THE FEAST OF PURIM – Important lessons for ALL BELIEVERS in Yeshua the Messiah

27 February 2026

We read in the BOOK of ESTHER about the FEAST of PURIM. The feast takes place every year on the Hebrew Calendar from the evening of 13 Adar to the evening of 15 Adar, corresponding this year to sundown 2 March to sundown 4 March 2026 on our calendar.

First of all we must put the FEAST of PURIM in context. It does not form part of the initial SEVEN FEASTS of YHVH as instructed by Him in Leviticus 23 to the WHOLE HOUSE of ISRAEL (all TWELVE TRIBES including JOSEPH’s TWO SONS EPHRAIM and MANASSE who were half Hebrew and half Egyptian and the MIXED MULTITUDE that left Egypt with them according to Exodus 12:38, a picture of nations grafting into Israel as explained by Paul in the New Testament in Romans 11:17 and Galatians 6:14-16).

After entering the PROMISED LAND, and after the death of Joshua, JUDGES were appointed as leaders over ISRAEL under the KINGSHIP of YHVH their GOD. Samuel was the last JUDGE after which the people demanded an earthly king like the nations had. They were warned about the implications but did not want to listen and God instructed Samuel to anoint and appoint Saul from the TRIBE of BENJAMIN as their first king, followed by David from the TRIBE of JUDAH and after him his son Solomon (read the Book of Judges, 1^st & 2^nd Samuel, 1^st & 2^nd Kings and 1^st and 2^nd Chronicles). But due to Solomon’s worshipping of the foreign small letter gods of his 700 wives and 300 concubines, God informed Him that He will keep him as king in honoring His promise to his father David, but He will DIVIDE the KINGDOM of ISRAEL into TWO in his son Rehoboam’s time. This happened and Rehoboam only ruled over the TRIBE of JUDAH and the smaller tribe of Benjamin called the SOUTHERN KINGDOM and known in the NEW TESTAMENT up to today as THE JEWS (read 1 Kings 11).

The NORTHERN KINGDOM, the TEN TRIBES under EPHRAIM called ISRAEL, was then given to Jeroboam, a former servant of king Solomon from the tribe of EPHRAIM. Jeroboam was the first king of the NORTHERN KINGDOM of ISRAEL and he led them into grave idolatry. And unfortunately every subsequent king of the total number of 19 kings, worshipped idols until a point where YHVH gave them over to their idols, because they did not want to listen to any of the warnings of the prophets He had sent to them in His great mercy. Therefore He allowed them to go into captivity of the Assyrians in 722 BC. And they assimilated into the nations and never returned to their land and are even today considered as the LOST TEN TRIBES OF ISRAEL. We however know from prophecies like those in Amos 9:14-15, Jeremiah 31, Ezekiel 37 and Zechariah 10 that God will regather them at the end of the age.

The SOUTHERN KINGDOM (known as the Jews and consisting of Judah and Benjamin) also committed a lot of sin and worshipped idols, but God vowed to keep His promise to king David to SECURE his house and KINGDOM and ESTABLISH THRONE FOREVER (read 2^nd Samuel 7:12-16). He again confirmed it in 2^nd Chronicles 21:7 where we read: “…YHVH was unwilling to destroy the HOUSE of DAVID, because of the COVENANT HE MADE with David;…” And we know this was because Yeshua the Messiah would be born in the line of David and HE WILL SIT on the THRONE as the LION of the TRIBE of JUDAH in HIS THOUSAND YEAR REIGN of PEACE as well as in the NEW JERUSALEM with GOD the FATHER FOREVER (read Revelation 5:5, 20:6 and chapters 21-22).

And therefore He did not want to destroy the Southern Kingdom. And we see there were eight of the 20 kings who managed to each time bring the SOUTHERN KINGDOM back to YHVH their GOD to follow HIS WAYS after a previous king led them astray. But at the end, the SOUTHERN KINGDOM too went into captivity of the Babylonians in 587 BC, approximately 135 years after the Assyrian captivity of the NORTHERN KINGDOM. But unlike the NORTHERN KINGDOM who were never regathered to date, the SOUTHERN KINGDOM (the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, known as the JEWS today), was allowed to return to their homeland after king Cyrus of Persia conquered Babylon in 139 BC. Not all the Jews elected to return to Jerusalem, many remained and spread throughout the Persian Empire (today known as Iran).

