Shalom!
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you prove what is that good and well-pleasing and perfect desire of Elohim. Romans 12:2
Yesterday I was reminded again that it seems like the simple steps that we have taken so far in setting apart our family for YHWH seem so foreign and far to others around us. Chanukkah was a time to rededicate our temples, to remember the light of Mashiach and also the sacrifice and example the Maccabees left for us to follow. As we study their character we see that they did not want to give in to the pressures of the world powers to conform to their kingdom and culture. These few Maccabees lead by Judah Maccabees did not only defeated an army but preserved the Hebraic understanding of their relationship with YHWH. Their Temple desecrated, Torah's were burned, even themselves being ask to break every single commandment. Today we are on the same cycle of decision and choosing who we are and serve. It seems like today we have to choose again if we are Maccabees or we are going to become Greeks. Are we willing to engage in the battle of our hebraic roots or we are going to continue to please those still in mixture of good and evil. We want to be attractive to the world but Shabbat comes and we want to show we are set apart. Are we setting a good example for the next generation? I remember a thesis from Bibi Nethanyahu on the Marranos, Serphadic Jews that converted during the Inquisition. The Jews say that they can nor respect that they did not fight and died for their faith. As a matter of fact, more Jews died from the Inquisition of the Roman "Christian" Church than during the Holocaust. Today we see an Israel where 2/3 is secular and for many Jews in USA their faith is just a tradition. If society tells us not to wear head coverings, or look Hebraic and act like a Jewish Messiah keeping His Father's commandments are we going to change to conform to them or we will fight to maintain our set apart walk?. As people leave the church to walk in a narrower path they seem to bring with them some of the Greekness ( Americanism) and it seem like they want to change those that walk more like Hebrews into looking more like their mixture. Beware of these mixtures not only for our sake but for our children sake. One day of giving away our set apartness to conform to the worlds invitations is one day our children will remember forever every time they stray from the truth and walk away from commandments like Sabbath, wearing Tzitzits, Praying, Studying their Scriptures, ect. How about to the greed of the world? And I certainly did not mean with those of this world who whore, or with the greedy of gain, or swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 1 Corinthians 5:10. Do we show humble and constricted hearts? and those who use this world as not misusing it. For the scene of this world is passing away. 1 Corinthians 7:31.
We must show that we repent and correct our every single fall to them as we seek to have this covenant relationship with YHWH. Are our children going to be like Joseph, Daniel or Hananyah, Misha'el, and Azaryah? How about grown men like Judah Maccabees that led to a preservation of our Hebrew Roots? Are we as fathers walking in the image of Mashiach or we look and act like the world?
For our boasting is this: the witness of our conscience that we behaved ourselves in the world in simplicity and sincerity of Elohim, not in fleshly wisdom but in the favour of Elohim, and much more toward you. 2 Corinthians 1:12
Listen, my beloved brothers: Has Elohim not chosen the poor of this world, rich in belief and heirs of the reign which He promised to those who love Him? James 2:5
If you love Me, you shall guard My commands John 14:15
See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of Elohim! For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved ones, now we are children of Elohim. And it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone having this expectation in Him cleanses himself, as He is clean. Everyone doing sin also does lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. Everyone staying in Him does not sin. Everyone sinning has neither seen Him nor known Him. 1 John 3:1-6
Do not marvel, my brothers, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. The one not loving his brother stays in death. 1 John 13:14
Brothers, if anyone among you goes astray from the truth, and someone turns him back (Teshuvah-Convert),let him know that he who turns a sinner (Teshuvah-Convert) from the straying of his way shall save a life from death and cover a great number of sins. James 15:19-20
Shalom!