“Blow the shofar in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly.… Let the bridegroom leave his room and the bride her chamber. Let the priests, who minister before YEHOVAH, weep between the portico and the altar. Let them say, ‘Spare your people, YEHOVAH.’” (Joel 2:15–17)

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The Evil Plans and the Courage to Expose Them

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The story of Purim is recorded in the Book of Esther /Megillat Esther. This wonderful book has three main characters: Esther and her cousin Mordechai, the heroes of the story, and Haman, the villain who wickedly plots to destroy the Jewish People

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Esther, an orphan who had been raised in Persia by her cousin Mordechai, is a beautiful, young Jewish woman. When Vashti, the Queen of Persia, falls out of favor with Achashverosh, King of Persia, Esther becomes part of his harem.

 

The hidden hand of YEHOVAH 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.

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The king does not know, however, that Esther is a Jew, since Mordechai had advised her not to reveal her identity.

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Although Mordechai is wise and loyal to the king, the king’s adviser the villain Haman, hates him because Mordechai refuses to bow down to this proud, haughty man. As a Jew, Mordechai can bow to no one. Enraged, Haman plots to destroy the Jewish people. (Esther 3:1–5)

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Haman unfolds his evil scheme to King

Ahshverosh

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Esther 3:8

"There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your realm. Their laws are different from those of every other people's, and they do not observe the king's laws; therefore it is not befitting the king to tolerate them."

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The king accepts Haman’s counsel and hands over the fate of the Jewish People to him. He then makes plans to exterminate all of the Jews.

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"If I Perish, I Perish"

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Mordechai counsels Esther to save the Jewish People by courageously visiting the king and pleading on their behalf, telling her that she has probably risen to the position as queen for this very purpose.

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“Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)

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Going in to see the king, of course, may seem like the logical thing to do, but it actually will put Esther’s life in immediate danger.

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Even though she is queen, she cannot come into the king’s presence without him first summoning her. She knows she may be put to death if she shows up uninvited.

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Though the name of YEHOVAH is not mentioned in the Book of Esther, we see by Esther’s preparation to come into the presence of the king, that she commits her ways to YEHOVAH:

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"Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Shushan, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”

(Esther 4:16)

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She fasts for three days before going to the king, and when she enters his presence, she finds his grace, instead of his wrath.

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In a series of comical twists and turns, YEHOVAH humbles the proud and exalts the lowly who trust in Him.

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Esther, the Jewish orphan who rose to become a Persian Queen, finally has the opportunity to expose Haman and save the Jewish People from his savage plot to destroy them.

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Purim Festivities is a Fun Time for All

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On this fun HOLY DAY, we are called to feast, rejoice and give gifts to one another and to the poor.

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“Mordechai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews … near and far, to have them celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration.

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“He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor.” (Esther 9:20–22)

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Traditional Purim customs include reading of the entire scroll of Esther in the synagogues, dressing up in costume, cheering at the mention of the hero, Mordechai and Esther, and booing the villain, Haman (Boo!).

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The Jewish people also send gifts to one another called mishloach manot and eat triangular cookies called oznei haman (ears of Haman).

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Purim is More Than a Time to Remember

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While Purim is a time to remember YEHOVAH’s deliverance of the Jewish People from anti-Semitic forces in Persia about 2,500 years ago, it is also a time to remember that enemies have risen against the Jewish People in every age.

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Purim, however, is more than a time to remember. It is also a time for Believers around the world to heed the call of RUACH HAKODESH / HOLY SPIRIT, to rise up like Esther on behalf of the Jewish People.

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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 GOD.

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Mordechai and the Leading of RUACH HAKODESH / HOLY SPIRIT

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In Purim’s call to action, there are some subtle parallels between Mordechai and the RUACH HAKODESH the HOLY SPIRIT.

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As Mordechai implored Queen Esther to plead for the Jewish People before King Ahchashverosh, RUACH HAKODESH is calling to those who follow YESHUA to plead with the KING of KINGS and LORD of LORDS to save Israel from those with murderous agendas against her.

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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)

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YAHUSHUA called us to pray for our enemies and, therefore, even as we seek YAHUVEH’s deliverance of Israel.

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This is not a time for true Believers, the Bride of Messiah, to remain silent. We cannot be complacent and think that we are safe simply because we are in the King’s house.

