Archive for the Purim Category

Purim 5783/2023: Spirit of Haman Alive & Focused

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Ezekiel 38-39, Persia/Elam/Iran, Purim, Trend Update with tags , , on March 1, 2023 by paulthepoke

Esther 9:20-22 Then Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far, obliging them to celebrate the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same month, annually, because on those days the Jews rid themselves of their enemies, and it was a month which was turned for them from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and rejoicing and sending portions of food to one another and gifts to the poor.

The celebration is to take place in the Hebrew month of Adar on the 14th and 15th day. In the Gregorian year of 2023, the event starts on sundown Monday, March 6th and ends the next day on Tuesday, March 7th. Scripture tells us the holiday is to be celebrated annually.

Esther is a unique book in the Bible in that God’s name is not written or used. Even though God’s name is not seen, it is obvious Who is in control of the events of the narrative.

The spirit of Haman is alive and well in the ancient land the Bible calls Persia. We call it modern day Iran.

Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl made news with a comment regarding Iran. He was speaking to a Congressional Committee. Kahl is the third ranking Defense Department official.

“Because Iran’s nuclear progress since we left the JCPOA has been remarkable. Back in 2018, when the previous administration decided to leave the JCPOA it would have taken Iran about 12 months to produce one bomb’s worth of fissile material. Now it would take about 12 days.“

https://www.voanews.com/a/iaea-report-says-discussions-with-iran-about-near-weapons-grade-enrichment-ongoing-/6984106.html

Iran is becoming more than a regional threat. The Pentagon sees Iran as a global threat. The reason, Iran’s relationship with Russia.

“We are now at a point where Iranian threats are no longer specific to the Middle East, but a global challenge,” Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Dana Stroul.

“It is reasonable to expect that the tactics, techniques and procedures that the Iranians are learning and perfecting in Ukraine will one day come back to our partners in the Middle East, which is why we are increasing cooperation now, intelligence sharing, understanding these networks and increasing our collective defensive capabilities so that we are prepared to counter these threats in the region.“

“We know that the Iranians have already provided hundreds or armed drones to the Russians. We know that they’ve provided ammunition for artillery and for tanks, as well,” William Burns, Director, CIA.

https://www.voanews.com/a/pentagon-iran-a-global-challenge-due-to-alliance-with-russia-/6982757.html

As a pattern of history, things did not work out well for Haman and those hostile to God’s chosen people. And things will not work out well for modern day Iran and friends and their hostility towards Israel.

Isaiah 54:17 “No weapon that is formed against you will succeed; and you will condemn every tongue that accuses you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.

Isaiah 40:15-17 Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket, and are counted as the small dust on the scales; look, He lifts up the isles as a very little thing. And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor its beasts sufficient for a burnt offering. All nations before Him are as nothing, and they are counted by Him less than nothing and worthless.

https://www.amazon.com/Paul-Lehr/e/B09W8FB77N

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Purim 5782/2022: Spirit of Haman, Alive & Well

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Persia/Elam/Iran, Purim with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 13, 2022 by paulthepoke

Esther 9:20-22 Then Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far, obliging them to celebrate the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same month, annually, because on those days the Jews rid themselves of their enemies, and it was a month which was turned for them from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and rejoicing and sending portions of food to one another and gifts to the poor.

This is the decree for the celebration of the holiday Purim. The celebration is to take place in the Hebrew month of Adar on the 14th and 15th day. In the Gregorian year of 2022, that starts on sundown Wednesday, March 16th and ends the next day on Thursday, March 17th. Scripture tells us the holiday is to be celebrated annually.

The setting of the story is in the book of Esther. The author of the book is unknown. Celebration of Purim is not part of the Mosaic Law. The events of the story took place from 483-473 BC. God’s name is never mentioned in the book. The location is Susa of the Persian Empire. This is modern day Iran.

https://www.macmillanlearning.com/college/us/product/Ways-of-the-World-with-Sources-Volume-1/p/1319109756

Esther 3:1-2 After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, and advanced him and set his throne above all the officials who were with him. And all the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage.

