As you can see below, today is the 14th of Adar, Purim Day! Today, we read the book of Esther and celebrate the great miracle of deliverance. It is fitting that Purim comes every year, a month and one day before Passover, the other great deliverance celebration.

The Book of Esther is written on a single scroll sheepskin parchment called The Magillah. (Yes, reading it from beginning to end, all 10 chapters, is called the “whole Magillah.”) Although God’s name is not mentioned even once in the entire Magillah, we see His handiwork as miracle upon miracle occurs in the story-line to deliver the Jewish people from certain destruction.

Likewise, God is never more present than in the story of Passover, as related in the early chapters of the book of Exodus. He shows His power over every false god of the Egyptians through the Ten Plagues. Pharaoh thought himself to be a god, and by extension his son also. The killing of the first born was the ultimate insult to idol worship.

I’m mentioning these two stories of deliverance today in order to mention yet two more stories of deliverance that are on the horizon, but not yet a reality. God is going to deliver His people once again from certain destruction by the Persians (Iranians). The ballistic missile nuclear threat is a clear and present danger. But God will deliver His people once again … Betach, meaning “you can count on it.”

This will coincide with an even greater deliverance, as all Israel looks up to heaven, cries out to God with the familiar Hebrew word, Hoshiana, “save us now!” God will once again send His Son.

Matthew 24:30-31 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the land will mourn, and they will see ‘the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven’ with power and great glory. He will send out His angels with a great shofar, and they will gather together His chosen from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Thus, God will fulfill every promise … Romans 11:29 for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. The calling on Israel is to walk in the reality of the original promise make to Father Abraham. Genesis 17:7 Yes, I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your seed after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, in order to be your God and your seed’s God after you.

This is our promise too … Galatians 3:28-29 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female – for you are all one in Messiah Yeshua. And if you belong to Messiah, then you are Abraham’s seed – heirs according to the promise.

Zechariah saw this as well and prophesied … Zechariah 8:7-8 Thus says Adonai-Tzva’ot, ‘Behold, I will save My people from the land of the east and from the land of the west. I will bring them back and they will live in the midst of Jerusalem. They will be My people and I will be their God, in truth and righteousness.’

As we read the story of Purim, we find a tradition of giving gifts to celebrate the feast. Esther 9:22b … and sending presents of food to one another and giving gifts to the poor. In Hebrew these gifts are called Mishloach Manot, meaning “sending portions.” During this Purim holiday, would you join me, as we pray to God for the salvation of Israel?

Oh Lord, would You send the gift of Salvation (Yeshua) to Your people Israel. Open blind eyes. Open deaf ears. Open the understanding of Your people, Israel, to the truth of Your Son. Save Your people from destruction, once again, and deliver all Israel into Your kingdom. Let all Israel be as the prodigal son, and return to their Father’s house. In Yeshua’s name. Amen!