Mordecai gave his adopted daughter the cryptic name Esther, concealing her true nationality with the Persian name for Ishtar. Hebrew readers immediately smile at Mordecai’s pun, for in this Jewish language, it means “I will hide.”[1]  Indeed, many hidden treasures, such as God’s name, divine intervention, Esther’s people, and even Passover, are subtly concealed in plain sight within the scroll.

Although the book is titled Esther, Mordecai emerges as a type of the Messiah, given a crown and elevated to the second position in the kingdom. Let us delve into four mysteries of the Messiah within the scroll and how Mordecai’s life foreshadowed Yeshua’s future mission. As we explore these mysteries, consider the task God has given each of us to accomplish for such a time as this.

I. The Mystery of an Unexpected King

Mordecai is a type of the King Messiah, descended from the line of Saul, the son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin. (Esther 2:5-10) The restoration of a kingly line is but one of the Scroll’s mysteries.  To help us understand the hints within the Scroll to the line of Saul, we must examine a method of Biblical interpretation popular during the Second Temple period, used by early Jewish sages such as Hillel and even Yeshua the Lord. This hermeneutic method connects separate texts of Scripture based upon a shared phrase or sentence.[2]  While the technical name for this is Gezeira Shava, we might think of it as a hyperlink. For instance, Yeshua hyperlinked Deuteronomy 6:5, “And you shall love the Lord God…” to Leviticus 19:18, “And you shall love your neighbor….”, using the connecting phrase, “V’Ahavta” (And you shall love).

The Scroll of Esther repeatedly uses this method to subtly connect King Saul and King Agag of the Amalekites to the drama of Mordecai, Esther, and Haman. One example is the words of Samuel the Prophet to King Saul and the advisors to King Ahasuerus in the Esther Scroll.

“And Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you this day and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you” I Samuel 15:28 ESV

Regarding the removal of Queen Vashti, the advisors say, “And let the king give her royal position to another (neighbor)  who is better than she.” Esther 1:19b ESV

What connects these texts written some five hundred years apart?  King Saul lost his position to David, “his neighbor,” “better than him,” because he left Agag alive and refused to wipe out the Amalekites.  And in the scroll, Vashti saw her royal position given to Esther, her “neighbor” “who is better than she.”  Scholars see this as a reversal and temporary revival of Saul’s royal line. Esther came to the kingdom “for such a time” when Haman, a descendant of Agag and Amalek, sought to destroy all of Israel.[3]

Not only was Esther a descendant of Kish, Mordecai was also of Saul’s royal line! And his refusal to bow to Haman sets the stage for the “dice to be cast” for redemption.

II. The Mystery of Man Who Would not Bow

“And when Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage to him, Haman was filled with fury”. Esther 3:5 NKJV

Mordecai’s refusal to bow became a catalyst for the conflict and contains a mystery. What was it in Mordecai’s’ refusal that triggered Haman’s attempt at the destruction of the entire Jewish people? (Esther 3:6) And, more so, why exactly did Mordecai refuse?

Jewish commentaries note that the combination of the terms “bowing” and “paying homage,” literally bowing and prostrating oneself, implies an act of worship. To Mordecai, this was idolatry. But Mordecai’s reaction to hearing Haman’s Holocaust decree gives us another hyperlink—this time to the story of Jacob and Esau.

“As soon as Esau heard the words of his father, he cried out with an exceedingly great and bitter cry and said to his father, “Bless me, even me also, O my father!” Genesis 27:34 ESV

“When Mordecai learned all that had been done, Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and he cried out with a loud and bitter cry.” Esther 4:1 ESV

In Hebrew, the phrase “loud and bitter cry” is nearly identical. Thus, early Jewish commentaries from the 3rd to 5th century AD already saw the intertextual connection (Gezeira shava) between Mordecai’s distress and Esau’s.[4]  This gives us more of the backstory of Mordecai’s refusal to bow before Haman, a descendant of Esau.

An Ancient Enmity                        

What connects Esau and Jacob to Haman and Mordecai? We remember that Esau’s grandson, Eliphaz, was the father of Amalek (Gen. 36:12). Amalek is the dynasty from which King Agag and Haman descended. Knowing this we understand why Haman was triggered upon learning Mordecai’s nationality. We also see that this is a spiritual war.

“Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it in the ears of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The Lord Is My Banner, saying, “A hand upon the throne of the Lord! The Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.” Exodus 17:14-16 ESV

Benjamin Would Not Bow

God is at war with Amalek from generation to generation. Further, we see an interesting parallel, which the rabbis couldn’t help but note.  All of Jacob’s sons bowed down to Esau when Jacob’s family returned from Padan Aram – all except one! (Gen. 33:3-7) Benjamin, from whom both Saul, Mordecai, and Esther are descended, did not bow, having not yet been born.  Could it be that King Saul, from the tribe of Benjamin, was destined to defeat this enemy?

The Messiah Who Refused to Bow

This mysterious, ancient scroll hints at a deep past but also foreshadows Yeshua, the King Messiah, who would not bow to Satan.  Mordecai’s refusal even points to the book of Revelation, when another “troubler of the Jews” (Tzorer), the antichrist, will demand all people bow down to him. Even now, such demands are being made of the righteous to accept those things which God calls an abomination. We must stand courageous like Mordecai in the strength of Yeshua the Messiah, unwavering and completely trusting God.

Now, we will examine Mordecai’s rescue from a decree of death during Passover and its foreshadowing of the King Messiah.

III. The Mystery of Messiah Raised During Passover

“In the first month, which is the month of Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, they cast Pur (that is, they cast lots) before Haman day after day; and they cast it month after month till the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar.” Esther 3:7 ESV

We don’t often think of the redemptive element of Passover in the Purim Story. The date for the genocide against the Jewish people, the 14^th of the month of Adar, was decided by the casting of lots called Purim. However, the Purim were not cast in the twelfth month, Adar; they were cast in the first month – the month of Nisan. Likewise, the decree of destruction was sent on the 13^th day of the month of Nisan, the day before Passover!  And here lies one of the most powerful hidden truths. Mordecai heard the decree and tore his robes on the eve of Passover, and the providential hand of God turned Israel’s story toward redemption in this same sacred season. As one of Israel’s sages said, “In Nisan, we were redeemed, and in Nisan, we are destined to be redeemed again.”[5]

“Then the king’s scribes were summoned on the thirteenth day of the first month, and an edict, according to all that Haman commanded….” Esther 3:12 ESV

Rather than mentioning that this is Passover, the Scroll gives us the dates, omitting their significance.  By telling us the date on the calendar without mentioning the feast’s name, the author lightly concealed the shocking fact that Esther called the nation to a fast when they should be feasting on the Passover lamb.  Furthermore, Mordecai will be immersed in a drama he knows nothing about. One in which a despot is plotting to hang Mordecai on a tree, and a king’s sleepless night that reverses the plot – all during Passover week!

A Passover Cry

“When Mordecai learned all that had been done, Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and he cried out with a loud and bitter cry.” Esther 4:1 ESV

Like Mordecai’s deep, bitter cry just before Passover, Yeshua wept bitterly on our behalf in the Garden of Gethsemane.  And from the cross He cried out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me.” (Mt. 27:46, Mk. 15:34)

And as was done to Yeshua, the enemy sought to have Mordecai hung on a tree.  But the night before, the king could not sleep and called for the royal records to be read, revealing Mordecai’s bravery in saving the king. When Haman entered the king’s court to put his plan into action, he was thwarted, humiliated, and forced to dress Mordecai in royal robes, place him on the king’s horse, and walk before him shouting, ‘Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!’ Esther 6:9 NKJV

“Afterward Mordecai went back to the king’s gate. But Haman hurried to his house, mourning and with his head covered.” Esther 6:12 ESV

This was simply the beginning of the reversal of the enemy’s decree upon the Jewish people. Rather than crucifixion, Mordecai was elevated above his enemies around the 16th and 17th of Nisan. Esther’s banquets finally exposed Haman. He met his end while being hung on the same tree intended for Mordecai during Passover week.

