Emergency Alert!!!

Our rent is due tomorrow and our electric bill will be due Monday! We need your help today!

In regards to my health issues, I am having a lot of tests run, and I have referrals to two different specialists, all of these have co-pays. I have an appointment with a neurologist tomorrow, my primary care doctor early next week, and our rent is due tomorrow, so we definitely need your financial support now more than ever.

The time is short, and there is much work to be done. This is no time to pull back from the great work in front of us!

As you know we have been digging ourselves out of a budget shortfall.  As I have said to you many times, I look on this work as a co-operative one with me, and all of you combining our resources together in order to get the job done of helping to teach this great truth to all in the world who will listen. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for your continued support, you are the ones who make it all possible by your contributions and your prayers for our work. I truly appreciate your help in every way.

If you can make a one time donation of $500 or $1,000 dollars to support this work.

Now is time to step up to the plate!

Donations can be sent by Paypal to donations@wnae.org.


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Five Keys to Restoring Nazarene Judaism

Five Keys to Restoring Nazarene Judaism
By
James Scott Trimm

In my decades of work on the restoration of Nazarene Judaism, I have discovered five keys, which open the gates to this restoration. These keys are not five doctrines, but five areas of study, that each open gates that allow us to approach the restoration of Nazarene Judaism from a different angle. No one of these approaches gives a complete picture by itself, but together they give a very accurate three dimensional view of who the ancient Nazarenes were.

The first key is that of direct references in the writings of the ancient so-called “Church Fathers” and to a lesser extent, the Rabbis of the Rabbinic literature. From these writings we have direct descriptions of the Nazarenes in the writings of Epiphanius and Jerome. We have sufficient information to differentiate the Nazarenes from the earliest Gentile Christians, and from other groups with academics call “Jewish Christian” sects, such as the Ebionitse. We also have several quotations preserved from the now lost, Gospel according to the Hebrews, as well as the alternate version used by the Ebionites. We also have fragments of an ancient Nazarene Commentary on Isaiah, quoted in Jerome’s Isaiah commentary. We can also look to information about the earliest Christians as potential traces of some Nazarene elements, especially in regard to which books should be seen as canonical. Finally we have the footprints of the early apostasy from Nazarene Judaism towards Gentile Christianity preserved in these writings. One thing I have learned, is to check primary sources. Academics frequently make assumptions about the ancient Nazarenes, which cannot actually be supported by these sources.

The second key is that of the Hebrew and/or Aramaic origin of the books commonly known as the “New Testament”. The ancient Nazarene Ketuvim Netzarim (“Writings of the Nazarenes”) were not originally written in Greek, but in Hebrew and/or Aramaic. Hebrew and Aramaic are very similar cognate languages that use the same 22 letter alef-beit, share many of the same verbal root as to vocabulary, and much of the same grammar. As we seek to understand what the ancient Nazarenes actually said, it is important to approach their writings in light of the language in which they were written. We can do this by researching extant Hebrew and Aramaic manuscripts of the books, as well as by looking at the underlying Hebrew and/or Aramaic of the Greek, Latin and other early versions of these books, especially as found in the Western Text Type, which contains far more Semitisms than the other text types. This is a vast area of study, and we have only scratched the surface.

The third key is the relationship between the ancient Nazarenes and what may be known of the ancient Jewish sect of the Essenes, as found in the writings of Philo of Alexandria, Flavius Josephus and the Dead Sea Scrolls. Despite attempts to derail this important area of research, it is very clear that the Dead Sea Scroll authors were Essenes. And the authentic Essenes should not be confused with some modern New Age “Essenes” and some modern forgeries attributed to “Essenes” (Essene Gospel of Peace, Gospel of the Holy Twelve. Gospel of the Nazarine and other such modern hoax documents). A study of this material gives us important parallels and contrasts with the Nazarenes that often contextualizes certain elements in the Ketuvim Netzarim in terms of Second Temple Era Judaism. (For Example, understanding Paul’s use of the phrase “Works of the Law”, the ministry of Yochanan the Immerser etc. )

The fourth key is the relationship between the ancient Nazarenes and what may be known of the ancient Jewish sect of the Pharisees, and reflected in the early Rabbinic Literature. This literature includes the Targums, the Mishna, the Talmuds, and the early Midrashim. A study of this material, also often gives important parallels and contrasts with Nazarenes that also often contextualizes certain elements in the Ketuvim Netzarim in terms of Second Temple Era Judaism.

The fifth key requires some explanation. The key to the ancient Nazarene view of the Three Pillars of the Godhead and the Messiah as the Middle Pillar of the Godhead, finds its parallel in the Jewish Kabbalah. This concept can be shown, not only to have it’s parallels in the Ketuvim, Netarim and what may be known of the Nazarenes historically, but also in the writings of Philo of Alexandrai, testifying to their Second Temple Era context. I was first shown this material (in the literature of the Kabbalah) by my mentor, Rabbi Moyal who mas an Orthodox Israeli Rabbi who had become a believer in Yeshua as Messiah. It was he who first showed me the truth about this issue.

These five keys open doors to the restoration of the ancient sect of Nazarene Judaism, the original Jewish followers of Yeshua as the Messiah. Doing this work requires a knowledge of the writings of the so-called “Church Fathers” as well as those of Philo, Josephus, the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Targums, the Talmuds, the early Midrashim and the early literature of the Kabbalah (The Sefer Yetzirah, the Bahir, the Zohar etc.) And, of course a knowledge of Hebrew and Aramaic (if not also Greek and Latin) as well. One thing I like to do when I study the Ketuvim Netzarim, is to take the Aramaic words used in the Old Syriac and Peshitta manuscripts, and use Jewish lexical resources to search out how those same words are used in the Targums and Talmuds. (Here is a good example of that insight on the word MAKLON in 1Cor. 10:25.) (Or on the Aramaic word SAKA in Rom. 10:4)

A few weeks ago someone criticized the work of this ministry telling me “Jesus had already done all of the work that needed to be done.” But the truth is that much of this work, which is essential to the last days restoration of the ancient sect of Nazarene Judaism, still needs to be done. I have spent a lifetime doing this work. I began in the mid 1980’s when I first became a believer in Yeshua as the Messiah, and has continued thru to this very day, for over thirty five years, and there is still much to be done.

I hope that this has helped you understand the unique work of this ministry, and why my life time of studies in these areas have made me uniquely qualified for this work for which I have been called.

We need your financial support today!

As you know we have been digging ourselves out of a budget shortfall.  As I have said to you many times, I look on this work as a co-operative one with me, and all of you combining our resources together in order to get the job done of helping to teach this great truth to all in the world who will listen. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for your continued support, you are the ones who make it all possible by your contributions and your prayers for our work. I truly appreciate your help in every way.

If you can make a one time donation of $500 or $1,000 dollars to support this work.


Donations can be sent by Paypal to donations@wnae.org

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Nazarene Halacha Project: Basic Sabbath and Tzitzit are up!

Shalom Chaverim,

My September YouTube video series on Understanding the Halacha of Yeshua has garnered a great deal of interest in this subject. received a lot of feedback on these videos, and it was suggested that there is a need for a systematic codification of Nazarene Halacha similar to the Shulchan Aruch, the Shulchan Aruch HaRav, the Mishna Beruah or the Mishna Torah.

There is indeed a real need for this kind of a work in this restoration of the ancient sect of the Nazarenes, and unfortunately, I know of no one else both qualified and inclined to produce such a monumental text.

Therefore in September I announced that I would be adding this to my plate, under the title The HaDerek Laleket (the Way to Walk).

Basic work has now been completed on the sections on Sabbath Halacha and on Tzitzit Halacha

We need your financial support now more than ever! Rent is due in just three days!

As you know we have been digging ourselves out of a budget shortfall.  As I have said to you many times, I look on this work as a co-operative one with me, and all of you combining our resources together in order to get the job done of helping to teach this great truth to all in the world who will listen. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for your continued support, you are the ones who make it all possible by your contributions and your prayers for our work. I truly appreciate your help in every way.

If you can make a one time donation of $500 or $1,000 dollars to support this work.


Donations can be sent by Paypal to donations@wnae.org.

Or click HERE to donate

Prophecy, the Restoration and the Original Hebrew of Luke

Shalom Chaverim,

We live in amazing times! Prophecy is being fulfilled all around us every day! In these last days we are seeing women aborting their own babies (1Enoch 99:5) pestilence, war, rumors related to war (Matthew 24:4-8), sky rocketing wheat prices (Rev. 6:5-6), and the Land of Magog becoming aggressive (Ezekiel 38-39)!

Today’s headlines seem ripped right out of the pages of biblical prophecy! And while these things may be the “beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:8) There is also great reason to rejoice, because these are also days of restoration! A major prophetic event that the Scriptures state will occur before the return of Messiah, is happening right now!

This will be a last days restoration of Torah truth, as the Book of Enoch states that it was written “for those who will come after him, and keep the Torah in the last days.” (1Enoch 108:1)

… but in the land of their captivities they shall remember themselves.
And shall know that I am YHWH their Elohim: for I will give them a
heart, and ears to hear: And they shall praise me in the land of their
captivity, and think upon my name, And return from their stiff neck,
and from their wicked deeds: for they shall remember the way of their
fathers, which sinned before YHWH. And I will bring them again into
the land which I promised with an oath unto their fathers, Avraham,
Yitzchak, and Ya’akov, and they shall be masters of it: and I will
increase them, and they shall not be diminished. And I will make an
everlasting covenant with them to be their Elohim, and they shall be
my people: and I will no more drive my people of Israel out of the
land that I have given them.
(Barukh (Baruch) 2:30-35)

Romans 11 discusses this stage of the restoration, but it also tells us that an even more powerful stage will involve Judah being grafted back into its own olive tree:

And if their stumbling became riches for the world, and their loss, riches to the
Goyim:how much more therefore,their fullness?
(Rom. 11:12 HRV)

For if their reprobation was reconciliation to the world, how much more therefore,their return, but life that is from among the dead?
(Rom. 11:15 HRV)

23 And those, if they do not remain in their lack of trust, also will be grafted in: for Eloahis able to graft them in again.
24 For if you, who are from the olive [tree] that was wild by your nature, were cut off andwere grafted–contrary to your nature–into the good olive [tree], how much more then,those, if they be grafted in their natural olive [tree]?
(Rom. 11:23-24 HRV)

Paul says here: You think the restoration of Ephraim is great, wait until you see the restoration of Judah!

That is what this restoration work is about, not just the grafting in of Ephraim (although that is part of it) but the restoration of Judah, the restoration of the ancient sect of Nazarene Judaism, the original Jewish followers!

Enoch the Prophet prophecies a last days restoration:

10 And the righteous shall arise from their sleep, and wisdom shall arise and be given unto them.
11 And they shall have rooted out the foundations of violence and the structure of falsehood in it, to execute judgment.
(1Enoch 91:10-11)

This will be a last days restoration of Torah truth, as the Book of Enoch states that it was written “for those who will come after him, and keep the Torah in the last days.” (1Enoch 108:1)

Enoch the Prophet prophecies that the restoration would include a bonus, a restoration of lost books:

But when they write down truthfully all my words in their languages, and do not change or diminish ought from my words but write them all down truthfully –all that I first testified concerning them. Then, I know another mystery, that books will be given to the righteous and the wise to become a cause of joy and uprightness and much wisdom. And to them shall the books be given, and they shall believe in them and rejoice over them, and then shall all the righteous who have learnt therefore all the paths of uprightness be recompensed.’
(1Enoch 104:10-13)

Enoch was speaking of this generation. I have been given several projects that will put more of the Word of YHWH into the hands of the people. There is much work to be done, and less time than ever in which to get it done.

The time is near at hand in which “the deaf shall hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.” (Isaiah 29:18)

The purpose of the Scripture Restoration Project is the prophetic fulfillment of 1Enoch 104:10-13 and Isaiah 29:18!

The Scripture Restoration Project is a project to literally restore much of what has been lost in our Scriptures. The books of the so-called New Testament were written in Hebrew and Aramaic and were only later translated into Greek, Latin and other European languages.

Back in 2005 (revised in 2008) I wrote a book called The Hebrew and Aramaic Origin of the New Testament, in which I documented the relationships between the various Hebrew and Aramaic Source texts which have come down to us as well as that of the various Greek text types, and how they relate to the original Hebrew and Aramaic. Today we have the original text in scattered bits and pieces in various sources. But we do have enough information, from these various sources, to reconstruct the original text. I have spent my entire adult life studying these sources and learning their interrelationships. Now I have been led, or more correctly, directed, to restore the original Hebrew texts!

This will take months, even years, but we will publish the work as we go, so you will not have to wait months and years to reap the rewards of this work!

In recent days I began working on the opening portion of Luke (since these events are the first earthly events of the Four Gospels). I have started publishing my Commentary on Luke Chapter 1 and this led to a detailed examination of the Hebrew and Aramaic sources we have for this material. I began a detailed analysis of a manuscript containing Luke 1:1-35 in Hebrew, which was released by the Vatican. This detailed analysis involves comparing each and every word of each and every verse with the most ancient Aramaic, Greek and Latin manuscripts.

One interesting feature of this Hebrew manuscript of Luke, is that it has Luke 1:1-4 as a preface, and then has the “Chapter 1” heading immediately above Luke 1:5.

