Dear Family in the Messiah Yeshua! Greetings and blessings to you from your brothers and sisters at “Holy Land Ministries”, Israel!
This week we are going to celebrate Purim, one of the most joyous of Israel’s holidays.
The Festival of Purim comes on the 14th of the Jewish month Adar, which falls this year on the Thursday evening of the 25th of February and ends in the evening of Friday, the 26th of February by the Gregorian Calendar.
As most of you know, Purim commemorates G-d’s miraculous deliverance of the Jewish people during the time when they lived in Persia by using the courage and obedience of a young Jewish woman by the name of Ester.
These amazing events are described in the Book of Esther and are publicly read on Purim in the Synagogues during the evening and again in the following morning.
Although the name of G-d is not mentioned in this Book of the Bible, His presence is clearly revealed in the carefully arranged and orchestrated design of the dramatic events described in this Book.
A beautiful and practical Mitzvot (Commandments) given to us on Purim, beside listening to the public reading of the Book of Ester twice, is to send gifts of food to friends and giving charity to the poor.
As usual, we would like to share with you this year insight on Purim from our Israeli rabbi and dear brother in the Messiah Yeshua:
Purim, Festival of Faith…displayed in submissiveness
The book of Esther tells of the Jewish people finding deliverance through faith. Although the name of G-d does not appear in this book, religious practices such as prayer, fasting, and repentance are all found throughout the chapters of this scroll. When examining the two main characters, Mordechai and Esther, one learns that both of them possessed a strong faith in the G-d of Israel.
Faith is found within the soul of an individual and therefore it cannot be seen. However, true faith works within a person’s life and the results of faith are clearly discernible in the actions of faithful people. Although faith will manifest itself in a variety of ways, one consistent manifestation of faith is seen in submissiveness. For the purpose of this brief article, the submissiveness of Esther will be examined in one significant event in her life.
Esther was an orphan and she was raised by her uncle, Mordechai. Mordechai was a man of faith, who believed deeply in the G-d of Israel; therefore, he instilled within his niece this same faith. When young women were assembled to Shushan, the capital of the kingdom, in order to find a new queen for Achashverosh, the king, Esther was also taken. When Esther’s turn came to go before the king, it is stated,
וּבְהַגִּיעַ תֹּר-אֶסְתֵּר בַּת-אֲבִיחַיִל דֹּד מָרְדֳּכַי אֲשֶׁר לָקַח-לוֹ לְבַת לָבוֹא אֶל-הַמֶּלֶךְ לֹא בִקְשָׁה דָּבָר כִּי אִם אֶת-אֲשֶׁר יֹאמַר הֵגַי סְרִיס-הַמֶּלֶךְ שֹׁמֵר הַנָּשִׁים וַתְּהִי אֶסְתֵּר נֹשֵׂאת חֵן בְּעֵינֵי כָּל-רֹאֶיהָ׃ אסתר ב.ט״ו
“And when (the) turn of Esther arrived, [the daughter of Avichail, (her) uncle was Mordechai who had taken (her) for a daughter], to come before the king, she did not request a thing, except what Hegai, the king’s eunuch, the keeper of the women would say and Esther would take favor in the eyes of all (who) sees her.” Esther 2:15
It is very significant that Esther did not request anything when she went before the king. This is in contrast to the other women who received whatever they wanted in order to endear themselves to the king (see Esther 2:13). This fact reveals two important things to the reader. First, Esther did not think like the other women. It was the faith which Mordechai had instilled within her that caused her to behave differently. In other words, the truth of G-d will always cause an individual to act uniquely. Secondly, it states in verse 15, “she did not request a thing, except what Hegai, the king’s eunuch, the keeper of the women would say”. Hegai was in a position of authority and acted as an intermediary between the women and the king. Because of this position, he would have certainly interacted with the king and presumably would possess information which could be most helpful in the objective of finding the favor of the king. All the other women made their own decisions on what to request; however, Esther was able to see Hegai as one who could provide valuable instruction to her on what she should bring with her.
