Category: Purim

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Appointments With God Discussions Prophets and Writings Purim Torah

From captivity to new covenant: Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther and the how of return (Exodus 33; Ezekiel 36)

Alt-text: Digital painting created by ChatGPT in a bold, textured oil palette knife style, formatted in a 16:9 landscape composition. The image is split evenly into two epic biblical scenes. On the left, Queen Esther, dressed in flowing white and blue garments with gold accents, reverently reaches out to touch the tip of King Ahasuerus’s golden scepter as he sits on an ornate throne in a richly decorated Persian palace. The king wears royal red and gold robes and a crown, and the scene glows with warm gold and amber tones. On the right, men in ancient dress rebuild Jerusalem’s stone wall. Some workers lay large blocks while gripping swords at their sides, and armed guards stand watch on the wall, scanning the distant hills under a dramatic sky streaked with blue and gold. Thick impasto brushstrokes give the entire composition a dynamic, sculpted texture. In the lower left corner, text overlay reads: “From captivity to new covenant: Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther and the how of return (Exodus 33; Ezekiel 36).” A Hallel.info watermark appears in the lower right corner.

As we celebrate Purim, we explore how God’s presence — more than ritual — was at the heart of the restoration of Israel recorded in Esther, Ezra and Nehemiah. Rebuilding walls parallels the restoring of homes and hearts via practical boundaries, discernment and daily “filters” of the mind. True restoration begins inward (New Covenant), sealed with the blood of Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus) and empowered by the Ruach haQodesh (Holy Spirit). Esther’s courage and Nehemiah’s rebuilding inspire action amid exile and imperfection. Walk toward Zion by cultivating the Spirit’s work in you.

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Appointments With God Discussions Passover Purim

From Purim to Passover: Unveiling the Messiah’s mission

A textured, palette-knife style oil painting depicting the connection between Purim and Passover. On the left, Queen Esther stands before King Xerxes in a grand Persian palace, symbolizing Purim, with royal purples and golds enhancing the scene. On the right, Passover is represented by Yeshua (Jesus) at the Last Supper, breaking bread with His disciples, illuminated by warm candlelight. In the center, a radiant figure of Yeshua stands as the bridge between the two events, symbolizing the fulfillment of both in His redemptive mission. The painting features bold, expressive strokes and vibrant colors, emphasizing divine providence and salvation.

This quick study of the book of Esther and the background of the Festival of Purim reveals how they are intricately woven into the redemptive narrative fulfilled in Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus the Christ). Just as Esther risked her life to save her people, Yeshua laid down His life to redeem humanity. The parallels between Purim, Passover and the Messiah’s mission reveal God’s sovereign plan.

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Apostolic Writings Appointments With God Discussions Prophets and Writings Purim Torah

Tree of Knowledge and Haman’s gallows: Esther shows us how to overcome our desire to replace God

Tree of Knowledge & Haman's gallows: Esther show us how to overcome our desire to replace God. Artwork shows a fruit tree on the left side of the image.

Bible prophecy often talks about widespread persecution against the people of God in the “latter days.” But that seems so far removed from today’s society, where we have global human rights watchdog groups, U.S. First Amendment protections for religious freedom, the International Court of Justice and the United Nations.

This study of the Torah reading וַיִּקְרָא Vayikra (“and He called,” Levicus 1:1–6:7) plus readings for the Sabbath of Remembrance (Deuteronomy 25:17–19; 1Samuel 15:2–34; 1Peter 4:12–5:11) and the Book of Esther reminds us why we keep seeing outbreaks of perplexing violence throughout history, in spite of attempts to legislate away evil.

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Discussions Prophets and Writings Purim Torah

Burnt offering, Purim and Passover: Keep the coal of your heart’s fire burning long for the Kingdom of God

No, this isn’t a case of duct-taping Bible passages together into a hodge-podge teaching. There is an important link between instructions to priests about keeping the Tabernacle altar fire burning, the command to destroy the memory of back-stabbing Amalek, the reluctance of later generations to carry that out fit, Queen Esther’s bold intervention for the Yehudim (Jews), the memory of deliverance from slavery at Peskah (Passover) and the freedom brought by Yeshua the Mashiakh (Jesus the Christ). Strap in your brain for a wild ride.

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Purim

Studies and resources on Purim (Feast of Lots in the book of Esther)

Akhashverosh (Xerxes) hears about Mordechai in the chronicles
Medo-Persian king Akhashverosh (Xerxes) listens to the chronicles of the kingdom and hears that Mordechai thwarted a plot to assassinate him but wasn't honored.

Download an interactive reading of the book of Esther, arranged for a multiperson drama, listen to how a presentation of this drama and access teachings on the lasting importance of Purim for believers in Yeshua haMashiakh (Jesus the Christ).

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Appointments With God Discussions Prophets and Writings Purim

How are the main people in the book of Esther also thematically tied to other people in the Bible?

Purim: Festival of Lots from the Bible book of Esther

The book of Esther presents multiple characters throughout the storyline that may have a more significant purpose than it first appears.

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Appointments With God Purim

Messianic symbols, message in the Book of Esther

Photo from freeimages.com/eran Menashri

Many wonder why the Book of Esther is in the Bible, because the name of God is not mentioned in it. Yet, actually God is mentioned throughout the account. The main people in the book also are symbols for God, God’s Messiah, Israel and the Adversary, aka haSatan.