•           Iran war, that the regime will be replaced with a peaceful democracy, Israel will be safe, and the people of Iran be set free and kept safe.  

•           The salvation of Israelis – Lord please save your people, especially the new immigrants. Also, the Muslims that they would find Christ.

•             Pray against anti-Semitic hatred 

•             Pray for Stability in the Government

•             Pray for Truth regarding the war situation with Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran,  etc.

•             Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem Psalm 122 – Internal security – Ceasefire to hold, Hamas to be disarmed

•             Aliyah – Many thousands of new immigrants have arrived in Israel.

•             Royal Commission in Antisemitism in Australia.

Ref: Chabad https://www.chabad.org/holidays/purim/default_cdo/jewish/Purim.htm

Introduction

Welcome to one of the happiest holidays on the Jewish calendar – Purim. You may also like to see what I wrote last year where I outlined the highlights of Purim.

This is a time of partying, masquerading, enjoying friends, food and escaping from the troubles that surround.

In this article I wanted to look at Purim from a distinct perspective because it is a Hebrew leap year which contains two months of Adar, Adar I and Adar II

7 Because of your shame, which was doubled,
and because they cried, “They deserve disgrace,”
therefore in their land what they own will be doubled,
and joy forever will be theirs. Isaiah 61:7 CJB

As I was researching for this article and reviewing what I had written last year I came across this phrase which stood out to me.

Purim became the celebration of the salvation of the Jews of Persia during the reign of King Ahasuerus.

Perhaps this year for Father’s Beloved Chosen People will not just be a year of salvation from Israel’s enemies but also a year of salvation whereby many enter into the New Covenant like it says in –
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Double portion

What might a double portion look like these days?

For years now we have been seeing Christians and Jews walking together in partnership which did not happen previously.

We saw Esther and Mordecai working together as family members followed by Esther and King Ahasuerus working together for the salvation of the Jews, again family working together.

The Jews and Esther fasted together, and the Lord broke through for them. Father’s Beloved Chosen people are family through Father Abraham.

It is my desire to also see leaders and congregation members working together as family and leaders of various congregations working together not just for their own communities but for the benefit of the wider community that does not have the same hope that we have.

Through these examples I hope that you can see that a double portion is when we work together – in their land what they own will be doubled. Ref: Isaiah 61:7 We can achieve more together, and we are actually more together as one. Our oneness is of immense value to the Lord and His Kingdom.

Ultimately, we as Yeshua’s Bride, working together with Him to disciple nations bringing in sons and daughters.

The kingdoms of the world are rising against the Kingdom of our God. Some see dark clouds on the horizon, with nations raging like Psalm 2 states but instead of disaster being forecasted, Father God is rising – this is His day, and He is at work bringing nations back to Himself. God is the Shepherd of the Nations bringing His flock home to His heart.

I believe we will still see a healing of nations where the Lord is bringing down principalities and instituting His rule as He draws nations to Himself to be sheep nations.

2 Between the main street and the river was the Tree of Life producing twelve kinds of fruit, a different kind every month; and the leaves of the tree were for healing the nations. Revelation 22:2 CJB

Get ready for blessings!

I had been asking the Lord for a fresh word from Heaven about Purim this year. Then when I received a message from the Holy Spirit, I wrote it down:

“The sceptre is being extended to you in this season. You are in a season of favour, but it is not for your own benefit but to get ready to be a blessing to others.”

I will not recap the story of Esther as you can read more about it in the article I listed above, however, I wanted to mention the key point of Esther coming into her destiny.

14 …Who knows whether you didn’t come into your royal position precisely for such a time as this.” Esther 4:14 CJB

There are so many examples of deliverers in the Bible and in history. Father God always has His key people prepared.

You let our enemies walk on our heads. We went through fire and flood, but you brought us to a place with good things. Psalm 66:12 NCV

Australia suffered the bushfires of 2019-2020 and now in 2022 floods in Queensland and New South Wales are being called the once in 1,000 flood.

However, I believe the Lord is bringing us through all these tragedies into a place with good things. He will again demonstrate His goodness and I believe many will be drawn to the heart of Father God through Yeshua. My feeling is that the Lord has been testing and purifying individuals in Australia and the nation of Australia for His greater purposes and that the prosperity on this country is not just for ourselves but to be a blessing to other nations around us.