And that is where the Jews came from of whom we read in the BOOK of ESTHER.  It records the event that centered in Shushan (found in southeast Iran today), one of the four capitals of Persia, but it also affected those who went back to Jerusalem.

PURIM is therefore essentially, like HANUKKAH a JEWISH (the Southern Kingdom of Judah and Benjamin) FEAST, meaning that the events that triggered these FEASTS centered around the PROTECTION of the JEWS by YHVH against their ENEMIES that was raised up against them by the evil one (Satan and his evil forces), trying to DESTROY the TRIBE of JUDAH from which the MESSIAH would be born as promised in Genesis 49:8-12 and to David in 2nd Samuel 7:16, prophesied in Isaiah 11:1-10 and Jeremiah 23:5 and confirmed in Revelation 5:5.

These FEASTS, PURIM and HANUKKAH, therefore teach ALL BELIEVERS in YESHUA the MESSIAH about the hate of the enemy (Satan and his evil forces) for the children of God, irrespective if you are a descendant from the SOUTHERN KINGDOM (the Tribe of Judah and Benjamin), the NORHTERN KINGDOM (the other Ten Tribes under Ephraim) or a GENTILE who grafted into YHVH our God’s ISRAEL by choosing to become a BELIEVER in YESHUA the MESSIAH. Yeshua our Messiah confirmed in John 15:19-20 “If you belonged to the world, the world would have loved its own. But because you do not belong to the world – therefore the world hates you.”

And thus, these FEASTS, both PURIM and HANUKKAH, although not part of the SEVEN FEASTS of YHVH, serves as important WARNINGS and INSTRUCTIONS to ALL BELIEVERS in YESHUA the MESSIAH. And not only that, but as we will discover today in our study on PURIM, both the FEAST of PURIM and the FEAST of HANUKKAH, are PRACTICAL EXPLANATIONS of THE IMPLEMENTATION of YHVH’s SEVEN FEASTS!

No wonder Paul told us ALL SCRIPTURE is God-breathed and is VALUABLE for TEACHING the TRUTH, CONVICTING of SIN, CORRECTING FAULTS and TRAINING in RIGHT LIVING; thus anyone who belongs to God may be fully equipped for every good work (therefore to fulfill their purpose!) Read Romans 15:4, 1^st Corinthians 10:11 and 2^nd Timothy 3:16-17).

With that said, let’s talk about THE FEAST OF PURIM.

PURIM is God’s APPOINTED TIIME to CELEBRATE the PROTECTION of His people from the dangers of their enemies.

We read in the BOOK of ESTHER in The Complete Jewish Study Bible – Insights for Jews & Christians a summary of the historical background.

The FEAST of PURIM is considered a minor holiday by the Jews, but is nonetheless a time of GREAT JOY. Its important meaning is revealed by the name PURIM. Haman’s decision to set an execution date for Mordechai’s people (the Jews) was made by casting lots with a type of dice used to make various kinds of decisions. The Hebrew word for “lot” is “pur”. The Urim and Thummim mentioned for example in Exodus 28:30 and Numbers 27:21 was used to make decisions by priests and kings serving YHVH and are a form of “pur.” We also read in Proverbs 16:33 “One can cast lots in one’s lap, but the DECISION comes from YHVH.” And we see in Acts 1:26 they drew lots to choose an apostle in the place of Judas Iscariot.  The Hebrew name for the FEAST of ESTHER is therefore PURIM which is the plural for pur and meaning “lots.”

PURIM therefore recalls a day in Jewish history when a “lot” was cast to decide a day of DESTRUCTION of the Jews. But there is a LIVING GOD WHO SAW to it that this EVIL PLAN was never fulfilled.

