People are drawn to light. Think of an inviting campfire or a cosy fireplace giving that homely feeling. The glow of garden lights I find particularly delightful because it creates the perfect ambiance. I also love it when a dining table is beautifully decorated with candles or fairy lights. It draws one’s attention and is so inviting, setting the stage for a pleasant evening. As Hanukkah is approaching and you look forward to lighting your own candles be mindful to focus on your Saviour. One can easily get caught up in the holiday season activities and all the social media frenzy. May the Holy Spirit draw you near to the only true Source of Light.
God said, "Let there be light, and there was light" Gen. 1:3 "God saw that the light was good and He separated the light from the darkness." Gen. 1:4
The Light was good!
On the first day God created light. There is natural light that you can see with your eyes and there is the deeper spiritual message where light refers to Yeshua, to God's presence in this world. The Light of the Word gives wisdom, instruction and guidance.
Prov. 6:23 "For the commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light."
Ecclesiastes 2:13 "I saw that wisdom is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness."
John 1:4-5 and 9 "In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 9 The true Light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world." In Jesus, Yeshua our Messiah there is clarity, not confusion.
God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but save the world through Him. This is the verdict; light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
In three consecutive Psalms one can also see the beautiful message of the Gospel. Psalm 22 is a Messianic Psalm prophesying about our Lord as the suffering servant Saviour. In Ps. 23 Yeshua is our Shepherd followed by the King of glory, as stated in Ps. 24. Please read Ps. 22 and take note of references to the crucifixion of Jesus. Fellow believers, this is the heart of our Father, who wants all people to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth. When we fellowship with family and friends during the holidays, let us proclaim a message of hope. Discuss these Psalms with one another. As days become more difficult and distress and pressure increases, we must be "plugged" into the Word so we can walk according to His Light.
In John 10:22-23 we see that it was winter and Jesus was in the temple area at the time of the Feast of Dedication – Hanukkah. The cold and long winter nights are also a picture of increased spiritual darkness and dark forces coming against believers of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of Israel. During Hanukkah we call to remembrance the courageous Maccabees and what they did when evil permeated their society. As you see your candles on your Hanukkiah candelabra shining brighter with each passing day, remember, as the light increases so must your spiritual understanding increase! Let us pray that the Holy Spirit will give us more revelation and discernment for times ahead.
God is still on the Throne and in control. We will do well to hear and obey Him, because He makes a way where there is no way. Do not fear but persevere in faith.
Is your own lamp filled with oil? Are you obedient to the guidance of the Holy Spirit? Are you "plugged" into the correct Source of Light? Is it the world or the Word? Olive Oil is produced when the olive is pressed. We accumulate our own oil when we go through pressing times and then overcome these hardships and sufferings. Your test becomes your testimony as you experience the Refiner's fire. That becomes your message when you can humbly reflect His Light in your life. You overcame by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of your testimony.
1 John 1:5-7 "This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin."
2 Cor. 4:6 "For God who said, let light shine out of darkness, made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ."
This is an eternal hope all believers are looking forward to, as stated in Revelation 21:23-24 "The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light and the Lamb is its lamp."
Dan. 12:3 "Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever."
As we reflect on the Feast of Dedication, rededicate your own life to Christ, for you are a temple of the Holy Spirit. Be in right standing with your Creator so that you can walk by His supernatural Light. Jesus is the beacon of light in this dark world.
Psalm 36:9 "For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light."
