A GREAT MIRACLE! by Raphael ben Levi
Tonight at sunset is the 25th day of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar begins the feast of Hanukah. The word ‘Kislev’ (meaning ‘trust’) shares the same root as the Hebrew word ‘Kislah’ which means ‘folly.’ The consequences of ‘Kislah’ depends upon whom one chooses to place one’s trust in. Scripture urges us to place our full trust in God through Yeshua, the ‘Light of the World.’
There are two states of trust; one is active and the other is passive. Both are manifested in the month of Kislev:
1. The miracle of Hanukah reflects the active trust in God of those Jews led by Maccabees who stood against the might of the Syro-Phoenicians to preserve the integrity of the One they served. And God brought about a mighty deliverance!
2. Kislev also reflects the passive trust of a segment within the oppressed Jewish nation. Some people resigned themselves to their fate and a few even actively cooperated with their enemy rather than oppose them. This was their folly.
Kislev is a compound word. The Hebrew word, ‘lev’ means ‘heart.’ Passive trust is characterised by half-heartedness whereas active trust is wholehearted!
Today, as we face much darkness in these end times, we do well to examine who we place our trust in? Scripture makes it clear that when we actively stand against unrighteousness for His name’s sake er will suffer to preserve the integrity and honour of the One we love! Scripture describes this as the ‘Fellowship of His Sufferings’ which in the fullness of time will be transformed into the ‘Fellowship of His Joy.’
At Hanukah, God delivered the Jewish people against an implacable foe and for us too, when we patiently cooperate with God we have confidence to expect a great miracle in the fullness of time no matter how hopeless the situation may appear!
