Purim begins on Monday evening and ends Tuesday evening. Purim marks the momentous Biblical event when the Jewish people in exile were delivered from Haman’s plot of genocide against God’s people. God used Esther “for such a time as this”.
In the account of Esther, the young queen fasted for three days prior to approaching the king after her uncle Mordecai revealed to her Haman’s plot to wipe out every Jew in the Persian kingdom. Esther 4:16 says that Esther also asked those close to her (her maidens) and every Jew in the city to join her in prayer and fasting. Mordecai challenged her that she would have no better chance of survival than any other Jew in the kingdom. Haman’s planned massacre would be indiscriminate.
But Mordecai did more than just inform Esther of the plot. Understanding the motives of the Jews’ enemy, he came alongside Esther and encouraged her to fulfil her God-ordained destiny.
Esther 3:13-14 says, “And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. 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. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
In recent days, information has spread that suggests the US could be about to launch an attack on the Iranian regime. As it stands, President Trump is applying a dual approach. He has left the door open for negotiations, but at the same time has moved a huge armada – the largest fleet of air and naval assets in the region since 2003.
The increase in tensions comes after the killing of tens of thousands of protesters at the hands of the brutal Iranian regime. Iran is also threatening attacking US forces in the region, attacking Israel, and closing the Strait of Hormuz. If Iran closes the straight of Hormuz, President Trump will likely make a full use of his armada, and the Iranian regime knows this.
We do not yet know what will happen next, but in these days that we are experiencing, God has called us into the kingdom “for such a time as this”.
This Purim, will you join us in praying for Israel? We invite you to pray on Tuesday (or starting Monday evening to coincide with the start of Purim). You may also feel led to fast, if you are able to. Please join us in praying for the Iranian people, for freedom in Iran from its evil regime, for wisdom for President Trump, for the US forces and allies and for the protection and defence of Israel.
Through the story of Esther, we not only see the deliverance of the Jewish people from tyranny, but we also see the unfolding of God’s plans for His people who were in exile. May the God of Israel work his purposes in this uncertain times.
