Hello, friends, and welcome back to Nations 4 Jesus. Today, March 2nd, is a Jewish holiday that many Christians have never heard of—but need to understand.
It's called Purim, and it's the story of how God saved His people from complete annihilation. But more than that, it's a window into the spiritual warfare that has raged throughout history—and continues today.
This is not ancient history. This is a pattern that repeats in every generation. And as we'll see, it's a story that demands a response from every believer.
Let me start with the historical background.
The Feast of Purim is a time of great joy. Its important message is revealed by the name Purim, literally "lots." This recalls a time in Jewish history when a "lot" was cast to decide the day of destruction of the Jews.
The events of Purim are recorded in the book of Esther, set during the first dispersion to the land of Persia around 450 B.C.
The king of Persia—modern-day Iran—was Xerxes. His was the ruling empire, having conquered the waning Babylonians. Among the subjects of his kingdom was the sizable Jewish remnant displaced from the land of Israel, which had survived and flourished under the benevolence of the Persian leaders.
The Jewish people felt at home in their new land and had assimilated into the prevailing Persian culture.
But during the reign of Xerxes, events suddenly took a turn for the worse.
The primary instigator of these problems was a government official named Haman.
As Haman rose to power, he insisted on the homage he felt was due him. In good pagan tradition, Haman required all the king's servants to bow before him.
Among them was Mordecai—a Jew—who had once uncovered a plot to kill the king. Being a Jew, Mordecai was the only one who refused to bow to Haman as this would have been viewed as idolatry.
Scripture says, "Haman was filled with rage at such insubordination and desired to do away with all of the Jewish people in Persia."
Friends, listen carefully to what happened next. This is where we see the demonic nature of what was really going on.
Haman devised an evil and insidious way to set the exact time of extermination—not unlike Hitler's "Final Solution." He cast the lot (pur in Hebrew) to set the date "to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews, from young to old, including small children and women on a specific day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, and to seize their goods as plunder."
Complete genocide. Every Jewish man, woman, and child in the Persian Empire. All on one day.
Haman promised the king an enormous payment, potentially 70 percent of the king's annual revenue. The king's positive response allowed Haman's deadly plan to roll forward.
Times could not have looked darker. But as Mordecai and his people turned to fasting and prayer, a rescue plan developed.
Now, here's where God's providence becomes stunning.
In a strange turn of events, a beautiful Jewish girl named Esther had earlier been appointed as queen of Persia. Mordecai, Ester's uncle, saw in this great "coincidence" a way the Jewish queen could help save her people.
Even though Esther had reached the pinnacle of Persian society, her uncle challenged her with some powerful words:
"Don't suppose that merely because you happen to be in the royal palace you will escape any more than other Jews. For if you fail to speak up now, relief and deliverance will come to the Jews from a different direction; but you and your father's family will perish. Who knows whether you didn't come into your royal position precisely for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:13-14)
For such a time as this. Those words echo through history.
At great risk to her own safety, Queen Esther approached King Xerxes and requested that the king and Haman be present at a banquet she would hold.
Meanwhile, it was a sleepless night for the king. His court records reminded him that Mordecai, who once saved the king's life, had never been rewarded. Through this particular "coincidence," the king decided that, along with his servants, he should honor Mordecai for his heroic deed.
At the banquet, Esther exposed the evil plot of Haman, to which the king promptly responded by hanging him on the very gallows Haman had built for Mordechai.
With Haman executed, the king now faced the problem of his previous decree to destroy the Jewish people. According to the law of the Medes and Persians, a previous law could not be nullified; however, additional laws could be passed to circumvent the current law.
King Xerxes decreed that while the Jewish community might be open to attack, they could now defend themselves with all the manpower they could muster.
Hence, the very day appointed for destruction—the thirteenth of Adar—became a day of deliverance and great joy for the Jewish community as they successfully repelled the attacks of their enemies.
Such is the history of the Feast of Purim as recorded near the end of the scroll of Esther.
Now, friends, let me tell you what this story is really about.
The book of Esther doesn't mention God by name, yet He can be seen working out His perfect plan behind the scenes.
This is a story about spiritual warfare. This is a story about Satan's relentless attempt to destroy the Jewish people—and God's faithfulness to preserve them.
Listen to what Scripture teaches us about the enemies of God's plan and His people.
Throughout human history, Satan has opposed God's people, His plan, and His Son. Only Satan's fury can explain the uncanny and repeated hatred spewed against God's people—the Jews and Christian believers in every age.
Satan unsuccessfully sought to eliminate Jesus in Bethlehem and tempted Jesus to seek glory apart from the cross. Though a terrible enemy, Satan does not share God's omnipotence, omnipresence, or omniscience.
Because of Christ's death on the cross, Satan remains a defeated foe who will unscrupulously deceive and destroy people until his final and inevitable defeat when Christ returns.
Haman's deadly scheme reflects Satan's desire to eliminate the Israelites, through whom God had promised to send the Messiah as humanity's Savior.
Satan prowls the earth, looking for ways to deceive and devour people and defeat God, which he cannot do, even in the final battle at Armageddon.
Friends, here's the critical truth: While Satan wreaks havoc upon God's people, he cannot and will not ultimately defeat them.