As I made my comparisons, I found that Luke 1:1-4 in this version, did *not* follow the general sentence structure of the Aramaic Old Syriac text of Luke 1:1-4, but that beginning in verse 5, the Hebrew and Aramaic follow very similar vocabulary, grammar and sentence structure. (I have thus far made detailed comparisons of 1:1-7). In fact the transition is striking as suddenly beginning in verse 5 the two texts become parallel.

This is very significant, because Hebrew and Aramaic are similar languages. They are so similar that the Book of Daniel shifts back and forth between the two languages. Hebrew and Aramaic are written in the same 22 letter alefbeit, their vocabularies share many of the same roots, and their grammar is very similar. If one looks at a literal Aramaic translation of the Hebrew original, one can almost see the Hebrew behind that text. Such is the case with the Aramaic Peshitta text of Ben Sira, which is a literal Aramaic translation of the original Hebrew of Ben Sira (found among the Dead Sea Scrolls and Cairo Geniza) and not a translation from the Greek Septuagint version.

This is also significant because the Hebrew DuTillet version of Matthew has a similar relationship to the Old Syriac Aramaic text of Matthew. And while these Hebrew texts are relatively late, our oldest manuscript of the Old Syriac Aramaic text dates to the Fourth Century.

It is also interesting that the Hebrew Luke has the first four verses separated from the text of Chapter 1. The original Hebrew source from which this Hebrew version was taken must have lacked the preface, and it must have been added from another source. This would explain why it was separated from the main text of chapter one, and why id does not follow that sentence structure and vocabulary of the Old Syriac Aramaic as the text does beginning at verse 5.

Another point that I noticed in my analysis is that the Hebrew of this manuscript of Luke 1:1 says that the author wrote “an account of the things which among us, they are trustworthy” סיפור הדברים אשר בינינו הם נאמנים

The word נאמנים “trustworthy” from the root אמן “believe” could only have been derived from the Greek πεπληροφορημένων which literally means “to bring in full measure, to fulfill” but can be taken more idiomatically as it is in the KJV of this verse “most surely believed” while the Aramaic of the Old Syriac has here משמלין “fulfilled, completed”. So these first four verses were almost certainly a translation from the Greek.

Why the Hebrew source for this Hebrew manuscript lacked these first four verses, is unclear. It may be that a scribe had at some very early point dropped them, thinking that they were only a colophon, and not part of the actual book, or the source may have been damaged, perhaps missing the page on which these verses would have appeared.

Fortunately we still have the Aramaic of these first four verses preserved in the Old Syriac and we can clearly see the Hebrew behind that Aramaic text.

In regards to my health issues, I am having a lot of tests run, and I have referrals to two different specialists, all of these have co-pays, and our rent is due in less than a week, so we definitely need your financial support now more than ever.

We need your financial support now more than ever!

As you know we have been digging ourselves out of a budget shortfall.  As I have said to you many times, I look on this work as a co-operative one with me, and all of you combining our resources together in order to get the job done of helping to teach this great truth to all in the world who will listen. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for your continued support, you are the ones who make it all possible by your contributions and your prayers for our work. I truly appreciate your help in every way.

If you can make a one time donation of $500 or $1,000 dollars to support this work.


Donations can be sent by Paypal to donations@wnae.org.

Or click HERE to donate

Update from James Trimm

Shalom Chaverim,

I wanted to share with you some of the work on research over the last few days, so as to give you some insight into how one thing leads to another. As the dust settled after March 1st (see my previous blog for insights on this), I decided a logical place to start was the chronologically first event in the Four Gospels (excepting creation in the opening of Yochanan) and so I began writing my Commentary to Luke Chapter 1 (I have only just begun that chapter).

As I began working on this commentary, I realized I needed to take a serious look at the Hebrew and Aramaic text of Luke chapter 1. We have a few texts of this portion of Luke that have come down to us in Hebrew and Aramaic.

To begin with, we have the Aramaic texts of the Old Syriac and Peshitta versions of the Four Gospels. I have had, and studied these Aramaic versions of Luke for over thirty years. I long ago came to the conclusion that the Old Syriac Gospels represent the oldest surviving Aramaic Gospel tradition, with the Peshitta representing a revision of that text, towards greater agreement with the Greek Byzantine type of text. In recent years a Hebrew manuscript witness to the opening verses of Luke was released by the Vatican Library. This manuscript dates no earlier than the middle ages (while the Aramaic texts mentioned above, are truly Ancient) and contains only Luke 1:1-35. Although this manuscript has been out for a few years, I have had a lot on my plate, and have only made a cursory evaluation of it.

One of the interesting things about this Hebrew manuscript of Luke, is that it includes Luke 1:1-4 as a sort of preface, and then has “Chapter 1” written above the text which begins at Luke 1:5.

As I compared Luke 1:1 in the ancient Aramaic with this Hebrew texts of Luke 1:1, I saw absolutely no relationship between the two. This was disappointing. Hebrew and Aramaic are cognate languages, using the same 22 letter alef-beit, much of the same grammar, and a lot of the same basic vocabulary, at least as to the roots of words. By contrast Greek, Latin and English are in a whole different universe. If a Hebrew and Aramaic document have a direct relationship, I should be able to see it. I should have the feel that I am looking at parallel sentence structures and several anticipated cognate roots running parallel to one another. But if some nonsemitic language lies in-between them, that relationship would be lost. For example, scholars recognize that the Syriac Aramaic version of the Wisdom of Ben Sira found in the Peshitta, is a literal Aramaic translation of the Hebrew version of Ben Sira found in the Dead Sea Scrolls and Cairo Geniza, and not a translation from the Greek Septuagint version.

One very compelling thing about the DuTillet Hebrew version of Matthew, is that I can see this relationship when I compare passages from the DuTillet Hebrew version of Matthew with the ancient Old Syriac Aramaic Version of Matthew.

So when I compared Luke 1:1 in the Hebrew manuscript with the Ancient Aramaic Old Syriac text of Luke, and saw no relationship, I was disappointed. However when I skipped the preface and jumped to Luke 1:5 suddenly the Hebrew and Aramaic had parallel sentence structure, grammar and vocabulary.

Of course at this point I had only compared two verses, but this brought another thought to my mind: Is the Old Syriac Aramaic Text of Luke as valuable as the Old Syriac Aramaic text of Matthew? Years ago I had come to the conclusion that it was, but I was in my twenties then, and I know a lot more now, thirty years later, so perhaps I should re-evaluate.

So my next step was to look for synoptic parallel passages between Luke and Matthew and compare the Aramaic, to make sure that they appeared to be parallel in Aramaic, and that neither of them appeared to instead be a translation from Greek or another nonsemitic language. The result was that I reassured myself that my conclusions of thirty years ago were correct, and that the Old Syriac Aramaic Luke was, in fact, a witness to the ancient Aramaic Luke tradition, and that if Luke had originally been written in Hebrew, that Hebrew should run parallel, in at least some detectable degree, with the Aramaic if the Old Syriac.

I still need to examine the entire text of the Hebrew Luke fragment in comparison with the Old Syriac Aramaic Luke text, but just from these two verses (1:1, 5) my initial thinking is that the preface in 1:1-4 in the Hebrew Luke fragment, is from a different original source as the text beginning at 1:5, and that the text at 1:1-4 is not original, but that the text beginning at 1:5 my well be original. That is a *very* preliminary view, and I still have a lot of text to compare. And if I wait until all of my research is done, before I share anything with you, I will never have time to share anything at all.

So I will be continuing my Commentary on Luke chapter one in coming days, and continuing my comparisons of Hebrew Luke 1:1-35 with the ancient Aramaic text of Luke.

Meanwhile I also have several other projects on the “front burner” and am constantly fielding questions from the public as well. When you do not hear from me for several days, it is often because my nose is buried in the scrolls, doing the work.

If you have not already, take a look at my new video teaching Russsia in Biblical Prophecy and my new blog The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

In regards to my health issues, I am having a lot of tests run, and I have referrals to two different specialists, all of these have co-pays, and our rent is due in about a week, so we definitely need your financial support now more than ever.

We need your financial support now more than ever!

As you know we have been digging ourselves out of a budget shortfall.  As I have said to you many times, I look on this work as a co-operative one with me, and all of you combining our resources together in order to get the job done of helping to teach this great truth to all in the world who will listen. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for your continued support, you are the ones who make it all possible by your contributions and your prayers for our work. I truly appreciate your help in every way.

If you can make a one time donation of $500 or $1,000 dollars to support this work.


Donations can be sent by Paypal to donations@wnae.org.

Or click HERE to donate

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
By
James Scott Trimm

Recent events have drawn attention to certain prophecies giving us signs of the beginnings of the end times. And this has led to questions about the interpretation of the mysterious “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” which are also the first four seals of the seven seals of the sealed book.

To begin with, passages of prophecy can have more than one fulfillment. For example the prophecy in Daniel of the “abomination of desolation” (Dan. 9:27; 11:31; 12:11) can refer either to the desecration of the alter by Antiochus Epiphanies (1Macc. 1:41-64 & 2Macc. 6:1-6) or the anti-Messiah (Matthew 24:15). The prophecy about “My son” coming out of Egypt in Hosea 11:1 can refer either to Israel (Ex. 4:22 & Hosea 11:1) or to the Messiah’s return from Egypt (Matt. 2:15); The prophecy of Rachel weeping in Jeremiah 31:14(15) can refer either to the tragic events of the fall of Jerusalem to Babylon, or to the slaughter of the innocents (Matthew 2:18). So giving one interpretation of a prophecy does not exclude the validity of others.

This said, there is an interesting parallel between the Four Horsemen (Rev. 6:1-11 ) and what Yeshua calls “the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:4-8) and these help us to see, at least one valid interpretation, of these Four Horsemen:

The White Horse: Apostate Faith

1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four beasts that spoke, as the voice of thunder, Come and see.
2 And I heard, and I saw: and behold, [there was] a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow, and a crown was given to him. And he went out victorious, both conquering and to conquer.
(Rev. 6:1-2)

Yeshua gives us a key to this seal:

4 Then Yeshua answered and said to them: Let no man deceive you,
5 For many will come in My Name, saying, I am Messiah, and will deceive many.
(Matthew 24:4-5)

The Red Horse: War and Rumors of War

3 And when He opened the second seal, I heard the second beasts saying, Come.
4 And a red horse went out, and it was given to him who sat on it, to take shalom from the earth: that they might slaughter one another, and there was given to him a great sword.
(Rev. 6:3-4)

Yeshua again gives us the key:

6 For you will hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that you are not foolish. It must be that such things be done, but the end is not yet.
7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom,…
(Matthew 24:6-7a)

The Black Horse: Famine

5 And when the third seal was opened, I heard the third beasts saying, Come. And behold, [I saw] a black horse, and he who sat on it had a balance in his hand.
6 And I heard a voice from among the beasts saying, A measure of wheat for a denarius, and three measures of barley for a denarius, and do not hurt the wine and the oil.
(Rev. 6:5-6)

Yeshua again gives us the key:

…and there will be famine… (Matthew 24:7b)

The Pale Green Horse: Pestilence and Earthquakes (Death)

7 And when He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the beast saying, Come.
8 And I saw a pale green horse,1986 and the name of him who sat on it [was] Death, and she’ol followed him. And authority was given to him, over one fourth of the earth to kill: by the sword, and by famine, and by death, and by the wild animal of the earth.
(Rev. 6:7-8)

and again Yeshua gives us the key:

… and pestilence, and earthquakes, in every place…. (Matthew 24:7c)

Conclusion

Revelation uses the picture of the four horsemen only on the first four of the seven seals, signalling a change of some sort in the final three seals. Likelwise in Matthew 24:4-8 Yeshua describes these things as only “the beginning of sorrows.”

We need your financial support now more than ever!

As you know we have been digging ourselves out of a budget shortfall.  As I have said to you many times, I look on this work as a co-operative one with me, and all of you combining our resources together in order to get the job done of helping to teach this great truth to all in the world who will listen. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for your continued support, you are the ones who make it all possible by your contributions and your prayers for our work. I truly appreciate your help in every way.

If you can make a one time donation of $500 or $1,000 dollars to support this work.


Donations can be sent by Paypal to donations@wnae.org.

Or click HERE to donate

Video Teaching: Russia in Biblical Prophecy

Russia in Biblical Prophecy

We need your financial support now more than ever!

As you know we have been digging ourselves out of a budget shortfall.  As I have said to you many times, I look on this work as a co-operative one with me, and all of you combining our resources together in order to get the job done of helping to teach this great truth to all in the world who will listen. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for your continued support, you are the ones who make it all possible by your contributions and your prayers for our work. I truly appreciate your help in every way.

If you can make a one time donation of $500 or $1,000 dollars to support this work.


Donations can be sent by Paypal to donations@wnae.org.

Or click HERE to donate

The House of Esther

The House of Esther
By
Robert O. Miller

I believe the book of Esther is an allegorical prophetic message to the House of Israel written for our time. Since recognizing my own identity as an Israelite, I have been seeing this truth borne out from Genesis to Revelation. Esther is, I believe, yet another “two-house” Bible story.

