Purim & Hanukkah

Holy Daze: Confronting the Confusion of Sacred & Secular Festivals & Feasts
Part 8: Feast of Purim & Hanukkah

What is the Feast of Purim?

1. The origins of this celebration are found in the book of Esther.
2. The Jews at the time were in exile during the Persian Empire. The story can be summarized by learning about the characters below:
Xerxes- The King of the Persian Empire
Vashti- The Queen of the Persian Empire
7 Nobles- Advised Xerxes to replace Vashti
Esther- A young Jewish woman selected to be the new Queen
Mordecai- Esther’s relative who raised her
2 Officers- Had a plot to kill the King which Mordecai/Esther spoiled
Haman- Had a plot to kill the Jews which Mordecai/Esther spoiled
3. Haman’s plot was set for the 13th day of the twelfth month, but the plot was reversed and the Jewish people were saved. This series of events was to be remembered by the Jews each year on the following day (14th) when they celebrated their deliverance (though some celebrate on the 15th).

What is Hanukkah?

1. The origins of this celebration are found in the books of 1 & 2 Maccabees and in later Jewish writings.
2. When Antiochus IV desecrated the Jewish Temple in the 167 BC, it prompted a Jewish revolt. A man named Judah (nicknamed ‘the Hammer’) and his brothers (all sons of a Jewish Priest) led the Jews to a surprising victory. The Temple was rededicated in 165 BC and Hanukkah (the Hebrew word for dedication) celebrates this series of events.
3. The Festival lasts for 8 days because Jewish tradition teaches that, at the rededication of the Temple, the menorah burned for 8 days even though there was only enough oil for 1 day. The celebration begins on the 25th day of the 9th month of the Jewish religious calendar.

Feast of Tabernacles

Holy Daze: Confronting the Confusion of Sacred & Secular Festivals & Feasts
Part 7: Feast of Tabernacles

What did the Feast of Tabernacles mean to Israel?

1. The Feast of Tabernacles was a 7-day festival that began on the 15th day of the seventh month of the Jewish calendar. Lev. 23:33-34

2. It was to be book-ended by special Sabbath days. Lev. 23:35-36

3. It was another agricultural holiday (after gathering crops) Lev. 23:39

4. It was to be a very celebratory feast. Lev. 23:39-40, Deut. 16:13-15

5. It was to include a long list of animal sacrifices totaling 71 bulls, 15 rams, 105 lambs and 8 goats. Numbers 29:13-38

6. They were to live in booths all week as a reminder of their wilderness wanderings. Lev. 23:42-43

7. This was one of the 3 Pilgrim Festivals. Deut. 16:16-17

8. Every 7 years the Law was read at the Feast of Tabernacles. Deut. 31:9-13

What does the Feast of Tabernacles mean for Christians?

1. The prophet Zechariah (14:16-19)wrote of a time when all the nations will celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles together. Thus, unlike the fulfillment of the other feasts, this feast is not yet fulfilled. The final harvest is not yet accomplished. The final celebration has not yet arrived. We are still dwelling in our mortal bodies (tents). We are still living in the wilderness (the fallen world).

Proverbs 1

Meshalim
A Hebrew term meaning ‘to be like’ which is used as a general category for wise-sayings (Proverbs), riddles (like Samson gave) and parables (like Nathan to David, Jesus).

1:1-7 Introduction
~ Solomon is the credited author (1:1, but there were others too, it's a collection)
~ Wisdom is the intended purpose (1:2-6) (difference b/w smart & wise)
~ Fear of the Lord is the sure foundation (1:7)

1:8-19 Wisdom’s Instructions
~ Value the role of parents (1:8-9)
~ Resist temptations to sin (1:10-14, violence & materialism)
~ Think about consequences (1:15-19)

1:20-33 Wisdom’s Speech
~ Wisdom makes herself available (1:20-23)
~ Rejecting Wisdom leads to disaster (1:24-27)
~ We cannot choose our consequences (1:28-33)

2:1-11 3 Roles
~ Our role is to seek wisdom (2:1-5, with passion)
~ God’s role is to give wisdom (2:6-8)
~ Wisdom is the exchanged good (2:9-11)

2:12-22 Relationships
~ Wisdom will limit your bad relationships (2:12-19)
~ Wisdom will lead to good relationships (2:20-22)

8:1-9:15 (Gift of Generosity)

The Gift (9:15) of Generosity (Liberal Giving)

1. True generosity is voluntary
8:3b-4, 8, 12, 24, 9:5, 7

2. True generosity is contagious
8:2, 7, 8b, 9:2

3. True generosity is Christlike
8:9

4. True generosity is faithful
8:10-11, 9:5

5. True generosity is harmonious
8:13-15, 19, 9:14

6. True generosity is rewarding
9:6, 8-11

7. True generosity is worship
8:19, 9:11b, 12b-13

Keep in mind
Accountability (8:16-24)
Need of preparation (9:3-5, 16:1-4)
You're making a difference (9:12a)

7:2-16 (Anatomy of Apology)

After Paul's 'letter of sorrow' the relationship between the Apostle and the Church in Corinth was in question. Paul was comforted by news (from Titus) that the Corinthians has expressed deep sorrow over the circumstances which prompted the letter (and excluded the promised visit). Now, Paul was assured that the letter had accomplished its purpose of prompting repentance. He then lists some of the character traits of a true repentance which had been demonstrated by the Corinthian Christians.

Earnestness
Eagerness to clear yourselves
Indignation
Alarm
Longing
Concern
Readiness to see justice done

This list is in contrast to half-hearted (or heartless) repentance which most often includes full or partial denial, casting of blame, excuses, etc. These traits show that the Corinthians were truly repentant and were, thus, now truly innocent (having been forgiven). They were now reconciled to Paul, but more importantly to God.

Martin Luther King Jr.

Rediscovering Lost Values Sermon

I have a Dream Speech


Last Speech

Day of Atonement

Holy Daze: Confronting the Confusion of Sacred & Secular Festivals & Feasts
Part 6: Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)

What did the Day of Atonement mean to Israel?

1. The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) was to be kept on the 10th day of the 7th month of the Jewish Calendar. It was the most somber (included fasting) and holy day on the Jewish calendar. Lev. 23:26.

2. The Day of Atonement was so named because it dealt with the sins of the people and reconciled them to God.

3. The Day of Atonement was another special Sabbath day (assembly, no work). Lev. 23:27-28, 30-32.

4. The High Priest would first make atonement for his own sins (by sacrificing a bull) and then use 2 different goats to communicate atonement for the nation. The 1st goat was to be sacrificed demonstrating the covering for sin. The 2nd goat was to be sent away demonstrating the removal of sin. leviticus 16:20-22

*But the Jews must have seen the inadequacy of this system
a) An inadequate mediator (had to atone for his own sins first)
b) An annual need (didn't fix the problem permanently)
c) An animal's blood (wasn't a true representative)

What does the Day of Atonement mean for Christians?

1. Unlike the Jewish High Priest who had to have his own sins dealt with before serving as mediator between God and Israel, Jesus is a High Priest without sin. Since Jesus was sinless, we need not sacrifice the bull. Hebrews 4:15, 9:6-8, 25-26.

2. The Day of Atonement was a necessarily annual event in that it only dealt with a year’s worth of sins. Jesus is our once-and-for-all sacrifice. Hebrews 9:9-12.

3. Whereas 2 goats were used during the Day of Atonement (one for covering sin and one for removing it), Jesus accomplishes both these tasks. His blood covers our sins and cleanses us from the disease of sin. Jesus was both the sin offering and the scapegoat. Hebrews 9:13-14.