Many people don’t want to have children. And those who do often don’t know what to do with them or how to raise them, so they end up in the hands of strangers or in the educational and social systems.
Where is Yehováh’s Guidance Today?
Many people don’t want to have children. And those who do often don’t know what to do with them or how to raise them, so they end up in the hands of strangers or in the educational and social systems.
Divine Training: Lessons from the Desert
Many people don’t want to have children. And those who do often don’t know what to do with them or how to raise them, so they end up in the hands of strangers or in the educational and social systems.
Detoxing the Heart: Removing the Traces of Egypt
Many people don’t want to have children. And those who do often don’t know what to do with them or how to raise them, so they end up in the hands of strangers or in the educational and social systems.
The Pharaoh Syndrome: We Promise and We Fall Again
Many people don’t want to have children. And those who do often don’t know what to do with them or how to raise them, so they end up in the hands of strangers or in the educational and social systems.
Do You Live to Work Just to Keep Living…?
Many people don’t want to have children. And those who do often don’t know what to do with them or how to raise them, so they end up in the hands of strangers or in the educational and social systems.
The Art of Blessing Our Children
Many people don’t want to have children. And those who do often don’t know what to do with them or how to raise them, so they end up in the hands of strangers or in the educational and social systems.
And You… Have You Been Assimilated?
Yosef was not the first to confront cultural assimilation—and emerge victorious.
Cultural assimilation is a challenge people have faced throughout history. Before we go further, let’s clarify what we mean by such an expression: it is the process by which a person or group adopts, in part or in whole, the customs, values, norms, language, and behaviors of another culture—often one that is dominant or different from their own. This process can be voluntary, as a form of integration, or it can result from social, economic, or political pressures. While assimilation can make living and adapting in a new environment easier, it can also lead to the loss or dilution of one’s original cultural identity.
Yosef in Egypt
Yosef was not the first to confront the problem of cultural assimilation—and he overcame it successfully. Abraham, Isaac (Yitsjak), and Yosef’s father, Israel (Ya’akov), were able to maintain their identity and loyalty to Yehovah, even while surrounded by pagan peoples.
Now Yosef was alone. Sure, Yehovah was with him, but none of his family was there. Yet he was able to preserve his values and his trust in the God of his fathers, which becomes clear when he speaks to his brothers in their first encounter after seventeen years:
I fear Elohim (God).
Genesis 42:18
Not only had Yosef not assimilated, he also influenced those around him. This is evident when, on the second trip back, his servant returns the brothers’ money and says:
Peace to you; do not be afraid. Your Elohim, the Elohim of your father, gave you a treasure in your sacks; your silver has been given to me.
Genesis 43:23
Even though Yosef outwardly appeared Egyptian—he spoke the Egyptian language and bore an Egyptian name, Tsafnat Paneach—he never stopped being Yosef, the son of Ya’akov. Once established in Egypt, he could have forgotten his family and his beliefs, especially since his brothers had coldly rejected him and sold him as if he were not part of the family. Yet he clung to his identity. This conviction directed Yosef’s actions, even toward his own family.
And You—Have You Assimilated?
You are not of the world, because you were “taken out of Egypt” when you accepted submission to Yeshua the Messiah. But… if you dress according to the world’s fashion, speak like everyone else, eat what everyone eats, pursue goals set by the world (money, a good reputation, power), conduct your business the same way as those around you, and also celebrate the world’s holidays and traditions—then the answer is a lamentable YES. YOU HAVE BEEN ASSIMILATED!
The Maccabean Test: Faith Under Pressure
For some it is not obvious, but the pressure of society and the world’s system today is leading us into a situation similar to that of the Maccabees.
These days we celebrate Hanukkah — a Feast that primarily commemorates the victory that Yehovah gave to our ancestors when the Greek armies invaded Judea and sought to eliminate every trace of the Torah and its influence in the people of Israel. They defiled the Temple and forced the people to abdicate their obedience to the Torah.
But one family — the family of Sh’món the Maccabee — stood up and led a small army that defeated the enormous military machine of the Greeks. They then carried out the re-dedication of the Temple, cleansing it of all contamination. It was established that future generations would annually remember all these events.
