Inside Israel

 

Once again, it’s time to hear from our sister in Jerusalem about what she is witnessing there as a believer in Yeshua. Put your prayer shawls on and pray for Israel and Sister J. Now here she is …

Greetings dear sisters and brothers, in The Name of Yeshua, King of kings and Lord of lords.  May He alone be glorified and may you be blessed and edified.  I have missed you and feel impressed in my heart to write NOW.

I believe there is a cry for prayer rising with your todayg up from the heart of God that is pressing me to share. A title keeps swirling around in my mind: Purim Protocol.

Most know plenty about Purim, the holiday that is a result of the events recorded in the book of Esther.  Many of you have even participated in Esther fasts or other preparations of heart to seek God concerning His breakthroughs for the Jewish people or the body or personal needs, when the enemy seems particularly close at hand.  Well, Purim is upon us now: Wednesday through Thursday for unwalled cities, and Thursday through Friday for walled cities, Jerusalem being one of the walled cities. The book of Esther, the only book in the Bible where the Name of God is not directly mentioned, is a short book, just 10 short chapters in length.  It is an easy read and we often reflect on: “for such a time as this” and “if I perish, I perish.” Powerful words from the mouths and hearts of people caught or called into a moment of history where doing and saying the right thing was key to the continuance of God’s program and the bringing forth of Messiah from His people.

It has struck me deeply that because of the urgency of the message Esther did not approach the king according to protocol. This could have had dire consequences, unless God protected Esther.

Our countries stand at a brink − not just those of you in America, but for the whole world.  Since you are the ones who pray for Israel, perhaps you are aware of the messy, ugly election campaign that currently bogs us down here in Israel.  I mention these things because also many of you have written and said that you do not listen to the news, so I am adding a bit of background.

Perhaps you know that our Prime Minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, arrived in Washington DC this morning to give two speeches. One to the AIPAC (American Israel lobby group) convention today, Monday, 10 a.m. Washington DC time or 5 p.m. Israel time. The other is at the invitation of the Congressional Majority Leader to a joint session of the US Congress.  THIS SECOND SPEECH HAS CAUSED A FIRESTORM!

Background: For at least 9 years (some say as long as 20) our Prime Minister has been harping on the Iranian enrichment program.  He has taken every opportunity to express the existential threat that he is convinced this program poses.  The world has gotten tired of hearing him and the mockery thrown at him is painful to hear.  Nonetheless he has stated time and again that he would take ANY PLATFORM OPEN TO HIM TO CRY OUT ABOUT THIS DANGER.

He accepted the invitation to speak to the US Congress, and the world around him blew up.  It was announced that the invitation was “Not according to protocol,” and that his acceptance was an affront to the US President who was not consulted about the visit. It was offensive and a danger to Israel -US relations.  He was told that the US President, Vice President, and many others would not attend the speech as it was electioneering. The US Administration’s policy is not to meet with people running for major offices so close to an election.

Our election is the 17^th of March, but the Iranian nuclear deal is running toward completion now.  Netanyahu is scheduled to speak to Congress on Tuesday at 11 a.m. Washington DC time and 5 p.m. our time.

Our own news media and politicians are smearing him. How he is able to withstand the pressure must be because of the numerous prayers holding him up.  Tuesday night is the night before erev Purim (or the night before Purim begins) meaning that it is during the Esther fast for those who fast.

            “All the king’s servants, and people of the king’s provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law for him, that he be put to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden scepter, that he may live; but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.” (Esther 4:11)

Then Mordecai bade them to return an answer unto Esther: ‘Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more then all the Jews.  For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then will relief and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place, but thou and thy father’s house will perish; and who knoweth whether thou art not come to royal estate for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:13-14)

I personally see a connection here that I cannot ignore. Normally it would be unheard of for a Prime Minister to speak to the US Congress against the wishes of a standing President.  It is definitely not happening according to protocol.

We need the scepter of the Lord to be extended to Binyamin Netanyahu. We need the anointing of God to be upon him without him taking any glory. We need the message to be accurate and to be heard and heeded.

Because of the media blitz and electioneering AGAINST the Prime Minister in Israel, his election ratings have gone down.  I do not know how anyone can think that he is doing this to win votes.

Perhaps I am wrong, but may The Lord be RIGHT and I am asking for you to be aware of this incredibly pivotal moment and to pray according to His Heart, if He calls your heart to prayer.

Outside, the shuk is full of colorful baskets and costumes and the shopping carts are full of goodies to put in the baskets and give out to one another in accordance with Esther 9:20-28

Signs announce Purim parties and readings of the book of Esther will take place all over the country, in homes and chosen spots.  The noise-makers, called groggers or greggers will clank out their irritating noise whenever the name of Haman is mentioned during the reading, which helps to keep the children focused on the words.

And in the midst of the preparation for the age-old customs of Purim, we once again see a broken protocol and a plea for mercy against annihilation.

May The Lord be glorified.

Lovingly,

your sister J