It’s a remarkable “God story” told in the only book of the Bible that never mentions God. The book of Esther describes the history behind Purim, an annual Jewish holiday known for its festive celebrations. God was at work behind the scenes, setting circumstances up to deliver the Jewish people from certain destruction. In the Purim story, two heroes emerge to inspire and challenge our relationships with the Lord today – Mordecai with his undeterred faith and Esther with her resolute courage.
After Xerxes’ queen publicly disobeyed him, he banished her and conscripted young maidens from throughout the kingdom as candidates for her replacement. The women went through a year-long beautification process, after which the king chose Esther, a young Jewish woman who had kept her lineage secret.
One day, Esther’s cousin and guardian Mordecai overheard a plot to kill Xerxes. He told Esther and thus saved the king’s life. The event was documented, but Mordecai received no thanks.
Haman was a wicked officer close to Xerxes. He relished his position and got the king to decree that citizens bow before him. God-fearing Mordecai refused, enraging Haman. Haman convinced the king that all Jewish people were a threat because of their allegiance to the Lord. He persuaded Ahasuerus to issue an irrevocable decree offering payment to citizens who killed Jewish people on a selected day of the year. He cast lots (or purim) to determine the day.
When Mordecai heard of the plan to wipe out the Jewish people, he sat in front of the king’s gate wailing in sackcloth. Esther sent word to learn why, and Mordecai begged her to approach the king and save their people. Esther reminded him that going to the king without an invitation was punishable by death if he didn’t welcome her.
Mordecai told them to reply to Esther with this answer, “Do not think in your soul that you will escape in the king’s household more than all the Jews. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place—but you and your father’s house will perish. Who knows whether you have attained royal status for such a time as this?” ––Esther 4:13–14 (TLV)
Mordecai shows extraordinary faith in his reply to Esther. He knew beyond doubt that, though he, Esther and others may not escape death, God would not allow the Jewish people to be utterly destroyed. Why? Because God had made a covenant promise to the Jewish people that they were His people forever. He set His affection on Israel as His treasured possession, and His covenants are eternal (See Deuteronomy 7:6–9, Genesis 12:2–3, Genesis 17:7, Jeremiah 31:34–36.)
Mordecai recognized something else – God is sovereign and able to orchestrate circumstances to place people in positions to accomplish His purposes. Mordecai told Esther, “Who knows whether you have attained royal status for such a time as this?” (See Esther 4:13-14.)
Esther sent this to reply to Mordecai, “Go! Gather together all the Jews who are in Shushan and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast in the same way. Afterwards, I will go in to the king, even though it is not according to the law. So if I perish, I perish!” ––Esther 4:15–16
Esther knew her life was in jeopardy by going to the king without an invitation. She considered Mordecai’s words and determined to go anyway. Her resolve to do the frightening– but right – thing shows her tremendous courage. She said she would go before the king and, “if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16). What gave Esther the courage to go against her fear and do what needed to be done? She saw before her the consequences if she didn’t, which bolstered her bravery to act. Though not directly stated, we can clearly see that she also entrusted the results to God. She determined to fast for three days and enlisted Mordecai and all Israel to join her, and then she would approach the king. She certainly sought the Lord for direction and favor during those days, and she emerged with an unusual plan.
The king received Esther and asked what she desired. Esther invited him and Haman to a banquet where she would explain her request.
Before the banquet, Xerxes discovered that nothing had been done for the man who earlier saved his life. He ordered Haman, of all people, to parade Mordecai through the city in stately fashion, hailing him as highly honored by the king.
At a second banquet, Esther revealed her Jewish identity and exposed Haman as the man whose plan threatened her life and that of her people. The king was outraged. He ordered Haman hanged and his position given to Mordecai. The Jewish people were allowed to defend themselves on the decreed day, and we know that it was God who provided a resounding victory, saving the Jewish people from annihilation.
In his new position in the king’s command, Mordecai decreed that Adar 13 and 14 on the Jewish calendar were to be days of celebration among the Jewish people, days of remembering how the Lord turned their sorrow into joy. He stipulated four observances: feasting, celebrating, sending food gifts to one another and giving gifts to the poor.
Today, Purim is a very festive holiday of the Jewish year. Along with observing Mordecai’s four commands, Purim is filled with costume parties and lively re-enactments of the Purim story. Whenever Haman’s name is mentioned, audience members boo, stomp their feet and rattle noisemakers called graggers – to symbolically blot out his name. Traditional Purim foods include Hamantashen – cookies filled with jams or other tasty delights. These cookies are triangular-shaped, representing Haman’s hat, or perhaps his ears, according to tradition.
