Our Esther Moment

My heart is broken for Israel.  

As I learned about the events of last week, the barbaric atrocities, the brutal massacres, I sobbed.  Not cried.  Guttural sobs where I couldn’t breathe and speak at the same time.  I was overcome by a fear I’m not sure I have felt since 9-11.  An inability to comprehend an evil so vile and so close.  Yes, Israel is on the other side of the world from my quiet hometown, but it is woven into my heart as a Christian.  

Once the shock subsided, I did what I always do.  I prayed.  I asked God for understanding.  I asked God to show me what I could do. I asked him to help me grasp the events of today considering the history that is given to us in the Bible.  Much of what I am sharing below came from a YouTube video that I am linking at the end of the blog.  I encourage you to listen to it.  What I learned astounded me.  And comforted me.  It was a reminder I needed that none of this is unprecedented and none of it surprises God.  For the events of last week were seeded centuries ago.  

Hamas is mentioned in Genesis 6:11 – “God saw that this world was filled with Hamas – violence. so, God sends Noah’s Flood.”  Hamas is an acronym for Harakat al-Muqawima al-Islamiyya, the Islamic Resistance Movement.  I don’t think it is coincidental that the name chosen is one whose intentions God foretold at the beginning of time.  Hamas means violence against people and in the case of the Islamic Resistance Movement, that violence is targeted at Jews.

Hamas is also used in the book of Obadiah 1:10: “Because of violence to your brother Jacob, You will be covered {with} shame, And you will be cut off forever.”  Obadiah is prophesying judgement on the descendants of Esau, the Edomites.  (The story of Jacob and Esau is in Genesis 25:19-34).  One of Esau’s descendants is Amalek; he was the first to attack Israel when they came out of Egypt.  The Amalekites made a sneak attack in the wilderness against the women, children, and elderly who were the stragglers in the rear of the group exiting Egypt.  This is the same strategy used by Hamas in the recent attacks against Israel; women, children and elderly being targeted, raped, tortured, and murdered.

One of the most well-known Amalekites is Haman from the Book of Esther.  Haman was the first to openly plot to commit genocide against the Hebrews (Jews).  The book of Esther takes place in Persia, modern day Iran.  It is another Biblical example that the attacks against Israel today mirror those from thousands of years ago.  

Additionally this is the year 5784 in the Hebrew Calendar; a “time of transition.”  The year of the open door.  Biblically, the Hebrew word for prayer occurs 84 times in Old Testament scripture.  The number 84 is only written one time in the Bible referring to Anna who fasted and prayed for consolation and salvation of Israel.  She is the only named female prophet in the New Testament. (Luke 2:36-38).  “There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.  She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.”

You may wonder why I’m choosing to write about this and share this history.  Because the spirit of Amalek is alive in Israel.  While we see an earthly war, the true battle is, and always will be a spiritual battle.  And what God has done in the past to save His chosen people is what He wants and needs us to do now.  How did Esther and Mordecai overcome Haman and the spirit of Amalek?  What did Anna do?  They fasted and prayed.  They interceded with God for the salvation of their people.  

The Bible calls us to pray for Jews and Jerusalem.  Our Savior was and is Jewish.  This is personal for every believer who calls Jesus Lord.  Psalm 22 tells us:

Psalm 22:3-5: “Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises. In you our ancestors put their trust; they trusted, and you delivered them.  To you they cried out and were saved; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.”

Psalm 122: 6-8 “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure.  May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.  For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.””

Isaiah 62:1 “For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet,
till her vindication shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch.”  I encourage you to pray this entire chapter.  

The enemy has always tried to separate Jews from Christians.  When we are united in our love for God and Jesus, when we are committed to lift our brothers and sisters in faith, we wield the most powerful weapon. In the genealogy of Jesus Christ, four women are mentioned – all were gentiles.  It took Jews and Gentiles to birth Jesus Christ.  And it will take Jews and Gentiles to birth the Kingdom of God. 

Jesus was Jewish.  This is personal for me.  We must unite in prayer for all affected.  For the innocents who are being murdered.  For the families being devastated and destroyed.  We must pray that ALL will come to know Jesus whether they be Jews, Palestinians, Muslims.  Jesus was born a Jew.  He died a Jew.  And He did so that we all would have a way home to the Father.

God is calling for a rising of Esthers and Annas.  For courageous believers to stand for His chosen people.  To pray boldly for peace.  To worship passionately for salvation.  When we pray, we crush the enemy.  When we worship, we destroy his power.  When we stand in love against hate, we destroy his plans.  The Word of God will always slay the lies of the enemy.  

Israel may be a on the other side of the world.  But Jesus is right here.  And He’s waiting for you.  To be an Esther in your community, your church, your workplace.  Stand for love.  Stand for peace.  Stand for truth.  Stand for Jesus.  Pray for Israel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJaXoYZPxSA   Rabbi Jason Sobel Official You Tube Channel