Picking up where we left off, and after you have read the first four chapters of 1st Maccabees, we can see the results of the dedicated cultural training of our ancestors. Judah/Yahudah Maccabees and his brothers, learned how to live in complete dedication to YAH & His Torah/Instructions, the Temple, and the Kingdom. They were taught by their father Matthathias/Mattithyahu, to follow the Torah/Instruction with all their hearts, souls, and might; just as we are commanded to do and teach when we sing & quote “The Shema” today:
“Hear (Shema), O Yashar’el: Yahuah Elohaynu, Yahuah is one: And you shall love את Yahuah Elohayka with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words, which I command you this day, shall be in your heart: And you shall teach them diligently unto your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up. And you shall bind them for a sign upon your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. And you shall write them upon the posts of your house, and on your gates.”
DEVARIYM (DEUTERONOMY) 6:4-9 את CEPHER
When Yahudah and his brothers saw their father take a stand against the heathen king Antiochus and his Torah-breaking laws, they were not surprised to see his conviction and steadfastness to obey Torah at the risk of his life. It was expected; it was his way, truth, and life to be dedicated to following The Most High YAH. Not only did he teach dedication to Torah, but he lived it outwardly for everyone to see. So as his life was coming to an end, and he charged and instructed his sons, they were able to continue in dedication/hanukkah, boldly obeying the Torah of YAH!
“Now when the time drew near that Mattithyahu should die, he said unto his sons, Now has pride and rebuke gotten strength, and the time of destruction, and the wrath of indignation: Now therefore, my sons, be ye zealous for the Torah, and give your lives for the covenant of your fathers. Call to remembrance what acts our fathers did in their time; so shall ye receive great honor and an everlasting name. Was not Avraham (Abraham) found faithful in temptation, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness? Yoceph (Joseph) in the time of his distress kept the commandment and was made adoniy (master) of Mitsrayim (Egypt). Piynechac (Phineas) our father in being zealous and fervent obtained the covenant of an everlasting priesthood. Yahusha (Joshua) for fulfilling the word was made a judge in Yashar’el (Israel). Kalev (Caleb) for bearing witness before the assembly received the heritage of the land. David for being merciful possessed the throne of an everlasting kingdom. Eliyahu (Elijah) for being zealous and fervent for the Torah was taken up into heaven. Chananyahu (Shadrach), Azaryahu (Meshach), and Miysha’el (Abendigo), by believing were saved out of the flame. Daniy’el (Daniel) for his innocency was delivered from the mouth of lions. And thus consider ye throughout all ages, that none that put their trust in him shall be overcome. Fear not then the words of a sinful man: for his glory shall be dung and worms. Today he shall be lifted up and tomorrow he shall not be found, because he is returned into his dust, and his thought is come to nothing. Wherefore, ye my sons, be valiant and show yourselves men IN THE BEHALF OF THE TORAH; for by it shall ye obtain glory. And behold, I know that your brother Shim`on is a man of counsel, give ear unto him always: he shall be a father unto you. As for Yahudah Makkabiy, he has been mighty and strong, even from his youth up: let him be your captain, and fight the battle of the people. Take also unto you all those that OBSERVE THE TORAH, and avenge ye the wrong of your people. Recompense fully the heathen, and TAKE HEED TO THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE TORAH. So he blessed them, and was gathered to his fathers. And he died in the hundred forty and sixth year (166 B.C.), and his sons buried him in the sepulchres of his fathers at Modin, and all Yashar’el made great lamentation for him.”
MAKKABIYM RI’SHON (1 MACCABEES) 2:49-70 את CEPHER
In the chapters which follow, we see Yahudah’s zeal & miraculous victories—HaleluYAH! We see the accomplishment of the Temple’s rededication and the establishment of the annual Feast of Hanukkah—HalleluYAH! And let us never forget the example of lifelong hanukkah/dedication by Mattithayahu and those like him—HalleluYAH! As we read above (and as we will also read below), we must follow after Torah, because it is our: way, truth, and life.
So yes indeed, we follow after The Living Word of The Most High YAH, which is The Messiah/HaMashiach (John 1:1-14). We can also follow after the example of others, who followed HaMashiach; let us remember what Paul/Shaul said:
“BE ye followers of me, even as I also am of Mashiach.”
QORINTIYM RI’SHON (1 CORINTHIANS) 11:1 את CEPHER
As we close out, I encourage you to read the fourth book of Maccabees, in it, you will see other examples from other courageous ancestors, who lived lives full of hanukkah/dedication—even unto death! Here are a couple of highlights to consider & remember:
“And when the spearmen said, Consent to eat, that you may be released from your tortures, he answered, Not so powerful, O accursed ministers, is your wheel, as to stifle my reasoning; cut my limbs, and burn my flesh, and twist my joints. For through all my torments I will convince you that the children of the Ivriym are alone unconquered in behalf of virtue. While he was saying this, they heaped up fuel, and setting fire to it, strained him upon the wheel still more. And the wheel was defiled all over with blood, and the hot ashes were quenched by the droppings of gore, and pieces of flesh were scattered about the axles of the machine. And although the framework of his bones was now destroyed the high minded and Avrahamic youth did not groan. But, as though transformed by fire into immortality, he nobly endured the rackings, saying. IMITATE me, O brethren, nor ever desert your station, nor abjure my brotherhood in courage: fight the holy and honorable fight of the faith; by which means our just and paternal providence, becoming merciful to the nation, will punish the pestilent tyrant. And saying this, the revered youth abruptly closed his life.”
MAKKABIYM REVIY`IY (4 MACCABEES) 9:16-25 את CEPHER
“Brothers, may we die brotherly for the Torah. Let us IMITATE the three young men (read Daniel 3) in Ashshur (Assyria) who despised the equally afflicting furnace.”
MAKKABIYM REVIY`IY (4 MACCABEES) 13:9 את CEPHER
So family, let us seek to live our lives unto death, truthfully dedicated to YAH! Dedication/Hanukkah—it is our way, our truth, and our life! The ending has already been revealed:
“And they (the righteous) overcame him (the accuser/HaSatan) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved NOT THEIR LIVES UNTO THE DEATH.”
CHIZAYON (REVELATION) 12:11 את CEPHER
Until next time, shalom ✌🏾
~Yahrahn
What Is He Brewing? 