I gave a sermon message several years ago about the concept of “History Repeating Itself”. I mentioned the quote from Jorge Agustín Nicolás Ruiz de Santayana y Borrás, (known in English as George Santayana) who was a philosopher, essayist, poet, and novelist. “Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it”.

Over the last couple of Sabbath notes to you all, we have been reviewing a number of events that took place during the ninth month of the Hebrew calendar. King Jehoiakim refused to consider the past, and the actions the Lord took to chastise Israel when they forsook Him and His commandments along with His warnings to repent.

Even though the Jews observed the Feast of Dedication or what we term Hanukkah, they obviously did not remember the lessons concerning why God allowed Antiochus Epiphanies to attack Jerusalem and defile the Temple.

In John 8-10 Jesus presented a number of teachings on the Eighth Day of the Feast. The narrative jumps to several months later to the ninth month during the winter. “Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter.” (John 10:22)

The Jewish leaders continued to harass Him and try to find a reason to condemn Him. They demanded that Jesus tell them if He was the Messiah. (v.24) Jesus reminded them that He had answered their question and that the works and numerous miracles, including healing the blind man (recorded in John 9) testified and bore witness of who He was. (v.25) Jesus exposed their rebellion and goat-like stubbornness in refusing to believe and follow Him when Jesus referred to the sheep that hear His voice and follow Him. Jesus pointed out the oneness of Himself and the Father in regard to knowing and protecting the true sheep. The Jews of course took offence and took up stones threatening to stone Him. (v.30-31)

Interestingly the book of John records a number of “I Am” statements made by Jesus. Several years ago while pastoring Colombia we held a Bible Study in Chinauta during the Feast of Tabernacles about “the 7 I Am’s”.  Several commented how they had never realized how many there were.

In scripture, it is recorded that several were made during the Feast of Tabernacles and the Eighth Day of the Feast. (John 8:24) In one of the statements, the Jews perceived that Jesus was equating Himself with the Lord of the Hebrew Scriptures. “Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”” (John 8:58) When Jesus said this the Jewish leaders took up stones to throw at Him. Just like King Jehoiakim and his servants, they again refused to accept the message and the messenger.

Jesus always gave credit to the Father for the works that He did. (v.32) Jesus asked them to believe the works “that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me.” (v.38) They refused to recognize the evidence that supported His assertion that He was the Son of God and indeed the Messiah who had come first as a humble Lamb to be sacrificed for the sins of the world.

They “sought again to seize Him, but He escaped out of their hand.” (v.39) Their hearts and attitudes were as cold as the winter that had come during the ninth month. The Jewish leaders were going to being on themselves and the nation a similar judgment that fell on King Jehoiakim. “He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” (Proverbs 29:1)

We’ve just finished our observance as a nation of Thanksgiving. Most will immediately become intricately focused on “Black Friday” and all the deals they can come up with in anticipation for the holiday coming in December, Christmas.

God’s message is clear regarding celebration of holidays that neither correspond with nor are taught to be observed by Him. But just like King Jehoiakim and his servants, will our nation similarly ignore God’s Message and His faithful messengers?

We’ll continue with this focus next Friday evening…and as I close this letter, as I do every Friday, as we enter His Sabbath…reflect on this evening’s letter with me, will you? May God continue to richly bless you. Our prayers and thoughts are with you daily. Please do pray for us as well.