Worthy Brief - 12/19/2022
Friend, be a light!
John 10:22-23 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication (Chanukah), and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.
Chanukah, a time of celebration and rededication, began last night in the Land and for Jewish people all over the globe. Those of us who are grafted in through the atoning work of Messiah, we who know God, have an opportunity to see the deeper significance in the Biblical holidays and are not only welcome but encouraged to celebrate as well!
Over 150 years before Yeshua's (Jesus’) birth, a group of Jewish warriors led by Judah Maccabee defeated Anticochus IV. Though terribly outnumbered by their foes, the Maccabees triumphed over the Grecian Syrian Empire. This led to the establishment of Chanukah -- the feast of dedication.
According to an ancient Jewish legend, Judah entered into Jerusalem only to find the Temple desecrated by a sacrificed pig and an idol of Zeus. Upon seeing this, he immediately began to cleanse the Temple. Judah also found that there was only one cruse of undefiled oil which could burn in the Temple Menorah (holy candelabra which had to continually burn). This oil was only enough for one day but it miraculously lasted for eight days, just enough time to get more of this special oil made. So in memory of this miracle and the rededication of the Temple, Chanukah or the Festival of Lights has been celebrated by the Jewish people for over 2000 years and was even celebrated by Yeshua (Jesus) Himself!
Every Chanukah, chanukkiahs (the candelabra of nine candle holders) are lit. Each chanukkia has a special candle, known as the Shamash which is raised above the other eight. The word ‘shamash’ means ‘servant, helper, or minister -- so the Shamash candle is the servant candle, or the ministering candle, and is used to light all the other candles. It is the servant who is raised up and lights all the others, symbolizing Messiah, for us who believe.
Yeshua came and proclaimed that ‘He is the Light of the World and whoever follows Him shall have the light of life!’ The one who serves the Lord will be a light! The one who does the will of God will shine! The more we serve the Lord, and earnestly do His will, with all our heart, soul and mind -- the more we will shine with the light of God and so ultimately will we be raised up!
Friend, let's strive to serve the Lord with gladness this season and light up the world around us! We may be small but a small light will go a long way in a dark place.
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Obadiah and Elianna (Going to Christian College in Dallas, Texas)
Orlando, Florida
Join us on an epic, life changing journey through Israel, through the eyes of those who are well acquainted with the culture, the people and the Land. This is not your average Israel tour— bring your family, bring your friends, and experience the REAL ISRAEL with George and Baht Rivka as your personal hosts.
Iranian atomic official says uranium enrichment capacity hits record highs
Iran said Saturday that its uranium enrichment capacity has increased to record levels, a day before UN nuclear monitors are set to visit the country.
Russia launches major missile attack on Ukraine
Russian forces launched at least 60 missiles across Ukraine on Friday, officials said, reporting explosions in at least four cities, including Kyiv.
Bali Bomb Maker Apologizes For Killings
An Indonesian bomb maker convicted for his role in the deadly 2002 nightclub attacks on Indonesia’s resort island of Bali that killed hundreds has apologized to the victims' families.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Legislative blitz set to ramp up as jammed bills keep Netanyahu government at bay
A week of furious legislative activity meant to pave the way for Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu to form a government has yet to yield any amendments addressing the demands of his potential coalition partners, with the incoming opposition employing a variety of parliamentary tools to gum the legislative process.
Benjamin Netanyahu lays out agenda for third term: Stop Iranian aggression and expand peace in the region
Israeli Prime Minister-elect Benjamin Netanyahu laid out the threat of Iranian aggression and how shifting Arab-Israeli relations will impact the country's future Thursday on "Hannity."
Israeli cows to get their own biometric ID cards
A new facial recognition and biometric system – like those used on people – is coming into use in various dairy farms in Israel, but unlike its purpose in humans, in cows it will be used to identify if the animal is in distress.
Inside the United States
Pentagon receives hundreds of new UFO reports — though no evidence of aliens yet
A new Pentagon office set up to track reports of unidentified flying objects has received “several hundreds” of new reports, but no evidence so far of alien life, the agency’s leadership told reporters Friday.
‘They’ve gotta have something in place’: Critics circle as Biden admin prepares for end of Title 42
Texas lawmakers from both parties urged the Biden administration on Sunday to provide more support in the days leading up to this week’s scheduled end of a Trump-era policy that had allowed for widespread expulsions of people seeking asylum.
White House Releasing Documents Of Kennedy Assassination
U.S. President Joe Biden has ordered the full release of thousands of documents on the murder of President John F Kennedy.
Worthy Insights
Now We’ve Got Their Names – ‘Twitter Files’ No. 6: FBI Flagged Accounts for Twitter to Censor
The sixth round of internal Twitter communications released as the “Twitter Files” implicates the FBI in coordinating internet censorship with the platform’s former administrators.
Documents Reveal Secret Twitter Portal US Government Used to Censor COVID-19 Content
New documents reveal how the United States government used a secret Twitter portal to censor COVID-19 content that contradicted the government’s narrative.