The king of Persia was Ahasuerus, known as Xerxes in secular history. Among the subjects of his kingdom were the Jewish remnant that chose to remain in Persia and they flourished under the goodwill of the Persian leaders. During the reign of Ahasuerus however, events suddenly took a turn for the worse. The primary instigator of these problems was a government official, named Haman. As he rose to power, he insisted on the respect and honor he felt was due to him. In his pagan tradition, Haman required all the king’s servant to bow before him. Among them was Mordechai who had once uncovered a plot to kill the king. Being a Jew, who worshipped the God of ISRAEL YHVH, Mordecai was the only one who refused to bow to Haman as this would be viewed as idolatry in accordance to the SECOND COMMANDMENT of the TEN COMMANDMENTS of YHVH (read Exodus 20:5). This filled Haman with rage to such an extent that he desired to do away with ALL Jewish people in Persia. Haman then devised an evil and sinister way to set the exact time of extermination. He cast a lot (a pur) to set the date “to destroy, kill and annihilate ALL the Jews on the 13^th day of the 12^th month of Adar on the Hebrew calendar (a day on the Hebrew calendar starts in the evening in accordance to creation in Genesis 1, for example, it was evening and it was morning, the first day, therefore the day was evening of 13 Adar to evening of 14 Adar). Read Esther 3:13.

Times could not have looked darker for the Jewish people. But as Mordechai and his people turned to FASTING and PRAYING, a RESCUE PLAN developed. In a strange turn of events a beautiful Jewish girl named Esther had earlier been selected, prepared and appointed as Ahasuerus choice as queen of Persia to replace his rebellious first wife queen Vasti. Mordechai, Esther’s uncle, saw this not as a  “coincidence” but God’s provision of a way out of this predicament God’s people faced. He said to her in Esther 4:13-14 “Don’t suppose that merely because you happen to be in the ROYAL PALACE you will escape any more than the other Jews. For if you FAIL to SPEAK up now, RELIEF and DELIVERANCE will come to the Jews from a DIFFERENT LOCATION; but you and your father’s family will PERISH. Who knows whether you didn’t come into your ROYAL POSITION precisely for such a time as this.”

Esther took up this challenge in FAITH and called for a FAST for THREE DAYS before she goes to the king. She realized that this was a great risk for her own safety approaching king Ahasuerus  without being summoned because it was AGAINST THE LAW but she said “…If I PERISH, I PERISH” (Esther 4:16).  And then she approached king Ahasuerus and requested that he and Haman be present at a banquet she would hold. Meanwhile, one sleepless night, king Ahasuerus read in his court records that Mordechai, who had saved the king’s live, has never been rewarded and he decided that he and his servants should honor Mordechai for his heroic deed.  At the banquet, Esther exposed the evil plot of Haman, to which the king promptly responded by hanging him on the very gallows Haman had built for Mordechai. This makes one think of Proverbs 26:27 “Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on the one who starts rolling it.” This comes down to God’s principle of treating others as you would like them to treat you (Matthew 7:12) and what you sow, you will reap (Galatians 6:7) because REMEMBER, YHVH is a JUST and RIGHTEOUSS GOD.

With Haman executed, the king still faced the problem of the DECREE he issued to destroy the Jews. According to the law of the Medes and Persians, a previous law could not be nullified, however additional laws could be passed to circumvent the current law. With this in mind, king Ahasuerus decreed that while the Jewish community might be open to attack, they could now DEFEND themselves with all the power they could muster. Hence, the very day appointed for DESTRUCTION, 13 Adar became a DAY of DELIVERANCE and GREAT JOY for the JEWS as they successfully repelled the attacks of their enemies.

The Book of Esther does not directly describe God’s activity of controlling, overruling, or guiding of the events, nor is God’s name mentioned. The fact that so many Jews did not return to JERUSALEM also points to their reluctance in identifying with the GOD OF ISRAEL. But God’s activity is clear through the placing and reversal of events. The absence of God’s NAME does not indicate lack of involvement. God is very involved and near. Those who thought they were far from God find themselves under His scrutiny and care and are encouraged to take action, which proves that YHVH our GOD REMAINS FAITHFUL and in SOVEREIGN CONTROL, even when the objects of His affection are unfaithful.

The Complete Jewish Study Bible further explains that although the Feast of PURIM is not mentioned in the New Testament, the LESSONS of the FEAST permeate it. The MAIN LESSON is FOUND in the FAITHFULNESS OF GOD toward His COVENANT PEOPLE. Genesis 12:3 is a promise to Abraham of DIVINE PROTECTION: “I will bless those who bless you, but I will curse whoever curses you; and by you ALL the families of the earth will be blessed.” The simple but profound LESSON of PURIM is that GOD WILL BE FAITHFUL TO KEEP HIS PROMISES TO HIS PEOPLE. This is not limited to the Jewish people (the Southern Kingdom comprising the tribes of Judah and Benjamin) but EVERY BELIEVER in YESHUA the MESSIAH has reason to CELEBRATE, because YHVH our God is a COVENANT KEEPING GOD.