In this new day that the Lord is giving us, He will position each one of His purified children into the position He has prepared for them to be a blessing to many.

What Purim represents to Israel.
This year Purim falls on 16th-17th March and it is a festival of joy, gift giving, indulgences, masquerading, partying, parades, costumes and joy. Primarily, Purim is the national dress-up holiday in Israel – this extends to offices, schools and, well, the entire country.

For Israelis it is a time of joy and a welcome distraction from the difficulties surrounding them.

Intercessors are saying that Purim could be a key time when the Lord brings down Israel’s enemies like we saw with Haman in the Book of Esther, a divine reversal.

What Purim represents to us.
Here in Australia and in many places Covid restrictions are lifting and we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Each of us in the Body of Christ is like Queen Esther, put into a royal position, for such a time as this – to bring solutions to the earth but specifically to the nation of Israel, His Beloved Chosen people.

18 then don’t boast as if you were better than the branches! However, if you do boast, remember that you are not supporting the root, the root is supporting you.
Romans 11:18 CJB

…for salvation is of the Jews. John 4:22b KJV

We as believers are children of Father Abraham. Yeshua came through this lineage to bring us salvation for which we are ever so grateful.

As we look at the Hebrew calendar, which is a combination of lunar and solar, it is balanced by a leap month (Adar1 and Adar II) which we are experiencing this year.

It is good to keep our eyes on Israel and see what the Lord is doing in this season. His people are the apple of His eye and Father is working out His best purposes for them.

How much more will He not give us breakthroughs in our own lives and families because we have a better Covenant with better promises through Yeshua. Ref: Hebrews 8:6

Let us join with Father’s Chosen people and declare “do it again Lord.” He is faithful and will bring us through our current trials.

You let our enemies walk on our heads. We went through fire and flood. But you brought us to a place with good things. Psalm 66:12 ICB

Prayer

Father God, we thank you for the story of Purim where your name is not mentioned but your work is everywhere to be seen. Let us see with the eyes of our spirit man that You are at work in our lives, in Australia, in the nations of the world. We are not orphans like Queen Esther was an orphan, but you adopted us and made us royal sons and daughters. Please position each one of us for our appointed time to be a blessing to Israel and those in need. We look to you Father to do your inimitable work in this season.
Ba Shem Yeshua (In Jesus’ name) Amen.

Video– 2:31min

This video comes to us from 2014 but it shows the Israeli resilience in the face of trials.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlwcWjAS5zw
Israelis Celebrate Purim Despite their Enemies

PART 2:      SHIELDS OF THE LORD RAISED FOR ISRAEL AND JERUSALEM

The same enemies who started a war against the Declaration of Independence made on May 14, 1948, have never ceased their attacks on Israel to this day to destroy Israel.   Today in 2022 killing the innocent, threatening the people of God, even with nuclear weapons; seeking to surround Jerusalem; to turn the world against Israel in whatever way they can.

We intercede for Israel to the Captain of the Hosts of Heaven, Yeshua Ha Mashiach;

•             that the leaders and the people of Israel would cry out to their God who saves and keeps them.

•             a miracle for unity of Government, of God’s wisdom and for stability and freedom from fear and intimidation and oppression in these days.

•             protection and wisdom for the IDF leadership; Mossad to hear plans of the enemy.

•             comfort for the wives and children and communities for those murdered in terror attacks.

•             that in these times, the eyes of the Israeli people would be opened to see Yeshua and know who He is and turn and love Him.

•             prosperity and safety for Israel in every dimension and increase and restoration; and for salvation – the precious Blood of Yeshua – their King.

Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD,

The shield of your help And the sword of your majesty!

Your enemies shall submit to you, And you shall tread down their high places.”

Deuteronomy 33:29

Behold, He who keeps Israel

Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The LORD is your keeper;

The LORD is your shade at your right hand.

6 The sun shall not strike you by day,

Nor the moon by night. 

Psalm 121: 4-6

For You are the glory of their strength,

And in Your favor our [a]horn is exalted.

18 For our shield belongs to the LORD,

And our king to the Holy One of Israel.

Psalm 89:17-18

But You, O LORD, shall endure forever,

And the remembrance of Your name to all generations.

