A PURIM STORY

Thought FOR TODAY

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
Never waste good agony.
A PURIM STORY
Purim is the annual celebration of the great deliverance of the Jewish
people in the days of Queen Hadassah (Ester – Hadassah's captive
name), as recorded in the Book of Esther in HOLY SCRIPTURE. The Jewish
TALMUD declares, "When Adar enters, JOY is increased." Purim is the
commemorative festival celebrated in the month of Adar on the 13th &
14th day (February 27 – 28 this year). These holy days are observed
to honour the defeat of the enemies of GOD'S people. Purim commemorates
the downfall of Haman (means: tumult), the enemy of the Jewish people in
the Persian Empire. As such, Haman is a type of Satan, the accuser --
the one who has throughout history, sought to eliminate the Hebrew race.
Haman had the king's servants cast lots (purim) to determine the date on
which the Jews would be destroyed, but his wicked plan was thwarted
because of GOD'S great mercy and the obedience of Hadassah (Queen
Ester).
"Purim (casting of lots)" is explained like this: Haman, having been
warned that all enemies of the Jews had in the past met with
frustration, being superstitious, decided to cast lots to determine the
most favourable day for the slaughter. The lots indicated that day to
be the 13th day of Adar, the 12th month. But it turned out that Haman
was hanged on the same gallows which he had previously prepared for
Mordecai, and all the Jews escaped a terrible massacre. The next day,
the 14th of Adar, the victory was joyously celebrated.
After the Persian royal advisor, Haman's genocidal plot to rid the
world of the Jewish people was foiled, "V'nahafoch Hu (roughly
interpreted: Â…and the tables were turned)!" became the rallying cry
of the Jewish people during the month of Adar. Jewish sages have
advised [Tractate Ta'anit 29a] Jews throughout history to seek
scheduling critical events, in which DIVINE assistance is desired,
during the month of Adar.
Many years after Haman and his ten sons were hang on a wooden gallows,
our sins were judged and paid for on a wooden cross -- when the HOLY ONE
made HIS ultimate triumph over all wickedness, HE gave HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN
SON to mankind that they might be set free. The Accuser (Satan)
suffered a deathblow when sin's power was broken as the LORD YESHUA
uttered the words, "It is finished!" [John 19. 30] Lots (purim) were
also cast at YESHUA'S crucifixion -- this time it was for the garments
of the SAVIOUR, as had been amazingly prophesied, "They divided MY
clothes among themselves, casting lots for MY garments." [Psalms
(Tehillym) 22. 18 Tanakh, Kethuvim] May we ever sanctify and praise
the PRECIOUS NAME of the LORD GOD for defeating all our enemies, "With
GOD we shall triumph; HE will trample our foes." [Psalms (Tehillym) 60.
12 Tanakh, Kethuvim] Queen Ester (Hadassah) had been willing to die
for her people's salvation. MESSIAH YESHUA, the EVERLASTING KING, was
not only willing, but did die in order that HIS people would be saved
from eternal destruction!
Jewish people do not merely say, "this too shall pass" -- rather, he is
emphatically confident that, "GOD willing, this too shall pass". . .
and when it passes the Jewish people will somehow be the better for
having endured . . .
"It happened just a brief sixty plus years ago, there was a useless
little Jew standing in the huge unruly crowd when Hitler gave one of his
extremely violent and rabid speeches promising the extermination of the
Jewish people. The bearded old Israelite chuckled delightedly
throughout the entire harsh and merciless performance. Noticing his
absurd and inappropriate laughter, the fascist Fuehrer shrieked, "You
fool! You idiot! What are you so happy about when I just threatened the
extermination of your people?"
"So, I'll tell you already," answered the old man. "Pharaoh swore to
destroy us, and you know that he himself was destroyed. As a
consequence, we have a lovely holiday called Passover when we eat matzoh
and knaidlach and drink wine."
"The crazy madman, Haman, also wanted to destroy us" continued the
Jew "and he was hanged on his own gallows. Now we have the beautiful
festival of Purim where we eat hamantaschen (3-cornered fruit-filled
cookie) and kreplach (stuffed-meat pies) and rejoice greatly."
"When Antiochus Epiphanes desecrated our Temple and tried to killed
all who would not bow to his idol god, Zeus. And we celebrate for eight
days every year the Festival of Lights (Chanukkah) with latkes and
sufganiyot (jelly donut) and other various fried goodies.
And all the while you were standing up there ranting-and-raving,
spouting out hot air and shouting insanely against the Jews...I couldn't
help thinking about what a glorious time we will have when you too are
destroyed, and about the delicious things we will eat to celebrate That
Occasion."
There is a portion of the TALMUD that reads: "When the Jew looks like a
dog, then MESSIAH will come." This was never understood, until the 1991
Persian Gulf War, Desert Storm brought about an understanding - when the
Jewish people were forced to wear gas masks-- since anyone wearing them
definitely, without a doubt. . . looks like a dog.
As we remember the BLESSED DELIVERER, MESSIAH YESHUA and as the Jewish
people remember Queen Esther, we can praise HIM even as did King David:
"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and my being, bless HIS HOLY NAME. Bless the
LORD, O my soul and do not forget all HIS bountiful benefits. HE
forgives all your sins, heals all your diseases." [Psalms (Tehillym)
103. 1 - 3 Tanakh, Kethuvim] Assuredly, JESUS' return is imminent, HE
is coming very soon! Are you ready?

Sha'alu (Pray) for the Shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel!
"Hag Semaiach (Good Holiday)!" Stay alert for such a time as this. . .
keep watching and praying.
The purpose of wearing masks on Purim is not connected to mockery,
permissiveness or the occult. Though a source of great enjoyment for
young and old alike, it bespeaks a much deeper theological truth. The
Book of Esther is the only text in the BIBLE in which GOD'S NAME does
not appear. HE seems to be absent throughout the story but it becomes
evident to all that the events are all directed by HIS MIGHTY Hand. That
is the ULTIMATE MASK. It is the Mask of all the reality we experience
daily. As Jews, we believe that man is given choices to act out in this
world but the junctions and highways have been set in place by the
CREATOR.

Praying for the peace of Jerusalem is praying for the return of Messiah
Jesus and His Kingdom.
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