Double Take and Casting Lots

As the 1st of the Appointed Times of the Lord begin.

Moedim – (moe-eh-DEEM) – מ֣וֹעֲדִ֔ים

Purim is remembered and with it the brave and selfless actions of Esther who was willing to lay down her life to save the nation of Israel. To risk all for salvation of her people Israel. Esther’s Jewish name Hadassah – Myrtle. Strongs 1919: Pronounced, had-as-saw’.

https://www.minimannamoments.com/who-was-hadassah/

There are however, some amazing links between Purim, Pesach (PAY-sahch), Passover and Yom Kippur. (Also known as Day of Atonement,)

פּוּרִים                פֶסַח                כפור יום

First we see some connections with the holiest day of the year, which in ancient times occurred on Yom Kippur.

Yowm Kippur

כפור יום

(This one comes towards the end of the year, see chart.)

The High Priest, כהן גדול , Kohen ha’Gadowl, was commanded to cast lots over twin goats, to see which goat would be killed and which goat would be sent away as the scapegoat, (Leviticus 16:8-10).

The initial Hebrew meaning of the root ‘K-P-R’ {כ-פ-ר} – from which ‘Yom Kippur’ comes – actually means ‘to cover’ and can be found in the original Hebrew name for the ‘Mercy Seat’ of the ‘Ark of the Covenant’ which is called in the Hebrew Bible ‘Kaporet’ {כפורת} (‘covering’).

More on the ark https://www.minimannamoments.com/are-we-boxed-in/

The High priest, (Hebrew: כהן גדול – kohen gadol; with definite article הַכֹּהֵן הַגָּדוֹל ha’kohen ha’gadol, the high priest; Aramaic kahana rabba), was the title of the chief religious official of Judaism from the early post-Exilic times, until the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in 70 CE.  His duties were many, but they culminated with a blood sacrifice for sin for himself, the other priests, and the nation.

This was performed in the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur each year on the day we call the Day of Atonement.

The noun kohen is used in the Torah to refer to priests, whether Jewish or pagan, such as the kohanim (priests) of Baal (2 Kings 10:19) or Dagon, though Christian priests are referred to in Hebrew by the term komer (כומר).

Upon his chest was the breastplate or sacred pouch, choshen, חשֶׁן (pronounced kho’-shen) Strongs 2833

He would stand before the people with two goats at his side. They had to be identical in appearance, (double-take).

On this day Special Sacrifices were offered for Atonement.
These Special and Peculiar offerings were those of two goats.
One goat for God/Jehovah/YHWH and the other goat for Azazel (Scape goat or goat for departure).
By the hand of HaShem one goat is chosen for blood sacrifice and was slain, the other goat was taken into the wilderness by the hand of a fit man (one able to perform the task), bearing away the sins of the people and was allowed to escape, here combining the Hebrew words aze -goat, and azal – escape, which form the name.

In Hebrew the word scapegoat is azazel which means goat of departure. 

Lots (Purim Puwriym), were cast as to which goat was for the Lord in sacrifice and which goat would be taken into the wilderness to be released.

 

The high priest – Kohen ha’Gadowl – would then reach into a pouch/container and pull out two lots, one in each hand.

Proverbs 16:33 The lot is cast within the bosom but its entire outcome is with HaShem/The Lord God, who has chosen the goat/lamb for blood sacrifice ahead of time. 

Each lot had a different Hebrew word inscribed on it.  (Ex. 28:30. Lev. 16:8; 8:8)

Urim םאוּרִי (pronounced oo-reem’) Strongs 224

Thummim תֻּמִים (pronounced toom-meem’) Strongs 8550

Note here also the connection to Alef /Tav the Dalet (Door)

and the Urim = Light

and Thummim = Truth

(Casting Lots – the words, lottery and lot, in the sense of real property, were derived from the original word. Purim – Puwriym)

Josephus (Antiquities 3:8;9) says that the Ancient Greeks got the idea of oracles from the Hebrew Urim and Thumim.  ורים ותמיםא

He then placed one lot on the head of the goat to his right and the other on the head of the goat to his left.

One stone identified the goat that would die as the sacrifice for the sins of the people, the other identified the goat that would be set free.

So before there could be a sacrifice that had to be the presentation of the two goats before the people and the decision of the two destinies.

Remember what took place before Messiah’s sacrificial death. He was presented before the people for them to choose – for the decision of the destinies over the two men.

There had to be two men presented before the people and only one could become the sacrifice. So in accordance to the directions on Yom Kippur, Messiah had to be the one of the two lives presented before the people in order to be chosen as the sacrifice.

Messiah understood this and why He was silent before His accusers, (as the Lamb to the slaughter). The other life had to be set free.

The name of the other life that was presented that day and the one that was set free was Barabbas.

This all took place at Passover – Pesach.

The fact that the criminal Barabbas, who was a murderer and obviously a sinner, was set free and Jesus/Yeshua, who was innocent, died; is revealed as the one goat who was released (Barabbas) and did not deserve freedom; and the other goat, (Jesus/Yeshua), was to pay the price for sin by the sacrifice of it’s life as the sin offering in (Barabbas) the sinners (our) place.

According to the requirements of the ancient ceremony of Yom Kippur the two goats or lives had to be identical.

Messiah was the son of God, the son of the father.

How is Barabbas, a criminal, the same as Jesus/Yeshua?

How is this relevant?

The name of Barabbas comes from two Hebrew words, bar which means son, and abba which means father. Barabbas means the son of the father.

Two lives each one bearing the name the son of the/a father.

So the sacrifice and the one set free because of the sacrifice, must be identical.

Now here is the interesting part: if God were to die in our place, He would have to become like us, He would have to become flesh and blood and in the likeness of sin.

He did.

He identified with us in every way. In name and in the flesh life.

Like most things, (Purim – Puwriym), the casting of lots, could be used for good or for evil; because the casting of lots expresses the idea that one has gone beyond the realm of motive and reason into chance, luck or fate.

The High Priest being one of the 3 categories in the Old Testament, that of prophet, priest and king who were anointed of God, were guided by the Holy Spirit in such decisions. It was not chance or luck. 

A lottery is resorted to, when there is no reason or desire to choose one option over the other, so the matter is surrendered to forces that are beyond one’s control and comprehension. In the cases submitted to the Lord in faith, the Holy Spirit guides the outcome.

Next, to make a connection to Purim and Passover or Pesach פֶסַח   Strongs 6453.

The name Pesach – PAY-sahch, (with a ch as in the Scottish loch), comes from the Hebrew root, Pei-Samekh-Cheit, meaning to pass through, to pass over, to exempt or to spare. It refers to the fact that God passed over/spared the houses of the Israelites at the slaying of the firstborn of Egypt.