Messiah Victor and Redeemer

Mordecai’s rescue is a powerful type of the Messiah.  To some, it appeared Yeshua had lost. In reality, He won our great redemption.  Three days after his crucifixion, approximately the same day Mordecai was raised above his enemies, Yeshua was raised from the dead!  As David prophesied of the Messiah, “For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.” Psalm 16:10 ESV

Yeshua’s resurrection is the proof of our pardon. And, just as Haman and his sons were humiliated before Mordecai, Satan and the principalities of evil were made a public spectacle by the resurrection of Yeshua, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (Colossians 2:14-15)

Finally, let us look at one more mystery of the Messiah hidden within the Scroll—the destruction of Haman’s ten sons and the fall of ten future kings in Revelation.

IV. The Mystery of the One Who Overcomes Ten Kings

“And Esther said, “If it please the king, let the Jews who are in Susa be allowed tomorrow also to do according to this day’s edict. And let the ten sons of Haman be hanged on the gallows.” So, the king commanded this to be done. A decree was issued in Susa, and the ten sons of Haman were hanged.” Esther 9:13-14 ESV

Some see a prophetic element in Esther’s request.  “Let it be granted…again tomorrow according to today’s decree.” (Esther 9:11) Haman’s sons were already dead; why ask for them to be hanged on the following day?   Some believe a future deliverance from ten adversaries is being referenced.[6] Just such a parallel occurred in the 20^th Century with the Nuremberg trials; twelve architects of the Nazi regime were sentenced to hang. One was convicted in absentia, and one committed suicide.  This left ten men to be put to the gallows.  One, Julius Streicher, with his final words, shouted, “Purim-fest 1946!” having realized their historical parallel to Haman’s ten sons.[7]

Ten Kings in the End Times

But I see a more significant parallel to the future.  The drama of Haman the Amalekite and his ten sons will once again play on the world’s stage during the Great Tribulation. Then, the Antichrist and Beast will be given the power to rule through ten kings.  These not only lend their authority to the Beast; with one mind, they will make war with the Lamb (Yeshua).  The Lamb, it says, “will overcome them!”

“And the ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received royal power, but they are to receive authority as kings for one hour, together with the beast. These are of one mind, and they hand over their power and authority to the beast. They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.” Revelation 17:12-14 ESV

Messiah, the Great King

I believe Mordecai spoke of Yeshua, the Messiah from the house of David when he told Esther,

“For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14 ESV

Esther’s house was that of King Saul.  Had she failed, her “father’s house” would have been completely lost. But Mordecai spoke of deliverance and a deliverer from another place. What “other place”?  What other royal line existed within Israel?  That of David, the rightful heir to Israel’s throne.  Mordecai was a type of the King Messiah for “such a time” from the house of Saul, but I believe he prophesied of the Great King Messiah who would arise from the house of David.  He is the ultimate deliverer, “Even so, come Lord Yeshua”!

Conclusion

Mordecai emerged as a royal figure arrayed in robes of blue and white with a crown of gold. It says there was “light and gladness, joy and honor” for the Jewish people! And many of the nations were so impacted that they also became Jewish. What a beautiful type of Messiah! Born of a royal house, he did not bow before the enemy and won Israel’s great victory for Israel during the Passover! But it is Yeshua who will ultimately blot Amalek out from remembrance.  And through Him, the true light, gladness, joy, and honor will shine upon God’s people in the millennial reign.  And what about the nations who will come through the tribulation?  They will come up to Jerusalem to worship the Great King each year!

Are we ready for Messiah’s return? The book of Esther tells us that we have a part in God’s redemptive plan. We were created to stand against the enemy’s schemes in such a time, for such a generational battle as this. We can only do that by first joining ourselves to the Messiah. Esther had a choice: stick with Mordecai and follow God’s plan or attempt to save herself but ultimately perish. May we stand with the Lord and see the redemption He will bring.

[1] Mordecai overheard the guards plotting against the king speaking in their language, not suspecting they could be understood. (Esther 2:22-23) Ezra 2:2 and Nehemiah 7:7 list Mordecai as a returning exile, followed by Balshan (linguist). Tradition reads Balshan as a title instead of a separate name.

[2] Hillel and Rabbi Ishmael both codified this method of Biblical Interpretation called Gezeira Shava.

[3] Berger, Yitzhak. “Esther and Benjaminite Royalty: A Study in Inner-Biblical Allusion.” Journal of Biblical Literature 129, no. 4 (Winter 2010): 625–44. doi:10.2307/25765958.

