Purim starts at 6:00 P.M. March 9 (Monday) and ends on March 11 at 6:00 P.M. (Wednesday) Purim is a wonderful feast that commemorates the deliverance of Yahweh’s people from the wicked plans of Haman (Satan). It occurs on the fourteenth and fifteenth day in the month of Adar (Mar.-April). God will always be ready to deliver His people and this season is a wonderful time to claim and receive it. The book of Esther is about Queen Esther and is a study in the survival of Yahweh’s people in the middle of hostility. Haman, the king’s second in command, wants the Jews destroyed and manipulates the King to call for their destruction. Esther, the queen is brought on the scene and is used by God to save her people. Haman is hanged and Mordecai, her cousin, a leader to the Jews in the Persian Empire, becomes second in command (the Prime Minister), replacing Haman.
Consequently, the Feast of Purim is then instituted to remember their deliverance from Haman. There are some other lessons from this story that need to be remembered during this season and applied to our lives:
1.) From a human perspective, Esther and Mordecai were two of the most unlikely people to be chosen by God. Mordecai was a Benjamite exile and Esther was his adopted and orphaned cousin (Esther 2 v. 7). God can use the most unlikely people to achieve His purposes as they realize that it is Him doing it and not themselves.
2.) Esther waited for Elohim’s timing to make her request to save her people and denounce Haman. This is so important in this season to renew and reaffirm our commitment to wait for His timing. How much wasted energy and time could be avoided. Mordecai, too, demonstrates his maturity, by seeking Elohim for timing and direction for Esther to reveal herself as a Jew.
3.) This season shows Yahweh’s love and care for His people Israel and for us. During the season, He wants to reaffirm His love and care for us and encourage us about our future i.e. that whatever He permits to come our way, He is there to take us through.
4.) This feast also reminds us of the fact that Mordecai and Esther feared Yahweh, not men. Regardless of the consequences, Mordecai refused to pay homage to Haman. Esther risked her life for the sake of her people by going to the king without his permission. This should encourage us, especially during this season, to never compromise and to know that Yahweh can’t lose, no matter how long you have been standing on His word without any natural confirmation.
5.) This feast and narrative also shows the importance of teamwork. TEAM-Together Everyone Accomplishes More. Mordecai and Esther worked as a team to bring deliverance to Elohim's people. This season is also a wonderful time to ask and expect Yahweh to add to your team (ministry). It is also another wonderful time where He can add to your team by bringing your spouse into your life. Marriage is the ultimate team ministry. It is so important to realize that your godly spouse is the covering that you need to accomplish what Yahweh has for you. You need each other.
6.) Esther was exalted by the king after she went through her preparation time. There is such a promise from Yahweh to us during this season to expect exaltation by the King, after He prepares us. No matter how low you feel, He loves to raise up the weak and make them strong.
7.) This narrative also shows that we need to remember how Yahweh destroys those that harm His people. During this season of Purim, He wants to remind us of this fact. It doesn’t matter how long somebody has been coming against you successfully in your life, when Yahweh comes on the scene, it is over. Praise Him!
Another of the great of the great truths revealed in the book of Esther is the emphasis of Yahweh's deliverance power on Nisan 17(6:00 P.M. April 21 to 6:00 P.M. April 22 this year in 2019); On the seventeenth day of the first month or Nisan 17, the Jews, as recorded in the book of Esther, were delivered from wicked Haman on Nisan 17. Please see my book Seasons for more information on Nisan 17 (Chapter Three). In the book of Esther Chapter 3 v. 12, the decree to kill all the Jews was signed on the thirteenth day of the first month or Nisan 13. On the same day as recorded in Chapter 4, Mordecai approached Esther about the plan that wicked Haman tricked the King into signing. She told him to tell the people to fast for her for three days and that she would go in to see the King unannounced (on Nisan 16). The King received her and wanted to give her anything that she wanted (Oh! the favor of Yahweh!) She asked (v.4) that Haman would be invited to a banquet that she was giving on that day (Nisan 16). At the banquet she asked the king that Haman be invited to another banquet that she would give the next day (Nisan 17). On this day, at this banquet, it was revealed to the King that Haman was behind the plan to kill all of Esther’s people. The King hung Haman on the same gallows that Haman prepared for Mordecai on that very day (Nisan 17). So, Nisan 17 is a great day for God to demonstrate His deliverance power in your life. He can also reverse anything that was wrongfully signed against you and bring those who are responsible into judgment.
This is such a great time for Yahweh to deliver you from those things that are not pleasing to Him. Take advantage of this deliverance anointing during this time. Just come into His presence and allow Him to point out those areas that need to change in order to receive your New Year beginning at 6:00 P.M. on March 27 (Nisan 1 on the Jewish calendar). See my messages on the "Correct New Year - a New Beginning Part 1 and 2" on the "Message" page.