The story of Esther begins with a king, his bride, a feast and betrayal. King Ahasuerus, supreme monarch of a vast kingdom, makes a feast for one hundred and eighty days, demonstrating his excellency and majesty. After the six months of feasting, he declares a seven day feast to take place immediately following in the seventh month. This feast is not to be held in the palace or temple but outside in the court of the king’s garden in a structure defined by hangings of cloth and cords, after the fashion of a tent.

On the last day of the feast, King Ahasuerus commands his eunuchs to bring his beautiful wife Vashti into his presence, but she refuses and continues in her own feast (Esther 1:9). In order to preserve order in his kingdom, Ahasuerus sends a proclamation telling that Vashti is forever banned from his presence and that all wives are to honor their husbands. King Ahasuerus governed his kingdom by laws, not by whims. Though it appears he very much desired his queen, he was compelled to put Vashti away. Likewise, when the House of Israel refused to present herself at Yahweh’s Feasts, His immutable law required that she be put away to preserve the righteousness of His kingdom. And as Ahasuerus sent a proclamation throughout his kingdom, so Elohim sent his prophets to warn others who might emulate the behavior of his errant bride: “…my covenant they brake, although I was a husband unto them, saith Yahweh  (Jeremiah 31:32)”

“Moreover Yahweh said unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? She is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot. And I said after she had done all these things, She will return unto me; but she returned not: and her treacherous sister Judah saw it. And I saw, when, for this very cause that backsliding Israel had committed adultery, I had put her away and given her a bill of divorcement, yet treacherous Judah her sister feared not; but she also went and played the harlot (Jeremiah 3:6-8.)”

All of this takes place during the third year of Ahasuerus’ reign; similarly, it is around the third millennium that the House of Israel begins to pull away from the Kingdom of Elohim through idolatry and rejection of His Feasts. This rejection finally results in her banishment into the captivity of the nations. Unfortunately, much of the House of Israel continues to this day to prefer partaking in festivals of their own making. It is onto this stage that Esther appears. Esther is portrayed in terminology that I believe was intended to draw an association between her and Rachel, the beloved wife of Jacob. Both are described as “beautiful in face and in form” (Esther 2:7 and Genesis 29:17). Rachel is the mother of Joseph, the father of Ephraim, and, therefore, the mother of the “House of Ephraim,” also referred to as the “House of Israel.” The children of the tribe of Ephraim, as well as any other tribe that is associated with the “House of Israel,” could be regarded, in a sense, as the “cousins” of the “Jews,” as they ascend from the same grandfather/s as Judah but through different fathers (Jacob’s sons). I believe Esther is intentionally described as the “cousin” of Mordecai in order to elicit this same association.

Esther is described as an orphan, without mother or father (Esther 2:7). Evidently she also had no brothers, for then it would not have been necessary for Mordecai to step in on her behalf. In such a society she would literally be regarded as being “without a people,” echoing the Word of Yahweh through the prophet Hosea, declaring the House of Israel “Lo-Ami,” not a people. And into this predicament steps a “Jewish man” (Mordecai, a type of YahShua), who redeems her. Through the privilege of this redemption, she is put into a position to enable her to become the “Bride of the King.” Likewise, the “House of Israel” was redeemed by a Jewish Messiah and through her redemption favored with betrothal to the King of the Universe.

The Persian name “Esther,” meaning star, seems to bear a linguistic relationship to the name Easter or Eostre a fertility goddess, which in her various manifestations (Ishtar, Astarte, Ashtoreth, Beltis, Venus, etc.) is often associated with a star or some other celestial body and/or event. It is as if even this pagan name which masks her Hebrew identity also foreshadows the people she might represent, whose identity is likewise obscured through idolatrous associations. In preparation for marriage, Esther is placed under the care of the King’s servant. The “House of Israel” has likewise been given the guidance of the Holy Spirit to prepare her for her future wedding. But the Comforter, even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you (John 14:26).

Esther’s marriage preparation involves the application of oil and fragrance: “six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odors, and with other things for the purifying of the women” (Esther 2:12). Likewise, concerning Ephraim at the time of his redemption, Hosea says, His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon (Hosea 14:6).  We see oil and fragrance associated with both Esther and the House of Israel. The oil represents the anointing of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:21-22, I John 2:27) leading to a life of sacrifice and intercession (Ephesians 5:2, Philippians 14:18, Revelations 8:3 & 4). Oil and fragrance are also reflected in Esther’s Hebrew name, Hadassa, which means myrtle tree. The myrtle tree that grows in the Mediterranean area is a beautiful tree with rich, luxurious foliage, that produces an “aromatic oil.” In YahShua’s parable of the ten virgins, those who went into the wedding feast were the ones who had an abundance of oil (Matthew 25:1-13). And the redeemed bride has a sweet savor of Messiah unto Yahweh (2 Corinthians 2:15). After the time of preparation and in the seventh year of his reign, Esther is taken into the king’s palace (Esther 2:16). I believe this could be a type and shadow of the future event for the House of Israel that may occur in the seventh millennium. And it may even be that the circumstance and outcomes recorded in this book have a bearing on the consummation.

As the story progresses, the evil Haman seeks to destroy all Jewish people throughout the empire. His hatred is fueled by the Jew Mordecai’s unswerving refusal to bow down to him. To enact his vengeance, Haman persuades the king to make a royal proclamation to destroy the Jewish people for disobedience to the King’s laws (Esther 3:8). Likewise, HaSatan has long sought the annihilation of the Jewish people, the most notable events taking place in recent history. Like the Jews in Ahasuerus’ kingdom, the non-Messianic Jewish people exist under the condemnation of law of the King of the Universe. They are no longer able to obey the law of Elohim because he has abolished the sacrificial system. But, like Mordecai, they refuse to do obeisance to Ha Satan; this makes him a raging adversary. Though the King might like to spare His Jewish children, He is restrained by His own immutable law.

King Ahasuerus’ proclamation for the destruction of the Jews is made on the thirteenth day of the first month (Esther 3:12). That night at sunset the Passover Feast would be determined according to the Hebrew calendar, evoking an association with the month of Aviv. Mordecai, aware of the proclamation, gets word to Esther that she must intercede on the behalf of her kindred. There is a sense of dread for Esther, as going into the King’s presence uninvited could mean death. And besides, she has become very wealthy and comfortable. Likewise, the House of Ephraim has similar qualities which incline her to spiritual inaction: And Ephraim said, Surely I am become rich, I have found me wealth (Hosea 12:8). This is especially true in western countries which epitomize the Church of Laodicea: Because thou sayest, I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing (Revelation 3:17).

Esther asks Mordecai to declare a time of fasting for three days to prepare for her petition. Likewise, three days (and three nights) of intercession by a Jewish Messiah has been made for the Bride of the Heavenly King in order to enable her to enter into His presence. These three days of fasting may also foreshadow the time of fasting by the followers of YahShua during His burial.

And YahShua said unto them, Can the sons of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then will they fast in that day (Mark 2:19, 20).

The night after the call for fasting is made (the fourteenth day of the first month), the King has a dream in which he recalls an episode in which a plot to destroy his kingdom was foiled by one who was unswervingly loyal to him. As a result of the dream, Haman is humiliated the next day by being required to exalt Mordecai before the entire kingdom. I think this would correspond to the day of preparation for the Passover when Y’shua would be crucified. And by this event Y’shua would humiliate HaSatan.

“(YahShua) …emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, be-coming obedient [even] unto death, yea, the death of the cross. Wherefore also Yahweh highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name; that in the name of YahShua every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven and [things] on earth and [things] under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that YahShua Messiah is Lord, to the glory of Yahweh the Father (Philippians 2:7-11).”

“…having blotted out the bond written in ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us: and he hath taken it out that way, nailing it to the cross; having despoiled the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it (Colossians 2:14, 15).”

Whereas the first queen refused to come to the king’s feast, now, after three days, the new queen holds a feast and invites the king. If the feast that Esther made took place on the third and forth days after the fourteenth day of the first month, that would correspond to the time of the Feast of First Fruits during this season in the year of YahShua’s crucifixion. Likewise, “born-again” Believers are the first fruits of those who are alive from the dead. I believe these elements would have been unmistakable to the people of that time exiled in Babylon. The words of the prophets, including Hosea, would still be fresh in their minds.

But what does all this have to do with us? In the same way that Haman was humiliated in his conflict with Mordecai, Satan was humiliated in his failed initial attempt to usurp the worship of the kingdom of this world because of the crucifixion of YahShua (1Corinthians 2:7-8). HaSatan knows that Israel must be reunited to fulfill end time prophecy (Ezekiel Chapter 37), and he is determined not to lose again. By eliminating the House of Judah, or by preventing the House of Israel from understanding her identity, he can thwart that event. With the current reawakening of the House of Israel, Satan can only become more determined in pursuing the prior course of action. Only the redeemed bride has the capacity to enter into the King’s presence to make intercession; if we do not do this, it will not be done. We must remember that in addition to the blood of YahShua, much other Jewish blood has been shed in order to preserve the line through which the Messiah was to enter into the world. In this sense, the intercession that was made for our redemption was made by all the House of Judah. It is time for the House of Ephraim to reciprocate. I believe that our Heavenly Father ordained it to be so. It is time for the Bride to hold a feast, invite the King, expose the enemy, and proclaim that we regard Judah as our kindred. Just as King Ahasuerus’ decrees were immutable so are Yahweh’s laws, but this does not preclude Elohim from making further proclamations. This story demonstrates how Bride has a role to be played in the King’s decision to make such a proclamation on behalf of Judah.

The events of recent days leave me befuddled as to what courses of action that should be taken in the earthly realm. Sometimes I am not even certain who are the real protagonists, but I do know that behind all these events lurks the spirit of Haman (Satan), and that is where the true battle must be fought. As this is a spiritual battle against a spiritual foe, so our victory can only be accomplished in the spiritual realm, … “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before Yahweh to the casting down of strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4)” and, “… For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places] (Ephesians 6:12).”

The obstacle that will be faced is addressed in Mordecai’s words to Esther as he approached her about what she must do. Then Mordecai bade them return answer unto Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews (Esther 4:13). Many misinformed individuals in the “House of Ephraim” believe they will escape the end time wrath by being in the King’s House, leaving only the Jews and the unredeemed to suffer through the tribulation. This prevents them from understanding the times in which they live, preparing for a time that is coming upon them and understanding what is expected of them.

For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then will relief and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place, but thou and thy father’s house will perish: and who knoweth whether thou art not come to the kingdom for such a time as this (Esther 4:14)?

“Allegorically” speaking, I believe this verse also provides a key to Esther’s identity. “Thy father’s house” cannot be referring to Esther’s immediate family, because they are dead. Therefore, it must be speaking of the “lineage” of her father. If the lineage of Esther’s father’s house were Jewish, it would not be necessary for Mordecai to state this warning to stir her to action, because the Jews were already under a death sentence. And then again, if the Jews were to receive deliverance from “another place,” Esther’s father’s house would have nothing to fear if they were Jewish. I conclude that the meaning here is that those of this “other house” will only receive intercession through intercession made on behalf of their “kindred.” Many of the “House of Ephraim” will fail in doing this because they don’t understand their full relationship to the “House of Judah,” and/or because they believe that when the tribulation commences, they simply won’t be around. The thinking behind these two elements goes hand in hand. Like Esther they need a witness to remind them of who they are and that they have a responsibility.

There are many other matters foreshadowed in this book. I feel I have been inept in this attempt to convey the deep seated impressions that I believe Abba has revealed to me. But I am assured that the Book of Esther is not just an historical account. Every time I read or meditate on this story, I see something new. Even the casting of lots (Purim) during this time seems to foreshadow the actions of the Roman soldiers at the foot of the cross. This book is a prophetic picture given to provide reassurance to our Jewish brethren through the ages: when things look darkest, they have been and will again be delivered by intercession. Those of us who are a part of the redeemed body of the bride of the King are come to the kingdom for such a time as this. I am convinced that we are the “House of Esther”. So let us return and hold the Feast/s, invite the King, reveal the enemy, proclaim our kinship, and intercede on the behalf of our kindred.

Originally written by Rabbi Robert O. Miller on March 4th 2004
(Robert Owen Miller 1957-2021)

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The Spiritual Understanding of the Story of Esther

The Spiritual Understanding of the Story of Esther
By
Robert O. Miller

We are commanded to read the Story of Esther every Purim. The obligation to read the Story of Esther is not just the literary objective of knowing the story, but requires us to understand some idea or message in the story, but what message? The word Megilla has two meanings and the word Esther has two meanings. Megilla traditionally means a scroll. The second meaning of the word is to expose.  The word Esther is traditionally interpreted to mean a women’s name. The second meaning of the word is concealment.  So, the Story of Esther dares us to expose the true meaning of the mysterious message.

The most important aspect of the story of Esther is not the holocaust diverted but rather how judgment for sin can be turned around for our good through “teshuvah” (repentance) done with love (as opposed to fear).  In fact this story challenges the reality whether true teshuvah can be done through fear at all. 

Through the events we see another principle: how true teshuvah brings about “nahafochu,” the reversal of events.  And the most striking example of nahafochu is when Haman rushes to the palace for permission to execute Mordechai, but is tricked by his own lust into deciding a proper reward for himself seeing it only to be manifested on Mordechai and seeing rather his own  execution.