[4] Genesis Rabbah, 67:4

[5] Rabbi Yehoshua, Rosh HaShanah, 11a.2 בְּנִיסָן נִגְאֲלוּ בְּנִיסָן עֲתִידִין לִיגָּאֵל””.

[6]Emmanuel Bloch, “Purimfest 1946: The Nuremberg Trials and the Ten Sons of Haman”, The Torah.com

[7] Ibid

The post The Mystery of Messiah in the Esther Scroll appeared first on Rock of Revelation.

But did you know that the events of the Purim story took place on a very pivotal date? It was the eve before Passover, the Preparation Day, when Haman first declared his evil plan in Esther 3:12-13,

“Then the king’s scribes were called on the thirteenth day of the first month (Nisan), and a decree was written according to all that Haman commanded…to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all the Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month…of Adar, and to plunder their possessions.”

As all the Jews were preparing to slaughter their Passover lambs (on the 14^th of Nisan) and celebrate their greatest holiday of the year, Queen Esther called for them all to put their feast aside and fast and pray for three days. This would be like calling all Americans to take their Thanksgiving turkey out of the oven and turn off the football games on their televisions and run to the altar to pray for their nation’s salvation.

Our enemy, Satan himself, is also on a mission against God’s people. He “prowls around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). And it was also on that same pivotal date two thousand years ago–the thirteenth of Nisan, Preparation Day of Passover, just before the Jews were to slaughter their lambs, that he attempted to annihilate the hope of salvation for all humanity. But Yeshua Himself said,

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

Everything Satan tried to do through the curse, Yeshua our Lord and Savior reversed! The devil tried to destroy salvation, kill hope, annihilate peace. It was the eve of Passover when Yeshua was crucified. On the same day as Haman’s evil decree, Yeshua redeemed our lives from the pit, brought healing by His stripes, restored what the enemy stole from us and, three days later, turned total annihilation into abundant and everlasting life! And He Himself declared His victory in Revelation 1:18, “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.”

Now that is something to celebrate! That is a great gift that all your friends and neighbors can commemorate—the victory that was wrought by our Lord on behalf of ALL people! And we have been called not just to fast and pray for the salvation of our nation, but to shout this Good News from the housetops. Our Great King Eternal has interceded for His people. He has made a way for every person who calls on His name to come to Him. Let us not hide behind our masks or keep our voices soft. Let us be noisy witnesses for the Lord for such a time as this!

The post The Curse Reversed! appeared first on Rock of Revelation.

That evening, the boys in desperation went to their nearby river and imagined it to be the Sambatyon. With courage they crossed its banks, only to be met with nasty rocks thrown by the Gentile boys on the other side, and so they made a hasty retreat home.[1]

Though Sambatyon is mythical, this story highlights the plague Jewish people have faced from the scourge of antisemitism. Many times, Israel has faced existential threats, but the Lord has delivered them from them all!  Though the tale of the tribes living beyond the Sambatyon is fictional, it resonates in my heart, for there is a people in the earth uniquely connected to Israel like no other. They are not the ten lost tribes, but they have been made the Commonwealth of Israel. (Eph. 2:12) They may not be genetically related, but they have been brought near by the blood of Messiah. (Eph. 2:13) Should not the Church hear Israel’s cry, and stand against rising antisemitism?

Perhaps nothing highlights this more than the story of Purim in the Bible. At Purim, synagogues unfurl their Scroll of Esther, one of the most mysterious books of the Bible. Though it depicts events of just over 2,400 years ago, it exposes the bitter root of antisemitism from almost 4,000 years ago between two brothers, Jacob and Esau. But this fight is not Israel’s alone, God Himself has enjoined in battle against this ancient foe from “generation to generation”, until the day it will be wiped out.

Join me as we expose the mysterious words and deeds of Mordechai – his refusal to bow, bitter cry, and exhortations to Esther.  Those, like a secret code, unmask the mystery.

I. A Hidden Identity

“Now Esther had not revealed her family and her people, just as Mordecai had charged her, for Esther obeyed the command of Mordecai as when she was brought up by him.” Esther 2:20 NKJV

Tradition says the book of Esther was composed by the men of the Great Assembly under Ezra in keeping with Esther’s wishes.[2]   A book like no other, it avoids mentioning the name of God. This was the fulfillment of God’s warning that the day would come when He would “hide” His face (hester panim) as a result of Israel turning away from Him.

