“Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” This much-loved quote from Esther 4:14 has been a catalyst for those faithfully rallying to the Jewish people’s defence. Esther and Mordecai modelled the discernment and courage needed today by those called to stand in the gap as intercessors for His people.
But there is a lesser-quoted part of this verse: “For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish.” It is humbling to realise that God’s providence is not wholly dependent on us. We are merely vessels, ambassadors, servants, and instruments for His plans and purposes. Disobedience brings serious consequences, but God in His sovereignty will find a way.
In light of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the US and Iran this week, there are many unanswered questions. The Iranian regime promises not to develop a nuclear weapon, but will reportedly be handed at least $300 billion for “reconstruction and economic development”. History warns us that this money will go into financing Hezbollah, the Houthis, and other Iranian proxies that have vowed to destroy Israel and America. Analysts are also saying that the Gulf States are likely to soften their position towards Iran for the sake of the deal.
There can be no doubt that Iran has suffered a major blow, not least through the removal of Iran’s top leadership and the decimation of its navy and air capabilities. But the regime is still in power – and its evil Islamist ideology has not been defeated.
Perhaps the most concerning part of the agreement is the pressure placed upon Israel to stop its assault on Hezbollah. Iran wants Israel out of Lebanon completely. The Iranian regime is threatening to scupper the agreement unless Israel stops attacking Hezbollah. Worryingly, President Trump has used some harsh rhetoric towards Israel this week, even claiming that Syria’s president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, should handle Hezbollah instead “if Israel can’t do the job without killing everyone else.” Israel’s omission from the talks also undermines the Jewish state’s security.
Israel cannot be expected to stop defending itself against Iran and its proxies, whose stated aim is to wipe the Jewish state off the face of the earth. At the same time, Hamas is signalling that it wants to move its “intifada” from Gaza to the “West Bank”.
When the next rocket is fired by Hezbollah into Israel, it does not land in Washington – it lands in Israel. When Hamas makes its next move, it will be the Israeli people who have to defend themselves. Israel has a duty to protect its own people. Israel will have to do what Israel has to do. For those of us who love Israel, this is a sobering reminder that political alliances, however valuable, are never Israel’s ultimate shield.
If all nations abandon Israel, God will never abandon Israel.
In fact, the Bible indicates prophetically (Zechariah 12 and 14) that one day Israel will stand in a position where the nations are gathered against her – but the God of Israel Himself will rally to her defence.
President Trump said last week, “Without me there would be no Israel.” But Esther 4 says the opposite: you must help, but even if you do not, “relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place.”
We must pray for President Trump and his administration. We thank the Lord for the strength of support that has been given up until now. It cannot be overstated how strong and effective the US-Israel relationship has been. But we must not be negligent by placing all our hope in the actions of men. Throughout the Bible we are reminded that God is sovereign. Psalm 146:3 says, “Do not put your trust in princes, nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help,” and Psalm 118:8 says, “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.”
Where then do we look? Do we look to kings, presidents and prime ministers? No. Rather, we say, as the Jewish people have recited for thousands of years: “I will lift up my eyes to the hills – from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
“He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:1-4).
We rest on these promises. We declare them as truth over Israel and the Jewish people. And we can have full confidence that even if Israel stands alone, deliverance will come.
But as for us, friends, let us not be silent. Let us take responsibility to fulfil our calling like Esther and Mordecai to act with discernment and courage; and when we give account of ourselves before God, may we be found to have been faithful to His people.
