Israel ~ the only country in the world where your bank calendar has a picture of a Purim grogger - a noise maker used to "blot out" the name of the evil Haman from being heard during the reading of the scroll of Esther during the Purim Megillah (scroll) readings.
Esther Chapter 9:
"16 The other Jews, those in the royal provinces, had assembled, defended their lives and won rest from their enemies, killing 75,000 of those who hated them, but without touching the spoil, 17 on the thirteenth day of the month Adar. So on the fourteenth day of Adar they rested and made it a holiday for celebrating and rejoicing. 18However, the Jews of Shushan assembled on both the thirteenth and fourteenth days of Adar, so it was on the fifteenth that they rested and made it a holiday for celebrating and rejoicing. 19 This is why the Jews of the villages, those who live in unwalled towns, make the fourteenth day of the month of Adar a day for celebrating and rejoicing, a holiday and a time for sending each other portions [of food].
20 Mordekhai recorded these events and sent letters to all the Jews in all the provinces of King Achashverosh, both near and far, 21 instructing them to observe the fourteenth day of the month of Adar and the fifteenth day, every year, 22 [to commemorate] the days on which the Jews obtained rest from their enemies and the month which for them was turned from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday; they were to make them days of celebrating and rejoicing, sending portions [of food] to each other and giving gifts to the poor.
23 So the Jews took it upon themselves to continue what they had already begun to do, and as Mordekhai had written to them; 24 because Haman the son of Hamdata the Agagi, the enemy of the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them and had thrown pur (that is, “cast lots”) to crush and destroy them; 25 but when Ester came before the king, he ordered by letters that [Haman’s] wicked scheme, which he had plotted against the Jews, should recoil on his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows. 26 This is why these days have been called Purim, after the word pur. Thus, because of everything written in this letter, and what they had seen concerning this matter, and what had come upon them, 27 the Jews resolved and took upon themselves, their descendants and all who might join them that without fail they would observe these two days in accordance with what was written in [this letter] and at the appointed time, every year; 28 and that these days would be remembered and observed throughout every generation, every family, every province and every city; and that these days of Purim would never cease among the Jews or their memory be lost by their descendants.
29 Then Ester the queen, the daughter of Avichayil, and Mordekhai the Jew, gave full written authority to confirm a second letter about Purim. 30 He sent copies of it to all the Jews, to the 127 provinces of the kingdom of Achashverosh, ensuring their peace and security 31 and requiring the observance of these days of Purim at their designated times, as Mordekhai the Jew and Ester the queen had enjoined them, and as they had established for themselves and their descendants concerning the matters of fasting and lamenting. 32 At Ester’s order these matters of Purim were confirmed and put in writing in the book."
Even now, as in the days of Esther, Jews all around the world continue to celebrate Purim with rejoicing and giving gifts. A tradition added to the celebration is to dress up to hide your identity as Esther had thousands of years ago. And as mentioned above, the Megillah of Esther is read - all over Israel in public places, not just in the synagogues - and the name of Haman is "blotted out" with the sound of groggers and "boos" from the crowd.
Today ~ Yom Shishi, 15 Adar 5779 ~ Friday, March 22, 2019 ~ Jerusalem, being a city that had walls during the time when Purim was inaugurated, is celebrating this Biblical holiday - just as the rest of the country (and world) did yesterday.
Earlier in the year, we began to see costumes for sale in the stores.
Many people dress up for Purim - both young and old.
Packages of candy and snacks are for sale everywhere to be given
as gifts fulfilling the Biblical passage.
And of course we cannot forget our favorite! Hamantaschen -
cookies filled with chocolate or other fillings, named after the evil Haman.
Our next photo takes us to "the rest of the story...." This young lady probably would have liked to wear a costume like the rest of the civilians celebrating Purim, but being on active duty, she could not. But she did wear a delicate wreath on her head. Our modern day Queen Esther - protecting her people with her very life.
We have the Book. We already know the end of the story. While the battles are still waging, we know Who the ultimate Victor will be (and we saw the outcome for Haman). God says that He will rule and reign in Israel, in Jerusalem specifically. So - will we choose to partner with God? Will we choose to be a part of the group that is written ~ "and all who might join them"?
Just as in days of old, just as with the Jews in ancient Persia, the Israel Defense Forces are protecting and preserving the Jewish people - not only their heritage, but also the Land in which God has chosen as His own - where He will one day return to set up His eternal Kingdom. This is quite a task, especially for so many who are 18-21 years old. But in Israel, serving in the army is part of being Israeli, it's part of the culture and family dynamics.
CFI - Christian Friends of Israel is proud to support the defenders of Israel. And Jim, as the project coordinator, is honored to meet and grow relationships with many in service around the country. From those in the army to the border police; from private security to reserve units to lone soldiers (Jewish soldiers from other countries or those ostracized from their family). Being received first as a guest, then as mishpocha (family). Israelis are always so curious why we have left our friends, family and home to come to Israel to help and serve them. Why?? We tell them that we believe in the same God they do, and that we believe in His plans and purposes for the Jewish people and Israel as stated in the Bible. We choose to partner with God - and be among those who join them. We share that there are many, many people who believe the same, and that they are praying for them, and sending financial support to help them from the Nations. They find this quite incredulous. The Jewish people are not accustomed to positive affirmation in a world that is mostly anti-Israel and with anti-semitism rising in many countries (you might be surprised how many acts against Jewish people have taken place in the past year in YOUR country).
Here are a few pictures of some of the visits we've been honored to have with these precious people.
CFI helped purchase an ATV to be used to protect one of the communities on the Gaza border. These vehicles are able to get quickly to many places other vehicles cannot in an emergency situation.
Jim speaking encouragement to a group.
Visiting a tank unit while they were on a break.
Learning anti-terror techniques.
On the road visiting soldiers at small bases around the country.
A special treat learning at a base about bomb squad robots with a demonstration.
Once again sharing why we do what we do - and encouraging them.
A day with the Border Police.
Time with the commander.
Relationships that grow into friendships.
Delivering blackout curtains so they can sleep after nighttime manuevers.
Longtime friend who was going to retire.
Visit to Machpela - Tomb of the Patriarchs with the border police.
While it was Herod that built this building 2,000 years ago, it is the burial site of Avraham & Sarah, Isaac & Rebecca, and Jacob & Leah (Rachel is buried closer to Bethlehem, as written in the Bible). Below the sign says that this is the tomb of Abraham our Father.
They took us on the roof for a view we'd never had before.
Here at another base Jim was asked to share his heart with the brave defenders.
Whenever possible, Linda goes to visit as well and deliver gifts of love.
This is what a common border fence looks like.
There are sensors that alert security if there is a breach.
Young guys & gals.
Jim speaking to leadership/pastors tour near the Lebanon border.
Lone soldiers who spoke at our CFI conference.
Anti-terror training center.
Visiting a desert training base.
Complete with a demonstration exercise.
With the many tasks to accomplish in volunteering at a Christian organization headquartered in the capital of Israel, we have to say meeting soldiers is our favorite. Many administrative duties can at times seem mundane, and living in Israel is very difficult, but meeting the people we are here to serve - makes it all worth while. Please continue to pray for us, and for the brave warriors of Israel.
The video below is a Messianic (a Jewish believer in Jesus the Messiah) soldier singing about the Mighty Warrior who defends Israel, protects His chosen people and Land, and goes with them to battle.