Haman was the prime minister for King Ahasuerus. He answered to only the king. Haman was a very powerful political figure and officer. He was the right hand man to the king. Haman clearly lorded his clout over others as he demanded others bow down and pay homage to him at the gate. This action was mandated by Ahasuerus. Haman was on a serious power trip.

Haman was a source of evil. His name means tumult or noise. Haman came by his attitude honestly. His father was Hammedatha, which is translated as “The Medatha” or “The Double” (A Dictionary of the Bible: Aaron Juttah). At any rate, Haman’s father was important enough to have a definitive article as part of his identity… like father, like son.

Metropolitan Museum of Art

Esther 3:9 “If it please the king, let it be decreed that they be destroyed, and I will pay 10,000 talents of silver into the hands of those who have charge of the king’s business, that they may put it into the king’s treasuries.” -Haman

Not only was Haman a power hungry, blood thirsty leader, he was exceptionally wealthy. His anger and resentment towards Mordecai and the Jews were so intense, he was willing to part with 10,000 talents of silver. Despite being second in command of the Persian Empire, he would pay blood money to make this happen. Haman was dedicated to killing off a race of people for being disrespected as he saw it.

Measurements from https://www.learnreligions.com/what-is-a-talent-700699

10,000 talents of silver… 1 talent is equal to roughly 75 pounds.

10,000 X 75 = 750,000 pounds of silver!

At today’s silver prices, 1 ounce = $25

1 pound = 16 ounces X $25 = $400/pound of silver.

750,000 pounds X $400/pound = $300,000,000

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This level of hate still emanates from what is modern day Iran. Modern day Iranian leaders, like Haman, are looking to wipe Israel from the map and eradicate its people. Haman was willing to pay to eliminate the Jewish people. Unlike the past, the world is giving Iran resources to achieve their goal.

March 12, 2022: The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fired ballistic missiles into Erbil, Iraq against the “strategic center of the Zionist regime’s conspiracies and wickedness”.

“If the Zionists want to respond to the attack on the Mossad headquarters in Erbil, it will face a harsh response”. -IRGC

Iranian intelligence reports they have broken up “spy (Mossad) network that recruited hooligans to do sabotage operations inside Iran”.

“By God! Israel Will Not See Next 25Years!” -Ayatollah Khamenei

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Despite current attitudes, the Biden Administration continues to give Iran concessions in negotiations in Vienna with regard to the Nuclear Agreement. Iran is sure to gain economic freedoms which will likely result in billions of dollars in revenue and gifts.

Here is what Iran does with their resources.

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Purim 5781/2021: Who Is Mordecai?

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Purim with tags , , , , , , on February 21, 2021 by paulthepoke

Esther 9:20-22 Then Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far, obliging them to celebrate the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same month, annually, because on those days the Jews rid themselves of their enemies, and it was a month which was turned for them from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and rejoicing and sending portions of food to one another and gifts to the poor.

This is the decree for the celebration of the holiday Purim. The celebration is to take place in the Hebrew month of Adar on the 14th and 15th day. In the Gregorian year of 2021, that starts on sundown Thursday, February 25th and ends the next day on Friday, February 26th. Scripture tells us the holiday is to be celebrated annually.

www.paulthepoke.com

Then Mordecai recorded these events…

Mordecai, his name means “little man”. We know Mordecai is from the tribe of Benjamin. And he is related to King Saul by his lineage in Kish. King Saul’s father was Kish.

Esther 2:5 Now there was a Jew in Susa the citadel whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, son of Shimei, son of Kish, a Benjaminite…

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Mordecai adopted Esther as his daughter. He was a man of God as he took care of orphans. Mordecai’s role in the book of Esther is consistent with the Psalmist. He was just in the defense and protection of his national people.

Esther 2:7 He was bringing up Hadassah, that is Esther, the daughter of his uncle, for she had neither father nor mother. The young woman had a beautiful figure and was lovely to look at, and when her father and her mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter.

Psalms 82:3 Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.

Mordecai heard of a plot to assassinate King Xerxes. He shared the evil plan against the king to his adopted daughter Queen Esther. She shared the details with her husband the king. These men were put to death when the plan was confirmed (Esther 2:21-23).

