The Feast of Purim celebrates the biblical heroine Esther. This year, Purim begins at sunset on March 9. The word “purim” is a reference to the lots cast by Haman, the villain in the story, to determine the day on which the Jews were to be slaughtered. Haman is a representative of that demonic spirit which has sought throughout history to destroy the Jews. If you are unfamiliar with the story, read the book of “Esther” in the Bible.
This item is available in full to subscribers.
To continue reading, you will need to either log in to your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account and connect your subscription to it by clicking here.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active, online-only subscription then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
The Feast of Purim celebrates the biblical heroine Esther. This year, Purim begins at sunset on March 9. The word “purim” is a reference to the lots cast by Haman, the villain in the story, to determine the day on which the Jews were to be slaughtered. Haman is a representative of that demonic spirit which has sought throughout history to destroy the Jews. If you are unfamiliar with the story, read the book of “Esther” in the Bible.
At that time, most of the Jews were held in captivity in Persia. Esther, a Jewess whose Hebrew name is Hadassah, had married the king of Persia and become queen.
In Esther 4:14, Mordecai, Queen Esther’s guardian, speaks to her: “For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Hadassah (Esther), as queen, was in a position to save her people. She was hesitant because no one, not even his wife, could appear before the king without his permission.
Remember that women in the Old Testament many times represent the Church. We are the bride of Christ. We are the bride of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We have come into His Kingdom for such a time as this. The Church, in the anointing of Hadassah, is to be a hedge of protection for Israel.
In the heart of God, the Church has not replaced Israel. In Genesis 17:7, God established an everlasting covenant with Abraham. Everlasting is everlasting. The covenant with Abraham still stands. Christians have been grafted into that covenant. (Romans 11). Because of the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross, we are in blood covenant with Him and with Israel.
After the Old Testament prophet Daniel had prayed, an angel had to war against the demonic Prince of Persia before he could deliver the answer to Daniel’s prayer. Haman was the personification of that spirit in Hadassah’s day. Other nations and people move in that spirit today.