Regardless of whether you observe Purim, you can take personal strength from Esther’s courage and Mordecai’s faith. God calls each of us to entrust our lives to Him as we let Him accomplish His purposes through us. And He invites us into His Word to discover His fullness there. He beckons us into a stronger, higher and deeper faith in Him. He challenges us to believe His Word and stand unshakably on His steadfastness.
In what ways might God be combining the faith and courage challenges of the Purim story to beckon you deeper in your relationship with Him?
The unprecedented invasion of Ukraine by Russia yesterday morning came as a complete shock to me. I know it shouldn’t have. Putin has been amassing troops at the border for months now and threatening the world he would do exactly what he did. I just didn’t believe He would do it.
This act of unprovoked aggression is likely the most significant event we have seen in our lifetime. It was like looking at a repeat of the Nazi invasion of Poland in 1939. World leaders looked on and did nothing. They believed that appeasement would keep Hitler from fulfilling his lust for the conquest of Europe. But they were wrong.
This could very likely be the catalyst China has been waiting for to invade Taiwan and could eventually be the spark that ignites war in the Middle East and an attempted invasion of Israel. If we have learned anything from history, it is those who do not learn from it are destined to repeat it.
The Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 10:4, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.” Let there be no mistake, what we are seeing happen before our eyes is spiritual warfare – and it is serious. And while this may well be moving us toward a scenario the Bible described would be the condition of the world in the Last Days, this does not mean we should remain passive. We need to be praying and interceding for God’s will to be done in the midst of this crisis.
Ukraine is home to tens thousands of Jews and dedicated Bible believing Christians. Kiev has the largest Messianic Jewish Congregation in the world with close to 2,000 members. There are large evangelical churches in almost all the major cities of Ukraine.
We are asking you to pray specifically for:
May the Lord turn to good what the enemy has meant for evil during this challenging time.
God bless you all. Your prayers mean more than you can possibly imagine.
Jonathan Bernis, President and CEO
Jewish Voice Ministries, International
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
May those who love you be secure.”
(Psalm 122:6 NIV)
Shalom, my friend.
While we celebrate many victories this week – including the historic partnership between Israel and Bahrain and the deepening friendship with Egypt – I’m reminded by the Scriptures that we must remain vigilant in praying for continual peace.
This is especially true now, as it appears the Iran nuclear talks in Vienna are on the verge of concluding – though the outcome is at best uncertain.
That’s why I want to invite you to continue to pray with me and everyone at Jewish Voice on behalf of God’s people. And may you and yours experience the blessing of God in a special way.
Haaretz reported last week that Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi made a moving gesture that likely indicates warming relations between Israel and Egypt.
In last week’s conference of North African and Middle Eastern countries in Cairo, a smiling President Sissi crossed the conference hall to personally greet Israel’s Energy Minister, Karine Elharrar.
According to Haaretz, a video of the action has been widely shared online. The Egyptian President left multiple delegates waiting as he spoke with Elharrar – telling her that he hoped she would visit his country again in the future.
Haaretz reports that Energy Minister Elharrar is a member of the Yesh Atid party and has been in office since June 2021. She uses a wheelchair due to muscle atrophy and made international headlines earlier this year after she was unable to attend a session at the United Nations’ climate summit in Glasgow since the hosting venue was not wheelchair accessible.
While Israel and Egypt have had diplomatic relations since 1979, it is widely considered a “cold peace” that is maintained by the countries’ political and military leadership but isn’t widely popular among the general Egyptian public.
For that reason, according to Haaretz, the Egyptian President’s gesture to Elharrar was celebrated as a sign of change.
Alarabiya News reported last week that Israel will boost natural gas export to Egypt by as much as 50 percent by the end of the month, deepening energy ties between Middle Eastern neighbors.
According to Israel’s Energy Minister Karine Elharrar, the firms that own Israel’s two biggest offshore reservoirs, led by Chevron Corp., will pipe another 2-2.5 billion cubic meters more gas per year to Egypt.
Israel currently sends 5 billion cubic meters each year to Egypt via a pipeline that connects southern Israel to the Sinai Peninsula, according to Alarabya News. And Israel’s Energy Minister said that the aim is to reach a capacity of 6.5 billion cubic meters by next year.
“Egypt is a big strategic partner for us,” Minister Elharrar said.
The added fuel would help Egypt meet its domestic energy needs and push forward plans to consolidate regional resources for export to bigger markets such as Europe.
