Purim

Lichelle sent me an email today which reminded me today is Purim!

I am going to copy and paste the email she sent me for you to read.

Today is the day the Jews celebrate their deliverance from the plot to annihilate them. Praise the Lord!!!! Only God!!

1. PURIMThis Tuesday, March 10th, is Purim-the day Jews celebrate their remarkable deliverance in 483 B.C. Persia (present day Iran) from a plot to exterminate them.

The Scroll of Esther is read-there are Purim plays and costumes, and special pastries and desserts. For most of the world, Purim is celebrated on the 14th of Adar (Mar 10th this year)-but Jerusalem (being a 'walled city' like ancient Shushan (Susa), celebrates the following day (Esther 9:18-19).

There are of course many lessons, pictures and types to be drawn from this book. However, with the awakening of a new anti-Semitism (cloaking itself in condemnation of Israel rather than Jews in general), and specifically with the rising from the same region (Persia/Iran) in which these events took place of a leadership calling for Israel's destruction, we would here focus on two verses: 2:5: "Now there was at the citadel in Susa a Jew whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite"; and 9:24: "For Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the adversary of all the Jews, had schemed against the Jews to destroy them."(Emphases ours).


Haman is called an Agagite. Agag was an Amalekite king whom Saul, a son of Kish, a Benjamite, disobeyed the Lord in not putting to death (I Samuel 15). The Amalekites are a recurring symbol in Scripture of the manifestation of the spirit of anti-Semitism. In Exodus 17:14 the LORD shows His hatred for this spirit by vowing to "utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven."


In the Book of Esther it is the courage and integrity of Mordecai, also a "son of Kish and Benjamin" which eventually brings the defeat of the anti-Semitic plot. Mordecai would not bow before that which was evil and false (Esther 3:1-2); knew how to humble himself in a time of crisis (Esther 4:1); he knew how to deliver a word of admonishment, warning and encouragement "in season" (Esther 4:13-14). He gained favor from the King, in fact was given the king's signet ring of authority. He moved in astute statesmanship so that his accomplishments found their way into Mede and Persian History (Esther 10:2). He was "great among the Jews and in favor with his many kinsmen, one who sought the good of his people and one who spoke for the welfare of his whole nation"(Esther 10:3).


PLEASE PRAY:* Protection over Israel during this Purim season (March 9-11). It is a season when children are especially visible and vulnerable. Please plead the Blood of Messiah over their lives-and stand against "the Adversary of all the Jews" in the Name of Yeshua.
*Pray the raising up of Mordecai's in this day-who will have move in authority, integrity, courage and decisiveness.
*For women of Israel who will, like Esther, have courage and humility to move in righteous counsel into what and who they20are called to be on behalf of their people-"for such a time as this."