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Mordecai refused to bow down to one of the king’s officials, Haman. As a result, Haman set out to destroy Mordecai and all of the Jewish people in the kingdom (Esther 3). Out of concern for his fellow countrymen, Mordecai informed Queen Esther of Haman’s written plan to eliminate the Jewish people (Esther 4). Later, Mordecai was honored by the king and Haman for saving the king’s life in the plot against him (Esther 6). He was appointed and succeeded as the chief minister to King Xerxes after Haman’s death at his own gallows (Esther 8).

Mordecai was respected and honored throughout the kingdom. He grew in great power and prestige. Which takes us back to the beginning of the post and the verses in Esther 9. Mordecai was the initiator of the celebration of Purim.

God is never mentioned in the book of Esther. Yet, His sovereignty and plan are executed according to His will.

Purim is a reminder. The Spring Feasts and Passover are only a month away.

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Purim 5780/2020: Threats to Destroy Esther & Mordechai’s Tombs

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Persia/Elam/Iran, Purim, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , on March 1, 2020 by paulthepoke

Esther 9:20-22 Then Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far, obliging them to celebrate the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same month, annually, because on those days the Jews rid themselves of their enemies, and it was a month which was turned for them from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and rejoicing and sending portions of food to one another and gifts to the poor.

This is the decree for the celebration of the holiday Purim. The celebration is to take place in the Hebrew month of Adar on the 14th and 15th day. In the Gregorian year of 2020, that starts on sundown Monday, March 9th and ends the next day on March 10th. Scripture tells us the holiday is to be celebrated every year.

Today, Hamadan is believed to have approximately 554,000 people per 2016 census numbers. Hamadan is home to the tombs of Esther and Mordechai.

esther mordechai tomb

A few weeks ago, the Iranian Basij attempted to do harm to the historical burial site of Esther and Mordechai. This is no accident. They know the history and the time of the year with the pending celebration of Purim.

The Basij is a volunteer militia of the Iranian government. The Basij was set up by the Ayatollah Khomeini in 1979. The stated purpose of the Basij is as follows: “create the necessary capabilities in all individuals believing in the Constitution and the goals of the Islamic Republic to defend the country, the regime of the Islamic Republic, and aid people in cases of disasters and unexpected events.”

The role of the Basij is to handle “resistance areas” within Iran…

Here is a quote that likely best describes the role of the Basij in Iran. This is a group of enforcers.

“But because they receive less training than other Iranian security forces, their tactics are often the toughest against dissidents—and in turn generate more public anger that could weaken rather than strengthen the regime long-term.”

If interested (highly recommended) in more detail of the Iranian Basij, click on the link below.

https://iranprimer.usip.org/resource/basij-resistance-force

The Basij feels justified in their actions because of President Trump and his policies toward Israel in the Middle East. So, they took to Twitter.

“Members of the Iranian Basij attempted to raid the historic site yesterday in an act of revenge against the Israelis Palestinian peace plan by President Trump.”

https://www.jewishpress.com/news/middle-east/iran-news/report-iranian-authorities-allegedly-threaten-to-destroy-tomb-of-esther-and-mordechai/2020/02/16/

Esther and Mordechai were real people. They died and they were buried in what is modern day Hamadan, Iran. The book of Esther is not a fable or a fairy tale. Roughly 2,450 years later from their era, Esther and Mordechai are back in the news. Modern day Iran wants to destroy their existence and their place in history in God’s word.

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Purim 5779/2019

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Purim, Signs: Sun, Moon, Stars..., Trend Update with tags , , on March 16, 2019 by paulthepoke

Esther 9:20-22 Then Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far, obliging them to celebrate the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same month, annually, because on those days the Jews rid themselves of their enemies, and it was a month which was turned for them from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and rejoicing and sending portions of food to one another and gifts to the poor.

The setting of the story is in the book of Esther. The events of the story took place from 483-473 BC. The location is Susa of the Persian Empire. This would be modern day Iran.

Esther is a unique book in the Bible in that God’s name is not written or used. Even though God’s name is not seen, it is obvious Who is in control of the events of the narrative.