The Jerusalem Post reported last week that a Bahraini military band played “Hatikvah,” Israel’s national anthem, outside the royal palace in Manama as Prime Minister Naftali Bennett made history as the first Israeli leader to visit the Gulf state.
The Prime Minister, according to The Jerusalem Post, was received by Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who is also the kingdom’s Prime Minister, before a one-on-one meeting and a working lunch.
Iran was at the top of Bennett’s agenda.
“Israel and Bahrain are dealing with major security challenges that stem from the same source, which is the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the Prime Minister said. “Iran destabilizes the entire region. We will not allow that. We are fighting Iran and its henchmen in the region day and night, and we will help our friends in promoting peace, security and stability, whenever we are asked.”
The Prime Minister also met with U.S. Fifth Fleet Commander Vice Adm. Brad Cooper amid a military exercise led by the fleet with the participation of the Israel Defense Forces and other armies.
Bennett praised the cooperation between the IDF and the U.S. military, saying the Fifth Fleet “is an important factor in maintaining regional stability in the face of security threats.”
According to The Jerusalem Post, Prime Minister Bennett also said that Israel is working to increase military cooperation with its friends in the region to bolster security and stability.
The Times of Israel reports that Israeli diplomats traveled to Vienna last week to meet with negotiators involved in talks aimed at restoring the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, for the first time since the Vienna talks resumed in April.
The appearance of an Israeli delegation in close proximity to the high stakes talks over the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) apparently angered some in Iran.
“The overt and unexpected presence of the Zionists in Vienna is undoubtedly a deterrent to progress in the current sensitive situation,” Iran’s Nour News wrote on its Hebrew Twitter feed.
Israel is not a party to the Vienna talks and has said it reserves the right to act as it sees fit against Iran’s nuclear program regardless of the negotiations’ outcome.
While the Israeli government is officially opposed to a return to the 2015 deal, which U.S. President Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out of in 2018, it has also sought to influence negotiations to seek tighter curbs on Tehran and more robust security arrangements.
The unusual decision to send an Israeli envoy to Vienna comes amid a growing sense of urgency among involved parties to reach a deal to revive the 2015 nuclear accord with Tehran.
According to The Times of Israel, officials involved in the talks have indicated that they are nearing a conclusion, and experts have predicted that the next few weeks will either see a deal reached or talks fall apart for good.
Please pray with me for:
Will you pray for us as we head to Zimbabwe for our first Outreach of 2022? Although we have ministered to the Lemba in this region before, this will be our first time in this particular community, and we are excited! We chose this location because of the many Messianic Jewish congregations in the area, and we look forward to partnering with these Lemba congregational leaders in reaching out to this community. We know the region and have good partnerships there, yet we know that nothing of lasting value will happen apart from prayer. That’s why we covet yours.
Please pray with us starting today for our Zimbabwe Medical Outreach, March 3–13. Help cover these dates in prayer by signing up on our Jewish Voice 24-7 Prayer Watch schedule and using these daily prayer points. Please pray for:
We know the Lord will meet with you as you pray for this Zimbabwe Medical Outreach, and He will meet with us there as a result of those prayers! Thank you.
Lord, help us as we seek to bring Your Light, love and Good News to the people of this Zimbabwe community. We declare You are worthy to be praised in this region and that the forces of darkness must flee at Your name! May many men and women, and many children, come to know You! May many receive healing and deliverance. And may You receive the worship and glory You are due! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem . . .”
Psalm 122:6 (NIV)
Shalom, my friend.
The crisis in the Middle East – the conflict, uncertainty and animosity against Israel and the Jewish people – continues to escalate.
And while there’s every reason to be concerned, I stand on the knowledge that God is in control of every situation. I believe He will intervene and work everything according to His own purposes. As the Scriptures declare, “God’s ways are not our own.”
But in the midst of it all, God has called us to pray. Our prayerful actions are what you and I are able to control today, tomorrow and in the days and weeks ahead. We can – and must – be obedient in this.
Praying for the peace of Jerusalem is not an option.
Thank you for standing with us so faithfully. And for your love for God’s Chosen People.
Please continue to pray for the work and ministry we do together at Jewish Voice. And pray for God to open more doors to share the Good News of Yeshua (Jesus) with the Jewish people.
While negotiations continue with Tehran for their return to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), The Jerusalem Post reported last week that Iran has recently established even closer ties with Iraqi militias and is now using them to attack Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other states.
The Jerusalem Post indicates that Iran has been arming, mobilizing and advising militias in Iraq since the 1980s. But recent attacks demonstrate Iran’s larger expansion through Iraq and its greater threat.
