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You will arise and have compassion on Zion, |
| for it is time to show favor to her; | ||
| the appointed time has come. | ||
| Psalm 102:13 |
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| Hanukkah Studies - Day 6 by Sarah McIlvaine | |
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Hanukkah – Day 6 Ouch! Are anybody’s toes hurting after yesterday’s teaching? Do I seem to be getting awfully “narrow-minded”? Good. I’m glad you brought that up. Let’s look at that word ‘narrow.’ Or rather let’s look at the Hebrew word ‘hanakh’ which is the root word from which Hanukkah is derived. (I must insert here that credit for a lot of this teaching goes to Dr. John Garr and his excellent teaching on Hanukkah in the book, God’s Lamp, Man’s Light. The quotes below are from this book.) The meaning of the word ‘hanakh’ is “to initiate, to dedicate, to narrow, to educate.” I’m sure that right now you are remembering the words of Jesus, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matt. 7: 14) Truly a sobering thought.
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You see as our walk with God becomes a dedicated one, the way narrows. The Bible calls this the process of sanctification. We submit to God by submitting to His Word, whether we like it or not. Whether we want to or not. Whether it is convenient or not. As we do so holiness is worked out in us. A separation is made between our desires and the desires of God, between walking the ways of the world and walking the path of God. That is what holiness means – being separated unto God for the purpose of service. And what a privilege that is. What reward is there in the long run. Dr. Garr points out that Enoch was a man who illustrates the ultimate in this kind of a life. “Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.” (Gen. 5:24) Guess what – his name in Hebrew is ‘Hanokh’ which also derives from our root word ‘hanakh.’ Walking in God’s chosen path causes us to walk so close to his realm that some have literally stepped right over to the other side.
Why are God’s paths so narrow? Could it be a matter of focus – focusing on God so closely and constantly that self drops away? God knows that we are physical beings and he knows that there is a lot to distract us in this earthly realm. Could it be that he creates some restrictions just to see if we will allow our love for Him to cause us to walk in them, regardless of our complete understanding? And then, as we walk in them – keeping our eyes on the one who loves us so much – could it be that our understanding as well as our love for Him grows and thus we are enabled to walk even more closely? Ever more selflessly? And that we become equipped even to carry out the new commandment in the New Covenant -- to love others even as He has loved us? (John 13: 34)
In Hebrew the word for educate is also from the same root, ‘hanakh.’ As we educate ourselves in the ways of the Lord, and walk in them along that narrow path, does our light begin to shine brighter in this world? Dr. Garr has this to say, “What brings light into the world is not the pronouncement of one’s faith, the recitation of a litany of beliefs about ideas, concepts, and teachings. Light is manifest when one does the ‘good works’ that are the outworking of one’s faith in a godly lifestyle. It is not inherent in the human spirit to be self-sacrificing for the benefit of others. Selfishness is inherent in man because of sin. It is only when one is filled with the light of God’s presence that he is illuminated and empowered to do the good works that will bring honor to the Eternal Father.” (p.135)
I can’t help but think of a laser beam as I read this. Could it be that as we are willing to walk the ever-narrowing path of obedience with our heavenly Father that our light becomes ever more focused and bright like a laser beam? And that this light can cut right through some things in this physical realm – right through into the realm of the spirit where miracles happen and souls are saved? Are we willing to walk the path of self-sacrifice that following God closely demands? How can we do such a thing? It seems too much for us.
“This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty” (Zech. 4: 6) Ah, here is the answer. The power of the Holy Spirit in us. It’s not about doing it, but about Him doing it in us. It’s not about trying, but trusting. It’s not about giving up of self so much as it is making room for more of Him in us. Letting the Light of the world illuminate us as we turn to Him and say we are willing. That is why the new commandment referred to above is given to New Testament spirit-filled believers. He makes us able. Remember the Bride of the Son we talked about yesterday? She was given gift upon gift by the Servant – the Holy Spirit. Now as we dedicate ourselves, we can yield to Him to work in us and carry out that which we could never do on our own.
But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. Proverbs 4: 18 Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Shalom Shining Ones, Sarah McIlvaine-Sarah McIlvaine (2008) |
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