It is worth clarifying that there is a legend about the miraculous multiplication of oil that kept the Temple’s menorah burning after its purification in that time of old — a story that gave rise to the tradition of lighting a nine-branched candelabrum called the hanukkiah. According to the rabbis, a sequence invented by them must be followed to light the candles each day, with certain prayers recited at each appointed time.
Unfortunately, this tradition has displaced the true reason for the celebration — which should be the valor, decision, commitment, bravery, and total dependence on Yehovah demonstrated by the Maccabees in order to overcome the enemies who threatened their freedom and their beliefs.
What About Yeshua?
Yeshua participated in this Feast of Dedication, as we are told in the Gospel according to John. But when we ignore the connection of this festival with the history of the Maccabees, we completely lose the sense of responsibility and commitment that Yeshua had toward His culture and the traditions of His people.
So It’s Worth Asking… Are We in Similar Conditions Today?
For some it may not be evident, but the pressure of society and the world’s system is indeed pushing us into similar situations.
When faced with such pressures, we can take one of three positions:
- Openly transgress the Torah, with a defiant attitude, claiming that these Instructions do not concern me.
- Ignore the Torah and its demands, thinking perhaps it is no longer relevant today or that obedience to it is too fanatical.
- Take a stand for the obedience that is fitting for a child of Yehovah, acting as the Maccabees did.
These are times that test our convictions; the pressure will increase, and we will be forced to assume one of these three positions.
You… what will you do?
What does Hanukkah Mean for Us
Dedication is a costly decision that involves renouncing everything that contaminates us…
According to John 10:22–23, Yeshúa was in the holy city during the days of the Feast. It was precisely during this Festival that He revealed Himself as “the Light of the world” and performed the controversial healing of a man born blind, bringing both physical and spiritual light into his life.
Hanukkah has a strong connection with what Yeshúa did and taught during the eve and celebration of this Feast; and although we are not commanded to observe it, understanding it can motivate us to do so, enriching our lives.
Chapter eight of the Gospel of John recounts that Yeshúa’s declaration caused discomfort among the Pharisees and sparked a heated discussion that ended with accusations that He had a demon. Then comes the account of the encounter with the man born blind, whom He healed on Shabbat, further increasing the tension. Now, if we observe carefully, these events are closely connected to the Feast that was being celebrated in those days.
Do you see the connection? Yeshúa proclaims Himself to be the Light of the world while the people are preparing for the Feast of Lights! Similar things occurred during the other appointed times. Yeshúa was not improvising; He was fulfilling a perfect plan designed by Yehovah, our Father, who had given His Feasts to His people so they would be prepared and recognize their Messiah. But because the people entangled themselves by adding to and taking away from the Word, contaminating it with traditions developed by themselves, they were unable to identify Him—just as is clearly seen in John 10:22–42.
Cleansing, Purification, and Dedication
Although Solomon had carried out a great dedication (hanukkah) of the Temple when it was built, it became necessary for it to be dedicated again by the Maccabees—though not before subjecting it to a meticulous process of cleansing and purification.
Something similar happens with our lives, which require the same processes: cleansing, purification, and dedication. And although it is very possible that we dedicated our lives in the past, it is necessary to re-dedicate ourselves time and again.
We are the temple of His Ruach (Spirit). And it is certain that in our daily walk we often become contaminated. This happens when we develop dependencies on things such as food, drink, pleasures, hobbies, or people; when our lives revolve around activities that absorb us—shopping, work, sports, etc.; when we allow our minds to take in harmful content such as violent or horror movies; when we consume foods that Scripture classifies as unclean; or when we listen to music whose content does not edify. In doing so, we have committed acts similar to the sacrifice of a pig in the Temple.
Cleansing is obtained when we confess our failures to Yehovah; purification takes place when we appropriate the forgiveness granted by the blood of our Messiah. But dedication is a costly decision—it involves renouncing everything that contaminates us. It is a decision that must be made repeatedly until we overcome the habits developed over a lifetime lived in ignorance of divine parameters. Very few are willing to pay the price, and for that reason the process often remains incomplete.
Our Father Yehovah expects us to complete it and to return to the path of obedience to Him, as He demands.