The most recent attack being the drone strike in UAE. The news that a militia in Iraq may have been behind the attack on the UAE is an important new milestone in Iran’s role.
The Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen attacked the UAE on January 17, 24 and 31. The expansion of attacks to include Iranian-backed ones from Iraq is being seen, according to The Jerusalem Post, as a new threat. The attack from Iraq reportedly involved up to four drones and was launched by a group tied to pro-Iran groups in Iraq.
Another significant indication is the May 2021 attacks in Israel.
While Iran had targeted Israel with drones for several years from Syria, The Jerusalem Post reports that Tehran upped its drone threats to Israel in May 2021 during Israeli clashes with Hamas in Gaza. Iran had already provided Hamas with drone technology just as it had done with Hezbollah and the Houthis.
But in May 2021, Iran was behind the drone threat to Israel from Iraq, with a drone apparently flying all the way from Iraq into Israel’s airspace before being shot down. The incident was reported at the time. Jerusalem said the drone was an Iranian UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) at the time and indicated it came from Syria or Iraq. Subsequent reporting said it came from Iraq.
According to Deutsche Welle (DW), one of Germany’s international news outlets, Germany’s Foreign Ministry gave a statement late last week in connection with the report published earlier in the week by the human rights organization Amnesty International regarding Israel's treatment of Palestinians . . .
The Amnesty report accused Israel of subjecting Palestinians to a system of “apartheid” founded on policies of “segregation, dispossession and exclusion.”
Germany, as reported by DW, disagrees with the use of the term “apartheid” in reference to Israel, the Foreign Ministry said.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Christopher Burger said at a press conference, “We reject expressions like apartheid or a one-sided focusing of criticism on Israel. That is not helpful to solving the conflict in the Middle East.”
Germany is one of Israel's staunchest supporters and has pursued a special relationship with the country as well as with pro-Israeli Jewish groups in Germany.
The Central Council of Jews in Germany labeled Amnesty’s report “antisemitic” and called on Amnesty International's German chapter to distance itself from it.
Amnesty International Germany published the report on its website but noted that, in the current climate and historical context, an “objective, factual debate” on the report is difficult to achieve – and said it would not organize any activities around the publication to deter “misinterpretations of the report.”
According to DW, the report was no longer prominently placed on the Amnesty Germany website late last week, despite being at the top of the Amnesty International page.
The Jerusalem Post reported last week that Israel’s Defense Minister, Benny Gantz, made his first official visit to Bahrain.
According to The Jerusalem Post, Defense Minister Gantz signed historic military agreements, met with King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa and met with the commander of the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet.
The public meetings, a year after the Abraham Accords were signed, come as tensions with the Islamic Republic of Iran are at an all-time high, and missile attacks by their proxies in Yemen and Iraq against the UAE have increased.
Bahrain, according to The Jerusalem Post, has been of strategic interest to Iran for years. The kingdom has previously seen several large attacks by the terror cells organized by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Hezbollah – and continues to face threats posed by Sunni terror groups.
With the meetings a mere 200 kilometers away from Iran, Israel is sending a clear message to Iran: We are building bridges with your neighbors, and we are here to stay.
Please pray with me for:
Quick! Name a country where Jewish Voice has ministered.
Ethiopia. Zimbabwe. India.
Yes, yes and yes. And don’t forget Poland, Ukraine, Argentina, Mexico. The list goes on.
However, despite the international nature of our ministry, a burden for the United States, where we are headquartered, has never been far from Rabbi Jonathan Bernis’ heart.
We frequently ask you to pray for Messianic Jewish congregations in Africa and other parts of the world. But the Messianic Jewish Movement in North America is very much on our hearts and minds in 2022. There are approximately 300 Messianic Jewish congregations in the USA, with about another 30 in Canada. We would love your prayers for these communities to not only continue strong in the Lord but to flourish and grow.
Please pray for:
Let’s pray:
Lord, You desire to make Yourself known across the globe through Your Body. Thank you for each of these Messianic Jewish congregations in North America and their unique impacts and influences as local expressions of Your Body. May You strengthen and encourage them and motivate them to continue being lights in the world, for Your name’s sake. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.
“Comfort, comfort My people, says your God.”
Isaiah 40:1 (NIV)
Shalom, my friend.
Thank you for standing with God’s Chosen People through your prayers and generosity. I find tremendous hope in knowing that you love and support Israel and the Jewish people around the world.
When I think of the ministry your support makes possible, I can’t help but remember the words above from the Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 40:1) issued thousands of years ago. Your faithfulness is helping to provide “comfort” to the Jewish people (and their neighbors) during a season of so much uncertainty.
