The parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins helped us to illustrate the themes related to Hanukkah, the Festival of Light, the cleansing and rededication of the Temple, the nation’s rededication to God, renewed covenant, the festival lights… there are many other themes of the festival and its history that could not be included in this short study. However, one of the highlights is the role the Holy Spirit played. The shining lamps represent salvation. The lamps with oil also represent the temple: the historical tabernacle and the inner temple of a human being, filled with the glory of God—the Holy Spirit.
If it is so, do we find any examples of it in the Scriptures? The answer is yes. The tabernacle in the desert, and Solomon’s Temple, and men were filled with the Holy Spirit:
The first example describes Solomon’s Temple being filled with God’s glory, when all was done and ready:
“So all the work that Solomon had done for the house of the Lord was finished… so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory/kavod of the Lord filled the house of God.” – 2 Chronicles 5:1; 5:14
It served the Maccabees as a model for cleansing the Temple. It took them a significant effort to rededicate the Temple. All applicable rules had to be followed, which is a separate study on its own. It should serve us as a model and example of how we should treat our lives and bodies. Recently we watched the film “The Case for Christ.” The film is based on a book by the same title, which is based on actual events. It tells the story of a Chicago Tribune reporter who in 1980, upset with his wife’s faith, went on a crusade to prove the resurrection claim false. He spent significant amount of time, energy and resources doing so, only to find out that he was wrong, and that Jesus’ resurrection was real. He became a believer. Had he not bothered with the investigation, he would have stayed ignorant, to his own hurt.
We read:
“…the glory of the Lord filled the temple. And the priests could not enter the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord’s house.” – 2 Chronicles 7:1b-2
and:
“The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one was able to enter the temple…” – Revelation 15:8
Martyrdom of St Stephen by Bernardo Cavallino, 1656
Here are a few examples of God’s servants filled with the Holy Spirit:
“…and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” – Luke 1:41
“…Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied…” – Luke 1:67
“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit,” – Acts 4:8
“Now Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him;” – Deuteronomy 34:9
“Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom,” – Acts 6:3
“And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.” – Acts 6:5-6
“But he [Stephen], being full of the Holy Spirit…” – Acts 7:55
“For he [Barnabas] was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.” – Acts 11:24
And most importantly the fulfillment of the promise of the Holy Spirit in the festival of Shavuot/Weeks, also known as the Pentecost:
“And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness…” – Acts 4:31
Later the promise of the Holy Spirit was given to the Nations:
“…when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed… And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” – Acts 13:48 & 52
Those who believed were given the promise of the Holy Spirit.
The difference between the wise and foolish virgins was one thing: the wise virgins had oil for their lamps, while the foolish virgins did not!
“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever, the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” – Yohannan 14:16-17
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