The story of Esther as it relates to Israel begins in chapter 1 verse 5: “…the king gave a banquet, lasting seven days, in the enclosed garden of the king’s palace, for all the people from the least to the greatest, who were in the citadel of Shushan.”  The Jews sinned by enjoying the banquet of Achashverosh, their occupier.  Achashverosh also called the Xerxes or ruler corresponding to the Hebrew word Tzar, who’s Persian name is Khashayar Shah son of Darius the Great is the most difficult character in the story to understand.  Here in verse 5 we see the new ruler reaching out to all its inhabitants equally to embrace them.  According to the Midrash, as soon as the partying was opened up to “all the people” the Jews couldn’t wait to jump aboard. Equality was being offered to these stateless refugees. It is said the Jews participated in the banquets with an enthusiasm unequaled by any others.  Even more troubling, the Mishna says, like the rulers before him, Achashverosh brought out the utensils from the Holy Temple, still our ancestors just accepted this as respect and continue to participate with pride in their newly found patriotism. They were giving up their dream of a future Zion for a present Shushan. 

“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the House of Yahweh: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the full message of Yahweh? (1 Peter 4:17)”

Now, Purim can easily be understood by clearly considering the assimilationist tendencies we have. We get into trouble when as a Believer we still want to be like everybody else, walk(ing) according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience.  Every misfortune stems from our own misbehavior.

Judgment came in the person of Haman ben Hammedatha: “After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman ben Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him and giving him a seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles… Then Haman said to King Xerxes, ‘There is a certain people dispersed and scattered among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom whose customs are different from those of all other people and who do not obey the king’s laws; it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them.  If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will put ten thousand talents of silver into the royal treasury for the men who carry out this business.’  So the king took his signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman ben Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. ‘Keep the money,’ the king said to Haman, “and do with the people as you please.” (Esther 3:1, 8-11)”

Yet, Yahweh always prepares a salvation for whatever catastrophe awaits His people. Yahweh’s supervision of His people is ready for all contingencies. Salvation came in the form of a man named Mordechai and his uncle’s daughter named Hadassah, who was also known as Esther.

“Now there was in the citadel of Shushan a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, named Mordechai ben Yair, the son of Shimei…(Esther 2:5)”

Who was Shimei?  The answer can be found in 2 Samuel 16:5-13: “As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the same clan as Sha’ul’s family came out from there. His name was Shimei ben Gera, and he cursed as he came out. He pelted David and all the king’s officials with stones, though all the troops and the special guard were on David’s right and left. As he cursed, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you man of blood, you scoundrel! Yahweh has repaid you for all the blood you shed in the household of Sha’ul, in whose place you have reigned. Yahweh has handed the Kingdom over to your son Absalom. You have come to ruin because you are a man of blood!”

Then Abishai ben ZeruYahu said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my souvereign the king? Let me go over and cut off his head.”

But the king said, “What do you and I have in common, you sons of ZeruYahu? If he is cursing because Yahweh said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why do you do this?’ “

David then said to Abishai and all his officials, “My son, who is of my own flesh, is trying to take my life. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for Yahweh has told him to. It may be that Yahweh will see my distress and repay me with good for the cursing I am receiving today.”

So David and his men continued along the road while Shimei was going along the hillside opposite him, cursing as he went and throwing stones at him and showering him with dirt.”

                It was true King David was “a man of blood” that is why he could not build the Temple but he was not a man of pride.  If he were he would have let Abishai ben ZeruYahu cut off his head.  Instead he looked beyond the carnal into the spiritual, “may be that Yahweh will see my distress and repay me with good for the cursing I am receiving today.”  If King David had killed Shimei there would have never been Yair, and in turn no Mordechai to inspire his cousin, Esther to rescue her people.

                And in the opposite vain, wicked Haman ben Hammedatha was an Agagite, a descendant of Agag.  Who was Agag?  Agag was the Amaleki king.

“Remember what Amalek did to you as you were leaving Egypt. He happened upon you, and struck the weakest people trailing behind, when you were exhausted. And he did not fear Yahweh. (Deuteronomy 25:17-18)”

“Yahweh said to Moses: Write this remembrance in the book… that I will surely erase the memory of Amalek from under the heavens. (Exodus 17:14)”

“Shemmuel also said to Sha’ul, “Yahweh sent me to anoint you king over His people, over Israel. Now therefore, heed the voice of the words of Yahweh. Thus says Yahweh Tzavout: “I will punish Amalek for what he did to Israel, how he ambushed him on the way when he came up from Egypt. Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them. But kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.” (1 Samuel 15:1-3)’

King Sha’ul did not do what Yahweh said, “…Sha’ul attacked the Amalekites, from Havilah all the way to Shur, which is east of Egypt. He also took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. But Sha’ul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and were unwilling to utterly destroy them. But everything despised and worthless, that they utterly destroyed. (1 Samuel 15:7-9)”

Had King Sha’ul killed all in the Royal House of Agag there would have never been a Hammedatha and thus no Haman to have to save the Jews from.

“Now the word of Yahweh came to Shemmuel, saying, “I greatly regret that I have set up Sha’ul as king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has not performed My commandments.” (1 Samuel 15:10,11)”

“So Shemmuel said to him, “Yahweh has torn the Kingdom of Israel from you today, and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you. And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor relent. For He is not a man, that He should relent.” (1 Samuel 15:28,29)”

Yahweh understood the severity of King Sha’ul’s actions.  He knew what chain of events had been set into motion. There had to be nahafochu, a reversal.

The mechanism behind the ‘reversal’ is teshuva, repentance.

“On the seventh day (on the Sabbath), when King Xerxes was in high spirits (drunk) from wine, he commanded the seven eunuchs who served him-Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Carcas- to bring before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty to the people and nobles, for she was lovely to look at. But when the attendants delivered the king’s command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and burned with anger. (Esther 1:10-12)”

Who was Queen Vashti? Vashti was born to Babylonian royalty. Her grandfather was Nebuchadnezzar, who had destroyed Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem and driven the Jews into exile. Her father was Belshazzar, the last in a line of great Babylonian kings whose dramatic death is described in the Book of Daniel.

The Talmud (in Megillah 12) tells us Queen Vashti would have young Jewish girls abducted, force them to undress and coerce them into working for her on Shabbat. The Talmud then asks why did she refuse to come before Achashverosh (not being known as a modest woman)? The Talmud says because she had come down with tzaraat (a skin ailment resembling leprosy) on her body.

The cause of tzaraat is implied by its very name. A person who has tzaraat is called a Metzora. According to rabbinic tradition this word is a contraction of the Hebrew words motzi and rah, which loosely means “one who spreads slander”. Thus, a person becomes afflicted with tzaraat as a punishment for spreading slander. Having tzaraat, is not just about skin afflictions but rather it is about a social and spiritual malady called hatred that spreads from word of mouth threatening the wholeness or integrity of the whole community.

Why did Queen Vashti hate the Jewish women so, a hatred that caused the judgment of tzaraat?  Jewish women represented a threat to Vashti because they were, in the most profound sense of the word, pure. By observing Shabbat, they demonstrated that there is a ruler who is beyond the reach of any monarch. By maintaining their modesty they proved that they define themselves internally rather than superficially. They were pure.  For this she wanted to break and soil them. By doing so she sealed her own doom.

It is our command to stay pure, “Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure. (1 Timothy 5:22)” We must keep ourselves separate, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Messiah with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of Elohim with idols? for ye are the temple of the living Elohim; as Elohim hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their Elohim, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith Yahweh, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. (2 Corinthians 6:14-17)”

“According to law, what must be done to Queen Vashti?” he asked. “She has not obeyed the command of King Xerxes that the eunuchs have taken to her.”

Then Memucan replied in the presence of the king and the nobles, “Queen Vashti has done wrong, not only against the king but also against all the nobles and the peoples of all the provinces of King Xerxes. For the queen’s conduct will become known to all the women, and so they will despise their husbands and say, ‘King Xerxes commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she would not come.’ This very day the Persian and Median women of the nobility who have heard about the queen’s conduct will respond to all the king’s nobles in the same way. There will be no end of disrespect and discord.

“Therefore, if it pleases the king, let him issue a royal decree and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media, which cannot be repealed, that Vashti is never again to enter the presence of King Xerxes. Also let the king give her royal position to someone else who is better than she.  Then when the king’s edict is proclaimed throughout all his vast realm, all the women will respect their husbands, from the least to the greatest.”

The king and his nobles were pleased with this advice, so the king did as Memucan proposed. He sent dispatches to all parts of the kingdom, to each province in its own script and to each people in its own language, proclaiming in each people’s tongue that every man should be ruler over his own household. (Esther 1:15-22)”

The Talmud (in Midrash Rabba) provides us with the final piece of information that lets us put the puzzle pieces together. It reveals to us the words that Queen Vashti used when she refused King Achashverosh. “You were my father’s stable boy. You had harlots parade in front of you. Are you going back to where you came from?”

Queen Vashti intent was not to build herself up or to preserve her life. She was aware of what she had become, but had neither the will nor the courage to change. Remember, only repentance brings reversal. She had followed a course that had typified her life. She wanted to cut him down one last time. All that was left of her life was only arrogance.  According to Persian law, there could be no other Queen while the previous Queen lived.  Queen Vashti had to be executed.

“Later when the anger of King Xerxes had subsided, he remembered Vashti…(Esther 2:1)”

As disrespectful as she was he still loved and missed her.  “Yahweh Elohim said, “It is not good for the man to be alone…(Genesis 2:18)”

“…the king’s personal attendants proposed, “Let a search be made for beautiful young virgins for the king. Let the king appoint commissioners in every province of his realm to bring all these beautiful girls into the harem at the citadel of Shushan. Let them be placed under the care of Hegai, the king’s eunuch, who is in charge of the women; and let beauty treatments be given to them. Then let the girl who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti.” This advice appealed to the king, and he followed it. (Esther 2:2-4)”

So a beauty contest was held and Mordechai put Hadassah in it. 

“This girl, who was also known as Esther, was lovely in form and features… Esther also was taken to the king’s palace and entrusted to Hegai, who had charge of the harem. The girl pleased him and won his favor. Immediately he provided her with her beauty treatments and special food. He assigned to her seven maids selected from the king’s palace and moved her and her maids into the best place in the harem.

Esther had not revealed her nationality and family background, because Mordecai had forbidden her to do so. Every day he walked back and forth near the courtyard of the harem to find out how Esther was and what was happening to her.

Before a girl’s turn came to go in to King Xerxes, she had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments prescribed for the women, six months with oil of myrrh and six with perfumes and cosmetics.  And this is how she would go to the king: Anything she wanted was given her to take with her from the harem to the king’s palace. In the evening she would go there and in the morning return to another part of the harem to the care of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the concubines. She would not return to the king unless he was pleased with her and summoned her by name.

When the turn came for Esther (the girl Mordecai had adopted, the daughter of his uncle Abihail) to go to the king, she asked for nothing other than what Hegai, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the harem, suggested. And Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her. She was taken to King Xerxes in the royal residence in the tenth month, the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.

Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. (Esther 2:7-17)”

“Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes.  In the twelfth year of King Xerxes, in the first month, the month of Nisan, they cast the pur (that is, the lot) in the presence of Haman to select a day and month. And the lot fell on the twelfth month, the month of Adar. (Esther 3:6,7)”

Why did Haman cast lots? Why didn’t he simply figure out what the most convenient day or days on which to carry out this holocaust was and do it, quickly before anyone knew what hit them?

In Deut. 25:18 we find this passage, “[Amalek] happened (“karcha“) upon you…” What does this passage mean?  The Talmud explains the Hebrew word “karcha” literally means coincidence Amalek’s entire philosophy is that there is no design or providence in the world. Everything is haphazard, dictated by chance, luck and fate, a roll of the dice.  Is it any wonder Haman the direct descendant of Amalek so easily put his trust in dice.

There is another Holy Day associated with the casting of lots, Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.  On the surface these two Holy Days couldn’t be farther apart, on Yom Kippur we fast and pray, on Purim we fast then party. Yet the Zohar sees the two days as intrinsically similar, going so far as to use a word play on the name Yom HaKippurim to mean that it is yom k’purim “a day like Purim!”

The casting of lots expresses the idea that one has passed beyond the realm of motive and reason. There is no force of will to the role of the dice.  For whatever reason, by rolling the dice you have chosen an option of letting the matter be surrendered to forces that are beyond your control or comprehension.

                Herein lies the significance of the lots cast by the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) on Yom Kippur. After all is said and done, no man is worthy in the eyes of Yahweh to make the choice.

                That is why Haman rolled the dice.  He was trying to exploit the supra-reality of Yahweh’s will to his own diabolical scheme.  He wanted the Jewish people to think he was a pursuer of Yahweh’s wisdom and the implementer of His will and get them to surrender to their fate.

                By destroying Israel, he would prove the Torah was not absolute and the Talmud says if the Torah, the source of universal truths, was eliminated, then the world would revert to emptiness. That is because humanity simply cannot survive without clear moral direction. Morality holds civilizations together; it’s absence leads to chaos.

