The Prime Minister of Israel has delivered a controversial address to the U.S. Congress, even with the disapproval of the US President and his party. Still, he calls the U.S. administration to realize that history appears to be repeating itself.

Drawing on allusions from the book of Esther, in which the Persian King authorizes the genocide of the Jewish people through the evil schemes of Haman, Benjamin Netanyahu indicated that once again Iran (ancient Persia) is seeking the annihilation of the Jewish people by seeking to develop nuclear weapons.

Even as a brave Esther summoned her courage to use her voice and speak up against the evil plan to destroy her people, the Jews, so the Prime Minister delivered his message (using his voice) to appeal to the U.S. Congress and Administration to prevent the current “deal” with Iran from being approved. It is a deal that does not do enough to stop Iran from developing it’s obvious goal of nuclear weapon capacity. Iran has repeatedly made clear that it has the desire to completely destroy Israel from existing as a nation.

Esther appealed to the king and was successful even as her people prayed for her. Righteous Mordecai (her uncle) had encouraged Esther to speak up saying to her that it was perhaps for this very reason (her access to the king) that she had come into the kingdom “For such a time as this…” They prayed and Esther was in fact able to prevent the scheme from being carried out.
So too, we must pray for the success of Benjamin Netanyahu’s appeal to the U.S. Congress and ultimately the U.S. President to prevent the current plan from being executed.

As I leave Israel this morning, II see children dressed up to celebrate Purim, the very holiday that commemorates the success the Jews achieved through Esther. What amazing timing! So too, we must pray for the success of one brave person who uses his voice to speak up for the protection of the Jewish people. For such a time as this!

Indeed Asaph gives us the perfect prayer to pray in Psalm 83

“Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God. For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head. They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones. They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance”. (‭Psalms‬ ‭83‬:‭1-4‬ KJV) ‬‬‬