The forces that seek to destroy the Jews also have in their evil plans to annihilate all of YAHUVEH’s people, including Christians.

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Mordechai: A Picture of the HOLY SPIRIT

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Many other parallels can be drawn in the Book of Esther between RUACH HAKODESH and Mordechai.

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

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He instructs, teaches, leads, and guides her, directing her when to speak and when to remain silent

(Esther 2:10; 4:14).

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Similarly, it is RUACH HAKODESH that faithfully continues the work that SHE has begun in us, leading and guiding us, bringing us to maturity and preparing us to be a beautiful Bride without spot or blemish.

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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)

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Likewise, RUACH HAKODESH hovered over the waters at creation, and She hovers over each of us to keep a protective watch.

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

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

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“We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the RUACH/SPIRIT Herself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the RUACH/SPIRIT, because the RUACH/SPIRIT intercedes for YEHOVAH’s people in accordance with the will of YEHOVAH.”

(Romans 8:26–27)

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Like the partnership between the RUACH HAKODESH /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.

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Esther: A Picture of the Body of Messiah

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On the surface, the Book of Esther has some simple lessons, but digging deeper, it also reveals surprising mysteries.

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The heroine, Esther, seems to reflect the Bride of Messiah His followers in several ways:

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She is not like Queen Vashti, who was rebellious to her husband and King, occupied with her own "agenda" and, therefore, banished from the kingdom.

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Esther proved herself to be obedient to Mordechai who was a prototype of the RUACH HAKODESH and to the king’s servant Hegai.

(Esther 2:20)

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In a similar way, the world is occupied with its own agendas, wealth, and prestige. But followers of Messiah are occupied with obeying and serving their LORD and Savior, YESHUA HAMASHIACH .

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Esther submitted herself to a prolonged preparation time before being brought into the king. She was anointed with oil of myrrh which is symbolic of suffering, cleansing, healing, and anointing, as well as beautifying preparations and perfumes. (Esther 2:12)

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Esther desired to please the king and, therefore, over all the other women seeking to be elevated to the position of queen, she was chosen as his bride.

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Believers continuously prepare to meet Messiah YESHUA.

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This process begins with the anointing of the RUACH HAKODESH the HOLY SPIRIT, who washes and renews us (Titus 3:5), brings us into unity

(Ephesians 4:3) and enables us to obey the truth

(1 Peter 1:22), among other important works.

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Esther was faithful, beautiful, pure, and courageous—even to the point of being willing to lose her life to save her brethren.

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With the help of the RUACH HAKODESH, the Bride of Messiah is called to be faithful to YEHOVAH's word, beautiful and pure in spirit, and courageous in sharing the truth of who YESHUA is. As a result of their courage, many Believers suffer severe persecution, even death.

 

Esther relied on YESHUA and not her own talents and natural abilities. She sought YEHOVAH through fasting and prayer before embarking on a courageous plan of action.

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So, too, Believers know they cannot accomplish anything for the kingdom of GOD without relying totally on YEHOVAH's leading and protection.

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Esther carried the full authority of the King and the seal of his signet ring to issue decrees that cannot be revoked (Esther 8:8).

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Likewise, YESHUA gave His followers the authority to defeat the works of the enemy (Luke 10:19).

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GOD’s Watchmen Stand against Haman

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As Purim is kept with great joy tonight and tomorrow, remember Esther’s bravery in rising up and speaking out on behalf of the Jewish People.

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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.

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In these end times, it will take courage to count the cost and say with Esther, "If I perish, I perish."

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Nevertheless, now is not the time to remain silent.

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The Prophet Isaiah called upon the watchmen to cry out to YEHOVAH day and night on behalf of Zion and for Jerusalem’s sake (Isaiah 62:1).

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While the Hebrew word for watchman or guard can be shomer, it can also be notzer, which comes from the same root as Notzri, the Hebrew word for Nazarene. 

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Notzrim are the followers of YESHUA of Natzeret.

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True followers of YESHUA are called to be watchmen on the walls on behalf of Israel and the Jewish People, especially in these end times, as multiple Hamans arise calling for Israel’s destruction.

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“For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a burning torch.” (Isaiah 62:1)

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So Let's Celebrate Purim Together!