The message of Chanukah is to resist being “assimilated” into this dark world and its benighted culture. As it says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed (i.e., transfigured by the light) through the renewal (ἀνακαίνωσις) of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God” (Rom. 12:2). Notice that the Greek word translated “conformed” is a passive verb (συσχηματίζω, derived from σύν, “with,” + σχῆμα, “matrix”) which means that we must consciously resist being lulled into accepting this world’s various ideologies (matrix) that are crafted to ignore Divine the Presence and Truth. In the realm of the spiritual, there is simply no place of neutrality, and if we are not going forward, then it’s likely we are going backward… Therefore we are repeatedly commanded to test the spirits and to examine truth claims. We ask God for wisdom and use the discernment that comes from the Holy Spirit.
Hebrew Lesson:
Psalm 143:10a Reading:
We must exercise diligence to ensure we are not taken captive by the world and its seductive deceptions. Both Passover and Chanukah celebrate spiritual freedom, and indeed the very first word given at Sinai was “I AM the LORD thy God who brought you out (הוֹצֵאתִיךָ)… of the house of slavery” (Exod. 20:2). God’s first concern is to be known as your Deliverer, the God of your freedom. Therefore the Spirit of God says, “Thou shalt be free” (2 Cor. 3:17; Gal. 5:1). Set your focus, then, on the Divine Presence and refuse to live in fear of mere men and their political schemes. God has an appointment scheduled with the princes of this world, though we trust he is our Good Shepherd who will keep us from the wrath to come…