                Adolph Hitler, Dr. Josef Mengele, Adolf Eichmann and the thousands of priests, ministers, doctors, professors, farmers, teachers, barbers, receptionists, retailers, lawyers, mechanics, shop owners and secretaries who made soap, lamp shades, coat stuffing and ashes out of Jews were not sick! They thought of themselves as Christian. In reality, they were just plain evil. By saying their “Jesus” did away with the Torah, they were abandoning morality, they were able to rationalize genocide as “noble and good.” It is not surprising that the Talmud (Megillah 6b) identifies “Germamia” as the descendents of Amalek.

                The Torah says: “Amalek battled Israel in (a place called) Refidim” (Exodus 17:8). The Midrash explains that the name “Refidim” can come from an acronym of Hebrew words meaning “they loosened their grip on Torah.” As long as the Jews were diligent in Torah study, Amalek could not beat them.

“Study to show thyself approved unto Yahweh, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth – Torah. (2 Timothy 2:15)”

As the Talmud relates, “When the lot [cast by Haman] fell on the month of Adar, he greatly rejoiced, saying: ‘The lot has fallen for me upon the month of Moses’ death.’” This is what I’ve been saying all along. Moses might have given Israel the Torah, the document that so endears them to Yahweh, but that was then this is now Moses is a human being. Moses, too, is part of the physical, rational reality–a reality transcended by the power of the “lot” I have accessed. My lots indicate that I have superseded Moses–superseded Israel’s merit in the eyes of Yahweh.  I have replaced Israel with Persia.  We have achieved at-one-ment!

“When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. (Esther 4:1)” Mordechai understood the danger Israel was in.  They were already under the judgment for assimilation.  He knew the excess of Persian living dulled their spiritual senses.  Now with this casting of lots he was afraid that Israel would buckle.               

Mordechai took his intercession all the way to the king’s gate. “…he went only as far as the king’s gate, because no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter it. (Esther 4:2)” He would have taken it to the king’s door but that was not allowed.

“Confess your trespassesto one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. (James 5:16)”

                Mordechai prayers worked and when Israel heard of the plans of holocaust they repented.

“In every province to which the edict and order of the king came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing. Many lay in sackcloth and ashes. (Esther 4:3)”

“When Esther’s maids and eunuchs came and told her about Mordecai, she was in great distress. She sent clothes for him to put on instead of his sackcloth, but he would not accept them. Then Esther summoned Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs assigned to attend her, and ordered him to find out what was troubling Mordecai and why.

So Hathach went out to Mordecai in the open square of the city in front of the king’s gate. Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him, including the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews. He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict for their annihilation, which had been published in Shushan, to show to Esther and explain it to her, and he told him to urge her to go into the king’s presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people. (Esther 4:4-8)”

                Esther knew there was a problem.  Before she could do this she would first have to enter the King of all the Universe’s chambers and she was not worthy. 

                “Hathach went back and reported to Esther what Mordecai had said. Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai, “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that he be put to death. The only exception to this is for the king to extend the gold scepter to him and spare his life. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.” (Esther 4:9-11)”

She knows she has sinned by enjoying the King’s House and she is questioning her right to petition Yahweh or bring the redemption for a people she had disattatched from. “When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:12-14)”

Mordechai knew if he could just touch Esther’s heart to bring teshuvah, the power of teshuva bestows on the repentant the merit to approach Yahweh with more confidence than ever before.

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)”

As the Rambam says in Hilchot Teshuva (chapter 7, halacha 7): ‘Last night this one was distant from the Elohim of Israel…,cried out and was not answered…Today, he is attached to the Divine Presence…, and his cries are responded to immediately.’

“Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Shushan, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4:15,16)”

Now the role of Esther changes from a young winner of a beauty contest become Queen into a ba’alat teshuva (master of repentance), the repentant who discovers the way back to Yahweh in a way that brings her even closer than before. She is an instrument of redemption.

“On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.

Then the king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.”

“If it pleases the king,” replied Esther, “let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him.”… So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared. As they were drinking wine, the king again asked Esther, “Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.”

Esther replied, “My petition and my request is this: 8 If the king regards me with favor and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.”

Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. (Esther 5:1-9)”

Haman was exceptionally pleased with himself, full of his own importance, but troubled because one individual had the temerity to refuse to bow down to him. “All of this does nothing for me,” reported Haman, “so long as Mordechai refuses to bow down to me.” All of Haman’s riches, his position, and his wealth were not enough. Even to punish just Mordechai was not enough; he had to kill all the Jews. HaSatan was trying to destroy the last bit of Israel and stop the Redeemer from coming.

When Haman returned home with the news that Esther had invited him and only him to the feast with the king, he waxed eloquent with his family and friends about how great he was.

“His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have a gallows built, seventy-five feet high, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai hanged on it. Then go with the king to the dinner and be happy.” This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the gallows built. (Esther 5:14)”

“I will yet take revenge on Mordechai! I will hang him on the gallows and shall yet feast my eyes on his lifeless body dangling in the air!” he must have said to Zeresh.

The message of Haman’s gallows was altogether a “self” gospel—the symbol of an alternative plan of HaSatan. Haman would save his satisfaction and through his “craftiness” which would make an object lesson of Mordechai. He would “hang-em’ high,” for refusing to bow low.

Haman was up late relishing the construction of the fiendish device of death, and the king was trying to get some sleep, and couldn’t. Instead of counting sheep, he asked that the royal records be brought in before him and read out loud. And the records that were read recounted a recent assassination plot and coup attempt.  It had been Mordechai who had learned of the plot and told Queen Esther who had in turn reported it to the king. King Achashverosh asked his scribes what had been done to reward Mordechai, and looking it up they discovered that he had received no recognition.

By now it was morning, Haman was off to the palace early, to ask for permission to kill Mordechai. And Haman was arriving in the court of the palace just as the king, pondering how to reward Mordecai asked, “Who is in the court?” (Esther 6:4). The answer came back, “Haman,” and they sent him in immediately. And the great reversal for Haman began…

“So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, to whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself? And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to honour, let the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head. And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king’s most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour. Then the king said to Haman, make haste, and take the apparel, and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king’s gate; let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken.” (Esther 6:6-10).”

And Haman did so. But when it was all over he made his way home quickly in utter humiliation. According to the Aggaddah, when Haman was leading Mordechai in the parade of honor, Haman’s daughter thought it was Mordechai leading her father on the horse so she leaned out of her window and dumped a chamber pot on his head.  “Afterward Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief (Esther 6:12)” When she realized her mistake she lost her grip and plunged to her death. Whatever party and festivity was underway was broken up, and the friends and hangers-on began to quietly slip out through the back door.

“His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him-you will surely come to ruin!” While they were still talking with him, the king’s eunuchs arrived and hurried Haman away to the banquet Esther had prepared. (Esther 6:13,14)”

There is an ancient prophecy, “The angel of Yahweh called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, “I swear by myself, declares Yahweh, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me. (Genesis 22:15-18)”

Israel likened to the sands and the stars. When they stray from their Yahweh and disobey His commandments, they can be oppressed and humiliated, and trodden upon like sand by the nations of this world. But when they return to their Yahweh and serve only Him with true devotion, they become exalted like the stars in heaven! Because of this truth all who comes against them like wicked Haman seals their own doom.

“I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. (Genesis 12:3)”

The book of Esther reaches its climax when Haman’s plot to kill the Jews is reversed and he himself winds up hanging from the gallows he had caused to be built to hang Mordechai.

“So the king and Haman went to dine with Queen Esther, and as they were drinking wine on that second day, the king again asked, “Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.”

Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor with you, O king, and if it pleases your majesty, grant me my life-this is my petition. And spare my people-this is my request. 4 For I and my people have been sold for destruction and slaughter and annihilation. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.”

King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, “Who is he? Where is the man who has dared to do such a thing?”

Esther said, “The adversary and enemy is this vile Haman.” (Esther 7:1-6)”

The king, shocked , arose in wrath and went out fuming into his garden. Why does the king leave now that he knows whom the real enemy is? Now that he knows the whole evil plot why doesn’t he simply shout, “Off with his head!” You can see he is struggling with himself. He is angry at Haman, quite properly so, but he’s also angry with himself.  Thinking to himself, how could he been so wrong. Haman is the prime minister. He has deeply entrenched himself in the affairs of the kingdom and the king knows that if he does anything to Haman it will upset the whole kingdom. It is a radical step to execute a prime minister. It must necessarily involve a great deal of distress throughout the kingdom and change the whole pattern of government in the empire.

Haman remained in the room with the queen and threw himself down before her pleading for his life. In the moment when the king returned it appeared to him that Haman was attacking the queen.

Then said the King, will he molest the Queen also before me in my own house? As the word went out of the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face. And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the King, “A gallows seventy-five feet high stands by Haman’s house. He had it made for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king.”

   The king said, “Hang him on it!” (Esther 7:8-9)”

Haman was hanged on his own gallows. Good triumphed over evil.

“That same day King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came into the presence of the king, for Esther had told how he was related to her. (Esther 8:1)”

The King would have learned that Mordechai was a descendant of the royal family of Sha’ul, the first King of the Jews and in fact was Queen Esther’s cousin making her nobility. King Achashverosh immediately appointed Mordechai to succeed Haman as Prime Minister.

Esther would no longer live in the Harem King Achashverosh presented Esther, with the Prime Minister’s estate and the royal signet, which he had taken from Haman he gave to Mordechai.

Mordechai and Esther did not for a minute lose sight of the danger that still faced their people. Haman’s cruel decree was still unchanged, and unless it was withdrawn in time, the last remnant of Israel would be lost.

Esther, therefore, again beseeched the King in behalf of her doomed brethren. She fell at his feet and with tears in her eyes pleaded with the King to avert the terrible fate that threatened them.

“How can I endure to see the evil that will come unto my people? How can I endure to witness the destruction of my kindred?” Esther cried in anguish.

“King Xerxes replied to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, “… Now write another decree in the king’s name in behalf of the Jews as seems best to you, and seal it with the king’s signet ring-for no document written in the king’s name and sealed with his ring can be revoked.”

…The king’s edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate any armed force of any nationality or province that might attack them and their women and children; and to plunder the property of their enemies. The day appointed for the Jews to do this in all the provinces of King Xerxes was the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar.  A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued as law in every province and made known to the people of every nationality so that the Jews would be ready on that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.

The couriers, riding the royal horses, raced out, spurred on by the king’s command. And the edict was also issued in the citadel of Shushan.

Mordecai left the king’s presence wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Shushan held a joyous celebration. For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor. In every province and in every city, wherever the edict of the king went, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them. (Esther 8:7,8, 11-17)”

When the thirteenth day of Adar arrived, the day on which the Jews were to be slain and exterminated by Haman decree, the Jews gathered in the public places of each city and town. By order of the King, they sentenced to death all those who had revealed themselves as enemies. Throughout the kingdom of Persia, would-be murderers, insurgents and terrorists were executed, five hundred in Shushan. All ten sons of Haman were likewise executed in the insurrection.

“The king said to Queen Esther, “The Jews have killed and destroyed five hundred men and the ten sons of Haman in the citadel of Shushan. What have they done in the rest of the king’s provinces? Now what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? It will also be granted.”

“If it pleases the king,” Esther answered, “give the Jews in Shushan permission to carry out this day’s edict tomorrow also, and let Haman’s ten sons be hanged on gallows.”

Now, that does not make sense.  Why did Esther, when she could have gotten anything she wanted up to half of Persia as for the ten sons of Haman, who are already dead to be hanged?  The answer is spiritual.  Esther could see down through the corridors of time to when the same anti-Christ spirit that possessed Haman’s family would be at work again.

We see that the same spirit that was in Haman dwelt in Hitler.  From 1938-1945 he tried to exterminate the Jews.  His right hand man was a transvestite Hermann Goering who committed suicide when he was a disgrace to his Fuehrer like Haman’s daughter.  That left 10 generals to face the music at Numburg for trying to exterminate the Jews. When you look at the names of the 10 sons of Haman listed in Esther 9:6-10 you see three small letters. They are Tav, Shin, and Zayin, which can represent the Hebrew year 5707, corresponding to the year 1946-47. On October 16, 1946 (21 Tishrei, 5707) ten convicted Nazi war criminals were hanged in Nuremberg. The last man to go was Julius Schtreicher – editor of Der Sturmer, the anti-Semitic Nazi propaganda newspaper and also the host of the yearly Nazi party congresses at Nuremberg – out of nowhere, with the rope around his neck, he shouted out with flaming hatred in his eyes, just as the trap door opened, ‘Purimfest 1946’!”

Esther answered, “give the Jews in Shushan permission to carry out this day’s edict tomorrow also, and let Haman’s ten sons be hanged on gallows,” the Sages comment: “There is a tomorrow that is now, and a tomorrow which is later.” (Tanchuma Bo 13 and Rashi on Exodus 13:14).

October 16, 1946 corrosponds to 21st of Tishrei, 5707 which was Hoshana Raba, the day when Yahweh’s Yom Kippur judgments are sealed and made final.

There is another tommorrow coming in the time of the end when the spirit that motivated the ten sons of Haman will rise again at the behest of the Beast like Haman.  “The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. (Revelation 17:12)

So the king commanded that this be done. An edict was issued in Shushan, and they hanged the ten sons of Haman. The Jews in Shushan came together on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar, and they put to death in Shushan three hundred men, but they did not lay their hands on the plunder.