13 You will arise and have mercy on Zion;

For the time to favor her,

Yes, the set time, has come. 

Psalm 102:12-13

Trevor Harris is the Director of Key-line Christian Research Pty Ltd. An Australian company dedicated to research into Bible sites. Qualifications include an Honours Degree in architecture and a Masters Degree in Urban and Regional Planning. Research has been conducted for 20 years including seven field trips to the Middle East. He is particularly interested in promoting prophetic mapping of the Middle East.

Please join us for this special event. More details here and flyer here: CelebrIsraelFlyerMay2021.

• Ministries that we support:
  Kehilat Ha Carmel/House of Victory – Haifa
  Howard Bass – Streams in the Desert – Beersheba
  Kehilat HaMaayan/Single Mothers, Widows Orphans & needy families – Kfar Saba
  Be’ad Chaim – Jerusalem

Key Points from the Book of Esther

This week is Purim, from the evening of the 25th of February until the evening of the 26th of February.
It is an ancient Festival with a modern application.

The Book of Esther (Hebrew: מְגִלַּת אֶסְתֵּר, Megillat Esther), also known in Hebrew as ‘the Scroll’ (Megillah):
God’s name is not mentioned once in these ten chapters, but His workings are evident on every page. He is always at work behind the scenes.

This book of the Bible can be read in approximately an hour. It is the story of a young woman who stood up in a time of crisis for her people, the Jews who were living in the Persian Empire. Observant Jews read this Megillah twice a day during Purim.

In the book of Esther, Haman was appointed the principal minister of the king Ahasuerus, and he devised a plan to annihilate the Jews in Persia, having the authority to do this. He even built gallows on which to hang Mordecai.

Mordecai resided in Susa (Shushan), Persia (Iran) and adopted and raised his niece, Hadassah (Esther) as his own. After Queen Vashti had fallen from favour with the King, the young women were paraded before King Ahasuerus, and Esther found favour with the King to become his new queen. Mordecai discovered a plot to assassinate the king, but due to his intervention, the King’s life was saved. He was later rewarded for this.

Esther was a young Jewish girl who became a queen, went through rituals of purification for twelve months and eventually became the wife of the King. Hadassah, her Hebrew name, means myrtle, and it is said her name is an indication that her actions were as pleasing as the fragrance of myrtle.

Many things about Esther’s life were hidden, especially her Jewish identity, and she did not disclose this until absolutely necessary.

Esther means “star”, like the tiny star-shaped flowers of the myrtle, and sounds just like the Hebrew word “hesstair”, which appropriately means “secret”, or “hidden”.

The three main sections of Esther are:
Esther 1:1 to Esther 2:18 — Esther replaces Queen Vashti
Esther 2:19 to Esther 7:10 — Mordecai overcomes Haman
Esther 8:1 to Esther 10:3 — the Jews survive Haman’s genocide attempt.

Mordecai, who was a member in the King’s court, Haman, who devises a plot to annihilate the Jews, and the divine reversal that comes from this story shows how God, even though His name is hidden, is always working behind the scenes to achieve His purposes, even though we do not understand His undertakings at the time.

To commemorate their deliverance from Haman, the Jews instituted the feast of Purim — Esther 9:17-19. These were joyous days of rest, feasting and gladness. The name Purim comes from ‘pur’, the Persian term meaning ‘lot’, in reference to the lots (perhaps dice, wood, or paper) which Haman cast to determine when to kill the Jewish people.

Purim became the celebration of the salvation of the Jews of Persia during the reign of King Ahasuerus.

As we review this story, we can view it from the point of view of an individual, or Australia and the Great South Land/s of the Holy Spirit incorporating the Islands of the Sea and New Zealand — The Anzac Spirit, and that is how I would like us to see it.

When I was a new believer many years ago, I heard a message from the Holy Spirit one Sunday morning and it has been ringing in my ears ever since — “Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

For if you altogether hold your shalom at this time, then will relief and deliverance arise to the Yehudim from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish: and who knows whether you haven’t come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
~ Esther 4:14 (HNV)

This is how the Lord spoke to me all those years ago, but it is so relevant to us today — Australia/The Anzac Spirit. This is what I am feeling in my heart, to build a bridge between Australia and Israel.

What can we glean from this story?

