Chanukah: A Story of Survival, Faith, and Divine Protection

This holiday is more than a celebration—it’s a testament to the resilience of the Jewish people and the enduring faithfulness of God.

Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, is a celebration of miracles, resilience, and the unwavering faithfulness of God. 

It commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after it was defiled by the Seleucid Empire 2,189 years ago. 

The Jewish people, though vastly outnumbered and oppressed, triumphed against their enemies, not through military might, but through the steadfast faithfulness of the God who protects them. 

This victory—and the miracle of the menorah that burned for eight days with only enough oil for one—reminds us that God’s providence is eternal.

Despite millennia of persecution, the Jewish people endure because they are sustained by the One who is forever faithful. As the Psalmist declares, 

"He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep" (Psalm 121:4)

Throughout history, the Jewish people have faced empires and ideologies bent on their destruction: Pharaoh in Egypt, Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon, Haman in Persia, Antiochus IV of the Seleucid Empire, the Romans, and in recent memory, the horrors of the Holocaust. 

These oppressors, once mighty, are now relegated to history books—mere artifacts of the past. Yet the Jewish people, guided by God’s hand, live on.

Chanukah serves as a reminder of this eternal truth: no empire, however powerful, can extinguish the Jewish people and not because of their might, but because the God of Israel, the One and only Eternal God, makes and keeps His promises, throughout the fabric of time. 

He has promised that he will preserve the Jewish people no matter what evil comes against them because the Messiah is promised to reign in Zion. 

Something that both Jews and Christians believe.

Or as singer Matisyahu so eloquently put it, “it’s not about the land or the sea, but the dwelling of His Majesty.” 

The Prophet Jeremiah emphasises this promise in no uncertain terms:

"Thus says the Lord, who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—the Lord of hosts is His name: If this fixed order departs from before Me, declares the Lord, then shall the offspring of Israel cease from being a nation before Me forever."
(Jeremiah 31:35-36)

The resilience of the Jewish people is playing out before our eyes, as noted by the Hon. Peter Dutton MP, Leader of the Opposition, in his recent Chanukah message. 

Dutton’s letter acknowledges the rising tide of antisemitism across the globe, including sadly in Australia. 

“intimidation, vilification and crime directed against people of Jewish faith” 

“a type of hate that, if left unchecked, unleashes greater evils.”

This sobering reality reminds us that the story of Chanukah is not just a historical event but a living narrative. 

The Jewish people’s survival is proof of God’s protection, yet their endurance also depends on the vigilance and moral clarity of those who stand against hatred and injustice.

Dutton’s recognition of the ordeals of the last 14 months highlights the suffering that the Jewish community have had to endure, from the hostages held by Hamas to the antisemitic mobs seen on the streets of Western democracies. 

His words echo the call of Chanukah: to stand firm in the face of darkness and let the light of truth and justice shine brightly.

Chanukah is a universal reminder of hope, courage, and the triumph of light over darkness.

In his letter, Dutton appeals to all Australians to reject the forces of division and unite in defense of democratic values, freedom of belief, and mutual respect. He rightly emphasises that: 

“Australians are alarmed by what has transpired on our soil—not only because it’s an attack on one segment of our community, but because it’s also an attack on our democratic values and liberties.”

As we celebrate Chanukah, we are reminded of our collective responsibility to ensure that hate and intolerance find no home in our society. 

Chanukah’s ancient origins teach us that, no matter how dark the world may seem, the light of faith and truth cannot be extinguished. 

It is this hope that sustains the Jewish people and inspires others to stand with them in solidarity.

This Chanukah, let us remember that the God of Israel remains faithful. 

May we  draw strength from this enduring truth, and may we let the light of Chanukah guide us toward unity, compassion, and peace.

Chag Chanukah Sameach!