Meanwhile, the remainder of the Jews who were in the king’s provinces also assembled to protect themselves and get relief from their enemies. They killed seventy-five thousand of them but did not lay their hands on the plunder. This happened on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, and on the fourteenth they rested and made it a day of feasting and joy. (Esther 9:12-17)”

From that time, on the thirteenth day of Adar, the day before Purim there is the Fast of Esther to emulate Israel’s repentance and coming out of assimilation, the fourteenth day of Adar is consecrated as the festival of Purim, to commemorate the great miracle of the last remnant of Israel’s salvation.  Those of us who live in the Diaspora, like those who lived in Shushan, consecrate also the fifteenth day of Adar as “Shushan Purim.”

Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews throughout the provinces of King Xerxes, near and far, to have them celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration. He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor… the Jews took it upon themselves to establish the custom that they and their descendants and all who join them should without fail observe these two days every year, in the way prescribed and at the time appointed. These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. And these days of Purim should never cease to be celebrated by the Jews, nor should the memory of them die out among their descendants… Esther’s decree confirmed these regulations about Purim, and it was written down in the records. (Esther 9:20-22, 27,28, 32)”

The story of Israel is replete with two models of faith.  There is Joseph the young righteous hero, and there is Judah the repentant hero. Joseph is a spiritual leader who motivates others by his moral authority and rises second only to Pharaoh. Judah after initial shortcomings is inspired to lead his other brothers to Joseph even laying down his life as a guarantee for young Benjamin’s.

It is even in the advents of Messiah.  Moshiach Ben Yosef will precede the Moshiach ben Yehuda (David).  Rebbe YahShua said “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39)”  He was spurred onto crucifixion by the prophecy, “See, the King is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him. (Jude 1:14,15)”

The book of Esther not only contains many parallels to our end-time setting, but it even has, in principle, the outcome of the great controversy. Esther’s behavior is paralleled to that of the Commonwealth. We both have committed a sin of assimilation, and then see the error of our ways when we hear the call of Yahweh.

“And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” (Revelation 18:2-4)

“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

But Yahweh, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Messiah …and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Messiah YahShua,that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Messiah YahShua.For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of Yahweh,not of works, lest anyone should boast.For we are His workmanship, created in Messiah YahShua for good works, which Yahweh prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh–who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands–that at that time you were without Messiah, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without Yahweh in the world. But now in Messiah YahShua you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Messiah. (Ephesians 2:1-13)”

Yahweh will reverse the lie of haSatan, and make all things new again, delivering His people. And we can be assured of that.

Because there is something on your horizon and on mine that stands much taller than haSatan’s gallows; and that is the Kingdom of Yahweh. Messiah YahShua was pierced through on our behalf, in our place, “that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14). He became sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of Yahweh in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). If it seems that our lives are sold into destruction–if it seems that we and our people are “to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish”–then let us call to mind the manner in which King Achashverosh received queen Esther, even up to giving her half of the kingdom of Persia. Yahweh loves Israel. He purposes to preserve it, to make us clean, without wrinkle or spot (Ephesians 5:27). It is His good pleasure to give us the kingdom (Luke 12:32)!

                The harvest is white, go tell the lost sheep of the House of Israel and the Gentiles who will hear!

“Go into all the world and preach the full Messianic Message to all creation. Whoever believes and is immersed will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:15,16)”

“And this full Messianic Message of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14)”

                The Kingdom is coming!

Originally written by Rabbi Robert O. Miller on March 28th, 2005
(Robert Owen Miller 1957-2021)

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Purim: The Feast of Deliverance

Purim: The Feast of Deliverance
By
Robert O. Miller

“…observe the fourteenth of the month of Adar as a day of joy and feasting , a day for giving presents to each other… These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. And these days of Purim should never cease to be celebrated by the Jews, nor should the memory of them die out among their descendants. (Esther 9:19, 28)”

Purim (Hebrew: פּוּרִים Pûrîm “lots”) is the Scripturally mandated holy day that commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish Israelites of the ancient Persian Empire from Haman’s plot to annihilate them by the courageous acts of Mordecai and Queen Esther’s, as recorded in the Book of Esther (Megillat Esther). One must plum Scripture to understand how profound were their deeds and its effect on world history, and eternity.

The Reversal

In the light of Spiritual Warfare, I think it is important for us to look at this story in particular.  The whole point of the ministry of “deliverance” is to have “nahafochu” נַהֲפוֹךְ reversal, to turn around, to overturn or overthrow the effects of the evil inclination or the sinful nature and to return to at-one-ment with Yahweh which is the byproduct of “teshuvah” תָּשׁוּבָ translated as repentance.

The two main Hebrew Characters are Mordecai מָרְדֳּכַי which means “little man” speaking of the insignificance of man: “What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man (human being) that you care for him? (Psalm 8:4)”

In answer to this Yahweh says of man: “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
       will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of Yahweh, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my Elohim, in whom I trust.’ (Psalm 91:1, 2)”

The earnest seeker of righteousness that truly wants deliverance replies: Hear my voice when I call, O Yahweh; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, ‘Seek his face!’ Your face, Yahweh, I will seek. Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O Elohim my Savior. (Psalm 27:7-9)”

“For Yahweh so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)” “LOVE” is the reason that Yahweh’s mind is on mankind.

“Moses describes in this way the righteousness that is grounded in the Torah: ‘The man who does these things will live by them.- Lev. 18:5’ Moreover the righteousness that is grounded in faith says: ‘Do not say in your heart, “Who will ascend into heaven?”-’ (that is, to bring Messiah down) or ‘”Who will descend into the deep?”’ (that is, to bring Messiah up from the dead). But what does it say? ‘The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,- Deut. 30:12’ that is, the Word of Faith we are proclaiming: That if you pledge allegiance with your mouth, ‘YahShua is King,’ and believe in your heart that Yahweh raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you allegiance and are saved. As the Scripture says, ‘Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.- Isaiah 28:16’ For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Sovereign is sovereign of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.- Joel 2:32’ (Romans 9:5-13)”

“…for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as Yahweh has said, among the survivors whom Yahweh calls. (Joel 2:32)”

And Hadassah הֲדַסָּה which means “myrtle” one of the Four Species used as a wave offering during the Holy Day of Sukkot – Feast of Tabernacles. The leaves of the hadass grow in tiers of three leaves each speaking of the three manifestations of Yahweh – Ayn Sof, the Incomprehensible One; Adam Kadmon, the Express Image of Yahweh, the only begotten Son and the Ruach HaKodesh, the Spirit of Yahweh. Together with the etrog, the Species are waved in all four directions, plus up and down, to proclaim Yahweh’s mastery over all of creation.  Hadassah would be used as a wave offering in Persia to declare, “There is no Elohim but Yahweh!”

“See now that I myself am He! There is no Elohim besides me. I put to death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal, and no one can deliver out of my hand. (Deuteronomy 32:38-40)”

The stage on which this “object lesson” was played was the Persian Achaemenid Empire (559 BCE–330 BCE), the first of the Persian Empires to rule over significant portions of Greater Iraq & Iran, the famous arch-nemesis of Greece.

Persia פָּרַס Pä·ras’ meaning “pure” or “splendid” is the goal of every Believer to become that purely righteous individual we were created to be which can never be found in the false idolatry of the World.

As the story opens up we are introduced to Ahasuerus אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ Akh·ash·vā·rosh’ meaning “I will be silent and humbled.” By the end of the story that is exactly what happens to Xerxes Khashayarsha I as his name is in the Persian dialect of Farsi.

The Rebellious Wifeomitt MurderAse listing Haman’

The book commences with a feast organized by Ahasuerus, initially for his court and dignitaries and afterwards for all inhabitants of Shushan שׁוּשַׁן (meaning “lily”). Shushan was one of the places within the inheritance of Shem and his eldest son Elam (Book of Jubilees 8:21 & 9:2). Thus, Shushan was the primary capital of the Elamite Empire. It became the winter residence of the Persian kings because of its picturesque location on the river Ulai. Both Daniel and Nehemiah lived in Shushan. The tomb of Daniel is located in the area, known as Shush-Daniel. The tomb is marked by an unusual white pyramid, which most scholars believe is one point of a Star of David.

King Ahasuerus orders his wife Vashti to “show off her beauty” before the partiers. The name Vashti וַשְׁתִּי has been translated as “beautiful” but in reality it comes from the Persian word “vashishta” literarily meaning “a looker.”

Vashti or “Stateira” in Farsi was born to Babylonian royalty. Her grandfather was Nebuchadnezzar, who had destroyed Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem and driven the Jews into exile. Her father was Belshazzar, the last in a line of great Babylonian kings whose dramatic death is described in the Book of Daniel.

The Talmud (in Megillah 12) tells us Queen Vashti would have young Jewish girls abducted, force them to strip, having them molested and coerce them into working for her on Shabbat. Why did Queen Vashti hate the Jewish women so?  Jewish women represented a threat to Vashti because they were, in the most profound sense of the word, pure. By observing Shabbat, they demonstrated that there is a ruler who is beyond the reach of any monarch. By maintaining their modesty they proved that they defined themselves internally rather than superficially. They were pure.  For this she wanted to break and soil them. By doing so she sealed her own doom.

Vashti refuses to submit to her husband and king. Memucan, מְמוּכָן (meaning “dignified”) advise the king that he had to protect the dignity of his office. King Ahasuerus dethrones her as queen.

“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which Yahweh has established. The authorities that exist have been established by Yahweh. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what Yahweh has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is Yahweh’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is Yahweh’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are Yahweh’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. (Romans 13:1-8)”

Upon the advice of his personal counselors, King Ahasuerus then orders all young women to be presented to him, so he can choose a new queen to replace Vashti. One of these was Hadassah whom the Persians renamed Esther אֶסְתֵּר (meaning “star” in Farsi but means “concealed” in Hebrew), who was orphaned at a young age and was being fostered by her cousin Mordechai. He was a linguist (see any parallel to the Holy Spirit?!), and a member of the Sanhedrin.

She finds favor in the king’s eyes, and was made his new wife, without revealing that she is Jewish.

The Conspiracy to Commit Murder

Shortly afterwards, Mordechai finds out a plot by courtiers Big·tän’ בִּגְתָן (meaning “in their wine-press”) and Teh’resh  תֶרֶשׁ (meaning “strictness or legalistic”) to kill Ahasuerus.

The first thing one must be willing to do to receive deliverance is to let go of the false belief system of “legalism,” which is the endeavor of trying to earn salvation by legalistically applying your own interpretation of religion. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of Yahweh— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are Yahweh’s workmanship, created in Messiah YahShua to do good works, which Yahweh prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:8-10)”

Next, renounce any tie to oppressor.  “The Spirit of the Sovereign Yahweh is on me, because Yahweh has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of Yahweh’s favor and the day of vengeance of our Elohim, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of Yahweh for the display of his splendor. (Isaiah 61:1-3)”

“For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ (Romans 8:15)”

“For Yahweh did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7)”

The conspirators were apprehended and executed, and Mordechai’s service to the king is recorded.

“And the thing became known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther told the king thereof in Mordecai’s name. And when inquisition was made of the matter, and it was found to be so, they were both hanged on a tree; and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king. (Esther 2:22, 23)”

“Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful manis death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mindis hostile to Yahweh. It does not submit to Yahweh’s Torah, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please Yahweh.

 You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of Yahweh lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Messiah, he does not belong to Messiah. But if Messiah is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised YahShua from the dead is living in you, he who raised Messiah from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.

Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death (execute) the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of Yahweh are sons of Yahweh. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.And by him we cry, “Abba,Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are Yahweh’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of Yahweh and co-heirs with Messiah, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. (Romans 8:5-11)”

Mordecai ben Yair was the descendant of Shimei. Those who are students of Scripture might remember Shimei: As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the same clan as Sha’ul’s family came out from there. His name was Shimei ben Gera, and he cursed as he came out. 6 He pelted David and all the king’s officials with stones, though all the troops and the special guard were on David’s right and left.

As he cursed, Shimei said, ‘Get out, get out, you man of blood, you scoundrel! Yahweh has repaid you for all the blood you shed in the household of Sha’ul, in whose place you have reigned. Yahweh has handed the kingdom over to your son Absalom. You have come to ruin because you are a man of blood!’

Then Abishai ben ZeruYahu said to the king, ‘Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head.’

But the king said, ‘What do you and I have in common, you sons of ZeruYahu? If he is cursing because Yahweh said to him, “Curse David,” who can ask, “Why do you do this?”

David then said to Abishai and all his officials, ‘My son, who is of my own flesh, is trying to take my life. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for Yahweh has told him to. It may be that Yahweh will see my distress and repay me with good for the cursing I am receiving today.’

So David and his men continued along the road while Shimei was going along the hillside opposite him, cursing as he went and throwing stones at him and showering him with dirt. The king and all the people with him arrived at their destination exhausted. And there he refreshed himself. (2 Samuel 16:5-14)”

It was true King David was “a man of blood” that is why he could not build the Temple but he was not a man of pride.  If he were he would have let Abishai ben ZeruYahu cut off his head.  Instead he looked beyond the carnal into the spiritual. Had David got into the flesh, there would be no Mordecai to act as an agent of deliverance in this story.

