Psalm 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. [King James translation]
BIBLICAL COMMENTS
Hanukkah is one of the most important holidays in the Jewish religion. Hanukkah is the “Festival of Lights,” an eight-day Jewish holiday beginning at sundown on December 2nd, commemorating the re-dedication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem (around 165 BC following the Jewish victory over the Syrian-Greeks) and the miracle that occurred in the temple when the menorah stayed lit for eight days, even though there was only enough oil for one day.
The Feast of Hanukkah was also called “The Feast of Dedication.” See, John10:22.
The temple menorah was a seven-branch lamp stick with three branches on each side. The construction of the temple menorah is described in Exodus 25:31-37. This was the menorah used in the ancient temple in Jerusalem. It is still a symbol of Judaism and the modern state of Israel.
The Hanukkah menorah is a nine-branch candelabrum used to celebrate the miracle of light, the victory and survival of the Jewish people and the re-dedication of the temple. The eight lower branches, four on each side of the menorah, represent the eight days of light. The middle light is an extra light called the shamash which means “the attendant.” This ninth candle is the candle used to actually light the Hanukkah candles. The ninth candle is raised or lowered to distinguish it from the Hanukkah candles. The attendant candle is not the significant one. The other candles signify the eight-day miracle.
While Christians do not celebrate Hanukkah, we do celebrate GOD’s many miracles and blessings, including the birth of our SAVIOR, JESUS. We also celebrate and acknowledge our need to constantly re-dedicate our lives to HIM.
There are also a number of Biblical verses regarding oil, including one of the most memorized scriptures in the Bible, Psalms 23. In Psalms 23, David says “thou anointest my head with oil.” J. Douglas MacMillan argues that when David talks about GOD anointing his head with oil, David is referring to a shepherd practice called “backliner.” Backliner is the pouring of medicine externally on a freshly shorn sheep to control lice or other parasites. See, J. Douglas MacMillan, The Lord Our Shepherd (Bryntirion Press, 2003) and “Psalm 23,” www.wikipedia.org. For example, the Good Samaritan poured wine and oil on the wounded man along the Jericho road. (Luke 10:34.) James 5:14 states: if anyone is sick he or she should call the elders of the church, they should pray over him/her and anoint him/her with oil in the name of the LORD. Thus, David thanks GOD for being his GOOD SHEPHERD and for blessings him in sickness and in health.
OLIVE OIL
Researchers have noted that the use of light olive oil, for example in salads or for cooking on non-eat raw days, has been linked to reduced risk of stroke. In a recent study, it was noted that:
[S]eniors who regularly used this healthy monounsaturated fat had a 41% lower risk of stroke compared to their counterparts who never used olive oil.
See, “Olive Oil Linked to Reduced Stroke Risk: More Olive Oil in Your Diet May Help Lower Risk of Stroke,” by Denise Mann, www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/news/20110615/olive-oil-linked-to-reduced-stroke-risk#1.
In the study, researchers looked at the medical records of 7,625 people aged 65 and older from three French cities. The study participants mainly chose extra virgin olive oil, which is widely available in France. Although the researchers concluded that it was too early to make any specific or broad recommendations about olive oil intake, amounts, or any definitive link about olive oil intake and stroke risk just based on the study, the researchers indicate the findings are “intriguing.” According to Suzanne Steinbarum, MD, director of women and heart disease at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York:
Olive oil is a healthy fat and it can reduce cholesterol and inflammation, and has been shown to help reduce the incidence of heart disease,” she says. “Now, we see it may reduce stroke risk in people older than 65."
Keeping blood pressure controlled, not smoking, exercising regularly, and eating a healthy diet that is low in salt and rich in fruits and vegetables can also help reduce stroke risk…..
Emphasis added. Id.
Many of the articles discussing the health benefits of using olive oil note that it should be used in moderation. These articles also note that monounsaturated fat olive oil should be used instead of other fatty foods like butter and stick margarine, but it should not be used in addition to fatty butter and margarine.
Selection of an olive oil can be confusing. Here are some distinctions that may help:
Extra-Virgin Olive Oil – is the unrefined oil that comes from first pressing of the olives in the virgin oil production. It is generally lower in acidity (no more than 0.8% acidity) and has a more delicate and superior taste. It is often used on salads and for dipping. The production of extra-virgin olive oil is higher in Mediterranean countries such as Greece, Italy and Spain.
Virgin Olive Oil – also comes from the pressing of olives in the oil production but has a higher acidity level. It can contain up to 2% free acidity. It generally has a good taste.
Pure Olive Oil –usually is a blend of refined and unrefined virgin olive oil. It is generally considered lower in quality because it is refined.
Olive Oil – is also a blend of virgin and unrefined oil. It generally has an acidity level of 1.5% but loses flavor because of the refined process.
Refined Olive Oil – is refined virgin olive oil using refining methods such as charcoal, or other chemical or physical filters.
The Attendants
To a Gentile or someone unfamiliar with the Hanukkah menorah, one candlestick prong or candle may just look like another prong or the whole candelabrum may have little or no spiritual significance at all.
Similarly, for those focused just on the physical celebration of “Christmas”, there may be little or no spiritual celebration for the birth of THE ANOINTED ONE, JESUS CHRIST.
In all the rush and distractions it is so easy to forget or to become confused. We simply forget about all the times during the day, the week, the month, the year and during our lives when GOD has been with us, in sickness and health, anointing “our heads with oil.”
So, today, take time to remember. Remember, thank GOD and pray for spiritual discernment regarding what we eat, what we say and what we do. Pray also for our leaders. Pray that they too have spiritual discernment in what they say and what they do and how they lead. The Hebrew Bible and the Christian Bible teaches us that GOD deals with nations and with people.
Let us remember that we are “attendants” pointing to the LIGHT---the LIGHT OF GOD’s WORD—the LIGHT OF THE WORLD.
Remember to be thankful and BE BLESSED!