A SECOND LESSON from the Feast of PURIM is the RESPONSIBILITY of humans to ACCOMPLISH GOD’s WILL. Esther is the only book in the Bible with no clear reference to God, as already mentioned, yet HE CAN BE SEEN WORKING OUT HIS PERFECT PLAN BEHIND THE SCENES. Reminding us of Joseph’s words to his brothers in Genesis 50:20 ”You meant to do me harm, but GOD MEANT IT FOR GOOD – so that it would come about as it is today, with many people’s lives being SAVED.” And it is echoed by Paul in Romans 8:28 “…We know that God causes EVERYTHING to work together for the GOOD of those who LOVE GOD and are called in accordance with HIS PURPOSE.” Also emphasized is that if the WILL OF GOD is to be carried out, then people have a RESPONSIBILITY to ACT. When the evil plot of Haman became known to the JEWISH COMMUNITY of PERSIA, there was a CALL for PRAYER and FASTING. Ultimately there was also a CALL to ACTION as seen in Mordechai’s exhortation to queen Esther: Who knows whether we have not been placed where we are: “precisely for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14). The message then is that God partners with people to protect His covenant people.

LESSONS FOR ALL BELIEVERS

THE BOOK of ESTHER paints a PICTURE of the REDEMPTION PLAN OF YHVH including becoming a SET APART VESSEL FOR HIS PURPOSE.

The Book of Esther started with a BANQUET

It  begins with the king of Persia, in his THIRD YEAR, hosting an international banquet. Queen Vasti refused to attend. Embarrassed by her REBELLION, the king expelled her from his palace. The king then, on the advice of his servants started searching for a new queen, with the main requirement that she must be a VIRGIN (Esther 2:1-2).

This reminds us of the PARABLE of the WEDDING FEAST in Matthew 22 with the KING preparing a WEDDING FEAST for HIS SON, but when He send his slaves to SUMMON the INVITED GUESTS, they REFUSED TO COME. And then He calls His slaves to go out to the street corners and INVITE TO THE BANQUET as MANY as THEY CAN FIND. They gathered the bad along with the GOOD. And at the WEDDING the KING came in to LOOK at the GUESTS and HE saw a man not dressed for the WEDDING asking him how he got in without WEDDING CLOTHES? This means the man was not a BLOOD BOUGHT, WATER WASHED, SPIRIT FILLED BELIEVER – one can perhaps say HE WAS NOT A VIRGIN, FAITHFUL only to YHVH his GOD. And the man was thrown out into outer darkness.

In Psalm 78:67-68 we read: “REJECTING the tents of Joseph and passing over the TRIBE of EPHRAIM, HE CHOSE the TRIBE of JUDAH,”

One could therefore say God was in COVENANT with EFRAIM (with reference to the NORTHERN KINGDOM, also called ISRAEL) but HE REJECTED them because of their grave sins against HIM and HE scattered them. ISRAEL became REBELLIOUS and STIFFNECKED, RESISTING GOD’s COMMANDMENTS. They turned from His SPIRITUAL BANQUET INVITATION, just like Queen Vasti RECEIVED and REJECTED the banquet invitation of king Ahasuerus. And therefore GOD CHOSE JUDAH and everyone GRAFTING in on the TREE of ISRAEL through accepting YESHUA the MESSIAH as their SAVIOR and FOLLOWING HIM in OBEDIENCE to GOD, the FATHER.

Paul use these words when he says in 2^nd Corinthians 11:2 to the believers “I am jealous for you with God’s kind of jealousy ; since I promised to present you as a PUE VIRGIN in MARRIAGE to your ONE HUSBAND, the MESSIAH,” Also read Revelation 14:1-4).

• SELECTION and PREPARATION

We see in the SELECTION of Esther her Jewish background was concealed (read Esther 2:20). In PREPARATION for the king to choose his new queen, Esther was GROOMED, INSTRUCTED and ANOINTED with oils.

It is clear that queen Vasti, did not die to the flesh and was therefore, although she was in a MARRIAGE COVENANT with the KING she still was unable to surrender her will to the king’s will. One can perhaps say, she loved herself and therefore her ways, her needs and her preferences more than she loved the KING and therefore she did not OBEY the KINGS COMMANDS.