“And I will surely hide (astir; אסתיר) My face in that day because of all the evil which they have done, in that they have turned to other gods.” Deuteronomy 31:18

By His great love and oversight, the very phrase God uttered, “I will hide”, “astir” (אסתיר) in Hebrew, formed the root of the name who brought Israel’s deliverance – Esther (אסתר)! Indeed, Esther, at Mordechai’s instruction, hid her Jewish identity until just the right time.  Her given name, Hadassah, was hidden behind Esther, which in Persian likely meant Ishtar, but in Hebrew means, “I will hide”.  Though God is not mentioned in the scroll, the providential orchestration of events reveals the hidden face of God.

The Esther code parallels, however, go much deeper. The very words and actions of Mordechai hint at the anti-Semitic roots in the battle of his generation and ours.

II. A Man Who Would Not Bow

“When Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow or pay him homage, Haman was filled with wrath. But he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone, for they had told him of the people of Mordecai. Instead, Haman sought to destroy all the Jews who were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus—the people of Mordecai.” Esther 3:5-6 NKJV

Why did Mordecai refuse to bow to Haman?  He himself revealed the answer saying, “he was a Jew”. (Esther 3:5) Until then, Mordecai and Esther’s lineage had been hidden. This revelation likely to stirred rumors in the palace.

The book calls him, “the Jew”, the first time such a designation appears for the entire people. His specific lineage however was the “son of Kish, a Benjamite”. (Esther 2:5) Haman, was an Agagite. It was Agag, the Amalekite king whom Saul, son of Kish, was tasked with destroying. (I Sam. 15) And so, two ancient families, the House of Saul and the house of Amalek, once again meet on the stage of history.

The lineage of these two men however goes back even further. Benjamin was the son of Jacob, while Amalek was the grandson of Esau.  And with this background we can understand something about Mordecai’s refusal to bow that the ancient sages of Israel also understood.

When Jacob returned to Canaan, his wives, servants, and sons all felt compelled to bow before Esau. All, that is, but one son. Benjamin, the youngest, yet to be born, did not bow. (Gen. 33:2-7) Benjamin’s tribe seems to have been destined bring deliverance.  When Saul, the Benjamite, failed to utterly wipe out Amalek, the battle passed to a new generation within the tribe, Esther and Mordechai.

But there is another textual hint in these verses to remind us of the lineage Haman.  Haman, upon hearing the people of Mordecai, “disdained” (וַיִּבֶז)to lay his hand on Mordecai alone. He wanted to annihilate the entire Jewish race. That exact phrase for “disdained” only occurs in one other place in Scripture, when it says Esau “disdained (וַיִּבֶז) “his birthright![3] (Genesis 25:34)

Esther, as scholars note, makes textual allusions to a “different biblical narrative”.[4]   I believe the existential battle of the Jewish people in the book of Esther exposed an ancient conflict of antisemitism beginning in Genesis with Esau and culminating in a future conflict between the people of God and the Antichrist. The anti-Semitic spirit behind Haman, which demanded all bow down to him, is the spirit of Antichrist which will demand all to bow in the book of Revelation. (Revelation 13:7-8) Like Mordecai, we must stand against that spirit in these end times.

III. A Bitter Cry

“When Mordecai learned all that had happened, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city. He cried out with a loud and bitter cry.” Esther 4:1 NKJV

By design, Esther, one of the last books of the Hebrew Bible, copies and pastes from earlier Scripture, forming a Jewish code based on the Second Temple hermeneutic called “gezerah shavah”.  This method of interpretation was described by Hillel in the First Century, and even used by Yeshua to connect two separate commands, Deuteronomy 6:5, and Leviticus 18:19, to love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself.[5]  According to Hillel, repeated words or phrases should give the reader pause to ask, is there a connection?[6]  The “bitter cry” of Mordechai, at revealing of Haman’s plot to exterminate the Jewish people, provides a powerful example.

