Where Are The Esthers?

"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 positon for such a time as this?"                                                                              ( Esther 4:14)



     A significant prophetic warning took place in America this past week.  There are many who choose to minimize, trivialize, and mock this important clarion call.  However, this does not diminish the message that God intended to send.  The messenger was Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his message was succinct and passionate. As he addressed the United States Congress, he informed them that he came as Mordecai and that Israel is once again being threatened by a sadistic Persian empire.

     Not coincidentally, Netanyahu's appeal came on the eve of  Purim. This date had been meticulously chosen with great intent.  This is because the Jewish holiday of Purim is an annual commemoration of the deliverance of the Jewish people from the ancient Persian empire where a plot had been formed to annhilate every single one of them.  Ancient Persia is today known as the nation of Iran.  Prime Minister Netanyahu came into our nation to plead with our people to help Israel combat a nuclear Iran. This is an example of history repeating itself.

     The original story of  Purim occurs in the book of Esther.  Purim comes from the word Pur, which literally means " to cast lots".  Haman, the anit-semitic royal prime minister to King Ahasuerus, literally cast lots to determine the day of the Jews' destruction. After all, it was not a question of "if" he would destroy, kill, and annhilate all Jews, it was merely a question of "when?".

     God used two people to foil Haman's diabolical plans- Mordecai and Esther.  It was Mordecai who first learned of Haman's sinister plot and he sounded the clarion call of warning to Esther
( Esther 4:1-9).  Immediately, Esther realized how grave this threat was and she responded by asking all the Jews in Susa to fast and pray for three days for her so that she could apprise the king of what was occurring.  She concludes by saying, " And if I perish, I perish."  (Esther 4:15-16).

     Esther knew the truth had to be told, despite personal potential risk.  God prepared the way for Mordecai and Esther and ultimately gave the Jews victory over their enemies.  This annual celebration of Purim ( on the 14th day of Adar) that occurs throughout the world is held to remember the miracle God gave when He rescued the Jews from certain death.

     The story of Esther occurred in the fourth century, B.C.E.  The Persian empire of that time extended over 127 lands and all the Jews were their subjects.  God sovereignly had chosen Esther ( a Jew) to be the Queen of Persia so that she would have the influence needed to save His chosen people, even though her nationality was kept secret from the king for awhile.

     God used Mordecai ( Esther's uncle) to identify the risk and to galvanize His people.  God used Esther to fast and pray and make the king aware of what was happening right under his nose.  Both responded to God and to the situation at hand, and were even willing to take risks to accomplish God's purposes. Therefore, God responded to them and to His peoples' cries for assistance.

     The prophet, Zechariah, tells us of a day that is coming when every nation will turn against Israel and they will be left without a single earthly ally.  Israel will feel as if they are all alone in the world, but then God will show Himself mighty on their behalf.  God's purpose in this is so that Israel will realize that, in truth, they are not alone, even if the whole world turns it's back...

     Threats to the existence of the Jews is not a new phenomena. Throughout history, their safety has repeatedly been threatened.  While the faces and dates may change, the plan of the enemy does not.  Today, the face of that threat comes via terrorists and from state sponsors of terrorism, such as Iran.

     Multiple leaders in Iran have repeatedly stated publicly that they intend to destroy Israel as soon as they have the ability to do so.  And they are working frenetically to accomplish this goal.  It is estimated that today Iran currently has enough enriched uranium for six to seven nuclear weapons.  And, day by day, they continue to produce...

     Their sights extend beyond the borders of Israel.  Iran has stated that Israel is the "Little Satan" and the United States is the "Big Satan". It is estimated that Iran is now 70% finished with the construction of  intercontinental ballistic missiles.  These missiles are not needed to reach Israel-
they are intended for the West.

     The regime in Iran is fueled by hatred and the belief that they will hasten the return of their messiah through apocalyptic genocide.  They believe that it is their job to bring about the end of the world, and that they will be rewarded for doing so.  There is no amount of negotiation or bartering that will sway this ideology. It is a part of their D.N.A.

     This new Persian empire is continuing to expand.  Since the Arab Spring ( which caused a shift in the balance of power), Iran has continued to grow and take new territory.  It is now as big as it was in 5th century, B.C.E., and it continues its quest for more land and power.

     Sadly, a nuclear Iran is not Israel's only threat.  Iran is accelerating its arming of Hezbollah and Hamas with rockets and missiles, in an attempt to circle Israel from the North, South, and East.  ISIS has also gained a presence near the border of Israel on the Golan Heights, and has declared they will fly their flag over Jerusalem.  All the while, anti-semitism is rising internationally. And, last but definately not least, Israel has lost cooperation from the United States and can no longer depend on us to "have their back".

     If the United States facilitates a nuclear Iran which heighten the threats to Israel, our nation will be judged.  God has made it very clear that we will either be blessed or cursed depending on how we treat Israel ( Genesis 12:3). If we "cast our lots" against His people, we will be judged. The prophet, Joel, says that God "will put them on trial for what they did to [His] inheritance, [His] people Israel".
(Joel 3:2).

     There is apathy in the West and apathy in the Church.  We are the ones referred to as the bride of Christ (Revelation 19:7). We have been given this position of royalty for "such a time as this".  The Church is the Esther that Netanyahu (Mordecai) came to address.  We also have been given the spiritual authority to make a difference. Our assignment is simple:  "petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people- for kings and those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in al godliness and holiness.  This is good and pleases God our Savior who wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.  For there is One God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all people... [ We are to] tell the truth- be true and faithful teachers... Pray, and lift up holy hands..." ( 1 Timothy 2:1-8).

     Jesus will return one day to Jerusalem. In that day, all will see that "He is the Lord of lords and the King of  kings- and with Him will be His called, chosen, and faithful followers." ( Revelation 17:14).
In the interim, we can repent, fast, and pray. We can seek God's face and not "give Him rest till He establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth." (Isaiah 62: 7).  Most importantly, we cannot remain silent...


" On that day, when all the nations are gathered against her [Israel] , I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all nations.  All who try to move it will injure themselves... Then the clans of Judah will say in their hearts, 'The people of Jerusalem are strong, because the Lord Almighty is their God." ( Zechariah 12:3;5).