Book of Esther Hebrew c. 1700-1800 AD Royal Ontario Museum.

(The pattern of the twin goats can be seen in the book of Esther with Vashti & Esther. Haman is a picture of Satan, and Mordecai is a picture of the Ruach ha’Kodesh (Holy Spirit).

Vashti symbolizes the disobedient bride, Israel, Yisra’el, (Tribe of Ephraim/Ephrayim), who was divorced and exiled or sent away (Jeremiah 3:8), just like the scapegoat never to return.

Queen Vashti was summoned to come to the King’s Banquet, but refused (Esther 1:11-17). Vashti is a picture of those who are described in the parable in Matthew 22:2-14. Many were called to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb but made excuses and refused to come. Jesus/Yeshua ended His parable by declaring many are called, but few are chosen.

Queen Vashti

Esther, on the other-hand is a picture of the born-again redeemed bride – challah, after she has purified herself and has been found worthy to approach the King. In the Persian Empire many young virgins were sought out and they were brought to the palace of the king for preparation. Here, Esther represents the few who are chosen in Matthew 22:14, for she’s the obedient bride who ultimately won the king’s favor. 

Esther therefore, could be a symbol of the sacrificial goat because she risked her life for her people by coming before the king uninvited. The penalty for anyone coming before the king uninvited was death. (Esther 4:11).)

Esther’s name has a meaning of hidden, this meaning is that the bride of Messiah is to this day hidden from the Jewish people. Esther disguised herself as a Gentile, but secretly she was a Hebrew (Ivri )/Yahuwdiy (Jew). In the same way, those who are born-again by the blood of the lamb are not recognized by those who call themselves Jews because as of today, they do not acknowledge Jesus/Yeshua as their true Messiah. 

Yirmeyahuw (Jeremiah) 31:31 Behold, the days come, says YHWH, that I will make a Renewed Covenant [Briyth Chadasha] with the House of Yisra’el, and with the House of Yahuwdah (Judah).

Our English Bibles say “I will make a new covenant,” rather than a “Renewed Covenant.” It is interesting that Messianic Jews refer to the “New Testament Scriptures” as “Briyth Chadashah.” The reason why is because Jeremiah 31:31 uses a Hebrew word for “new” which in the Strongs #2318 means:
 chadash, khaw-dash, a primitive root; to be new; causatively, to rebuild:–renew, repair.

Here the term new IS the word Chadash which means to renew, rebuild and repair! Hence, the term Renewed Covenant in Hebrew is called Briyth Chadashah, which literally means Circumcision Renewed. Esther’s Hebrew name Hadassah sounds very similar to the Hebrew word Chadashah.

Our Messiah declared that He is The door to the Heavenly Father (John 10:7-9). The meaning to the word chadash (renew) seems to visually indicate the Messiah setting up a fence or a boundary in the form of His commandments, to protect His sheep from being eaten by a wolf. 

In the same way that our Messiah was sent to renew the broken covenant with Israel /Yisra’el, HaShem/God/YHWH, sent Esther to renew the decree that was against the Yahuwdiym (Jews).

Queen Esther Was the Door to Salvation for Her People & Messiah is the Door to Salvation and to the Father.

Messiah fulfilled the pattern of the twin goats during His earthly ministry for the House of Yisra’el (Isaiah 8:14). 

Puwriym Purim celebrates the fact that Messiah, Jesus/Yeshua is the seed of the woman who crushed the plans of Satan when He died on the tree for all. By laying down His life, He made a WAY for everyone to be victorious against the enemy of our soul, the devil. The Book of Esther and Purim – Puwriym, also points us to the prophecy in Genesis 3:15 of the Seed of the Woman. (Yeshua/Jesus).

Bereshiyth (Genesis) 3:15 “And I will put enmity between you [the serpent] and the woman [Jerusalem], and between your seed and her seed; it shall bruise [crush] your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

The Hebrew word for bruise in the above passage literally means to crush!

Strongs #7779 shuwph shoof a primitive root; properly, to crush; gape upon; desire; seize, i.e. snap at; figuratively, to overwhelm:–break, bruise, cover.

The woman in this prophecy is (Eve) literally translated Chawah, and Messiah’s genealogy traces all the way back to Adam & Eve (Luke 3:38). 
The woman in this prophecy is also a type of Miryam (Mary) Messiah’s mother, who gave birth to the seed who would grow up to crush the head (authority) of the devil (the serpent). The woman is also representative of Jerusalem as in Galatians 4:26 we are told “Jerusalem is the mother of us all”.

Purim is the Akkadian word for [casting] lots. Lot = pur. In the Hebrew Strongs Concordance the word Purim, Puwriym,  literally means to cast the lot, but it comes from a root word puwr which means to crush, to bring to nothing.

The festival is called Purim because of the lots cast by Haman. In his pride, Prime Minister Haman cast lots to destroy the Jews, but God intervened and delivered the Jews in His mercy. This is not some incidental detail in the story of Purim, but the single event that most expresses what Purim represents.

Another connection is with Haman who paid money to betray the House of Judah and Judas was paid money to betray the Messiah. 

Haman the son of Hamdata the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had schemed against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast a pur–that is, the lot—to consume them, and to destroy/crush them…

This is why they called these days Purim after the Pur… Esther 9:24-26

The word Pur is also related to the Hebrew word `porer’ which means to dismantle, break, destroy, break into crumbs.

The word hefir, derived from the verb pur, has the sense of cancellation, cessation, breaking of something permanent.

Another link between the two events is that lots were cast for Messiah’s garment & lots were cast for the best time to kill the Jews. 

In the same way that our Messiah was an intercessor for His people. Esther also interceded and asked for the life of her people before her King. He granted that the children of Yahuwdah, (Judah, or the Jews) would be allowed to fight against their enemies. As a result, they crushed and brought the wicked plans of Satan that were against them to nothing.

The word Puwriym, and the root word Puwr,  in the Strong’s Hebrew Concordance #6332 Puwr, poor, also (plural) Puwriym {poo-reem}; or Puriym {poo-reem}; from 6331; a lot (as by means of a broken piece):--Pur, Purim.

#6331 puwr, poor a primitive root; to crush:–break, bring to nought, utterly take.

Messiah was broken for us too.

The men who were under the authority of Haman, cast lots or puwr, to find out when it was a ‘lucky time’ to destroy the Yahuwdiy (Jews). They consulted the lots as if consulting a fortune teller: 

Hadassah (Esther) 3:7 In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Puwr, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar. 