The KING therefore SEARCHED for a BRIDE that would DIE TO SELF (her fleshly needs and wants) and be able LOVE HIM with her WHOLE HEART including her MIND (thoughts) and FREE WILL. Esther was SELECTED but she still had to be PREPARED for TWELVE MONTHS before she could meet the KING and be put to the TEST.

Next we look at:

• THE SEASON OF DEATH AND DYING TO SELF AND BEING REBORN/ RESURRECTED AS A BRIDE FIT FOR A KING

We see that this involved a PROCESS of DYING to the OLD ESTHER and the WAY she used to live. She had to be PREPARED to live in a WAY the KING EXPECTED and APPROVED off. One can say, she had to be SET-APART for the PURPOSE of becoming the KING’s BRIDE. In HEBREW MARRIAGES, the 12 months of PREPARATION could be compared to the BETROTHEL PERIOD during which the BRIDE and GROOM had no PHYSICAL CONTACT and communication between them was relayed by the BEST MAN of the BRIDEGROOM (a picture of the HOLY SPIRIT). In the story of ESTHER we see that HAGGAI was the one PREPARING ESTHER to MEET THE BRIDEGROOM. He therefore acted as a picture of the HOLY SPIRIT preparing BELIEVERS to meet YESHUA the MESSIAH.

BELIEVERS have to be PREPARED to enter into COVENANT with YHVH our GOD. We read about the conditions for entering into COVENANT with HIM in Leviticus 17:11 and Hebrews 9:22 & 13:20, Ezekiel 36:24-27 and Jeremiah 31:31-33 namely:

We need to be:

1. WASHED with BLOOD – a FREE GIFT from YHVH, HIS OWN PRECIOUS BLOOD PAYING THE FULL PRICE of DEATH for our sin.

2. WASHED with WATER to be cleansed from all our uncleanness and from all our idols (the ways of the world that settled into our minds and hearts and determined our choices and the love for the sinful pleasures of the world).

3. RECEIVE a NEW HEART (representing the SOUL, including removing the stone HEART we developed in the world full of bitterness and hate and receiving a soft pliable HEART filled with GOD’s 1st Corinthians 13 type of LOVE, FORGIVENESS and HIS PEACE that surpasses human understanding enabling us to take new FEE WIL decisions in line with HIS WORD) and in so doing:

4. RECEIVE a NEW HUMAN SPIRIT in which HE then can put HIS HOLY SPIRIT writing HIS TORAH on our HEARTS causing us to LIVE by HIS LAWS, RESPECTING HIS RULINGS and OBEYING HIM and HE WILL BE OUR GOD and we will be HIS PEOPLE.

Yeshua our Messiah called this process BEING BORN AGAIN (read John 3:3-8)

This is also STEP 1-3 in the TABERNACLE:

• From the BRAZEN ALTAR of SACRAFICE (washed with the BLOOD of the LAM),
• Past the BRAZEN WASHBASIN (dying through the WATER of BAPTISM and being RESURRECTED to NEW LIFE),
• To the GOLDEN TABLE OF SHOWBREAD (daily being WASHED with HIS LIVING WATER/ HIS WORD) in the HOLY PLACE.

It is also a picture of FEAST 1-3 of ABBA FATHER:

• From PESACH/ PASSOVER (the price paid by YESHUA our MESSIAH with HIS PRECIOUS BLOOD for our sin on the cross),
• Through to UNLEAVENED BREAD/ THE BURIAL of YESHUA the MESSIAH (involving dying with Him and being buried with Him in the water of baptism).

The TOMB of the FLESH/ the SINFUL NATURE is a place of PREPARATION for FRUITFULNESS – the seed must die to produce a harvest as we read in John 12:24 and 1^st Corinthians 15:35-50.

• And then we move to FIRST FRUITS/ HIS RESURRECTION (and we are being RESURRECTED with HIM as a NEW PERSON).

