Hanukkah is often misunderstood as a festival about tradition, miracles, or folklore - but its true power lies in dedication, covenant faithfulness, and the restoration of God’s dwelling.

In this teaching, we look beyond later myths and return to the biblical and historical foundations of Hanukkah, showing how it connects directly to Sukkot, the Maccabean struggle, and ultimately to Yeshua the Messiah.

Hanukkah did not originate as a commanded feast in Leviticus 23. It emerged during a time when Sukkot could not be celebrated because the Temple had been desecrated under Antiochus Epiphanes. After the Maccabean victory, the Temple was cleansed, pagan worship removed, and true worship restored. The dedication of the Temple was then celebrated in the pattern of Sukkot, with rejoicing and thanksgiving.

This historical context gives powerful meaning to John 10:22–23, where Yeshua stands in the Temple during the Feast of Dedication and reveals His divine identity.

Why Hanukkah is connected to Sukkot—and why it is not a replacement for it

How the Maccabean stand was about covenant faithfulness, not culture or politics

What the cleansing and rededication of the Temple points to in the New Covenant

Why Yeshua identifies Himself as the true dwelling place of God

How Hanukkah ultimately calls us to wholehearted dedication to Messiah

This message keeps Messiah at the center, rejects extra-biblical mythology, and anchors Hanukkah firmly in Scripture, history, and fulfillment in Yeshua.

The light is not in the lampstand.

The Light is in the Son.

The Return of Israel — The Whole House Restored in Messiah

Ezekiel 37 and the Covenant of Faith. Today’s teaching uncovers one of the most misunderstood prophecies in Scripture:

God is not only bringing the Jews back to the land - He is restoring the whole house of Israel — Judah & Ephraim — into one Kingdom under one King, Messiah Yeshua!

Session Highlights & Scriptural Outline

1. A Missing Half of the Story

Most Christian teaching focuses only on Judah (the Jewish people) returning to the land - but the Bible declares something far bigger:

Ezekiel 37:22 “I will make them one nation… and one King will rule over them.”

Through unbelief the kingdom was divided (1 Kings 11–12):

Judah remained

Ephraim (House of Israel) was scattered among the nations (2 Kings 17)

Paul reveals the great mystery:

Romans 11:25–26 The fullness of the nations must come in - then all Israel will be saved.

The so-called “Gentiles” coming to faith includes the actually the scattered House of Israel returning through the Gospel.

This restoration is covenantal — not political.

2. The Land Promise — Active Today in Messiah

The land promise is secured only by faith — not by DNA:

Romans 4:16 “The promise comes by faith…”

Galatians 3:29 “If you belong to Messiah, you are Abraham’s seed.”

Messiah is the rightful Heir —

We inherit the land through union with Him.

3. Unbelief Breaks Covenant Fellowship

The warnings of Moses, Paul, and Yeshua are consistent:

Hebrews 3:19 — Unbelief prevents entry

1 Corinthians 10:5 — Bodies scattered in the wilderness

John 14:6 — Only through Yeshua

John 8:24 — Without belief, still in sin

Romans 9:6 — “Not all Israel who are Israel”

Lineage alone does not guarantee covenant standing.

4. Ezekiel 37 Blueprint — Restoration of the WHOLE House

The prophecy outlines 5 stages:

1️⃣ Dry bones → national resurrection

2️⃣ Two sticks → Judah + Ephraim reunited

3️⃣ One King → Messiah Son of David

4️⃣ One Land → restored inheritance

5️⃣ One Covenant → everlasting peace

Ezekiel 37:23 “They will be My people, and I will be their God.”

And Paul reveals the result: Ephesians 2:14–16 “One new man” — no more division — one redeemed Israel In Messiah, believers become:

Citizens of Israel (Eph 2:12)

Abraham’s heirs (Gal 3:29)

Royal priesthood (1 Pet 2:9)

5. Covenant Storyline — 4 Stages of Redemption

| Stage Covenant Reality Priesthood | Key Scriptures

Sinai Marriage Melchizedek Calling Ex 19:5–6; Jer 2:2

Golden Calf Marriage Broken Levitical Temporary System Ex 32; Heb 7:11–12

Cross Husband Dies Eternal Priesthood Restored Rom 7:2–4; Heb 7:24–25

New Covenant Bride Renewed Melchizedek Priesthood Forever Jer 31:31–33; Eph 2:14–16

Yeshua didn’t start a religion ➡ He restored the original covenant plan

6. The Land Promise Now — Before the Kingdom Age

The Bible clearly states Israel must be restored before Messiah returns:

Genesis 17:7–8 — Everlasting possession

Galatians 3:16 — Activated in Messiah

Joshua 21:43–45 — Historically fulfilled once

Ezekiel 36:24–27 — Return → THEN salvation

Ezekiel 37:21–25 — Regathering → THEN King

Matthew 19:28 — Twelve tribes restored Zechariah 12 & 14 — Nations battle Jerusalem before His return

Jeremiah 31:38–40 — Jerusalem rebuilt permanently ➡ The land promise is active today ➡ Final fulfillment occurs when Messiah reigns from Jerusalem

7. Only Through the Son

The covenant and the Land are inherited only in Messiah:

Hebrews 8:13 The

In Part 2 of The Priestly Shift Series, Dr. Kenny Russell reveals Yeshua as the Bridegroom of Sinai and eternal High Priest after the order of Melchizedek. Discover how the marriage covenant at Sinai, the fall into the Levitical system, and the Cross all connect in one continuous story of redemption and restored relationship. Study the Scriptures listed above and see how the Bridegroom King is calling His people back into covenant love and royal priesthood.

Part 2 The Bridegroom, the Priesthood, and the Promise - Yeshua the Covenant Husband

From Sinai to the Cross, the same divine Bridegroom, YHVH revealed in Yeshua, has been calling His people into covenant. The priesthoods, covenants, and promises all point to the restoration of the original Melchizedek order through Messiah.

1️⃣ Yeshua Was the Bridegroom at Sinai

At Mount Sinai, Israel entered a marriage covenant with YHVH, the very Word who would later become flesh (John 1:1-14).

• Exodus 19:3-5 “If you obey Me fully and keep My covenant…”

• Exodus 6:7 “I will take you as My own people.”

• Isaiah 54:5 “For your Maker is your Husband.”

• Jeremiah 2:2 “The devotion of your youth, as a bride you loved Me.”

• John 1:1, 14 “The Word was God… The Word became flesh.”

• John 8:58 “Before Abraham was, I AM.”

• 1 Corinthians 10:4 “The Rock was Messiah.”

• Romans 7:2-4 Through His death the Husband died, releasing Israel to enter a New Covenant.

It was the pre-incarnate Word who covenanted with Israel. At Calvary, the same Bridegroom fulfilled the Torah’s marriage law - dying and rising to unite Jew and Gentile into one redeemed Bride.

2️⃣ The Covenant at Sinai Was Melchizedek in Order - Before the Golden Calf

Intended Order:

“You shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” Exodus 19:6

Before sin entered, Israel was called to the Melchizedek pattern, royal-priestly access to God without Levitical mediation (see Genesis 14:18-20).

The Shift after the Calf:

When Israel worshiped the golden calf (Exodus 32), the priesthood changed from firstborn to Levi (Exodus 32:26; Deuteronomy 10:8).

This Levitical order became a temporary administration to manage sin until Messiah restored direct access.

Galatians 3:24 “The law was put in charge to lead us to Christ.”

Hebrews 7:11 “If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood… why was there still need for another priest?”

3️⃣ Misunderstood ‘Forever’ Verses about the Levitical Priesthood

Hebrew עוֹלָם (olam) often means “for an age” or “until the appointed time.”

These verses describe continuity within the Mosaic covenant, not eternity.

Passage Common Assumption Correct Context Fulfillment in Messiah

Exodus 29:9 Eternal Levitical rule For the age of Moses Ended at the Cross (Heb 9:10)

Exodus 40:15 Everlasting generations Limited to Aaron’s line Heb 7:12 – law and priesthood changed

Numbers 25:13 Phinehas eternal priesthood Within Levitical system Heb 8:13 – old made obsolete

Leviticus 16:34 Perpetual atonement day Until fulfillment Heb 9:12; 10:10 – once for all

1 Chron 23:13 Aaron forever Worship of that era Superseded by heavenly tabernacle

Malachi 2:4-8 Unbroken Levi covenant Conditional — priests failed Yeshua restores true priesthood

Psalm 110:4 — Anchor text of transition Messiah = Eternal Melchizedek

4️⃣ Yeshua Restores the Original Priesthood

Through His death and resurrection, Yeshua reinstated the Melchizedek order permanently:

Psalm 110:4 “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”

Hebrews 7:23-24 “He lives forever and has a permanent priesthood.”

This fulfills Exodus 19:6 and extends the priestly calling to