Another parallel in the story of Esther and the gospel, is the instance of the Roman soldiers casting lots for the Messiah Yeshua’s robe: Mat. 27:35; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:34; and John 19:24.

 

Yahuwchanon (John) 19:24 They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which said, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.

And so the decree was given that the Persians were to attack the children of Yahuwdah (Judah) on a certain day Hadassah (Esther) 3:13-15

When Messiah hung on the tree, He must have felt as if the Father in Heaven had completely forsaken Him. He even quoted a Messianic prophecy about Himself from Psalms 22: Tehilliym (Psalm) 22:1 My Elohiym, my Elohiym, why have you forsaken me? why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?

Messiah was temporarily forsaken by the Father in Heaven as was Esther temporarily forsaken by her Husband. Of course the Heavenly Father had not really forsaken Jesus/Yeshua but it merely felt that way while He hung there on the tree. His cry was toward His Father it was relational not circumstantial. To fulfill God’s plan of redemption, Messiah had to take upon His body the curse of sin and death, to experience and feel all that we do in our humanity for the fulness of identification with us. The Father had to hide His face from Him, because the scriptures tell us the presence of the Holiness of the Father cannot be in the same place as and look upon sin.

Is 54:7 “ For a brief moment I forsook you, But with great compassion I will gather you. 8 “In an outburst of anger I hid My face from you for a moment, But with everlasting lovingkindness I will have compassion on you,”

Likewise, Esther felt as if she had been forsaken by her husband Ahasuerus when he failed to call upon her for thirty days. (Esther 4:11). The sentence for appearing before the king uninvited was death, and so the same thing is true with our Father in Heaven. We cannot approach His throne lightly, with sin in our lives. If the High Priest in the Temple went into the Holy of Holies with any sin in His life, he could die in the presence of God’s holiness.

Hadassah (Esther) 4:11 All the king’s servants, and the people of the king’s provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or women, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.

Both Esther and Yeshua felt as if they were forsaken for a moment, however, at the proper time, they both found grace in the eyes of the Father/The King, and could approach the throne of the king to save their people! In this story, the wicked Haman built a gallows from a tree (symbolic of the cross) intending to hang Mordecai on it.

Once King Ahasuerus found out about Haman’s wicked plot, he ordered that the gallows which Haman had built for Mordecai would be used instead to hang him and his 10 sons. (Esther 9:10).

The disciple who betrayed our Messiah named Judas or Judah also hung himself as he is a picture of Haman.

In the same way, Satan thought he would destroy Messiah on the cross, but instead, Yeshua was resurrected and Satan’s kingdom (the ten horns on the Beast?) was defeated on that cross! Haman is a picture of the Antichrist, and his ten sons could represent the ten horns on the beast in Revelation 13. These ten horns are ten nations or political powers that will seek to destroy the House of Yahuwdah (Judah) and the House of Yisra’el in these last days.

The very thing that Satan intended to use against Messiah was actually used to destroy his own kingdom! The cross, like Haman’s gallows was intended by Satan to destroy the plans of our Creator. He thought that he was going to destroy our Messiah and thus prevent the salvation of Yisra’el, His covenant people. Instead the gallows and the cross were both used to destroy satan and his kingdom.

In this story, King Ahasuerus represents the Heavenly Father, and Haman represents Satan. Mordecai represents the spirit of Messiah (the Holy Spirit). Esther represents the physical person of Jesus/Yeshua, as well as the bride/challah of Messiah or the body/ecclesia, of Messiah.

Descendant of the Amalekites named Haman.

During the exile many Jews are living in the capitol city of Susa in Persia and in the 127 provinces of Persia.

In Susa is a descendant of the Amalekites named Haman who hates the Jews, particularly a Jew named Mordecai.
Saul was told to destroy the Amalekites, but disobeyed and the Amalekites were the first people to obstruct Israel from entering the Promised Land.

Haman carried a grudge against the Jews and held a high position in the Persia Empire under King Xerxes.

Haman convinces Xerxes to decree the extermination of the Jews in all 127 provinces and whoever kills the Jews can keep the Jews’ possessions.
Haman casts lots (Hebrew pur or purim), that is, he rolls the dice to determine the day to kill the Jews.
The dice come up Adar 13th (March)

When King Ahasuerus took the ring away from Haman and gave it to Mordecai (representing his authority) this is a picture of the Father handing down his authority to the Son who then took away the keys from satan, (Revelation 1:18) and then he in turn handed down His authority to His followers the keys to the kingdom. Matthew 16:19; Luke 9:1. When Messiah went back to heaven after He was resurrected, His ministry was taken up by Ruach ha’Kodesh/Holy Spirit: John 15:26 16:7

King Ahasuerus his gave authority to Esther just as the Father in Heaven gave his authority to Jesus/Yeshua. In turn, Esther handed that authority to Mordecai, who is a type of the Ruach ha’Kodesh/Holy Spirit. Jesus/Yeshua proclaimed in the above verses that He would send His Holy Spirit to continue His work. (Luke) 10:19

At the start, Yom Kippur was mentioned and although they have casting the lots in common, one could hardly find two more dissimilar days in the Jewish calendar.

Yom Kippur is the most solemn day of the year. It is a day of soul-searching and repentance Purim, on the other hand, is not. It is a day of feasting and drinking.

On Purim, it was the Jewish body that was saved. Haman did not plot to assimilate or paganize the Jews, but to physically destroy every Jewish man, woman and child on the face of the earth so Purim is celebrated.

Hadassah (Esther) 9:19 Therefore the Yahuwdiym (Jews) of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another. 

Yom Kippur is indeed a day LIKE Purim: both are points in physical time that transcend the very laws of physical existence. Points at which we rise above the rational structure of reality and affirm our spiritually supernatural bond with God our Heavenly Father—a bond not touched by the limitations of mortal life.

A bond as free of cause and motive as the free-falling lot/purim.

Thus Yom Kippur is only a day LIKE Purim  k’purim, for it achieves only a semblance of the essence of Purim.

Everything happened quite naturally and it is for this very reason that Purim is the greatest of miracles—a miracle in which the natural order is not merely circumvented or superseded, but in which nature itself becomes the instrument of the miraculous.

On Yom Kippur when all is said and done, the choice as implied by the lots, shows us that no man is worthy in the eyes of God.  So we cast our lot, our purim, with God, confident that He will respond in kind.

These are some of the amazing links between Purim, Pesach and Yom Kippur.

Purim was the sacrifice of Esther for all Israel.

Yom Kippur is for Atonement sacrifice for all Israel.

