Commemorating Purim

This weekend, commencing Saturday evening at sunset and ending Sunday evening at Sunset, is the Biblical commemoration of the Book of Esther. The photo shows a scroll of the book of Esther (also called "Megillah"). Incidentally, it is the only book in the Hebrew Scriptures where G-d is not mentioned at all. Nevertheless, HaShem was very much at the centre of events. It's a short book and recounts the historic events of the planned genocide of the Jewish People by an evil general of the Persian Empire known as Haman, a descendant of Amalek. If you are able, take out some time to read the book of Esther. You will learn that the plan of Haman was thwarted through the Prophet Mordechai and the Jewish Queen Esther. It's a story of immense courage under terrifying circumstances. Today, Purim has been set aside in synagogues around the world as a period of commemoration and rejoicing for G-d's miraculous intervention and protecting His people from certain genocide all those years ago. However, detached by several thousand years of history, it is tempting to read the book of Esther as 'one of those stories in the Bible'. But if you consider that had Haman succeeded with his evil plan, the majority of the Jewish people would have been wiped off the face of the earth.

The 20th century has seen arguably the worst genocides since the dawn of history. Notably the Holocaust (or Shoah), genocide of the Armenians, the Khmer genocide in Cambodia, the genocide of Bosnians in Srebrenica, the horrors of the Rwandan genocide and more recently the genocide in Darfur (Sudan) and now in Syria.

Syria is the most recent example of the depth to which the human heart can sink. Civilians are being lined up and shot or raped. Children are terrified of venturing out to play and refugees are fleeing into neighbouring countries.

Whether you personally celebrate Purim or not, try and take some time out this week to read the book and reflect upon the seriousness of the planned genocide that was overcome. It is most significant to truly conceive what that horrific term means because it is happening on earth right in front of our noses. Christians ensure massacres and acts of genocide throughout Asia and Africa as we speak. Regimes in nations like Iran have already planned the genocide of the Jewish people in Israel and have their militias of Hezbollah and Hamas, ready on Israel's borders for the slaughter.

This terrible, tragic and horrific reality is a direct manifestation of sin. Thank G-d when He appoints leaders who act with benelovence, compassion and in the interests of peace and humanity. But these men (and women) are few and far between, because of the greedy and self-serving nature of politicians. Therefore, thank G-d for His Messiah and the Salvation that He brings. Yeshua is the Saviour of the WHOLE WORLD, especially to those who believe (1 Timothy 4:10). He is in other words the Saviour of every human who has ever been born, but currently only true believers are aware of this fact and are able to enter into that special relationship with G-d who became flesh to dwell among us. But make no mistake - the G-d of Israel is the G-d of ALL mankind (Jeremiah 32:27) and one day through Messiah He will draw ALL men to Himself (John 12:32).

Pray earnestly and in tears for His coming and call upon G-d to appoint men to intervene against genocide and acts of genocide, to establish for humanity and all living beings a world in which none will need to be afraid. It is the duty of believers to forget themselves, to call upon G-d and pray into existence an Earth which is not capable of these horrors, an Earth where there will finally be real peace among the nations:

And they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. For nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore - Isaiah 2:4.

May the Lord our G-d hasten that day.
Shabbat Shalom
Shavuah Tov and Chag Sameach!