Who Knew? A Woman Saves Israel
“Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this.” –Esther 4:14
On the eve of the Feast of Purim, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came to Washington, DC to plead the case for Israel’s survival before the US Congress. In so doing, he was accused by the current administration of breaking protocol. In a show of disdain, Democratic leaders deliberately snubbed him. Yet the Prime Minister followed a famous Biblical precedent. Because of it he was willing to risk the contempt he endured. That precedent was set by a young Jewish beauty in Ancient Persia whom King Xerxes had crowned as his queen.
A high Persian official, the vicious Haman the Agagite, had schemed to get the king to sign an order that would mean the annihilation of every Jew in Persia (present day Iran). Esther’s cousin Mordecai caught wind of the devastating plot. He sent news of the scheme to Esther urging her to entreat the king for mercy.
However, Esther was reluctant to approach the king. She knew that protocol demanded a prior royal appointment. To break protocol could be hazardous. Mordecai desperately urged her to proceed regardless of the consequences. He warned her, “If you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Esther responded by conveying word to the entire Jewish community to fast and pray for her favor. Only then did she dare approach King Xerxes. He responded to her breach of protocol with a favorably raised scepter. Haman’s evil plot was exposed in a banquet designed by Esther personally. Haman was summarily executed. The king issued a follow-up decree authorizing the Jews to arm and defend themselves from their anti-Semitic enemies. The success of the Jewish defense was then cause for much celebration. We now call that feast day Purim—meaning “casting lots” which Haman did in an attempt destroy them.
Like Haman, the present administration in the White House, has little regard for our long time ally. Disparaging Israel, they dismiss the fact that Israel is not only important to U S interests, but vitally important to God. Israel is important to all Bible believing Christians. The Lord says in His Word, “Israel is Mine!” (Isaiah 43:1) Many other divine promises speak of Israel’s restoration, “a nation born in a day.” (Isaiah 66:8)
It is God’s divine plan for worldwide salvation to come through Zion. ( Psalm 50) The Lord does not play favorites with the Jews. But in His order, He declares Israel as His firstborn (Jeremiah 31:9) and His first fruits (Romans 11:16). This is why God warns, “who touches you touches the apple of My eye.” (Zachariah 2:8) Those who snub Israel in a show of contempt may find themselves in the hands of an angry God. Throwing a boomerang at God’s land could only hurt themselves.
Tiny as Israel is, she is our only true ally amidst the dangerous and despotic Islamic Middle East. God grant us Esthers in government who will love Israel.
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