Let me share three powerful truths from the story of Purim.
First, God is faithful to keep His promises to His people—and He will preserve them in every generation.
Esther 4:14 teaches us that although Purim is not directly mentioned in the New Testament, the lessons of this feast permeate it. The main lesson is found in the faithfulness of God toward His covenant people.
Genesis 12:3 is the promise to Abraham of divine protection: "I will bless those who bless you, but I will curse whoever curses you; and by you all the families of earth will be blessed."
The simple but profound lesson of Purim is that God will be faithful to keep His promises to His people.
God's consistent protection of the Jewish people should give all believers a sense of hope and security. God is a covenant-keeping God who is faithful to every generation.
Friends, this isn't just ancient history. Think about what has happened throughout the centuries.
The Egyptians tried to destroy them—the Babylonians tried to destroy them—the Persians tried to destroy them through Haman—the Romans tried to destroy them—the Spanish Inquisition tried to destroy them—the pogroms of Russia tried to destroy them—Hitler and the Nazis tried to destroy them—every time…God preserved a remnant.
And today, Iran and other nations openly call for the destruction of Israel—but God will preserve them.
Why? Because God keeps His promises. Because Satan cannot defeat God's plan. Because the Jewish people have a role to play in the return of Jesus Christ.
Second, when evil plots become known, God's people have a responsibility to act.
The message of Purim is not to be limited to the ancient history of Israel. If the will of God is to be carried out, then people have a responsibility to act.
When the evil plot of Haman became known to the Jewish community of Persia, there was a call for prayer and fasting. Ultimately, there was also a call to action as seen in Mordechai's exhortation to Queen Esther: "Who knows whether we have not been placed where we are for such a time as this?"
The message, then, is that God partners with people to protect His chosen people and that Christians today might be called upon to stand with the Jews whenever we see anti-Semitism.
Friends, this is where it gets personal for us.
Let me read you something that should shake every believer to their core. It's from Martin Niemöller, a German Lutheran pastor who initially supported Hitler but later opposed the Nazi regime and was imprisoned in a concentration camp.
"First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me."
This quote is often cited as a powerful warning against apathy and indifference in the face of injustice, particularly during the Holocaust.
Friends, we're living in a time when anti-Semitism is rising globally. College campuses are filled with hatred toward Israel. The United Nations consistently condemns Israel while ignoring the atrocities of terrorist organizations. Iran is developing nuclear weapons with the stated goal of wiping Israel off the map.n “From the River to the Sea” chanted by ignorant people means the complete annihilation of the country and people of Israel.
Where is the church? Are we speaking up? Are we standing with God's covenant people?
Or are we silent, thinking, "Well, I'm not Jewish, so this doesn't concern me”?
Or are we arguing about the issue and some even supporting anti-semitic podcasters like Tucker Carlson or Nick Fuentes.
Or are our churches teaching Replacement Theology which is not Biblical.
Mordecai's words to Esther apply to us: "For such a time as this."
You have been placed where you are—in your workplace, your neighborhood, your community—for such a time as this. When you see anti-Semitism, will you speak up? When you see Jewish people or Israel demonized, will you defend them? When you see the Jewish people threatened, will you stand with them?
Third, God will prevail over every deadly strike of an already defeated foe.
God's people should guard against Satan's deception but primarily focus on God's overcoming power. Aware of Satan's temptation and wily ways, God's people trust the Holy Spirit for power to resist him.
God will prevail over every deadly strike of an already defeated foe.
How will you trust God as you seek to live unswervingly for Him in this world? God is stronger than Satan. God lives within His people. In His power, they can overcome.
Friends, the story of Purim reminds us that we're in a spiritual battle. This isn't about politics. This isn't about geopolitics. This is about Satan's ancient hatred of the Jewish people because through them came the Messiah, the Savior of the world.
And if Satan hates the Jews, he also hates Christians—because we proclaim that Jewish Messiah as Lord.
So let me challenge you today with three applications:
First, pray for Israel. Pray for their protection. Pray for their salvation. Pray that they would recognize Yeshua as their Messiah. Psalm 122:6 says, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May those who love you be secure."
Second, speak up when you see anti-Semitism. Don't be silent. Don't be like those who watched the Holocaust unfold and did nothing. When you see Israel demonized on social media, speak truth. When you hear anti-Semitic rhetoric, call it out. Be a voice for God's covenant people.
Third, remember that you have been placed where you are "for such a time as this." God has sovereignly positioned you in your sphere of influence. Don't waste it. Don't squander the opportunity. Use your voice, your platform, your influence to stand for truth and righteousness.
The lesson of Purim is clear: When God's people fast, pray, and take action, God moves on their behalf.
Esther could have stayed silent. She could have enjoyed her palace life and hoped the genocide wouldn't reach her. But she chose to risk everything with the words, "If I perish, I perish."
What are you willing to risk to stand for God's people and God's truth?
Let me pray…
Thank you for joining me today. The story of Purim reminds me that God is faithful, that spiritual warfare is real, and that we have a responsibility to stand with God's covenant people in every generation.
Until next time, keep your eyes on the nations, stand with Israel, and remember—you have been placed where you are for such a time as this.
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