The celebration of Purim is a wonderful remembrance of God’s deliverance and provision for the Jewish people, saving them from the plot hatched to destroy them. The story of Esther and Mordecai is a powerful reminder of the great truth that when we take a stand in courage and faith, God uses what we do to bring a great deliverance. Let me tell you a little about this holiday.
Purim begins each year on the 14th day of the Hebrew month Adar. This year that means that the celebration of Purim will begin at sundown on Saturday, March 13th, on our Western calendar. Here are some of the things that make up the Purim festivities.As part of the Purim reading of Esther, whenever the name of Haman comes up, it is “blotted out” by noisemakers. This tradition is believed to date back to the 1200s. In those days the name of Haman would be written on stones, which would be knocked together until it was erased. Others wrote the name of Haman on the soles of their shoes and then stomped their feet whenever his name was read as an expression of contempt. In modern times the use of a noisy ratchet, called a gragger in Yiddish, especially by children, drowns out Haman’s name whenever it comes up in the story.
I want to call your attention to a small part of the story that is often overlooked—but one that really matters to you and me. After a great deal of prayer, Esther courageously went to the king and begged for the lives of her people. He granted her request, and Haman and all those who attacked the Jews were killed. Then a powerful exchange took place. “And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman” (Esther 8:2).
The signet ring that the king wore was a symbol of his power and authority. All of the might of the Persian Empire was behind that ring. When the king gave his own ring to Mordecai, he was giving his own authority and power to Mordecai to use as he saw fit.
This is an astonishing revelation—kingdom power and authority followed the faith and courage to stand up for the Jewish people. You and I are Esther and Mordecai for modern Israel. They dared to change the destiny of the world. And today we have the opportunity to do the same thing.
Israel is under attack today just as surely as it was when Haman hatched his demonic plot to annihilate the Jewish people. It is time for us to rise up and declare in faith that we do all that is possible to deliver Israel from destruction, just as Esther and Mordecai did centuries ago. It is time for us to stand in the gap. And I believe with all my heart that it is time for us to receive the signet ring of heaven’s approval and authority so that we can see God’s power on display in every part of our lives.
Just as Esther and Mordecai did, we face a choice. Will we speak out and do our part to deliver Israel, or will we remain silent? I know your love for God’s Chosen People, and I believe that you will speak loudly through your support of the Jerusalem Prayer Team.
Today I am asking you the question Mordecai asked Esther: “If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14).
