The World Today as It Approaches the Purim Celebration

Today, March 7, is celebrated in Israel as the Fast of Esther. It commemorates the three-day fast that Esther and Mordecai observed prior to Esther's going into see King Xerxes (Esther 4:15). Tonight Jews will gather in their synagogues for the reading of the Esther Scroll. Tomorrow and Friday will be the celebration of Purim, a feast that has its initiation in the book of Esther (Esther 9:18-28). It is the celebration of God's deliverance of Israel from the hateful ambitions of Haman to have all Jews destroyed. We read in Esther 3:5-6, "When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor, he was enraged. Yet having learned who Mordecai's people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai's people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes." But, as we know, God worked through Mordecai, Esther, and even King Xerxes to bring about a great victory for Israel, thus sparing His people from annihilation.

I found it very significant that when Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu had his meeting with President Obama in the Oval Office this past Monday, that the Prime Minister gave our President an elaborately decorated scroll of the Book of Esther. I believe it was more than just a gesture of good-will. I believe it was a symbolic gift. It was as if the Prime Minister was saying, "President Obama, I want you to read this story. Here an evil leader, living in the ancient country of Persia, sought to annihilate the people of God, the Jews. But, God intervened and the Jews defended themselves against this annihilation and the enemy was destroyed. President Obama, today there is another leader in this same country, Iran, who has threatened the annihilation of the people of God from the face of the earth. This time he has the added threat of using nuclear weapons. But, President Obama, I want you to know that with the intervention of God, the people of Israel will be victorious." When I shared this with a group this week, someone asked me, "Do you think President Obama will read the scroll?" I don't know if he will, but his eyes would be opened if he did.

How was President Obama's speech received this past Sunday at the AIPAC conference. AIPAC stands for American-Israel Public Affairs Committee, being the largest American-Jewish coalition in this country. I have read most of President Obama's remarks. And I have some strong reservations about his sincerity. Friends, here is the critical problem. The world knows the steps that Iran is taking toward creating a nuclear weapons capability. Right now the United States and Europe have taken the initiative to develop economic sanctions that hopefully will force Iran to stop its nuclear weapons ambitions. The United States has indicated to Israel that there is a "red-line" that, when crossed by Iran, will cause the United States to respond appropriately. Israel has also identified a "red-line" but it is not the same as the one described the United States. Israel knows what its military is capable of doing and what its limitations are. By his speech President Obama was asking the Israeli people to trust him that he would respond appropriately when the time came. The dilemma for the Israeli leadership is whether they trust this Administration to act as they say they will.

I have also read most of the speech Prime Minister Netanyahu delivered to the same AIPAC group on Monday. It was a powerful speech outlining the reasons why Israel must do what is in its best interests whether the world agrees with it or not. Against the backdrop are the remembrances of the Holocaust and of those words, "Never again." Israel views the threat from Iran as being very real. For them, time is running out.

One final note, this past Sunday Vladimir Putin was elected as President of Russia. The election was not even close. Putin had served as Russia's president from 2000-2008, but according to Russian Constitution was prohibited from serving a third term. The first to send congratulatory remarks was President Ahmadinejad from Iran. Surprised? Look for the ties between Iran and Russia to only strengthen in the coming months. Just more indications that the stage is being set for the Ezekiel 38-39 War.

So, what should we do as believers? First, we are to remember that God is still sovereignly in control of all that is happening. It may seem like chaos to us, but it is not that to God. Second, we need to keep praying for Israel and for peace to come to Jerusalem. That is our biblical admonition. Third, we are to be more diligent in our witness to others, to help them to understand their need for Christ as Savior, to help them to know that the end is getting very close. Finally, we are to keep looking heavenward because our Redemption soon draws near.