Esther 4:14 … and who knows whether you have come to the Kingdom for such a time as this.
This week Jewish people in Israel and around the world celebrate the festival called Purim. Purim is not one of the Feasts of the LORD but it is a very important event in the history of Israel and the Jewish people. Purim is the story of how a young Jewish woman called Esther risked her own life to save the Jewish people of Persia (modern day Iran). The full account of Purim is recorded in the Bible in the book of Esther. Briefly, Haman, an evil man with an intense hatred of the Jewish people schemed their destruction.
The beautiful Esther had found great favour with the king, but it was not permitted for her to go into the king without being summoned by him. To do so could have had very serious consequences for Esther, but when her uncle Mordecai told her about Haman’s plot to convince the king to kill the Jews, something rose up in her spirit, and she uttered those famous and often quoted words “I will go before the king, and if I perish I perish.” To skip to the end of the story, Esther informed the king of Haman’s wicked plans and her action saved the Jewish people of Persia. Please do read the entire book of Esther over the next few days.
The point of my comment this week is that what was happening in Persia thousands of years ago has been the experience of the Jewish people for their entire existence. Over the last 4000 years there has been a long list of wicked men who attempted to destroy the Jewish people, and so it is today. Apart from the Islamic leaders who openly declare their hatred and desire to destroy Israel, there are millions of people in the world, and even in the Church today, who intensely hate Israel and the Jewish people. I wish I was exaggerating but sadly its true. In fact Josie, my wife, just came in from speaking to our local vet who was telling her about the intense anti-Semitism she encounters every time she attends a veterinary conference in Europe. She is ostracized and reviled by her medical peers, simply because she is from Israel. Even to the point that she wrote a ground-breaking article that was not accepted to be published because she is an Israeli Jew. It is still shocking to both of us how much hatred for Israel and the Jewish people there is out there in the world today.
The current reason for the dramatic rise in what we call anti-Semitism is that the world blames Israel for the plight of so called ‘Palestinians’. The anti-Israel people justify their attitude by claiming that Israel is occupying the land and oppressing a people that by the admission of some of their own leaders don’t really exist. ‘Palestine’ is an illegitimate entity… see http://www.out-of-zion.com/no-
The bottom line of the conflict over the land of Israel is that Satan is using the lie about the so called ‘Palestinians’ as the gunpowder in the bomb with which he plans to destroy Israel in desperation to stop the plan of God to send His Son Yeshua back to reign over His Kingdom for 1000 years from the rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem, the undivided capital city of Israel. The Muslims, the media, most politicians and many in the Church are being used by Satan as the ‘Haman’ of our time, to destroy Israel and abort God’s plan. The BDS (boycott, divestment, sanction) movement is a major weapon that Satan is using to damage Israel.
I know that I repeat these things regularly, but Josie and I believe that solidarity and prayer is absolutely crucial for Israel and the Jewish people today – and ultimately crucial for the return of Yeshua and the advancement of the Kingdom of God. (Acts 3:21 – 2 Peter 3;12) Yes God will do it without us, but as it was said to Esther … and who knows whether you have come to the Kingdom for such a time as this. We believe this verse is true for all of us alive and in the Kingdom of YHVH today. You can make a real difference and most of you already are. On a personal level, Josie and I sense the effectiveness of the prayers of our friends around the world.
So as the Jewish people prepare to celebrate their deliverance from Haman in a few days, please do read the book of Esther and ask the Holy Spirit to increase your identification with Israel (Romans 11:17) and the Jewish people (Eph 2:11-19), and allow the Purim story to inspire and motivate you to be even more radical in your solidarity and intercessory prayer for Israel and the Jewish people.
Just as it was for Esther, the survival of her own people meant her survival, the Body of Messiah needs to realise that the survival of Israel is connected to its own survival. And for the sake of your nation, your congregation and all that is dear to you please take very seriously the warning in Esther 4:14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but you and your father’s house shall perish.
This year Purim occurs on the weekend that the Christian world remembers the death and resurrection of Yeshua. The two events have a strong connection in that Haman’s Hell-inspired plan to destroy the Jews was ultimately meant to prevent the first coming of the Messiah. After that failed, the Devil conspired to bring about the death of Yeshua, not realising that would be his biggest mistake, and now he is orchestrating what will be his final attempt to destroy the people of God – Israel and the true Church.
Please pray for Israel and the Jewish people this coming week. Lets pray that the LORD will lift the veil that He placed on the eyes and hearts of the Jews, and that many will come to accept Yeshua as Messiah at this strategic time. Please also pray for Israel’s protection from all who hate God’s nation and are plotting to do Israel harm.
This article originally appeared on Out of Zion, March 18, 2016.