“He (Mordechai) cried out with a loud and bitter cry.” Esther 4:1

וַיִּצְעַק צְעָקָה גְּדֹלָה וּמָרָה…”  בראשית כז 34”

That exact Hebrew phrases occurs in just one other place, Genesis 27:34, when Esau cried out under the deception of his brother Jacob.

“He (Esau) cried out with a loud and bitter cry” Genesis 27:34

“וַיִּזְעַק זְעָקָה גְדוֹלָה וּמָרָה…” אסתר ד 1

Why would the writer of the Esther Scroll remind us of Esau?  Is there a connection between Mordechai’s “loud and bitter cry” under Haman, to Esau’s “loud and bitter cry” under Jacob? [7]  Louis Ginzberg, compiler of Jewish commentary gives insight.

“Only then did he (Isaac) say, “Yea, he (Jacob) shall be blessed,” whereat Esau cried with an exceeding great and bitter cry. By way of punishment for having been the cause of such distress, a descendant of Jacob, Mordecai, was also made to cry with a loud and bitter cry, and his grief was brought forth by the Amalekite Haman, the descendant of Esau.” Legends of the Jews, Louis Ginzberg[8]

Esau’s unresolved cry in the dining hall of Isaac was answered by the anguished cry of Mordechai on hearing the plot of Haman the Agagite, the Amalekite, called the “enemy of the Jews”. (Esther 3:10, 8:1, 9:10, 9:24) By understanding Haman’s bloodline, we understand his “causeless hatred” of not only Mordechai, but the Jewish people as a whole.

“But he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone, for they had told him of the people of Mordecai. Instead, Haman sought to destroy all the Jews who were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus—the people of Mordecai.” Esther 3:6 NKJV

Tearing Away the Mask

It was not simply the cry of Mordecai, but the tearing of his robe, which sent shockwaves through the court of Esther. The ripping of his robe in 4:1 has been called the removal of his “Persian mask”[9].  His Jewish identity was made known, and shortly, Esther’s would be also. Esther, who had worked so diligently to hide her Jewishness, sent new clothes to cover her dear Mordechai, but he refused in light of the tragedy that would befall his nation.

Mordecai’s cry is our own call to stand, not hide nor be silent in the face of antisemitism and the spirit of Antichrist in the world today.

IV. For Such a Time as This

“For 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 4:14 NKJV

Saul lost the kingdom because he did not destroy Amalek. Esther, a royal granddaughter of Saul, came to the kingdom “for such a time as this”!  This brings us to our final clue in Mordechai’s words, the mystery of Esther’s father’s house.

Mordechai was not speaking about Esther’s deceased father.  These words warned that the royal house of Saul would perish. Providence brought Esther to this position. The battle she faced was ancient, but not hers alone.  The Lord enjoined Himself to this battle long before.

A Generational Battle

“Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.” Exodus 17:14 NKJV

Amalek’s role as the arch enemy of the Jewish people, is woven through from Genesis to Samuel to Esther. Amalek was the first people who sought to destroy Israel after the exodus simply out of “causeless hatred”, the genesis of antisemitism.[10]

Unprovoked, they attacked in the vilest manner, targeting the stragglers, and the weak. (Deut. 25:17-18) Haman, descended from this people sought the annihilation of an entire race without cause, just as his ancestors had done.

Amalek was the son of Timna and Eliphaz, grandson of Esau! (Gen. 36:12) Somehow, a bitter root of hatred fostered in Amalek was evidenced later in the unprovoked attacks after the exodus, and much later with Haman.

A Hand on the Throne at Rephidim

The Amalekites attacked Israel at Rephidim, which means “weakening of the hands”, (Raphu- Yadeihem). Joshua weakened Amalek but did not destroy them. The spiritual aspect of the battle is evidenced by the fact that at this place, when Moses’ hands became heavy and dropped, the battle turned for Amalek, and when his hands were raised, Israel prevailed! But we also have this mysterious statement from the Lord about a hand on the throne, and war with Amalek.

“Saying, “A hand upon the throne of the Lord! The Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.” Exodus 17:16 ESV

Israel faced Amalek at a place called the weakening of the hands (Rephidim).  This may even refer to  Israel’s hands becoming lax, murmuring, and losing their focus.  Moses, however, was not alone in the battle, though his hands were heavy, the Lord declared, “the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation” to blot out Amalek’s remembrance. Why?  One way of reading the Hebrew is that a hand was placed on the throne.  This may mean either God’s hand as an oath, or an enemy hand touched God’s throne.  The spirit behind Amalek wanted to abort the plan of salvation.