Jesus/Yeshua’s sacrificial death is the atonement for Israel AND all people, whose Blood was placed on the Mercy Seat, the Kapporet, once for all time.

(At One Ment – Restoration of the broken covenant (marriage) relationship in all cases.)

A Persian-Pur-Purim-Pūru-Die.

Haman’s lot-casting was his attempt to exploit the supernatural-reality of God’s plan to effect and manipulate an opposite end.

Haman declared that the Jewish people, might be the pursuers of God’s wisdom on earth and the agents of His will, thus meriting His favor and protection. But he said, surely God, in essence, is above it all—above our earthly reason and its notions of virtue and deservedness, beyond such concepts as good or evil. Ultimately, the divine will is as arbitrary as a roll of dice. Why not test it to see if its true?

He got his answer and the truth is, God is for us not against us and His promise is to never leave us nor forsake us.

This separation on the cross that Messiah experienced, is surety that the words He spoke are true for all who trust in Him. They can be absolutely depended upon.

Echoed from Deut. 31:6. The LORD Himself goes before you; He will be with you. He will never leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.

No one shall stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so will I be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Joshua 1:5,6

and reaffirmed in Hebrews 13:5.

Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [Iwill] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!] Amp.

He said Matthew 28:20 – Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.

Image from MMM family at Christian Inspirational Designs 

As we follow the upcoming Spring Appointed Times/Moedim, let’s do a double take and purim, cast our lot entirely to the Lord and remember their deeper meanings. Spend some time thinking just how much the Father loves us, in order to orchestrate such praiseworthy connections within the plan of salvation; and complete the restoration to Himself through Messiah Jesus/Yeshua.

Shalom aleikhem
chaverim and mishpachah!

The holiday of Purim falls on the Hebrew calendar date of Adar 14. Purim 2019 will begin at sundown on Wednesday, March 20 and concludes at nightfall on Thursday, March 21. Purim in Other Years. Note: The Jewish calendar date begins at sundown of the night beforehand.

Shavua Tov, Have a blessed week, you are greatly loved and please, please, don’t leave here without assurance of your salvation or without knowing you have

purim – cast your lot for the Lord

and that you have the assurance that you are sealed to the day of redemption by the Blood of Messiah Jesus/Yeshua.
Not sure ..you can be…
Make certain Messiah Jesus/Yeshua is your Redeemer, Savior, Lord and soon returning King and that you have a personal relationship with Him.
It’s all about Life and Relationship, NOT Religion.
You are very precious in His sight.
SIMPLY SAY THE FOLLOWING MEANING IT FROM YOUR HEART..don’t delay one more minute, SAY IT RIGHT NOW…
Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past.
I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name.

Mystery of a Pur, a Secret Name and a Miracle.

If I Perish, I Perish

Remembering Purim 

 On the fourteenth day of the month of Adar in the late winter, (early springtime), the Feast of Esther is celebrated as her amazing life is remembered. From evening of Feb 28th to evening of March 2nd on Western calendar, and  13th 14th 15th of Adar on the Hebrew calendar.

The story of Purim is recorded in the Book of Esther (Megillat Esther).  There are three main characters: the heroes of the story Esther and her cousin Mordecai, and Haman, the villain who wickedly plots to destroy the Jewish People. This is an account of the Queen of Persia, (a Jewess) who was victorious over the evil intentions of Haman. It was Haman’s intentions to initiate a nation wide program of genocide against all the Jews in the Medo-Persian empire.  Haman was the chief Minister of the Persian emperor, Ahasuerus (Xerses), King (486-465 BC.)  There’s much that people didn’t know about Queen Esther. For one, her name wasn’t Esther. It was Hadassah, but she took the more Persian-sounding name for her public face. 

For more on this click on link https://www.minimannamoments.com/who-was-hadassah/Purim is the story of how God used the courage of Esther, a young girl, who was known for her engaging personality and surpassing beauty; to save “God’s chosen people”, at the time they were threatened by extermination.“Who know whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” 

When Mordecai challenged her with the urgent truth, she demonstrates loyalty, to Mordecai her foster father who had raised her from a small child. (He was also her genetic cousin and some scholars maintain she was married to Mordecai).With faith filled prayer to God, together with fasting by her 7 handmaidens (2:10; 4:15) and all the Jews in Sushan fasting for 3 days, Esther risked her life. In order to save her people, scattered all over the empire, from death; she courageously sought the direct audience of the King without his invitation.Esther, an orphan who had been raised in Persia by her cousin Mordecai, is a beautiful, young Jewish woman. 

When Vashti, the Queen of Persia, falls out of favor with Ahasuerus, (King of Persia), Esther becomes part of his harem. The hidden hand of God is at work in her life in the king’s harem, and he falls head over heels in love with her. He loves her so much, in fact, that he singles her out to be his queen.

The king does not know, however, that Esther is a Jew, since Mordecai had advised her not to reveal her identity. The Story of Esther gives us an insight into the Jewish cultural identity at the time, and how it can sometimes be important to hide that identity to preserve social harmony, which can be engineered using official ignorance. It was a need to know basis! Her secret name was a Hebrew one.

There is a difference between hiding one’s identity and losing that identity altogether and the danger is in compromise.

Compromise is what happened when Babylon took the Jewish people into captivity, their Jewish identity disappeared going underground; they reappear in the Persian Empire not as people of a Jewish nation, but as a race.  This makes the Book of Esther distinctive.   Within the story, Esther, is fully a Persian (todays Iran), her life is surrounded by the culture of Persian life; and she lives a life without publically showing any cultural identity, either to the people, or to the God, in whom she believed.  The story concerns wicked Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, who was promoted to the role of viceroy or prime minister. The age old tension between the descendants of Esau is still going on, as the arch rivals of the Hebrews, through the Amalekites, from whom Agag was descended, (1 Samuel 15:8) in the 16th generation. (Targum Sheni, Josephus Antiquities xi.6.5) Agag was the king that King Saul had refused to kill in 1Samuel 15:9. Although Samuel finally killed Agag, members of his family escaped and had children; so Haman was born due to Saul’s disobedience.

Disobedience always has consequences; for it is an outward show of pride, in that an individual thinks they know better than God and declares it by their following actions/decisions just as Saul did.

King Saul believed he was showing mercy to King Agag but it was based on human feelings. Gods Mercy is not based on feelings, He was seeing ahead to save His people from future destruction. His ways are not our ways and His thoughts not as ours. 

The Scriptures tell us clearly that, pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.

