By Tzefania Pappas
For anyone who loves the State of Israel and the Jewish people October 7, 2023, is a tragic memory. Cemented into our minds are the events that took place in October along with other tragedies that the Jewish people have suffered over the years. Each day since that October we prayed and sought the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and petitioned him relentlessly to answer and deliver His people. Events to that end are unfolding like a modern day Purim story. Let us take a look at the similarities.
In the book of Esther, we see several central figures. In order of importance there is Esther, Mordecai, the King, and the evil Haman. Today’s story involves a President, a Prime Minister, and evil Hamas.
In the story of Esther, there is an evil plot to kill the King. Mordecai overhears the plot and reports it to Esther who, in turn, informs the King. The King is rescued after receiving word from Esther and the eunuchs Bigthan and Teresh are arrested and hung on the gallows for their treacherous plot. In our modern day story, President Trump is nearly shot in the head after a bullet grazes his ear in Pennsylvania. The perpetrator who attempted the assassination is eliminated by security.
The evil Haman is able to deceive the King concerning Jewish people in his kingdom. Haman writes an edict where unarmed Jews will be attacked by others in the kingdom on a specific date. It looks grim for the Jewish people. Esther intercedes through prayer and fasting while being encouraged by Mordecai that she was born for such a time as this. Mordecai urges her to go in before the king uninvited even though it may mean her death. Esther finally appears before the king, and her life is spared. And to make the story short, her request is granted. Through her granted request, Haman is found out, and the gallows he prepared for Mordecai, both he and all his sons instead are killed on it!
In our modern story, the evil Hamas is able to deceive political powers to sign a terrible deal on January 15, 2025, for the release of Israel’s hostages taken on October 7, 2023. Israel caves and accepts the deal before President Trump takes office as the 47th President of the United States of America. For many of those who have been praying for Israel and the Jewish people, it seemed as if our hearts were torn from our chest. It now looked like Hamas would be back in power to rearm themselves for another killing spree against Jews. Prime Minister Netanyahu (Netanyahu’s first name is Benjamin & Mordecai was from the tribe of Benjamin) shows a documentary to President Trump concerning Hamas’ plot carried out on October 7, 2023. President Trump is now informed that Hamas will not be satisfied until all Jews are dead. President Trump, then calls for the complete removal of all Arabs from the Gaza strip. On Shabbat, February 3, three hostages were released by Hamas. These hostages looked like they came from a concentration camp during the Holocaust! President Trump is clearly impacted by this. On February 10, 2025, President Trump threatened that if ALL hostages are not released by Hamas on Shabbat, February 15, at noon, that a great destruction will happen to them. Will Gaza become the gallows that Hamas will hang on? It appears as if a great modern Purim is taking place before our eyes!
As these events continue to unfold, let us continue to pray for the protection of the IDF soldiers, the living hostages, and all the nation of Israel. If it is heart-rending to us, how much more so for them! Abba may this modern Purim be written in our day and may we see a great rescue of the Jewish people once again! B’Shem Yeshua Ha Mashiac.
