Purim is time of celebration and joy. This holiday has a lot to teach us concerning God’s unchangeable faithfulness. The story of Purim begins near the end of the Jewish exile in Babylon. God was punishing His people Israel for their sins, yet at the same time, He was watching over them.
The enemy, the devil is always after God’s people. He is like an unleshed wild dog looking for his prey. His schemes are crafty and he plans his strategy in advance. Thank God for His word of revelation and the instruction so that we may be very well aware of the things of the enemy.
The book of Esther begins by describing the events that preceded Esther’s arrival. The Jewish people began to return from exile to Judea. Many of them had gone with Ezra and Nehemiah. Yet some had remained in Babylon. King Ahasuerus or Xerxes I was giving a great feast. The beautiful Queen Vashti was asked to present herself at the feast, yet she refused the invitation. This led the king to choose for himself another queen, and by God’s favor chose a young beautiful Jewish girl`named Hadassah (later to be named Esther).
At the same time, there was a man by the name of Haman who was promoted above all the other officials. And the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate bowed and paid homage to Haman, for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage. Then the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate said to Mordecai, :Why do you transgress the king’s command?" And when they spoke to him day after day and he would not listen to them, they told Haman, in order to see whether Mordecai’s words stand, for he told them that he was a Jew. And when Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage to him, Haman was filled with fury. Esther 3:2-5.
As you can see, the tragedy was on the horizon. Because of the loyalty of Mordecai to God, the Jewish people were under great danger. But God is always faithful! He had already prepared His servant Hadassah or Esther to interfere and to stop the plot. And this is exactly what happened. God gave His Jewish people the victory. Haman was hanged on his own gallows that he had built for Mordecai and Mordecai in turn, replaced Haman! God is faithful to His promises and people!
Let’s look at some points in this story. The Lord says in Isaiah 43:1-2,"But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, and formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine. When you pass through the water, I will be with you; in the rivers you shall not drown. When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned; the flames shall not consume you." This promise was made to Israel and to all who follow Him. The story of Esther and similar events in the Bible teach us to trust upon our God without a doubt. Let me also show you one more important message here. Through Jesus the Messiah, God has brought Gentiles into His kingdom. It first happened on the day of Shavuot, Pentecost. If you read carefully the Feasts of the Lord in Leviticus 23, you will find that God required at this Feast an offering of two loaves of bread. The two loaves of bread portrayed the day when God will open the heavens and pour down His Spirit upon all flesh, Jew and Gentile. Jesus the Messiah has come to redeem all from sin. Looking at the story of Esther, Ruth and the entire New Covenant, you may begin to realize that God’s intention is work through Jews and Gentiles together.
God has brought us together into one body and made us one in the Messiah. If we could only leave our traditions along and worship God according to His Word, we would see a revival! God is not looking upon the traditions of the Jewish people or those of the Gentile church which are deeply rooted among both groups. Moreover, if the Christian church believes consider that the Jewish people were replaced by them, it quenches the Holy Spirit of God, thus removing any hope of revival.
Let us take a look at the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15. Pay attention to the end of the story. The older brother was angry with the father, because he had made a great feast for the younger son when he returned home. I believe Yeshua, Jesus is speaking to us and is saying that Christians who are represents the older brother misunderstood it’s prophetic significance of Jewish people returning to God and taking back their position in God’s Kingdom. Yet, God longs to see Jew and Gentile together at His table feast.
Friends! As we celebrate Purim, let us pay attention to this truth. Whether we are Jews or Gentiles by nature, "therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Yeshua, Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2.
Shalom |