James gives an explanation of human wisdom that can often be touted as common sense. This is why we need the Holy Spirit to teach us and to be led by Ruach HaKodesh; not simply by a need or by our feelings, emotions and five physical senses; but by His leading alone. None of us wants, or needs to miss Gods leading.

Sometimes there is a delay before consequences take effect and in such cases, people do not always make the connection. Esther 9:28.1Samuel 15:33, records the prophet Samuel being obedient when God told him to complete what Saul had not done.Haman, as a type of anti-Messiah, not only hates the Jewish people with a venomous passion, but all those who refuse to bow their knee to the kingdom of darkness.Because of petty pride, Haman is seeking revenge when he does not receive the respect he felt he deserved from Mordecai, who worked at the gate of the citadel. This escalates out of proportion when Haman decides that revenge is not just personal but is on a greater level, and involves a whole nation.  This ‘type’ was repeated in our modern generation in the WW2 Holocaust. 

 In a world where human life has little value, personal and petty whims can cause the massive annihilation of people.

To sacrifice an entire race in genocide on the whims of one individual in not uncommon in ancient history. It is one of the most nefarious in the devils arsenal of tactics to eliminate God’s chosen.Darius I

A few years prior to this, the father of Ahasuerus (Xerxes), Darius I, massacred the entire class of Magi.  Fifty years before that, there was a general massacre of the Scythians in the North Lands. 

NOTHING JUST HAPPENS…

In a world where there is plurality and tolerance, acceptance is assured unless one chooses to be different.  That difference may be either too good or too bad.  Even if we are too good, being different will eventually trigger animosity and hatred, this has been the reason for anti-Semitism throughout the ages.  

For Esther to remain silent, during the first five years of her being queen is commendable.  However there comes a time when we are called to testify and become transparent before the world and Esther’s time had come. 

And it was a time of miracles…

God always puts people in places to be agents of His deliverance, yet sometimes He has to act beyond the assistance of willing human agents.

This was the idea that triggered Mordecai to say, “For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from anther place, but you and your father’s house will perish.  Yet who know whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (4:14)Esther appealing to the King.

For those with eyes to see, and ears to hear, the hand of God was unmistakably working with His people, the providence of God stands supreme everywhere in this book. 

“Esther ‘happens’ to be chosen queen;

Mordecai ‘happens’ to be in a position to thwart a palace coup and to get his name recorded in the king’s chronicles;

the king  ‘happens’ to be unable to sleep, so as to call for the chronicles to be read to him;

it ‘happens’ that the account of Mordecai’s actions should be read at that time.

The book seems to say that none of this is happenstance.  Esther denouncing Haman.

Many times when God appears to be silent, He is at work to keep His covenant promises with Abraham’s seed.Of all the books of the Old Testament The Book of Esther is unique.  The New Testament does not contain quotes from it and among the Dead Sea Scrolls no fragments of it were found.  Scholars have noted the lack of religious overtones, as there is no mention of the Torah or the covenant. 

However as the Bibles central theme is about the revelation of God,

He is revealed here as being hidden in the heart. 

Both the people and the days of Esther could be considered a reflection of Gods people in the End Times who, though sealed (6th Seal), by Him, they still remain hidden and dispersed throughout the whole world.  The remnant church, which will only be known to God, will no longer exist as an institutional hierarchy.

Remnant, meaning faithful believers.

 Many question are posed by the events recorded in Esther.

What if Esther did not exist, or she did not respond to the calling of God and be willing to give up her life for her people? 

Within eight years, Ahasuerus was assassinated by a courtier, Artabanus.  Esther before King Ahasueras.

No doubt, Ezra, the lawyer and scribe, was alive at the time of Esther.  Fifteen years later, under the rule of Artaxerxes I, Ezra leads the second group of Jews back to the Holy Land in 458 BC. 

Was Artaxerxes I, the son of Esther and Ahasueras (Xerxes I)? 

Without Esther, would Ezra have been killed in the genocide?

Without Ezra, would the compilation of the Tanach, the Old Testament, been completed? 

Without Esther, would Nehemiah, the governor, have been killed?

Would the third migration back to Israel have never occurred? 

Maybe there would not have been enough Jews to migrate back to the Land of Israel. Esther was important to the redemption of God’s chosen people and without Esther, we would not have a clear picture of how the hand of God works in a pluralistic, segregated and subjugated society as will exist in the End Times. 

It shows that for those who humble themselves in fasting and in prayer God lifts them over the demonic forces, which oppress them. 

Could the book of Esther be a prophetic book? 

These End Days may still have further revelations from God as type meets anti-type.The sages say that the very SECRETS OF REDEMPTION are found in the Megillah of Esther. It is an extremely deep book:

E.g. “What happened to Mordecai?” Why is he not mentioned elsewhere? Well in fact he is!! In the Mishna Sh’kalim 5 (Historical commentary), it records that he became an officer in the Beit HaMikdash (Temple) when it was rebuilt and he was in charge of overseeing the “bird” offerings. His name was changed to P’sakia, because he P’SAK could “open up” the understanding of WORDS.** The P’siska Niddah says the bird offerings are the most difficult job in the Temple.

** https://www.minimannamoments.com/the-rules-of-pardes/

One of the sages pointed out that Mordecai is also mystically hidden in the Torah in the reference to one of the types of incense!!! “Pure myrh” is literally in ARAMAIC  “MOR DACHAI”.What we are left with in remembering Esther is …Gods timing is perfect.

God humbles the proud and exalts the lowly who trust in Him. He knows everything that is happening and we are to trust Him completely with our lives and everything and everybody in them.

One person can change everything.

One person’s actions or non-actions can influence the outcome of critical decision-making.

Here in this instance, one woman’s obedience and courage led to a whole nation of people being saved from extinction.

And more importantly by their continued presence on this earth, they gave birth to descendants who in turn produced the line from which Messiah Yeshua was born.

No Esther, would have meant no Israel….

and therefore no Savior

with no redemption for anyone!

We owe so much to certain individuals whose faith and commitment has been pivotal in forming the future in which we now live.

Lets remember those whose lives really mattered and learn from their sacrifices and emulate their faith and courage as if the lives of our nation depended on it.

For in truth – they do!

It is often a date on the calendar that slips by unnoticed, however, when we see a reference to Purim or Esther, there’s a whole lot more going on.

And who knows that whoever is reading this today…“Who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” 

As Mordechai implored Queen Esther to plead for the Jewish People before King Ahasuerus, the Ruach HaKodesh is calling to those who follow Yeshua (Jesus) to plead with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords to save Israel from those with murderous agendas against her. We must remember, however, that the battle is ultimately not with flesh and blood, but with principalities, powers and rulers of the darkness—spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places.  (Ephesians 5:12)

Yeshua called us to pray for our enemies and, therefore, even as we seek God’s deliverance of Israel, we also pray for the salvation of those who are now enemies of the Jewish People, of Israel, and even of God Himself.