The spiritual principle is that when one is led by faith and does not lean on one’s own understanding, this one can see G-d’s provision in his or her circumstances. G-d is always faithful, but it is our faithfulness that allows us to see the faithfulness of G-d, Who provides for us what we need in order to accomplish His will. Esther’s faith demonstrated itself in submissiveness, which has several benefits in the believer’s life.
First, submissiveness will serve as an invitation to the Holy Spirit to get involved in one’s life. Many times those who do in fact have faith in Yeshua remark that they do not seem to be experiencing G-d’s presence in their lives. Just believing is not enough to experience the moving of the Spirit of G-d in one’s circumstances. It is a willingness to submit and trust in G-d Who will indeed provide the means for His people to serve Him successfully. It is important for one to realize that submissiveness begins the process of G-d moving in one’s life and there are specific steps which will lead to the primary objective, which is obedience to the plans, purposes and will of G-d.
In the account of Esther, it became clear that it was part of G-d’s plan for Esther to become the queen. It was her submissiveness that positioned her in the king’s palace as the queen. In addition to this, one reads that “Esther would take favor in the eyes of all (who) sees her.” (…וַתְּהִי אֶסְתֵּר נֹשֵׂאת חֵן). Such a statement is certainly not a normal occurrence, but reveals to the reader G-d’s activity in the life of Esther. The expression relates to one receiving the kindness and assistance from others in a manner which is not normal. This favor is provided for one purpose, so that the believer can serve G-d and carry out His purposes. In fact, submissiveness begins with the believer’s sincere desire to obey G-d and be used by Him for His purposes. Without this desire, the “believer” will greatly stifle the Holy Spirit from working in his or her life.
When looking at Mordechai and Esther, it is discerned that both of them were not looking only at their individual situations, but understood how each person’s behavior can and usually does impact others as well. In fact, the concept of ministry is based in this reality and a strong desire to bless others. In other words, both Mordechai and Esther had a heavenly ambition to be used by G-d to influence others to receive His covenant promises. Once again, there is an inherent relationship between submissiveness and such an ambition.
Most people have ambition, but few have this heavenly ambition. Without a Biblically-based faith, rooted in the truth of G-d, one’s ambition will be misdirected by satanic influences. This certainly describes wicked Haman.
Unfortunately, Purim is a festival which is all but ignored by most believers. Also within Judaism, the great spiritual significance of the event and the revelation from the Scroll of Esther are substituted for parties, costumes, and drinking. Purim has become a type of Jewish Halloween or a milder form of Mardi Gras (Carnival). This serves as another sad example of how instead of G-d’s people influencing the world, the world is having a corrupting influence of the people of G-d.
Jewish law requires that one hears the Scroll of Esther read. While it is true that faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of G-d, simply listening to someone chant the Megillah (the Scroll of Esther) is not enough. I am all for listening in one’s congregation to the Megillah being read, but it is only when one carefully studies the words of this Scroll that he or she can appreciate the powerful message which is contained in it. Make a commitment now that on Purim (February 26, 2021) you will read carefully the book of Esther and prayerfully ask G-d to teach you what He would have you to learn from this Scroll. As you read, realize that the Megillah does not only contain historical information, but it is also prophetic and reveals principles which will help one have a proper perspective for the End Times. This means that the deliverance which one reads about in the Scroll, should not only be understood as a past deliverance, but within this victory, which took place more than 2,400 years ago, are the Scriptural instructions on how to behave when the empire of the antichrist is ruling over the world.
May you have a very meaningful Purim Observance. Shalom
Dear Friends, we are excited to share with you our praise report, as the Lord has answered our urgent prayer request we told you about in our last newsletter.
“… Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you….Ask, and you will receive that, that your joy may be full.” John 16:23 (b),24(b) (NKJV).
In our last newsletter report we have shared with you about the pressing need of workers for the Lord’s Harvest in Israel.
Baruch Ha Shem! The answer for this prayer has come in a surprising and wonderful way.
