The enemies of the Jewish people don’t like this book, as the Jews are victorious over their enemies. Martin Luther, for instance, hated the Book of Esther as “a document which permits no Christological interpretation because it is a purely Jewish historical narrative. “ There is indeed a “Christological interpretation,” but it is very different from what Luther would have liked. As most of you know the book of Esther is a fun book. Haman plots against the Jews, but ultimately ends up being defeated by the Jews. The holiday of Purim based on this book is also a fun holiday. Today it is common for Jews to wear masks on Purim. Children will often dress up as various bible Characters on this day. It is curious that Adonai himself seems to be wearing a mask. This is the only book of the Tanakh in which the name of YHVH is not mentioned at all, although the Name is encoded as an acrostic on various occasions in the Book of Esther. Esther also is in sense wearing a mask. Esther was a Jewish maiden word meaning “myrtle”. However at the instruction of her older cousin Mordechai, she hid her Jewish heritage and her Hebrew name and hence forth known only as Esther a very pagan name. Esther is also like the Christian church, which has also hidden its Jewish roots. Christianity in the First and Second centuries was recognizably “Jewish” but not today often wears the mask of Babylonian paganism. The Jews had successfully intergrated into the Persian culture, in fact had nearly completely assimilated into the culture. Sometimes, it takes the enemies of the Jews to remind the Jews that they are a unique people, with unique responsibilities as God’s missionary people, with divine mission to bring forth the knowledge of YHVH. His salvation and His Torah to all the people groups on earh. Even in Israel , it seems that Jews are seeking to emulate American culture. When you travel you see all the famous American chain stores and restaurants. You see American entertainment in the movie theaters and on television. American music on the radio. Now is American culture that the entire world is trying to imitate, including-for better or worse- tiny Israel. How ever Israel has a higher calling. Someday Messiah is going to return to Zion and set up His messianic Kingdom. And: “In the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of YHVH shall be established in the top of the mountains and it shall be exalted above the hills, and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come and say, Come and let us go up to the mountain of YHVH, and to the house of the God of Yacob, and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for the law shall go forth of Zion and the word of YHVH from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among many peoples, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” MAY IT BE SOON! YES, EVEN IN OUR LIFETIMES! Excerpt from Rick Aharon