 This is not a time for true Believers, the Bride of Messiah, to remain silent. 

Time is quickly running out…

We cannot be complacent and think that we are safe simply because we are in the King’s house.

The same forces that seek to destroy Israel, also have in their evil plans to annihilate all of God’s people, including Christian believers.

Mordechai: A Picture of the Holy Spirit

Mordecai Writing The First Purim Letter

Many other parallels can be drawn in the Book of Esther between the Ruach HaKodesh and Mordechai.

For instance, Mordechai seems to have one real task and that is to raise Esther to maturity.

 He instructs, teaches, leads, and guides her, directing her when to speak and when to remain silent (Esther 2:10; 4:14).

Similarly, it is Holy Spirit/ Ruach HaKodesh, that faithfully continues the work that has begun in us, leading and guiding us, bringing us to maturity and preparing us to be a beautiful Bride without spot or blemish, whom Messiah will soon be returning for.

 Mordechai faithfully watches over Esther,

THE BRIDE OF THE KING.

He stands outside the gate; hovering over her to make sure she is kept safe. (Esther 2:11)

Likewise, the Ruach (Spirit) of God hovered over the waters at creation, and He hovers over each of us keeping a protective watch.

Mordechai is privy to secret information, such as the plot against the king, just as the Ruach knows all deep and secret things of the hearts of men. 

Mordechai intercedes for God’s people with cries and groaning (Esther 4:1) The Ruach also intercedes for us, even when we don’t know what to pray.

“We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.  And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”  (Romans 8:26–27)

Like the partnership between the Holy Spirit and the Body of Messiah, Mordechai partners with Esther to carry out the authority of the King in saving the Jewish people from destruction.

As Purim is kept with great joy, remember Esther’s bravery in rising up and speaking out on behalf of the Jewish People.It takes courage to resist the “Hamans” of this world and stand firm against popular opinion in our culture, which is most often opposed to God and righteousness.

Purim is Hebrew for, ‘the lots that were cast.’

Pur means Lot.

The lots that were cast, Esther 3:7, determined the fate of the Jewish people so the story appears to be about the law of lots and chance.

Mathematicians and scientists call it the ‘P’ factor and they insert it into all equations and formulas. It is the ‘P’ of Probability.

In the story, everything seems to be out-of-control, the wicked and ungodly prosper and the righteous who love God are cast down.

As the book comes towards his conclusion those seemingly circumstances of chance start coming together and everything begins to turn around for good. The hand of God is evident and He turns the outcome to His Plans and Purposes.

The same can be said of our lives, which often emulate the book of Esther, with events seemingly happening by chance or for no reason. (Many name it luck.)

It is the Purim of life.

However as we follow Him in obedience and not going our own ways and decisions, then He will work for good, all the things we don’t understand, that don’t make sense.

Even though sometimes it is hard to see when they are happening right in front of us. As we stay close to Him, nothing in our lives will ever happen for no reason, when we love God and are called according to His Purpose.

It is conditional of course to that fact as all His Promises are.

So when we don’t understand, just trust on Press on, for in the end we will always have more than enough reason to celebrate his love.

In these end times, it will take great courage, infused by Holy Spirit, to count the cost and say with Esther, “If I Perish, I Perish.”

Shalom and Happy Purim!

ARE WE REALLY READY FOR THE RETURN OF THE KING?

Its very reminiscent of the ‘hide and seek’ game we played as children.. and the cry, ‘I’m coming ready or not’! .. and He is..

Please don’t leave this site without knowing you are saved and assured that you belong to Him; with a deep conviction that you know where you will go, when your body can no longer sustain you in this realm. 

Make certain Jesus is your Redeemer, Savior, Lord and soon returning King and that you have a personal relationship with Him. 

You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.

Its all about Life and Relationship not Religion.

NOT SURE?

SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…

Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them and turn away from my past.

I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’ name. Amen.

https://www.minimannamoments.com/welcome-come-taste-some-bread-of-life-bread-from-heaven/life-changing-information-guaranteed/

Who Was Hadassah?

Whose Hebrew Name Was Hadassah?

The name is of biblical origin, first cited in the Scroll/Megillat of Esther (2:7),

(‫מגילת אסתר‎ Megillat Ester in Hebrew ).

Esther was a daughter of a man named Abihail, who was the uncle of Mordecai who raised her, she was his cousin. (Esther 2:7, 2:15, 9:29),

“And [Mordechai] had raised Hadassah, she is Esther . . .

 HEB: אֹמֵ֜ן אֶת־ הֲדַסָּ֗ה הִ֤יא אֶסְתֵּר֙

NAS:He was bringing up Hadassah, that is Esther,

KJV: And he brought up Hadassah, that [is], Esther,

INT: become was bringing Hadassah that is Esther

Original Word: הֲדַסָּה

Part of Speech: Proper Name Feminine

Transliteration: Hadassah

Phonetic Spelling: (had-as-saw’)

Short Definition: Hadassah

(Reference below from Gesinius)

הֲדַסָּה Hadassah, Esther’s Jewish name comes from the Hebrew word הֲדַס hădaç Hadas which means ‘myrtle’.

It is a thick green bush/tree from the Myrtaceae family.

which grows on the high places of Israel,

Lower Mt Hermon, near Saar waterfall.

‘alongside the fir and the acacia, the myrtle, the olive..’

with

fragrant leaves and

flowers used for perfume.

A few facts About the Myrtle:

The aromatic common myrtle (M. communis) is native to the Mediterranean region and the Midddle East and is cultivated in southern England and the warmer regions of North America.

In Greco-Roman antiquity, the common myrtle was held to be sacred to Venus and was used as an emblem of love in wreaths and other decorations.

The plant may grow more than 5 m (about 16.5 feet) high. The opposite leaves are thick and lustrous, with many small, translucent, oil-bearing glands.

The solitary white flowers, about 1.8 cm (about 0.7 inch) long, are borne on short stalks. The fruit is a purplish black, many seeded berry.

Myrtol, a volatile oil found in most parts of the plant, was formerly used as an antiseptic and tonic.

Variegated, yellow-fruited, and white-fruited varieties of the common myrtle are cultivated for ornament. Other plants known as myrtles are wax myrtle, bog myrtle (or sweet gale), we are maybe more familiar with the common crepe myrtle which comes in the following colours

A Hebrew Teacher, (a Rabbi), explains that since “man is like a tree of the field, therefore the righteous are called myrtles, likened to a good tree with a pleasant smell.”