Prime Minister Haman ben Hamedätä’

King Ahasuerus then appoints Haman הָמָן (meaning “magnificent” or “one who stands alone”) בֶּן-הַמְּדָתָא (son of Ha med·ä·tä’ – meaning the double), a descendant of Amalekite עֲמָלֵקִי (meaning “people of lapping”) king Agag אֲגַג (meaning “I will overtop”), as his prime minister. Haman cared only for himself and he had a double dose of Agag’s iniquities.

“You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44)”

Who said, “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of Elohim: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. (Isaiah 14:13, 14)”

The Israelite King, Sha’ul had been commanded to destroy the Amalekites: “I am the one Yahweh sent to anoint you king over his people Israel; so listen now to the message from Yahweh. This is what Yahweh Almighty says: ‘I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt. Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.’ (1 Samuel 15:1-3)”

King Sha’ul tried to out mercy Yahweh and preserve the House of Agag along with the choicest live stock.  But Sha’ul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs—everything that was good. These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed. (1 Samuel 15:9)” He thought in political terms that this would be good leverage with the surrounding nations.  But that was not Yahweh’s will: “I am grieved that I have made Sha’ul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions. (1 Samuel 15:11)”

King Sha’ul went and erected a monument to himself and then headed to Gigal, there Yahweh’s prophet, Samuel met up with him. Sha’ul said, ‘Yahweh bless you! I have carried out Yahweh’s instructions.’ (1 Samuel 15:13)”

Samuel knew he was lying, “What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear? (1 Samuel 15:14)”

King Sha’ul reasoned: The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to Yahweh your Elohim, but we totally destroyed the rest. (1 Samuel 15:15)”

Samuel said, “Let me tell you what Yahweh said to me last night.(1 Samuel 15:16)”

King Sha’ul’s curiosity was aroused, “Tell me! (1 Samuel 15:17)”

Samuel inquired: “Why did you not obey Yahweh? (1 Samuel 15:19)”

King Sha’ul’s immediately got defensive, “‘I did obey Yahweh,’ Sha’ul said. ‘…I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to Elohim, in order to sacrifice them to Yahweh…’ (1 Samuel 15:20, 21)”

“But Samuel replied: ‘Does Yahweh delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of Yahweh? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of witchcraft, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the Word of Yahweh, he has rejected you as king. (1 Samuel 15:22, 23)”

King Sha’ul had been exposed. As Samuel turned to leave, Sha’ul caught hold of the hem of his robe, and it tore. Samuel said to him, ‘Yahweh has torn the Kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors—to one better than you. He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a man, that he should change his mind.’ (1 Samuel 15:27-29)”

“Then Samuel said, ‘Bring me Agag king of the Amalekites.’

Agag came to him confidently, thinking, ‘Surely the bitterness of death is past.’

But Samuel said, ‘As your sword has made women childless, so will your mother be childless among women.’ And Samuel put Agag to death before Yahweh at Gilgal. (1 Samuel 15:32, 33)”

Had King Sha’ul done what Yahweh had told him to do, there would have been no Haman.  Everything we do and say has consequences.  “Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is Adonai’s will, we will live and do this or that.’ As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins. (James 4:13-16)”

“Yahweh said to Moses, ‘Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.’ Moses built an altar and called it Yahweh is my Banner. He said, “The hand is on the Throne of Yah. Yahweh will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation.” (Exodus 17:14-16)”

Notice that in Exodus 17:16, יָד עַל-כֵּס יָהּ “Yad `al- kes Yah.” “The hand is on the Throne of Yah.”  Only the yod יָand the heh הּ, one half of Yahweh’s name יְהוָה is used.  This is because the Amalekites wanted to stop the name of Yahweh from being fully implemented in this world. Yahweh’s influence is not complete as long as the seed of Amalek is in this world. He wants to stop the unity of Yahweh’s name from descending to earth. The constant attribute of the seed of Amalek is that he tries to exterminate all Israel from off the face of the earth so there is no one to proclaim the name of Yahweh.

“Hear, O Israel: Yahweh our Elohim, Yahweh is unified! (Deuteronomy 6:4)”

“Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10)” Meaning that the Torah as it is applied in Heaven will be applied here on earth.

“And Yahweh shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be— Yahweh Echad, for His name will be unified. (Zechariah 14:9)”

The Prime Minister’s Final Solution

Mordechai, who sits at the palace gates, falls into Prime Minister Haman’s disfavor as he refuses to bow down to him. Having found out that Mordechai is Jewish, Haman plans to kill not just Mordechai but the entire Jewish minority in the empire in one holocaust. He obtains King Ahasuerus’ permission to execute this plan, against payment of ten thousand kikar of silver, he intended to buy all the Jews for slaughter.

It begs the question, “How much is an Israelite worth?”  For the answer to that question we must go to Exodus 38:25, 26: “And the silver from those who were numbered of the congregation was 100 kikar and 1775  shekels, according to the shekel of the Sanctuary: a bekah for each man (that is, ½  shekel, according to the shekel of the Sanctuary), for everyone included in the numbering from 20 years old and above, for 603,550 men.

It goes on to say that 100 kikar of silver for the Adanim – the sockets (one kikar for each socket holding together the fifty beams that formed the skeleton for the Holy Tabernacle, two sockets for each beam, one on top and one on the bottom) plus 1775 additional shekel for the hooks on the pillars. The 1775 additional shekels came the 3550 Israelites over the exact 600,000 figure. Since exactly 600,000 Jews gave 300,000 shekel of silver which equals 100 kikar, we get a conversion factor of 3,000 shekel per kikar of silver. 10,000 kikar times 3000 shekel per kikar equals 30 million shekels. 30 million shekel divided by five shekel per person purchased six million Israelites for slaughter! ‘Keep the money,’ the king said to Haman, ‘and do with the people as you please.’ (Esther 3:11)” Yahweh said that the Son of Amalek’s purchase was valid, but not in that generation. Only a generation just before Messiah would come would need such refining for Messiah to come, as you know that happened in Hitler’s Germany from 1938-1945. From these ashes the Nation of Israel was reborn. Think about that the next time you give your ½ shekel at Purim.

“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that itis near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generationwill certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. (Matthew 24:32-35)”

Two thousand years ago on Purim a man ran to the Temple to pay his ½ shekel offering. The coin fell out of his pocket and rolled into drainage openings at the side of the street and found its way into the drainage channel and there is lay for two millennia. The shekel was finally found this year by Archaeologist Eli Shukron in an archaeological excavation that is being conducted in the Walls Around Jerusalem National Park near the City of David. The coin was minted in the year 22 CE. What is amazing, only seven other Tyrian half shekels have previously been found in excavations in Jerusalem.

Rabbi Elijah ben Shlomo Zalman, the 18th century scholar also known as the Vilna Gaon which means “the (saintly) genius from Vilna”, wrote in his Sifra Ditzniuta (The Book of Hidden Things), “all that was, is, and will be until the end of time is included in the Torah…not just in the general sense, but… (even) the most minute details.”

Haman casts lots (פּוּר pur) to choose the date on which to do this – the thirteenth of the month of Adar. The whole idea of holding a pur or lottery was to announce that there is no body at the helm; everything is chance and happenstance.  In Deut. 25:18 we find this passage, “[Amalek] happened (קָרְךָkarcha“) upon you…” What does this passage mean?  The Talmud explains the Hebrew word “karcha” literally means coincidence Amalek’s entire philosophy is that there is no design or providence in the world. Everything is haphazard, dictated by chance, luck and fate, a roll of the dice. Haman’s plan was to break Israel’s spirit as much as to destroy their bodies. He wanted to show them the futility of their religion.

By destroying Israel and the religion of Israel, he would prove the Torah was not absolute and the Talmud says if the Torah, the source of universal truths, was eliminated, then the world would revert to emptiness. That is because humanity simply cannot survive without clear moral direction. Morality holds civilizations together; it’s absence leads to chaos.

But Scripture promises: “The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor a Torah Giver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his. (Genesis 49:10)”

                Adolph Hitler, Dr. Josef Mengele, Adolf Eichmann and the thousands of priests, ministers, doctors, professors, farmers, teachers, barbers, receptionists, retailers, lawyers, mechanics, shop owners and secretaries who made soap, lamp shades, coat stuffing and ashes out of Jews were not sick! They thought of themselves as Christian. In reality, they were just plain evil. By saying their “Jesus” did away with the Torah, they were abandoning morality, they were able to rationalize genocide as “noble and good.” It is not surprising that the Talmud (Megillah 6b) identifies “Germania” as the descendents of Amalek.

The Fast of Esther

When Mordechai finds out about the plans he orders widespread prayer and fasting.

 “In every province that the king’s command reached, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing. (Esther 4:3)”

Three particular terms are used here – mourning אֵבֶל ā’·vel or depression, weeping בְכִי bek·ē’ and wailing מִסְפֵּד mis·pād’ or eulogy.  This kind of behavior is only used in Israelite tradition for funerals. In other words the Israelite exile community had lost all hope of surviving this onslaught, and already considered themselves to be dead. Because they had lost all hope of deliverance, these Israelites began mourning their own deaths for there would be none to weep for them later. The news shows how despondent these Israelites were over the possibility of overcoming the adversary. They fasted because they had no stomach for food, they were frightened.  What they could not do was pray the “prayer of faith”. Fasting is no good without faith!

“‘Why couldn’t we drive it out?’ [Messiah] replied, ‘Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, “Move from here to there” and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.’ (Matthew 17:19-21)”

Mordechai and the rest of the Jews find out about Haman and his evil plans, ironically Esther is the last to find out and the reaction in her is profound.. She wonders should she expose herself as a Jew.  There had been an issue in Esther’s family about accepting their heritage. She was born in captivity in Bavel/Babylon where her family chose to remain after the decree of Cyrus which allowed the Jews to return home to Jerusalem to rebuild.

Now, Purim can easily be understood by clearly considering the assimilationist tendencies we have. The Torah predicts that Israel would try to be like the nations they live among. When that happens, Yahweh says “I will hide My face on that day. (Deuteronomy 31:18)” “I will hide” is one word in Hebrew, הַסְתֵּר “hastir.” We get into trouble when as a Believer we still want to be like everybody else, “walk(ing) according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience. (Ephesians 2:2)” Every misfortune stems from our own misbehavior. Yahweh is hidden from us in the Purim story; He operates behind the scenes. There are no overt miracles and His name doesn’t even appear. And even the name of the heroine of Purim is Esther אֶסְתֵּר concealed – hide.  Judgment came in the person of Haman ben Hammedata.

Mordechai counsels her “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:13, 14)” Yahweh always prepares a salvation for whatever catastrophe awaits His people. Yahweh’s supervision of His people is ready for all contingencies. Salvation came in the form of a man named Mordechai. Mordechai knows that Yahweh is in control, and he tells Esther, “Relief and deliverance will come to the Jews.” He never wavered from this firm belief for an instant. He had true faith!

Mordechai knew if he could just touch Esther’s heart to bring teshuvah, the power of teshuva bestows on the repentant the merit to approach Yahweh with more confidence than ever before.

“Let us therefore come boldly (NOT COCKY, RATHER WITH CONFIDENCE) unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)”

As the Rambam says in Hilchot Teshuva – The Laws of Return (chapter 7, halacha 7): ‘Last night this one was distant from the Elohim of Israel…,cried out and was not answered…Today, he is attached to the Divine Presence…, and his cries are responded to immediately.’

 Esther requests that all Jews fast and pray for three days together with her: “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Shushan, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4:15, 16)” Now the role of Esther changes from a young winner of a beauty contest become Queen into a ba’alat teshuva (master of repentance), the repentant who discovers the way back to Yahweh in a way that brings her even closer than before. She is an instrument of redemption.

On the third day she seeks an audience with King Ahasuerus, during which she invites him to a feast in the company of Prime Minister Haman. During the feast, she asks them to attend a further feast the next evening. Meanwhile, Haman is again offended by Mordechai and builds a gallows for him.

The Man the King Delights to Honor

That night, Ahasuerus suffers from insomnia, and when the court’s records are read to him to help him sleep he remembers the services rendered by Mordechai in the previous plot against his life. It had been Mordechai who had learned of the plot and told Queen Esther who had in turn reported it to the king. King Ahasuerus asked his scribes what had been done to reward Mordechai, and looking it up they discovered that he had received no recognition.

. Haman was arriving in the court of the palace to ask for permission to kill Mordechai just as the king, pondering how to reward Mordecai asked, “Who is in the court?” (Esther 6:4). The answer came back, “Haman,” and they sent him in immediately. And the great reversal for Haman began…

“So Haman came in, and the king asked him, ‘What shall be done for the man whom the king delights to honor?’

Now Haman thought in his heart, ‘Whom would the king delight to honor more than me?’ And Haman answered the king, ‘For the man whom the king delights to honor, let a royal robe be brought which the king has worn, and a horse on which the king has ridden, which has a royal crest placed on its head. Then let this robe and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king’s most noble princes, that he may array the man whom the king delights to honor. Then parade him on horseback through the city square, and proclaim before him: “Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!’”

Then the king said to Haman, ‘Hurry, take the robe and the horse, as you have suggested, and do so for Mordecai the Jew who sits within the king’s gate! Leave nothing undone of all that you have spoken.’” (Esther 6:6-10).”