This is the decree for the celebration of the holiday Purim. The celebration is to take place in the Hebrew month of Adar on the 14th and 15th day. In the Gregorian year of 2019, that starts on Wednesday, March 20th and ends the next day on March 21st. Scripture tells us the holiday is to be celebrated every year.

See how God used a Jewish woman in the Persian Empire to save His people. For more information on the book of Esther and the holiday of Purim, click on the link below.

https://paulthepoke.com/category/purim/

This Purim (5779/2019) has a unique set of circumstances surrounding the holiday. Purim is to occur on a Supermoon. This is a full moon where the moon is the closest it can be to the Earth in its orbit around the Earth.

This Supermoon is also the last in a set of three consecutive Supermoons. The next time a set of three Supermoons will take place is later this fall 2019. The last of those Supermoons will be during the Fall Feasts and the new Hebrew year 5780.

This year, Purim occurs during the spring equinox.

On a Hebrew calendar, the year 5779 is a leap year as well. That means one additional month of Adar.

Jewish rabbis believe they are very, very, very close to the unveiling of their Messiah.

Rabbi Pinchas Winston had the following analogy, “The arrival of the Messiah has an aspect that is like musical chairs. No one knows when the music will stop, but when it does, you might unexpectedly be caught unprepared and be left standing without a place to sit down. It is absolutely correct today to be paranoid.”

https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/123912/purim-supermoon-ushering-redemption/

As a believer in the Messiah Jesus Christ or Yeshua HaMashiach, I concur with Rabbi Winston’s comments on the coming of the Messiah. The Rabbi’s statement is in complete alignment with words of Jesus Himself, Peter, the Apostle Paul, and John.

Matthew 24:44 For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.

2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

1 Thessalonians 5:2-3 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

Revelation 16:15 Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame.

BE READY!!!

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Purim: Haman Gonna Hate

Posted in Purim, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , on February 26, 2018 by paulthepoke

Esther 9:20-22 Then Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far, obliging them to celebrate the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same month, annually, because on those days the Jews rid themselves of their enemies, and it was a month which was turned for them from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and rejoicing and sending portions of food to one another and gifts to the poor.

This is the decree for the celebration of the holiday Purim. The celebration is to take place in the Hebrew month of Adar on the 14th and 15th day. Adar is the last month of a Hebrew year. In the Gregorian year of 2018, that starts on the evening Wednesday, February 28 and ends the next day on the evening of Thursday, March 1. Scripture tells us the holiday is to be celebrated every year.

Purim secret tel aviv dot com

secrettelaviv.com

The setting of the story is in the book of Esther. The author of the book is unknown. Celebration of Purim is not part of the Mosaic Law. The events of the story took place from 483-473 BC. God’s name is never mentioned in the book. The location is Susa of the Persian Empire. This is modern day Iran.

Haman is a source of evil. His name means tumult or noise. Haman was the prime minister for King Ahasuerus. He answered to only the king.

Esther 3:1 After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, and advanced him and set his throne above all the officials who were with him.

Haman lays out his plan to destroy the Jewish people in Esther 3. Haman’s plan was the result of Mordecai refusing to bow to him. Haman was on a power trip and frequently angry.

Esther 3:5-6 And when Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage to him, Haman was filled with fury. But he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone. So, as they had made known to him the people of Mordecai, Haman sought to destroy all the Jews, the people of Mordecai, throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus.

Haman was deceitful and manipulative to the king regarding the need to rid the kingdom of the Jews.

Esther 3:8-9 Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom. Their laws are different from those of every other people, and they do not keep the king’s laws, so that it is not to the king’s profit to tolerate them. If it please the king, let it be decreed that they be destroyed, and I will pay 10,000 talents of silver into the hands of those who have charge of the king’s business, that they may put it into the king’s treasuries.”

gallows

In the end, Haman’s plans were his undoing. What he prepared for Mordecai was ultimately for himself.