Why was she called Hadassah?

Because the righteous are called myrtles. As it states in Zechariah 1:8  “And he was standing among the myrtles [the righteous prophets Chananiah, Mishael and Azariah].”

The sages in the Midrash, (a Hebrew commentary) take this one step further:

Just as a myrtle has a sweet smell and a bitter taste, so too Esther was good and listened (“sweet”) to the righteous Mordechai, and was adverse (“bitter”) to the wicked Haman.


Esther listening to Mordecai

Each of her names corresponds to a different spiritual level.

The name Hadassah represents righteousness. As such, it corresponds to a heavenly sphere representing God’s infinity.

Another attribute to the name Esther (Heb. אסתר) is derived from the Hebrew word hester (Heb. הסתר), which means “hiddenness,” and corresponds to spirituality representing hidden Godliness.

Interestingly, she is referred to by both names—seemingly opposites.

According to Hebrew philosophy, calling Queen Esther by both names represents the self-sacrifice she displayed in order to save the Jewish nation. A righteous woman, she brought Godliness down into the physical world, where Godliness is concealed. We too can rise spiritually to higher personal levels of Godliness when we choose to do something righteous instead of following our selfish desires.

Queen Esther, was the Israelite wife of the King of Persia (modern day Iran) who was not afraid to live among non-Jews and to show an example of how an Israelite must not be afraid of his or her inheritance, and to live everyday life in the same direction, with happiness and much success.

Mordecai’s words to Esther 4:14

In 4 Talmud, Megillah (Hebrew History), it explains that Esther was also likened to a myrtle because of her physical appearance. The myrtle is not particularly tall or short; Esther was of average height.

No matter what the season or circumstance, it’s always green, even growing in high places with little moisture.

Such a beautiful name for the woman we know as Esther.

She also was planted on a high place – the throne of Persia.

She who was instrumental in preventing and was able to avert and avenge the planned genocide of the Hebrews during the time of the Babylonian exile, (see the Book of Esther), and she was subsequently promoted to a position that was second only to the king. (Esther 10:3)


Her story plays between the two waves of return to Jerusalem. Her bravery is still celebrated every year during the feast of Purim (Esther 9:26).

Purim is celebrated as we remember God’s faithfulness to preserve His people.

She entered the king’s presence perfumed.

In the end, she didn’t let circumstance determine her life, but proved faithful to who she was in Israel and in God.

Jesus and Purim

Did Yeshua /Jesus celebrate Purim?

It is written in John chapter 5 that He was in Jerusalem for an unnamed feast, but scholars have questioned which feast this was. Some have rejected the idea that this was Purim because it is considered a “minor” feast and not one of the ‘shelosh regalim’, (three pilgrimage festivals).

However, we know that Jesus/Yeshua celebrated Chanukah (John 10:22) which is also another “minor” feast, so a priori that is not a worthy objection. According to research on this question, chronologically the only feast that John could be referring to is Purim, since it is said to have fallen on Shabbat (John 5:9), but the only feast that occurred on Shabbat between the years of 25-35 CE was in fact Purim (in the year 28 CE).

So why was it referred to as an unnamed feast? Perhaps the Spirit of God intentionally left out the name of the feast because the Name of the LORD was likewise deliberately left out of the Book of Esther?

In the book of Esther, where, although God is not mentioned by name, He is seen at every turn orchestrating events and placing people in the right places at the right time to accomplish His plans of rescue and redemption.

At Purim, as always, we also remember God’s ultimate plan of redemption for us as Jesus The Messiah, Yeshua ha Mashiach!

Etymology And Meanings Of The Name Esther ~ אסתר ~ Hadassah

Her name in other languages: אסתר

אֶסְתֵר (Hebrew),

Εσθηρ (Ancient Greek)

PRONOUNCED:

ES-tər (English, Dutch),

es-TER (French)

 

The name Esther is a common off-the-shelf Persian word, meaning Star.

The name Esther was probably given to Hadassah when she entered the court of the Persian king, (compare the story of Daniel and his friends), and as such she was known by the people.

Note that the name Esther is closely related to the name Ishtar, (or Ashtorah in Hebrew), which belonged to Babylon’s primary female deity.

But to a Hebrew audience the name Esther, the way it was written, had far more meaning than simply the word “star” in the language of their abductors.

The name of Esther’s uncle Mordecai is closely akin to Marduk, the patron god of the city of Babylon. The story of Esther has a double point; it suggests that the Hebrews figured that the Babylonian reality model greatly favored the world view of the Jews. Secondly, the Babylonian gods (or rather: the people who serve them) force their Babylonian subjects to accept and appreciate Hebrew theology, and weed out the elements who aggress it.

The name Esther may have reminded them of a compound of אסון (ason), meaning evil, harm, from the assumed root אסה (“sh), plus the word תר (tor) meaning a circle or plait or תר (tor) meaning dove; both from the verb תור (tur), to spy or search out.

In that way the foreign name Esther would have looked to a Hebrew audience to mean..

She Searches Out Evil!

~

Esther denouncing Haman

Then there is the word אסר (asar), meaning to tie, bind, gird, with among its derivatives אסור (esur) meaning bond, band, and אסר (issar), binding obligation.

And finally  the root סתר (satar), hide or conceal, with among its derivatives סתר (seter) and סתרה (sitra) both meaning hiding place, and מסתר (mistar) hiding place.

In that way the name Esther would have sounded like:

 I Am A Hiding Place or,

I Am Hidden.

In fact, five times the form אסתר occurs in the Bible with meanings that have to do with to hide: Genesis 4:14, Job 13:20, Psalm 55:12, Ezekiel 39:23 and 39:24.

Stars play a major role in the Bible. Many agree with the Bible that stars were created to serve as signs (Genesis 1:14), but nowhere does the Bible suggest that stars influence people beyond their signature nature.

God promises Abraham that his offspring would be like the stars (Genesis 15:5) and Daniel reports that those who lead the many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever (12:3)

A Brief History Of Purim – Feast Of Lots

It’s a time of Celebrating our Deliverance

Happy Purim

Purim is celebrated annually according to the Hebrew Calendar on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar (late winter/early spring, as in just last week); (and on Adar II in Hebrew leap years that take place every 2 to 3 years), the day after Haman’s roll of the dice indicated that the 13th of Adar was most “propitious” for the extermination of the Jews.