The Book of Esther was the last of the 24 books of the Tanakh to be canonised. It is usually dated to the 4th century BC.

Even though His name is not mentioned, we see God’s handiwork, activity, coincidences, and even reversals. It is a majestic book depicting Esther’s courage, Mordecai’s wisdom, and Father God’s sovereignty.

Let us focus on Esther and learn from her — applying these themes to our own lives/nation.
She was young and beautiful, and so is Australia.
She was courageous, and so is Australia.
The favour of God was on Esther to be a blessing to the Jews, and I believe so it is for Australia.

How is it possible to have such favour even though we are not a perfect nation? I believe it is because the Lord is gracing us to be involved in His Kingdom purposes, and His special purpose related to Australia and Israel — to be her ally and help Israel now and in the future.

This week, Israelis are being released from their lockdown, and so Purim will be a unique celebration; however, only nuclear families can celebrate together. Purim is perhaps the festival that the Jewish people enjoy the most. They wear costumes, partake of special foods, and give gifts.

Even when they read the megillah, people use groggers (noise makers) every time they hear the name of Haman, as if to say they do not wish to hear the sound of his name.

Celebrating Purim may include:

• Hearing the reading of the Megillah
• Using a grogger when Haman’s name is mentioned
• Making Hamentaschen pastries
• Gift-giving to the Needy (Matanot LaEvyonim)
• Send food gifts to friends (Mishloach Manot)
• Feast! — always, ‘they tried to kill us, we survived, let’s eat!’
• Special prayers, V’al Hanissim — And for the miracles

This is one of the special songs of Purim — Chag Purim (Purim Holiday)

How can I apply this in my own life?

From Genesis chapter 12, when the Lord entered into a covenant with Abraham, His plan for the Jewish people continues right through to the end of the Book of Revelation.

I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you.
In you will all of the families of the eretz be blessed.
~ Genesis 12:3 (HNV)

Whether by miracle or through the circumstances of life, the Lord is always there, leading, guiding, and bringing His people through the most impossible odds.

In this Purim season, we can be part of God’s hands and feet to bless His beloved Chosen People, the Jewish people of Israel.

Here are some ways to bless Israel:

• Prayer
• Donations
• Helping them to make Aliyah
• Some might even go and do volunteer work

17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them, and became partaker with them of the root and of the richness of the olive tree;
18 don’t boast over the branches. But if you boast, it is not you who support the root, but the root supports you.
~ Romans 11:17-18 (HNV)

Australia has been a firm ally of Israel for many years. Our Anzacs have shed their blood at Beersheba. Israel loves Australia and they honour us. Let us never forget to pray for Israel.

Pray for the shalom of Yerushalayim. Those who love you will prosper.
~ Psalms 122:6 (HNV)

Esther was courageous, stood up for her people and had laws changed that saved Jewish lives, and so Purim became a national celebration of life to this day. Perhaps you are also one of these key individuals.

Just as the golden sceptre of King Ahasuerus was extended to Queen Esther, I believe that today, at the time of Purim, His sceptre of favour is extended to you and me — the Esthers of today.

Through this article and beyond, may the Holy Spirit, the Ruach HaKodesh, stir our hearts to build a bridge between our hearts and His people, between the Great South lands, and the Holy Land. This bridge is of the Lord’s doing. We are called into the kingdom for such a time as this. Who knows how the Lord will speak to each heart, and use us in the season ahead to lovingly assist His Beloved Chosen People?

Prayer:
Father God, we pray to You through Jesus/Yeshua — May our lives and our nation be filled with Your courage in these difficult days to be a blessing to Israel and beyond.

[Main image: British Library]

[Originally published on Canberra Declaration]

• The salvation of Israelis – both Jews and Arabs
• Israel’s leaders/Government – March 23rd election (Give Israel a government that will not need to submit to Haredi manipulation to function.)
• Messianic leaders/congregations/unity
• Covid 19 – restrictions lifting, life resuming.
• Pray for all those organisations that are reaching out to the poor and needy at this time.
• Pray that the Palestinian Authority will organise a vaccination program for its people very soon.
• Aliyah, that many Jews would return to the Land
• Ein Yakov our prayer sponsored street in Mea She’arim, Jerusalem
• Ministries supported by Celebrate Israel