GIG291 Preparation for Purim

Growing In God Podcast

Program Number: GIG #291

Title: Preparation for Purim

 

Web Description: As Christians we need to see the significance of Purim for us. Satan is working as much or more today to thwart God’s plan as he did when Esther and Mordecai faced the annihilation of their people. The purification and preparation they went through, which reversed the edict of destruction and made them the ones who brought victory, are exactly what we require.

 

Show Notes: Why should Christians celebrate Purim? What does it have to do with us? It has everything to do with us. If Haman’s plot to kill all Jews in the Persian Empire had happened, the line of Christ would have been destroyed. Yeshua (Jesus) would not have been born in Judea; there would be no Christianity and no return of Christ to reign as King in the earth. So Purim is very relevant to us, as are its lessons for us today.

 

Before becoming queen, Esther had to undergo twelve months of purification. And there needs to be a cleansing and a purity on us that enables us to come boldly before the throne of grace and stand in the presence of God. As queen, Esther knew she could die if she came into the king’s presence without his invitation. And if we want God to move today, then we must humble ourselves, seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways as we read in 2 Chronicles 7.

 

At this time of Purim, we see satan working to annihilate the Jews and Israel just as he did in Esther’s day. What is happening in the Middle East right now absolutely impacts the plan of God, the Kingdom of God, and all that we stand for as believers. Purim celebrates the fact that Mordecai and Esther had the king’s signet ring and carried out his decree. And if we are to carry out the will of God in the earth, then we must be the purified vessels who can wield His signet ring in righteousness, justice, and honor. Let us prepare our hearts to come before the King today.

 

Key Verses:

 

•       Esther 3:8–11. “If it is pleasing to the king, let it be decreed that they be destroyed.”

•       2 Chronicles 7:12–16. “[If] My people … turn from their wicked ways, then I will … forgive their sin.”

•       Acts 1:9–12. “Jesus … will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”

•       Esther 2:12. “Twelve months under the regulations for the women—for the days of their beautification were completed.”

•       Esther 4:11. “I have not been summoned to come to the king.”

•       Hebrews 4:16. “Draw near with confidence to the throne of grace.”

•       Esther 5:2–3. “The king said to her, ‘What is troubling you, Queen Esther?’”

•       Esther 7:10. “They hanged Haman on the gallows which he had prepared for Mordecai.”

•       Esther 8:8–11. “The king granted the Jews … the right to assemble and to defend their lives.”

 

Quotes:

 

•       “The ultimate victory that came was not because of what the king did. It's because of what Mordecai and Esther and the people did in rising up to save their own lives.”

•       “If we're going to celebrate Purim, one of the things we must have is this purification drive and preparation drive in our hearts because it's about us.”

•       “What He's looking for is that His anointing would rest upon the Body of Christ to move in the earth today, to see the kingdom come and be established, and the things that need to be dealt with, dealt with in all righteousness and justice.”

 

Takeaways:

 

1.    Purim shows us satan’s persistent attempts to destroy the Jewish people both to prevent the birth of the Messiah in the past and to hinder His Kingdom today.

2.    Purim shows us our need for purification and preparation to come into the presence of God.

3.    Purim shows us our need for humility and repentance to be God’s prepared instruments that will execute His will with righteousness and justice.