It is celebrated on the day after since it was on this day that the Jews successfully fended off their enemies and experienced the joy of deliverance. In cities that were protected by a surrounding wall at the time of the Biblical Joshua, Purim is instead celebrated on the 15th of the month of Adar on what is known as Shushan Purim since fighting in the walled city of Shushan continued through the 14th day of Adar. Today, only Jerusalem and a few other cities celebrate Purim on the 15th of Adar.

Purim – peuirm; Hebrew; Pûrîm ‘lots’ from the word ‫פור‎pur, related to Akkadian; pūru ) as previously stated, is an Israelite Holiday that commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people in ancient Persia from Haman’s plot “to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews, young and old, infants and women, in a single day,” as recorded in the Megillah (book of Esther).

From the above reference we may be more familiar with the word PUR as the logo from a water filtration system.

but the Hebrew word for PURE is Tahor which is very different.

So Why Is It Called Purim?

Purim means “lots” in ancient Persian. The holiday was so named because Haman had cast lots (purim) to determine the day on which to destroy the Jews.

You can pronounce this name many ways. In Eastern tradition, it is called poo-REEM. Among Westerners, it is often called PUH-rim. Some Central-European communities even call it PEE-rim.

Esther’s story is well known and is recorded in the book bearing her name, here it is in a nutshell.

The Iranian city of Hamadan, 200 miles west of Tehran, claims to be the Biblical city of Shushan, the capital of ancient Persia and the setting for the story of Purim.

In those days, when the king Achashveirosh (Ahasuerus) sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan, the castle. Esther 1:5

Here we read how Ahasuerus’ wife, Queen Vashti, refused the will of the king and was deposed; how Esther (Hadassah) was chosen to replace her; how evil Haman (said to have been an Amalekite), plotted to exterminate the Jews on account of his feral hatred of Esther’s pious cousin Mordecai; how Esther learned of Haman’s plot and called for a fast in order to make appeal to the king on behalf of the Jewish people,

and how the Jews were given permission by the king to defend themselves and thereby be delivered from their oppressors.

As for nasty Haman – all his schemes backfired on him – and he was hung on the very gallows originally built to hang his nemesis, Mordecai.

Much is made over the fact that the book of Esther is the only book of the Tanakh (Old Testament), that does not explicitly mention the Name of God. However, the idea of God’s sovereignty and hashgachah (divine providence) is clearly implied throughout the entire story.

In light of this nes nistar, or “hidden miracle” of the Jew’s deliverance, Esther and Mordecai ordained that Purim should be observed as a “day of feasting and merrymaking” and of sending gifts to the poor. (Esther 9:22,28).

Ironically, God demonstrates that He is Master over the outcome of ‘chance’ throughout the entire narrative

Even when He is not mentioned or seen or heard, He is always there.

שמה

YHWH-Shammah — “The Lord is present” (Ezekiel 48:35)

God is always present with us.

Phonetic Spelling:

(yeh-ho-vaw’ shawm’-maw)

read from right to left under each Hebrew letter

<maw shaw  h-va-ho-yeh <

Pronounced Ya-wa or

Yod–Ha-Vav-Ha Sham-ma

Jehovah, Yhovah Shammah, omnipotent, omnipresent, invisible God.

Just because we don’t feel His presence with our five physical senses doesn’t mean He is not there.

He is the God who is ALWAYS THERE.

His presence is evident in every event and even though it sometimes appears that things are out of human control, they are not and when guided by His hand, everything works out exactly to His plans and purposes.

There are situations in our lives when we don’t feel assured of His presence or involvement in the events unfolding around us. Accepting that just because we don’t see or feel Him, is not indicative of His absence or His disinterest in our plight.

The Amplified Bible version of Hebrews 13:5 saying

I will never leave you or forsake you.

He says it five times, reassuring the reader that He is there and He has not and will never abandon us.

 ‘Let your [a]character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down relax My hold on you)! Assuredly not!]

Most miracles are loud and demonstrative as the accounts of Exodus and the Reed Sea crossing, the events of the Passover, the mountains that thunder, the whirlwind and the storm but He is also in the silence and it’s the only time you can hear that still small voice.

Invisible yet tangible, we also need to know Him as He was in the book of Esther. Even though He may seem absent in our moments of crises, He is there and present in every event performing miracles not evident to our natural senses.

Not by might or power but by His spirit. (Zechariah) And in knowing that He is there by faith in His words of promise, at those times when we don’t ‘feel’ His presence, we can always speak the words of scripture over ourselves and declare, my God will never leave me or forsake me.

So It’s also a time to remember that “God worketh all things together for good to them that love God for those who are called according to His purposes”. Romans 8:28, In this instance, commemorating the deliverance of the local community from a particular antisemitic ruler.

Purim is a time of celebration on account of God’s victory and deliverance for His people.

How Esther and Mordechai’s Tombs Defy Modern Iran’s Vow to Destroy Israel Today.

“For Mordechai the Yehudi was next unto king Achashveirosh, and great among the Yehudim, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren; seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his seed.”  Esther 11:3 The Israel Bible.

The burial site of Purim heroes Mordechai and Esther, stands proudly in the heart of Iran, proclaiming the Jews’ Biblical victory from within their most prominent modern enemy.

Tucked away in a corner of Iran is a 500-year old building purported to be the burial site and the tomb of Esther and Mordechai, located in Hamadan, Iran.  A previous structure is believed to have been destroyed in the 14th century by Mongol invaders.

She is remembered at this time every year for her courage 4:16 and in not taking account of her own life.

Why is it relevant to us today?

Because if she had not been willing to lay down her life for others, if she had been selfish or allowed fear to control her actions, the course of history would have been faulted to the point that all the children of Israel would have perished and there would have been no godly lineage for Messiah to be born into and therefore no redemption or salvation for anyone.

As believers we cannot disconnect ourselves from history, which is truly His story. However hard we try to think that we are a separate religion from Judaism, it is a fact that we are inexorably connected and we should thank the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Esther, that we are so joined or we would have no hope, being lost forever and eternally separated from the Father of Glory.

One brave woman risked everything and saved her people Israel and in that selfless act actually had a part in saving each and everyone of us.

We should remember Hadassah – Myrtle – Esther,

because her life was pivotal.

Each of us are to be a myrtle in the Lord and bear sweet fragrance all the days of our lives, not determined by circumstances, but by who we are in God and who He is in us.

Bear God’s fruits in season and out of season.

Dwell in the high places of God, filled with His presence and through Him, we’ll overcome the world and every problem and circumstance,

and as we don’t let a day go by without dwelling in His presence, our lives will be like the myrtle

and our walk evergreen and we will be called

Hadassah – Esther