It is not by accident that we make noise to obliterate Haman’s name when it is read during Purim. That is a symbolic way of wiping out Amalek.   But we are still enjoined in this battle. Though this ancient foe may be weakened from time to time, each generation still sees antisemitism to some degree.   Our generation is witnessing a rapid resurgence this Antichrist spirit.  God is at war, and we must be also!

V. Remain Not Silent

“For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place…”

It takes courage to speak out. We are not at war with a flesh and blood.   We are engaged in battle against the spirit of Amalek. The spirit that prompted the Amalekites to try to abort Israel from reaching Mt. Sinai, is the same spirit which prompted Nazi Germany to enact the Holocaust. That spirit of antisemitism is the spirit of Antichrist. That spirit thrives when godly men and women are silent.  Mordechai’s admonition to Esther is our admonition today – Do not remain silent! (לא אחשה)

Conclusion

Esther masked the Jewish Hadassah with the Persian Esther for a time by her silence. The time came however when the masks were removed. In truth, Esther, of the royal house of Saul was of more noble birth than her husband Ahasuerus. Like in the book of Esther, we too may find it difficult to discern God’s hand.  Perhaps there are even seasons when the Lord “hides” His face.  But know this, even in the darkest days. He has not left our lot to chance. Though Haman cast the “pur”, (the dice), from which we get the name Purim, gambling on Israel’s destruction, the Lord orchestrated Israel’s deliverance. As Albert Einstein wrote once in a personal letter regarding the laws of physics, “God does not play dice with the universe.” He then clarified, “God tirelessly plays dice under laws which He has Himself prescribed.”[11]  The message of Esther is that nothing happens by chance.

Mordechai’s told Esther that if she did remain quiet, deliverance would arise from another place – ultimately, the Lord and King Messiah Himself.  However, I began this message by telling the story of the gleaming swords and shields of the lost tribes on the other side of the Sambatyon river, and the tale of how if word could reach them, they would not hesitate to cross that chasmous river to come to their brother’s defense.  Have we heard the call?

[1] Shachan, Avigdor, Solomon Kokubo, and Koji Soma. In the Footsteps of the Lost Ten Tribes. Kobe: Kobe Peace Research Institute, 2013.

[2] Bava Batra 15a

[3] Grossman, Jonathan. “‘Dynamic Analogies’ in the Book of Esther.” Vetus Testamentum 59, no. 3 (2009): 400. http://www.jstor.org/stable/20699991.  See also Esther Rabbah, 7.10.

[4] Ibid, 395.

[5] Yeshua, in Mat. 22:37-39, used the Hebrew phrase, “v’ahavta”, “And you shall love”, to connect two separate passages, “And you shall love your neighbor” (Lev. 19:18) and “And you shall love the Lord…” (Deut. 6:5)

[6] This hermeneutic method, developed by Hillel, is called Gezara Shavah, literally an “equal cutting and pasting”.

[7] See Genesis Rabbah 67.4, and Esther Rabbah 8.1. Haman was an Agagite, descendant of Amalek, the grandson of Esau.  This conflict began in Isaac’s dining room, with two brothers, Jacob, and Esau.

[8] Louis Ginzberg, “Legends of the Jews 1:6:73,” Sefaria, accessed March 2, 2022, https://www.sefaria.org.il/Legends_of_the_Jews.1.6.73?ven=The_Legends_of_the_Jews_by_Louis_Ginzberg_%5B1909%5D&lang=en&with=all&lang2=en.

[9] Grossman, Jonathan. “‘Dynamic Analogies’ in the Book of Esther.” Vetus Testamentum 59, no. 3 (2009): 402. http://www.jstor.org/stable/20699991.

[10] (Sinat Chinam) “causeless hatred” is a concept in Jewish literature attributed to the destruction of the Second Temple.

[11] ‘God Plays Dice with the Universe,’ Einstein Writes in Letter About His Qualms with Quantum Theory | Live Science

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