that after the initial success of the Maccabean revolt, the pursuit of power and playing the “game of empire” continued among the Jewish people themselves. The Hasmonean family, who led the revolt, eventually established their own dynasty, and the high priesthood became increasingly politicized and marred by corruption.

Initially, after returning from Babylonian exile, the Jewish people under Ezra and Nehemiah focused on rebuilding the temple and re-establishing the priesthood. The high priesthood was hereditary, belonging to the line of Aaron. However, this changed when foreign rulers began appointing high priests for political gain, as seen with Jason and Menelaus under the Greek-Syrian king Antiochus IV.

Antiochus IV’s attempt to Hellenize the entire empire and his desecration of the temple sparked the Maccabean revolt. The Hasmonean family rose up, fought against the Greek forces, and successfully regained control of the temple, leading to the celebration of Hanukkah. However, this victory did not usher in an era of lasting peace.

The speaker highlights a recurring theme: the temptation to grasp power and control, mirroring the empires that had previously oppressed them. Even the Maccabees, after their initial noble cause, became involved in the same power struggles. They formed alliances with Rome, further complicating the political landscape. The high priesthood became a tool for political influence, with figures like Jonathan Maccabeus assuming the role without necessarily fulfilling its spiritual duties.

The period was marked by constant conflict, assassinations, and instability. Different factions within Judaism, such as the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes, held varying ideologies. The people longed for stability and peace, but the cycle of oppression and conflict continued.

The reign of Herod the Great, appointed by the Romans, brought a semblance of order but was characterized by oppression and violence. By the time Yeshua was born, the Jewish people were weary of foreign rule and internal strife, yearning for a just and peaceful king.

The arrival of Yeshua is presented against this backdrop of historical turmoil and unfulfilled expectations. His birth in humble circumstances and the visit of nobles from the east signaled a different kind of kingship. Yeshua’s message of the kingdom of God offered an alternative to the endless cycle of power struggles.

John the Baptist’s ministry in the Jordan River, calling for repentance, represented a departure from the corrupted religious establishment in Jerusalem. Yeshua’s baptism and the descent of the Holy Spirit marked the beginning of a new era, where heaven and earth were being reunited.

Yeshua’s temptations in the wilderness illustrate the ways in which the desire for self-reliance, the exploitation of God for personal gain, and the pursuit of worldly power can lead away from God’s path. His rejection of these temptations contrasts sharply with the historical figures who succumbed to them.

The Sermon on the Mount provides a vision of life in God’s kingdom, emphasizing love, forgiveness, and a rejection of the “game” of retaliation and oppression. Yeshua’s interactions with the religious authorities, particularly the high priest, reveal the corruption that had taken root. His willingness to endure suffering and offer forgiveness exemplifies a different way of engaging with power and conflict.

The teaching concludes by emphasizing that followers of Yeshua are called to live out the principles of God’s kingdom in the present, even amidst a world still operating under the “reign” of power and control. This involves rejecting the games of the world and embracing a life of love, peace, and dependence on God.

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Application for Everyday Life:

• Resist the urge to constantly seek power and control in personal and professional life. Recognize that true peace comes from God, not from dominating others.
• Be wary of the temptation to exploit religion or God’s name for personal gain or to prove oneself right. Focus on genuine faith and humility.
• Reject the cycle of retaliation and revenge. Instead, follow Yeshua’s example of loving enemies and seeking reconciliation.
• Live with honesty and integrity, so that your “yes” means yes and your “no” means no, without needing to rely on oaths or manipulation.
• Prioritize love and compassion in all interactions, recognizing the inherent worth and dignity of every individual.
• Be aware of the corrupting influence of power, whether it is political, religious, or personal. Strive for humility and service rather than dominance.
• Seek God’s kingdom and its righteousness as the primary focus, trusting that He will provide and guide.
• Practice repentance as a continuous turning away from selfish desires and worldly games towards God’s way.
• Recognize that true and lasting peace is found in Yeshua and His kingdom, not in worldly victories or temporary truces.

References:

• Matthew 1 – Matthew 1 at Biblehub
• Luke – Luke 1 at Biblehub
• Malachi – Malachi 1 at Biblehub
• Chronicles – 1 Chronicles 1 at Biblehub
• Ezra – Ezra 1 at Biblehub
• Nehemiah – Nehemiah 1 at Biblehub
• 1 Maccabees – 1 Maccabees 1 at Biblehub
• 2 Maccabees – 2 Maccabees 1 at Biblehub
• Matthew 3 – Matthew 3 at Biblehub
• Mark 1:14-15 – Mark 1:14-15 at Biblehub
• Matthew 4:1-10 – Matthew 4:1-10 at Biblehub
• Leviticus 21 – Leviticus 21 at Biblehub
• John 18 – John 18 at Biblehub

Books and Resources Mentioned:

• The Bible by Various Authors