To our great joy, a new family of Jewish immigrants that arrived at our Ashqelon Guest House are already part of our dear family in the Messiah Yeshua!
Genadi and Svetlana with their sweet daughter Anna, who is 12 years old, just made Aliyah and have come to us a few weeks ago from Ukraine. We have received them as as we have received all the other families before them. We have explained to them about the different bureaucratic procedures for the new immigrants, helped them with some practical assistance and, of course, have invited them to Shabbat celebrations.
From the first moment we met them, we felt something unusual about this family, there was something different about them from the numerous guests we have hosted in our shelter, and soon to our great joy, we have discovered that these dear people are also our precious family in the Messiah and a long awaited answer to prayer for co-labourers in the Lord’s work in Israel. When we met Genadi , Svetlana and Anna they were full of the joy of the Lord, overwhelmed and grateful for the Father’s provision and guidance, as He bought them directly to the House of His people , – to their family in the Messiah in Israel.
Dear Friends, please pray with us for this special family, for the continuous guidance of the Lord and for the easy absorption for them, as they began to learn Hebrew and go thru many other steps, they need to go through as new Jewish immigrants in Israel.
But most of all, please pray that the Lord will make these dear people a blessed vessel and committed workers for His Harvest in Israel, preparing the way for His return and His glorious Kingdom.
Dear Friends, please pray for another new guest of our Shelter in Ashqelon.
His name is Valery. Valery is 61 years old, he is an engineer and recently has arrived in Israel from Odessa, as a new Jewish immigrant.
As usual, while we are hosting Valery, we are seeking to help him with all the regular steps that one needs to do as part of the absorption process, such as registering at the social security office, getting medical insurance, opening a bank account, finding a suitable apartment etc.
Though all these things are really necessary now for Valery, our primary goal is to share with this dear man the Word of G-d and explain to him its extreme importance for his new life in Israel and for his eternal destiny in general.
Valery seems to be really open to the spiritual truths we are sharing with him, and is even interested to join our Torah study (Bible studies), though apparently all these Biblical concepts are new to him, just as for the majority of Jewish immigrants coming to Israel from the former Soviet Union.
Dear Friends, please pray with us for this dear Jewish man that the Lord will open his heart and mind, bringing him to repentance and granting him the gift of eternal life, which only He alone can do.
We truly realize that no human effort or diligence can bring one to salvation and give eternal life, but to our joy, asking for these Heavenly gifts is a clear command and a wonderful promise from our Messiah:
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8 (NKJV).
Dear Friends, please pray for the success of the Baptism course that with the L-rd’s help, we are starting this Purim for young believers.
Our Israeli rabbi will teach new disciples about the covenant they are about to enter with the Messiah of Israel.
It is hard to overestimate the importance of this teaching and training for the Jewish people as they are coming today to the saving knowledge of their Messiah.
It is in our days and before our very eyes that the L-rd is fulfilling His ancient prophecies, as He brings the scattered descendants of Israel to the land of their fathers:
“For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land”. Ezekiel 36:24.
The in-gathering of the Jewish exiles from different nations and countries is a modern, astonishing and ongoing event. However the challenge of this amazing historical happening that it is bringing in a lot of foreign cultures and traditions imported by Jewish people from the countries and nations they have been exiled in for so long…
“Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.” Ezekiel 36 :25
This is why we are so blessed to receive the help and instructions of our Israeli rabbi and committed disciple of Yeshua, as he is going to teach the young believers the Biblical Truth within a Jewish Biblical context, preparing them for the Covenant relationship with the G-d of Israel and His blessed Messiah.
One of the primary goals and fervent desires of our ministry is to establish a true and adequate testimony from Messiah’s people within the modern Jewish society, well equipped, able and committed to reflect the light of Yeshua in the modern Israel of today.
Please pray with us that the Lord will bless our efforts, and give us strength and perseverance, for His anointing and wisdom which are necessary for preparing and raising new generations of committed faithful laborers for Messiah’s Harvest, continuing with this Task even up to His return.
Happy and Blessed Purim to you, dear Family!
Holy Land Ministries 