And Haman did so. But when it was all over he made his way home quickly in utter humiliation. According to the Aggaddah, when Haman was leading Mordechai in the parade of honor, Haman’s daughter thought it was Mordechai leading her father on the horse so she leaned out of her window and dumped a chamber pot on his head.  “Afterward Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief (Esther 6:12)” When she realized her mistake she lost her grip and plunged to her death. Whatever party and festivity was underway was broken up, and the friends and hangers-on began to quietly slip out through the back door.

“His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him-you will surely come to ruin!” While they were still talking with him, the king’s eunuchs arrived and hurried Haman away to the banquet Esther had prepared. (Esther 6:13,14)”

There is an ancient prophecy, “The angel of Yahweh called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, “I swear by myself, declares Yahweh, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be mixed, because you have obeyed me. (Genesis 22:15-18)”

Israel likened to the sands and the stars implying that by the Last Days the majority of people would be from the Abrahamic bloodline – through your offspring all nations on earth will be mixed. But there’s another meaning, when Israel strays from their Elohim and disobey His commandments, they can be oppressed and humiliated, and trodden upon like sand by the nations of this world. But when they return to their Elohim and serve only Him with true devotion, they become exalted like the stars in heaven! Because of this truth all who comes against them like wicked Haman seals their own doom.

“I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. (Genesis 12:3)”

Celebrating Under the Influence

That evening, Ahasuerus and Haman attend Esther’s second banquet, at which she reveals that she is Jewish and that Haman is planning to exterminate her people. Ahasuerus orders Haman hanged on the gallows that had been prepared for Mordecai.

Here’s a mystery: When Elohim asks Adam and Chava (Eve) whether they ate from the Tree of Knowledge (Genesis 3:11), the Torah uses the words הֲמִן-הָעֵץ “hamin ho’aytz” (“from the tree…?”)  That can also be read -הָעֵץ הָמָן “Haman ho’aytz” “Haman on the tree” for he was hanged on the gallows, which is also called an aytz in Hebrew. “Cursed is every man hanged on a tree (Deuteronomy 21:23)”

The previous decree against the Jews cannot be annulled, but the king allows the Jews to defend themselves during attacks. As a result, on 13 Adar, five hundred attackers and Haman’s ten sons are killed in Shushan. Throughout the empire an additional 75,000 are slain. On the 14th, another 300 are killed in Shushan.

“The king said to Queen Esther, ‘…Now what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? It will also be granted.”

“‘If it pleases the king,’ Esther answered, ‘give the Jews in Shushan permission to carry out this day’s edict tomorrow also, and let Haman’s ten sons be hanged on gallows’ (Esther 9:12, 13)”

Wait a minute, the ten sons of Haman were killed in battle. They’re already dead.  Why does she want them hung? I believe the secret lies in their names:

Parshandata פַּרְשַׁנְדָּתָא the first born son of Haman, means “of noble birth” representing the Work of the Flesh pride thinking better of oneself than he out to – selfish ambitions.

Dalphon דַּלְפוֹן meaning “dripping” representing the ‘weeping self, self pity of the Work of the Flesh drunkenness.

Aspata אַסְפָּתָא meaning “the enticed gathered” representing the Work of the Flesh contentions & sedition.

Porata פּוֹרָתָא meaning “frustration” representing the Work of the Fleshof outbursts of wrath, hatred & murder.

Adalia אֲדַלְיָא meaning “I shall be drawn up of Yah” representing the Work of the Flesh idolatry.

Aridata אֲרִידָתָא meaning “the lion of the decree” representing the Work of the Flesh sorcery.

Parmashta פַּרְמַשְׁתָּא meaning “superior” representing the Work of the Flesh dissensions  -self/insistent on having one’s own way.

Arisai אֲרִיסַי meaning ”like a lion” imprudent representing the Work of the Flesh adultery& being abusive spending people for your own pleasure.

Aridai אֲרִידַי meaning “the lion is enough” representing the Work of the Flesh fornication– sex without ties – without self-control.

Vaizata וַיְזָתָא meaning “strong as the wind” representing the Work of the Flesh of self-righteousness, lovers of themselveshaving a form of godliness but denying its power – Torah!

                Esther wanted to hang the 10 sons of Haman as a wave offering telling the world here are the embodiment of the Works of the Flesh conquered by obedience to Yahweh – there is no Elohim but Yahweh!

“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery,fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders,drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of Yahweh. (Galatians 5:19-21)”

“Flee the evil desires of immaturity, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on Yahweh out of a pure heart. Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And Adonai’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that Yahweh will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. But mark this: there will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of Yahweh — having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. (2 Timothy 2:22-26 – 3:1-5)”

“…by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live…(Romans 8:13)”

“Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: ‘Now have come the salvation and the power and the Kingdom of our Elohim, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our Elohim day and night, has been hurled down.

They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.

Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short. (Revelation 12:10-12)”

Why did Esther, when she could have gotten anything she wanted up to half of Persia ask for the ten sons of Haman, who are already dead to be hanged?  The answer is spiritual.  Esther could see down through the corridors of time to when the same anti-Christ spirit that possessed Haman’s family would be at work again.

“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 1:9)”

The prophesied in the edict of the King: “And the king commanded it so to be done: and the decree was given at Shushan; and they hanged Haman’s ten sons. (Esther 9:14)”  The phrase in Hebrew, “and they hanged” isוְאֵת עֲשֶׂרֶת “ve’et `eseret” “they WILL hang,” alluding to the ten sons of Haman being hung in the future.

We see that the same spirit that was in Haman dwelt in Hitler.  From 1938-1945 he tried to exterminate the Jews.  His right hand man was a transvestite Hermann Goering who committed suicide when he was a disgrace to his Fuehrer like Haman’s daughter. “Originally 11 were to have the death penalty imposed if found guilty. Everybody in those days thought that they would be shot – as is customary in military executions – or get the electric chair – as was common in the United States. But when the judges announced the verdict of guilty, they also said that hanging would be the method of execution.”  “Hermann Wilhelm Goring, lying on his small iron cot in Cell No. 5 and wearing black silk pajamas and a blue shirt, crushed between his teeth a glass vial of potassium cyanide, gasped, twitched, and died. (Newsweek, October 28, 1946Foreign Affairs Section, page 46)” That left 10 generals to face the music at Numburg for trying to exterminate the Jews. “Then, in 90 minutes in the early hours of Oct. 16, they followed each other to the gallows.” When you look at the names of the 10 sons of Haman listed in Esther 9:6-10 you see three small letters and one large letter. Nachmanides asserted that any change, from the normal, in a word or letter of the Scripture, indicates some hidden meaning. The letters are changed in the Scripture verse listing Megilat Esther showing the sons of Haman.Haman’s sons are a large vauv וַ and three small Tavתָ, Shinשְׁ, and Zayinזָ, The large Vauv (equals 6) signifying the 6th millennium (from the years 5001 to 6000). The remaining 3 letters Tav (400), Shin (300), and Zayin (7) – equal 707 of the 6th millennium, or, the Hebrew year 5707, corresponding to the year 1946-47. On October 16, 1946 (21 Tishrei, 5707) ten convicted Nazi war criminals were hanged in Nuremberg. The last man to go was Julius Schtreicher (may his name be blotted out) – editor of Der Sturmer (The Stormer), the anti-Semitic Nazi propaganda newspaper and also the host of the yearly Nazi party congresses at Nuremberg.

Schtreicher wrote, “If the danger of the reproduction of that curse of God in the Jewish blood is to finally come to an end, then there is only one way–the extermination of that people whose father is the devil Whoever does what a Jew does is a scoundrel, a criminal.  And he who repeats and wishes to copy him deserves the same fate, annihilation, death.”

Yahweh turned that last judgmental statement around onJulius Schtreicher. “Only Julius Streicher went without dignity. He had to be pushed across the floor, (kicking), wild-eyed and screaming: ‘Heil Hitler!’ Mounting the steps he cried out: ‘And now I go to God.’ He stared at the witnesses facing the gallows … Then to the American officer he cried ((and) spat in (his) face): ‘The Bolsheviks will hang you one day.’ “ When asked for his name, he roared, ‘You know it well.’ – out of nowhere, with the rope around his neck, he shouted out with flaming hatred in his eyes, just as the trap door opened, ‘Purimfest 1946’!” “A groan came from inside the scaffold.” Streicher was not a member of the military and was not part of planning the Holocaust. He was the Nazi Scribe.  His pen slowly and methodically seduced and incited Germany into exterminating the Jews.  For this Yahweh made his death a slow strangulation rather than by the quick death of having his neck broken. It is believed that the executioner had to intervene under the gallows to silence and finish Streicher.

Esther answered, “give the Jews in Shushan permission to carry out this day’s edict tomorrow also, and let Haman’s ten sons be hanged on gallows, (Esther 9:13)” Now, the Hebrew word for “tomorrow”, מָחָר “machar” can refer to the distant future. The Sages comment: “There is a tomorrow that is now, and a tomorrow which is later.” (Tanchuma Bo 13 and Rashi on Exodus 13:14).

October 16, 1946 corresponds to 21st of Tishrei, 5707 which was Hoshana Raba, the day when Yahweh’s Yom Kippur judgments are sealed and made final.

“…On the 7th day of the Sukkot (Tabernacles) festival, the judgment of the nations of the world is finalized. Sentences are issued from the residence of the King. Judgements are aroused and executed on that day.” (Zohar Vayikra – 31b)

The Tausendjähriges Reich “Thousand Year Reich”, as it was intended by its founder, Adolf Hitler, believed it was the reincarnation of the Holy Roman Empire and as such would last a thousand years but only lasted 12 miserable years (from 1933 through to 1945).

There is another tomorrow coming in the time of the end when the spirit that motivated the ten sons of Haman will rise again at the behest of the Beast like Haman.  “The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. (Revelation 17:12)

Streicher did not know about the three small letters in the Book of Esther; he did not know that these letters corresponded to the year in which he was being hanged, and even had he known, he would have had no motivation to reinforce the validity of the prophecies of Scripture of a people he detested. No, this was the ranting of the spirits that tormented the Amalekites having to admit another millennium of failures. One could not ask for a more independent confirmation of the all-encompassing knowledge to be found in the Yahweh Word.

So the king commanded that this be done. An edict was issued in Shushan, and they hanged the ten sons of Haman. The Jews in Shushan came together on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar, and they put to death in Shushan three hundred men, but they did not lay their hands on the plunder.

Meanwhile, the remainder of the Jews who were in the king’s provinces also assembled to protect themselves and get relief from their enemies. They killed seventy-five thousand of them but did not lay their hands on the plunder. This happened on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, and on the fourteenth they rested and made it a day of feasting and joy. (Esther 9:12-17)”

Eat, Drink and Be Merry — We Almost Died

From that time, on the thirteenth day of Adar, the day before Purim there is the Fast of Esther to emulate Israel’s repentance and coming out of assimilation, the fourteenth day of Adar is consecrated as the festival of Purim, to commemorate the great miracle of the last remnant of Israel’s salvation.  Those of us who live in the Diaspora, like those who lived in Shushan, consecrate also the fifteenth day of Adar as “Shushan Purim.”

“Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews throughout the provinces of King Xerxes, near and far, to have them celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration. He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor… the Jews took it upon themselves to establish the custom that they and their descendants and all who join them should without fail observe these two days every year, in the way prescribed and at the time appointed. These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. And these days of Purim should never cease to be celebrated by the Jews, nor should the memory of them die out among their descendants… Esther’s decree confirmed these regulations about Purim, and it was written down in the records. (Esther 9:20-22, 27,28, 32)”

Mordechai assumes a prominent position in Ahasuerus’ court, and institutes an annual commemoration of the delivery of the Jewish people from annihilation. “Nahafochu” accomplished!

When it comes to receiving “deliverance” we must not lose hope.  We must enter the conflict with faith.  Israel’s national anthem is “Hatikveh” translated as “The Hope.”  תִקְוָה tik·vä’ comes from the root קַוֵּה kä·ve’ meaning to wait, look for, hope, to expect.  It comes from Psalms 27.  In the midst of a reality that seems stark – “When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall…Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence (Psalms 27:2, 12)”  King David isn’t relying on some vague “hope”, rather he has an earnest expectation of deliverance.

קַוֵּה, אֶל-יְהוָה:    חֲזַק, וְיַאֲמֵץ לִבֶּךָ; וְקַוֵּה, אֶל-יְהוָה.

       Yahweh –’el   veqavu’eh  libeka  veya’amets  chazaq        Yahweh –’el  Qaveh

“Expect Yahweh (and His intervention)! Be strong and courageous! Expect Yahweh (and His deliverance)! (Psalms 27:14)”

The Hebrew month of Adar is a time for ´increasing joy´. Purim is a time for celebrating our salvation from enemies who plot our destruction. Adar falls at the end of the calendar for months and the end of the winter.

And after Adar comes Aviv , meaning springtime. Springtime is a time of rebirth and regeneration after a long dark winter of our souls.

“I am Elohim, and there is no other; I am Elohim, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done. (Isaiah 46:9-10)”

Originally written by Rabbi Robert O. Miller on March 26th 2008
(Robert Owen Miller 1957-2021)

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