Esther 7:9 Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs in attendance on the king, said, “Moreover, the gallows that Haman has prepared for Mordecai, whose word saved the king, is standing at Haman’s house, fifty cubits (approximately 75 feet) high.” And the king said, “Hang him on that.”

 

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Also available online at Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, and Inktera

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Trend Update: Purim, Tombs of Esther & Mordecai, March 2017

Posted in Persia/Elam/Iran, Prophecy, Purim, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , on March 10, 2017 by paulthepoke

Esther 1:1-2 Now it took place in the days of Ahasuerus, the Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Ethiopia over 127 provinces, in those days as King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne which was at the citadel in Susa…

Esther 1:5 When these days were completed, the king gave a banquet lasting seven days for all the people who were present at the citadel in Susa, from the greatest to the least, in the court of the garden of the king’s palace.

This is the introduction to the book of Esther. Susa was the headquarters of the ancient Persia and Media Empire. Ancient Susa is also known as Shush or Shushan.

North of Susa is Hamadan. Today Hamadan, Iran is believed to have approximately 470,000 people per 2006 census numbers.

Within the city of modern day Hamadan, the heroes Esther and Mordecai are believed to be buried in the Iranian city. A 500 year old building is the site. The location is reported to be in very good condition. For detail, see the link below.

https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/84787/burial-site-purim-heroes-esther-mordechai-still-standing-modern-day-persia/#wX48vS39tqslUvUA.97

The burial site and story of Esther draw people to think about the modern city, especially at the holiday of Purim.

Hamadan is back in the news and on the world stage but for other reasons.

August 16, 2016: Since this date, Russia has been launching air strikes from Iran. The Iranians have agreed to give Russia access to the Hamadan Air Base in western Iran. Russia is the first foreign country allowed access to the air base. This was reported by news outlets around the world (The Guardian, RT, Reuters, Jerusalem Post, France 24, New York Times).

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Trend Update: Purim 2017

Posted in Persia/Elam/Iran, Purim, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , on March 8, 2017 by paulthepoke

Esther 9:20-22 Then Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far, obliging them to celebrate the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same month, annually, because on those days the Jews rid themselves of their enemies, and it was a month which was turned for them from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and rejoicing and sending portions of food to one another and gifts to the poor.

This is the decree for the celebration of the holiday Purim. The celebration is to take place in the Hebrew month of Adar on the 14th and 15th day. In the Gregorian year of 2017, that starts on Saturday, March 11th and ends the next day on March 12. Scripture tells us the holiday is to be celebrated every year.

The setting of the story is in the book of Esther. The events of the story took place from 483-473 BC. The location is Susa of the Persian Empire. This would be modern day Iran.

Esther is a unique book in the Bible in that God’s name is not written or used. Even though God’s name is not seen, it is obvious who is in control of the events of the narrative. The book is a practical example of the Abrahamic Covenant.

Genesis 12:3 “And I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”

I will bless those who bless you…The outline of the story goes like this. King Ahasuerus and his kingdom are ultimately blessed. He marries a beautiful Jewish lady, Esther, who becomes queen. Esther’s uncle Mordecai, a Jew, becomes a trusted voice to the king. The king follows the counsel of his Jewish subjects. King Ahasuerus treated them well and positioned them in places of authority and favor. His kingdom was blessed.

…the one who curses you I will curse…Haman is the villain of the story. He is hostile to the Jewish people. Haman developed a plot to murder all the Jews. His plot is exposed. Haman is ultimately hanged to death at the hands of his own devices.

Esther was a woman of great courage and this is celebrated in the book. Even though she was the queen, she played within the laws of the Persians. She knew death was a possibility.

Esther 4:11 “All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that for any man or woman who comes to the king to the inner court who is not summoned, he has but one law, that he be put to death, unless the king holds out to him the golden scepter so that he may live. And I have not been summoned to come to the king for these thirty days.”

Despite the risks, Esther pressed forward on behalf of her people.

Esther 5:2 When the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, she obtained favor in his sight; and the king extended to Esther the golden scepter which was in his hand. So Esther came near and touched the top of the scepter.

Because of her guile and bravery, the Jewish holiday of Purim is celebrated with joy, gladness, food, and charitable giving.

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