On March 3, 2026, Jews around the world will commemorate Purim. This corresponds to the 14th of Adar in the Jewish calendar.
Purim recalls the disaster that almost befell the House of Israel during the reign of King Ahasuerus in the 5th Century BC. Many scholars believe that biblical name refers to the king of Persia we know as Xerxes or Artaxerxes. What is not disputed is the narrative contained in the book of Esther.
During the reign of this mighty king of Persia (whose empire stretched from India to Ethiopia—and clearly would have encompassed the land of Israel), a Jewish maiden named Esther was living in captivity in the capital city of Susa. When King Ahasuerus’ own queen, Vashti, displeased the sovereign, he put her aside and sought a new queen. In short order, Esther was elevated to become queen and her uncle Mordecai saved the king’s life by revealing a coup.
Age-Old Animosity
Within the king’s court was a man named Haman. Haman was a descendant of Agag, the king of the Amalekites, whom the prophet Samuel put to death following Saul’s disobedience. Given the breadth of Ahasuerus’ territory and realm, it makes sense that an Amalekite would be serving in his administration.
Anyone familiar with the Old Testament will remember that Amalek was the king who attacked Israel during their exodus from Egypt. Exodus 17:8-16 describes how Israel prevailed only when Aaron and Hur supported Moses’ outstretched arms. Joshua led the Israelites to victory, and then Moses declared, “The LORD has sworn; the LORD will have war against Amalek from generation to generation” (Exodus 17:16). The finality of that curse was reiterated in Deuteronomy 25:17-19:
Remember what Amalek did to you along the way when you came out from Egypt, how he met you along the way and attacked among you all the stragglers at your rear when you were faint and weary; and he did not fear God. Therefore, it shall come about when the LORD your God has given you rest from all your surrounding enemies, in the land which the LORD your God gives to you as an inheritance to possess, you shall blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven; you must not forget.
We might ask, why was Amalek so hostile to the people of God, and why did he refuse to respect the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? The answer lies in the spiritual realm, and the undeniable reality that Amalek was another pawn of Satan—trying once again to harass and eradicate God’s chosen people.
So, many generations later, a surviving descendant of Amalek (and his equally antagonist successor, Agag) sought to eliminate the House of Israel once again. Esther records that the offense that ostensibly set off Haman’s murderous rage was a perceived slight by Mordecai—an affront to his pride. But, once again, those with eyes to see recognize the spiritual dynamics involved. Pride is never characteristic of a child of God; instead, it reflects the arrogance of the infernal antagonist (Satan) who motivated Haman to seek to destroy the Jews.
Purim is so named because Haman sought guidance from a lot (we might think of a die or dice) to ascertain his course. Some ancients consulted mediums or astrologers. Modern pagans seek wisdom anywhere and with anyone but God. In Haman’s case, having decided in his heart to seek the destruction of the Jews (Esther 3:6), he allowed purim (dice) to determine the timing of his nefarious plan.
Anyone who has read Esther knows that Mordecai encouraged his young niece by reminding her that she would share in the fate of her Jewish kin if she did not intervene. He also pointed out, “And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). In the end, Haman’s plot was discovered and he was hanged on the very gallows he had prepared for Mordecai and his people. The lots he had cast and the hatred he had sown proved to be his own undoing.
Modern Day Hamans
In the long centuries that have followed the story of Esther, many other Hamans have come and gone. Their names have been as varied as Herod, Hitler, Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis. Every individual and hate-filled group that has sought to destroy the House of Israel has also been an instrument of Satan, trying and repeatedly failing to serve the will of their demonic master.
For the past 47 years, the instigator of much of the Antisemitic hatred churning the Middle East has been Iran—the nation state that is modern Persia. Others have undeniably partnered with the ayatollahs and mullahs from that Islamic republic. Still, the single-minded focus of its leaders since 1979 has been the eradication of Israel—even to the degradation and ruin of the Iranian people. This same sad pattern has been evident in Gaza since the rise of Hamas and in Lebanon since the infiltration of Hezbollah.
Now the world is watching as Iran is being pummeled following the death of a modern-day version of Haman. The same spirit of Amalek, Agag, and Satan certainly motivated Ayatollah Khamenei, just as it did Khomeini before him. Pundits, critics, and military analysts will dissect every nuance of the current war. Regarding Donald Trump and his decision to cut off the head of the Iranian snake, they will undoubtedly pile on criticism or fawn with praise based on their own political leanings. But, we who believe that Almighty God establishes kings and throws down kingdoms have to recognize that His hand is at work in the course of human history.
The ancient curse on those who curse the descendants of Abraham is still in effect. The pronouncement of wrath against those who seek to destroy Israel is the same today as it was in the days of Amalek, Agag, and Haman. And, although God has allowed antagonist nations to serve as instruments of discipline and punishment (as He did Babylon, Medo-Persian, and Persia itself), His wrath eventually turns on those who dare to say “Aha!” against His chosen People and their promised land (Ezekiel 25:1-7, 26:2-6; Psalm 40:15).
Rejoice, for Our God Saves
Even as war rages, we are called to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. We pray too for the enemies of Israel, knowing that the ungodly will always oppose God and His people. So our prayer is for the salvation of millions in Iran and Israel alike.
In the words of Psalm 9:7, Ayatollah Khamenei and all those who sought to wipe Israel off the face of the Earth have returned (or will return) to Sheol, even all the nations who forget the true and living God. Anyone who believes the lies of Satan and serves as an instrument of his hatred on the Earth will receive the just reward for their self-same rebellion against God in the fullness of time.
But all who look to the Anointed One of Israel, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, will be saved. That promise is not based on dice or lots or purim, but on the infallible Word of God.
Let us see this current conflict from the clear-eyed perspective of Scripture and know that God will not abandon those whom He has called His beloved. In fact, as Zephaniah 3:12-20 describes, it is the LORD God who will exult over Israel as a victorious warrior. It is He who exults with quiet love and rejoices with shouts of joy. And it is He who will deal in turn with all of Israel’s oppressors.
All of us who eagerly await Jesus’ return must wait upon the Lord. But we already know whom we have believed and that He will protect what we have entrusted to Him until that day (2 Timothy 1:12). And, in anticipation of His soon return and mighty, outstretched hand, we proclaim to the rebellious world watching with fear and trepidation the fulfillment of prophetic promises before our eyes in such a time as this:
Behold, this is our God for whom we have waited that He might save us. This is the LORD for whom we have waited; Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation. (Isaiah 25:9)