Only God knows how the future will unfold as the enemies of God’s people surround them. But we continue to serve – and you’re with us every step of the way. Only God knows how the nuclear standoff with Iran will conclude.
And I can’t thank you enough.
Please continue to pray for the work and ministry we share at Jewish Voice. And pray for God to open more doors to share the Good News of Yeshua (Jesus) with the Jewish people. He’s the only One able to bring the eternal “comfort” that so many long for.
Late last week, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett didn’t mince words addressing Iran when he told The Jerusalem Post that “the Israeli strategy doesn’t depend on whether there’s an agreement or not. We will protect ourselves by ourselves. Even if there is an agreement, we’re not committed to it. We will preserve our freedom to act.”
The Prime Minister’s interview with The Jerusalem Post comes as talks continue with Iran in Vienna, along with negotiations for their return to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). A deal that Prime Minister Bennet tells The Jerusalem Post is a mistake . . .
“We and the Americans don’t see everything eye to eye. A deal that will send tens of billions of dollars to this rotten and weak regime will be a mistake because this money will go to terror against IDF soldiers and Americans in the region. When the money enters Iranian coffers, they attack American soldiers . . . through their proxies.”
The Jerusalem Post reports that Iran is very weak. Its currency is currently depleted, and regions of the country lack water. Further, there are large demonstrations taking place against the government. According to the Prime Minister, Tehran “is playing poker with a very weak hand, but they’re bluffing.”
Israel has relayed the message to its friends in the U.S. and Europe who are negotiating with Iran – but any deal remains far off in the current discussions to resolve the nuclear standoff.
According to Breaking Defense, sources in the Israeli defense establishment say that enforcement has ramped up because of increased Chinese efforts to obtain Israeli technology, including Chinese firms making direct contact with Israeli industrial experts.
Breaking Defense also reports that China is operating a web of companies inside Israel as part of a dedicated effort to acquire advanced defense technologies.
Chinese attempts to infiltrate Israeli defense firms are not new. But, according to Breaking Defense, the Chinese are now operating straw companies to partner with Israeli companies. They create corporations that can look very legitimate but, in fact, are aimed at moving Israel defense technologies to China.
“These straw companies are well disguised, and it is very hard to identify who is the real client,” an Israeli defense industry said.
This China situation has been thrown into the public eye due to a high-profile legal case against a drone company the Israeli government alleges was part of a multi-million-dollar effort from a Chinese firm.
This case is viewed as more serious than others because it involved Israeli citizens and the test of the systems within Israel.
Breaking Defense reports that in December, Israel’s Financial Department of the State Prosecutor’s Office accused 10 individuals and three companies of helping sell loitering weapon systems to China without having received official approval.
According to an official statement, as reported by Breaking Defense, the suspects “manufactured dozens of cruise missiles and carried out different tests in Israeli territory, endangering people’s lives.” Per the statement, Ephraim Menashe, the head of drone manufacturer Solar Sky, allegedly worked with a Chinese firm to help supply loitering weapon systems to the Chinese army.
Allegedly the scheme led to the production of dozens of systems, which were then transferred to China. It does not appear any of the systems have been actively used by the Chinese military.
The Jerusalem Post reported last week that Coalition MK, Zvi Hauser, has issued a letter calling on the Israeli government to declare the Houthis (a Yemeni Iran-sponsored militia), a terror organization.
The letter came after the Houthis launched missile and drone attacks on Abu Dhabi and Dubai in January, killing three people.
According to The Jerusalem Post, the Houthis has been steadily growing in its military capabilities over the past decade and has begun to take an interest in regional affairs.
“The Houthis have an ideology that is hostile to Israel and the West, and tout the slogan ‘Death to America, death to Israel, a curse on the Jews and victory for Islam,’” MK Hauser said, pointing out that this was originally an Iranian motto.
“Their desire to strike Israel, as the long arm of Tehran is proven,” Hauser stated. “Iran stands behind the organization and helps it economically and militarily, providing it with weaponry and training its people.”
Israeli officials have shown solidarity with the UAE in the days since the Houthis began the latest round of attacks.
Israeli President, Isaac Herzog, plans to travel to the UAE to meet with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Mohammed bin Zayed (MBZ) this week. Herzog condemned the Houthis in a call with MBZ soon after the attack took place.
The Israeli Prime Minister, Naftali Bennett, also spoke with MBZ recently, offering his condolences following the terrorist attacks.
Please pray with me for:
