Messiah: The Master Builder (A Poem)

Christians celebrate advent, a season of remembrance of the first coming of the Messiah, and anticipation of His second coming and the fulfillment of the Kingdom. For Jews, Hanukkah is celebrated during the same season. It is a celebration that begins on the 25th day of Kislev (usually in the month of December). It is a celebration of the rededication of the temple after its desecration at the hands of the Syrians in the time of the Maccabean revolt. Hanukkah means "dedication." This year, the feast begins December 16th and goes through the 24th. Here is more information.

Jesus, during the feast of Hanukkah, entered the Temple:

Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, "How long  do you keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly." Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me. But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. I and the Father are one."

Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, "Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?" The Jews answered Him, saying, "For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God." Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your law, 'I said, "You are gods"'? If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'? If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in me, and I in Him." Therefore they sought to seize Him, but He escaped out of their hand. (John 10:22-39)

In celebration of the work of Messiah, and in anticipation of the completion of His work, I have written a poem. I hope you enjoy it.

God Named His Building "Israel"

How odd of God to choose the Jews

to start His building project.

The Rebel architects chose to use

the Babel building product. (1)

God chose a precious cornerstone,

rejected by each Rebel.

The Holy, Righteous promised One -

God laid the Rock of Israel. (2)

The Rebels built upon the sand,

using wood, hay and straw.

But God built a foundation with a band

of Jewish prophets and His Law. (3)

Several Rebels saw the Babel doom

and joined the Jewish structure.

Some Egyptians, Rahab, Ruth too -

God added at His pleasure. (4)

And going in the other direction

some Jews joined the Rebel plan.

The Golden Calf was their selection,

from the God of Abraham they ran. (5)

The foundation was at last fully laid

twelve Jews were hewed as chosen ones.

The blood of the Covenant was paid

so God now started adding stones. (6)

The foundation set for the House of Israel,

on Pentecost the Spirit came.

3,000 Jews added at the opening bell

and more were added every day. (7)

But while the wobbly tower of Babel grew,

(the house of iniquity rebellious),

Suddenly to Israel's house a gentile flew -

fulfilling the promise to Abraham - Cornelius. (8)

Before you know it, the House of Israel becomes

a refuge for every nation.

But strangely now the native sons

depart their habitation. (9)

But in the fullness of time

will come a sharp reversal.

Upon the Jews the Spirit sublime

will finish the house of Israel. (10)

A time of great apostasy,

The nations will be ragin'.

God's building will be attacked

by the foolish Babel nation. (11)

But the flimsy house they built,

on a foundation made of sand

will be washed away, and in their guilt

Babel will not be left to stand. (12)

God's eternal house alone remains,

now where the streets with gold are paved,

Jews and Gentiles (together) sing the strains:

"All Israel has been saved!" (13)

(1) Gen. 11:4; (2) Ps. 118:22; (3) Heb. 3:4-6; (4) Ex. 12:38, Josh. 6:25, Ruth 4:11 (5) Ex. 32:1; (6) Eph. 2:20, Is. 53; (7) Acts 2:16-21, Acts 2:41; (8) 2 Tim. 2:19, Gen. 12:3, Acts 10:1-48; (9) Is. 42:6, Amos 9:11-12, Is. 6:9-10, Acts 28:26-28; (10) Is. 59:20-Is. 60:7, Rom. 11:26-27; (11) Ps. 2, Pet. 2:4-10, Jer. 51:60-64, Rev. 19:19; (12) Is. 28:16-22, Mt. 5:26; (13) Rev. 21:9-21, Rom. 11:25-36

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This month, I have recommended a marvelous book written by Sam Nadler, a Messianic Jew who teaches at Hope of Israel Congregation in Charlotte, NC. It points out the centrality of Jesus in the various feasts and celebrations in the Bible. Mr. Nadler comes from a dispensational point of view (which I cannot fully endorse) in regards to the second advent. For another eschatalogical view, click here.

Be steadfast, my fellow stones! Happy Hanukkah!

Dale