Chanukah and the Legacy of Mattityahu

The Rockin' 3rd Annual Front Range Messianic Chanukah Fair

Imagine what it would be like to change history, to actually make history. What would it take? Being in the right place at the right time would be a good start; but more importantly it would take courage. Enough courage to actually make history happen. Keep in mind, making history and watching history being made are two totally different things—and I'm not talking about watching.

This year as I went through the Chankuah story with my family I couldn't help but notice that Mattityahu (aka Mattathias) was a model father. As he mourned for the sins committed in Judea and Jerusalem, Mattityahu and his sons tore their clothes and donned sackcloth and ashes. He didn't mourn alone, his sons joined him. Mattityahu was a priest and a descendent of Pinchas (Phineas) the grandson of Aharon (Aaron). Because he was a priest we can conclude that he taught his children the traditions of the Jewish people and showed them how to have a close relationship with Hashem. This was the duty of the lineage of Aharon, to pass along the traditions from generation to generation. Even the officials in Antiochus' army recognize Mattityahu as an influencial leader and a man who was well respected by his family. After Antiochus' officials try to persuade him with money and recognition, he speaks up for his entire family:

19 Mattathias answered in a loud voice, "I don't care if every Gentile in this empire has obeyed the king and yielded to the command to abandon the religion of his ancestors.
20 My children, my relatives, and I will continue to keep the covenant that God made with our ancestors.
21 With God's help we will never abandon his Law or disobey his commands.
22 We will not obey the king's decree, and we will not change our way of worship in the least."
(1 Maccabees 2:19-22, GNT)

After making this statement, a Jewish man steps up to offer a sacrifice to the pagan idol but Mattityahu kills him. He then gathers those who were still faithful to the Torah and along with his sons, they flee to the wilderness and began a campaign of guerilla warfare against Antiochus and his mighty army.

When it came time for Mattityahu to die, on his deathbed he charged his sons to remain faithful to the Torah and to defend it with their very lives. He encouraged them by recounting the faithfulness of their ancestors Abraham, Joseph, Phineas, Joshua, Caleb, David, Elijah, Hananiah, Azariah, Mishael and Daniel. After his death, all of Israel mourned for the great Mattityahu.

Before he died, Mattityahu placed his son, Judah, as the new leader of the small Jewish army. Judah was also a man of great faith. He fasted and prayed with his men and consulted the Torah on how they were to conduct themselves in the absence of the Temple. He led the Jews to victory after victory, giving all the glory to Hashem. Once they captured the Temple, they cleaned it up, made new vessels and instruments, and rededicated it to Hashem. Then they celebrated for eight days, like Sukkot. This was the first Chanukah.

Once a year for two millennia Jews have celebrated the miracles that Hashem did for the Maccabees and the Maccabees are remembered for their courage and great faith to step out and actually make history. Chanukah is like a tribute to the legacy of Mattityahu. A father who diligently taught his children the Torah of Hashem and the traditions of the Jewish people. He was a father who demonstrated great faith, courage and self sacrifice. He is a father that we can all learn from.

Are you raising world changers? Are you leaving behind a legacy like Mattityahu?

Suggested Reading:
1 Maccabees 1 (GNT)
2 Maccabees 1 (GNT)



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