- B’reisheet: From Darkness to Eden October 5, 2026B’reisheet introduces the great storyline of Scripture: Elohim creates a good world, humanity is called to bear His image, sin brings exile and death, yet YHVH immediately begins revealing His plan of redemption and restoration through Yeshua. The Original Setting B’reisheet contains several foundational events: Elohim creates the heavens and the earth. Light […]
- The Oath That Made a People : Nitzavim September 17, 2026A commentary on Parashah Nitzavim (Deuteronomy 29:9–30:20) Scripture quotations are from the American Standard Version (1901). Verse numbers in Deuteronomy follow the Hebrew text; English Bibles run one verse higher in this section. 1. Standing in a covenant that was sworn before you were born Nitzavim opens with Israel standing — nitzavim — […]
- Ha’azinu: Luister na die Lied van die Rots September 17, 2026Die naam Ha’azinu beteken “Luister!” Hierdie Torahgedeelte, Deuteronomium 32, bevat die lied wat Moses kort voor sy dood aan Israel geleer het. Dit herinner die volk aan YHVH se trou, waarsku hulle teen geestelike afvalligheid en eindig met die hoop op herstel en versoening. Moses begin deur sy woorde met reën en dou […]
- STAAN, KIES EN WANDEL : NITZAVIM – VAYELECH August 29, 2026Nitzavim–Vayelech : Deuteronomium 29:10–31:30 Hierdie week lees ons ’n dubbele Torah-gedeelte, Nitzavim en Vayelech, en saam bring hierdie twee gedeeltes ons by een van die aangrypendste oomblikke in die Torah. In Nitzavim–Vayelech staan Israel op die vlaktes van Moab. Die woestynreis is amper verby. Die Beloofde Land lê voor hulle. Moses weet dat […]
- WANNEER JY INKOM – KI TAVO August 24, 2026DIE KERN BOODSKAPPE VAN KI TAVO: Onthou waaruit YHVH jou gebring het, wees dankbaar vir waar Hy jou gebring het, en wanneer jy Sy seën binnestap, moenie die Gewer vergeet nie. Ki Tavo (כִּי־תָבוֹא) beteken “Wanneer jy inkom.” Israel staan op die punt om die Beloofde Land binne te gaan. Ná jare in […]
- WANNEER GELOOF DEEL WORD VAN JOU ALLEDAAGSE LEWE – KI TETZE August 16, 2026Ki Tetze (כִּי־תֵצֵא) beteken “Wanneer jy uittrek” of “Wanneer jy uitgaan.” Hierdie Torah-gedeelte bevat meer gebooie as enige ander porsie en raak ’n verstommende verskeidenheid aspekte van die alledaagse lewe aan: gesinsverhoudings, die huwelik, werk, geregtigheid, die versorging van kwesbares, eerlikheid in besigheid, goedheid teenoor diere en selfs die terugbesorging van iets wat verlore […]
- SHOFTIM – WIE REGEER MY HART? August 11, 2026Die woorde waarmee hierdie gedeelte begin, bly deur die eeue heen weerklink: “Geregtigheid, geregtigheid moet jy najaag.” Deuteronomium 16:20 Shoftim (שֹׁפְטִים) beteken “regters”. Israel staan op die drumpel van die Beloofde Land, en YHVH leer hulle dat dit nie genoeg is om die land bloot in besit te neem nie. Hulle moet daarin […]
- Kies Lewe deur die Koning te Volg – Parasha Re’eh August 5, 2026"Kyk (Re'eh), Ek hou vandag voor julle die seën en die vloek." (Deut 11:26) Die eerste woord van hierdie week se Parasha is Re'eh, wat beteken "Kyk!" Dit is merkwaardig dat Moses die volk in die enkelvoud aanspreek. Al staan die hele volk voor hom, spreek hy elke persoon individueel aan. Elkeen moes […]
- Walking in the Footsteps of Covenant – Ekev July 27, 2026The Hebrew word Ekev (עקב) literally means heel or because. It carries the beautiful picture of following in someone's footsteps. Just as a heel leaves a footprint behind, Israel was called to walk in the footsteps of YHVH's covenant. The blessings described in this parashah were not random rewards, but the natural fruit of […]
- The Heart That Hears : Va’etchanan July 20, 2026The name Va'etchanan, meaning "I pleaded" or "I earnestly sought favor," reflects Moses' heartfelt plea to YHVH from the plains of Moab, begging to enter the Promised Land. Despite Elohim's loving refusal, Moses, rather than dwelling on his disappointment, dedicates his final days to preparing the Israelites for a future he will not witness. […]