Then we are ready to be BAPTIZED BY HIM WITH FIRE:

TO RECEIVE the HOLY SPIRIT of YHVH (FEAST 4 of YHVH, the FEAST of WEEKS/ PENTECOST) and HE will:

• Write HIS LAWS (His Torah, Genesis to Deuteronomy summed up in the Ten Commandments) on our HEARTS (and therefore in our minds, it will become part of our THOUGHTS, and we will LITTERALY receive the MIND of the MESSIAH – being able to THINK like HM and therefore being able to FOLLOW HIS example in OBEDIENCE to ABBA FATHER!). And thus we will be able to WALK in HIS WAYS by:
• LOVING HIM ABOVE ALL ELSE, and
• LOVING OTHER PEOPLE AS OURSELF

THEN we are REAY to TAKE UP our DESTINY (purpose, calling) like Mordechai told Esther in chapter 4:13-14. But we should also take note of his WARNING to her, if we do not RISE UP and TAKE UP our purpose, God will use someone else and we will reap the consequences thereof.

God had ordained Esther to come to the palace of the king FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS – it would be her DIVINE DESTINY to intervene on behalf of her people, the JEWS.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROCESS IS THEREFORE TO BE TRANSFERRED FROM DARKNESS to HIS MARVELOUS LIGHT and be PREPARED TO BECOME SET-APART VESSELS FOR YHVH our GOD and KING TO FULFIL THE PURPOSE HE CREATED US FOR IN THE SPECIFIC TIME WE LIFE IN sharing HIS TRUTH/ HIS WORD, calling, assisting, teaching, encouraging, praying, guiding, leading and giving mercy to other people to SEEK HIM and FIND HIS LIGHT GIVING LIFE ABUNDANTLY.

WE SEE THE PICTURE OF VESSELS BEING SET APART for THE HOLY PURPOSES OF GOD ALREADY IN THE TABERNACLE INSRUCTIONS GIVEN BY YHVH TO Moses in Exodus 30:22-30

Moses was instructed by YHVH to make an anointing oil consisting off:

• 500 shekels (5.8kg) of liquid MYRRH
• 250 shekels (2.9 kg) of fragrant CINNAMON
• 20 shekels (2.9 kg) of fragrant CALAMUS
• 500 shekels (5.8 kg) of CASSIA, and
• A hin (3.8 liters) of OLIVE OIL

And it had to be made into a SACRED ANNOINTING OIL, a FRAGRANT BLEND, made by a PERFUMER.

And it had to be used to ANOINT all the utensils and vessels of the TABERNACLE and the PRIESTS so that they would be HOLY, SET-APART for YHVH’s PURPOSES ONLY.

There was to be no imitation and it was not to be poured out on the FLESH (a picture of the sinful nature) or on an OUTSIDER (someone who chose not to be in covenant with YHVH). Disobedience to this COMMAND resulted in DEATH.

THEREFORE, the ANOINTING OIL for the SET-APART VESSELS is a picture of the COMPLETE WORK of the HOLY SPIRIT in preparing a BRIDE without spot or wrinkle. And these spots are not on the RIGHTEOUSS ROBE of the BRIDE, but rather the UNRIGHTEOUSS DEEDS that comes from INTERNAL IMPURITIES which is a sign of CLEANSING needed on the INSIDE (the SOUL and HUMAN SPIRIT). 

We then see the EXAMPLE of this in the BOOK of ESTHER.

Esther FIRST had to be TREATED for SIX MONTHS with MYRRH, a bitter spice.

• Myrrh is always associated with DEATH and BURIAL. It was used to embalm dead bodies in preparation for burial.
• It has strong anti-fungal and antibacterial properties.
• Symbolically it is used to die to self – so an application of the oil of myrrh spiritually brings DEATH to SELF and a DEEP PURIFYING of the HEART.
• It speaks of suffering – Paul explains to us in Romans 8:17 – we have to share in HIS SUFFERINGS before we share in HIS GLORY. There are things in us that have to DIE, the FLESH HAS TO BE REDUCED and it involves CRUCIFYING our OWN WILL. We must take up our CROSS DAILY as our Messiah tells us in Luke 9:23.
• It also brings HEALING to our WOUNDED HEARTS.
• Myrrh is beneficial to be used for lung problems. Symbolically its application for breathing problems refers to a RESTORING of our PRAYER LIFE and COMMUNION with GOD.

MYRRH also reminds us of the instruction that BITTER HERBS and UNLEAVENED BREAD had to be eaten with the PESACH meal (read Exodus 12:8, Numbers 9:11 and 1^st Corinthians 5:8).

AND AFTER ESTHER WAS CLEANSED WITH MYRRH, SHE WAS READY TO BE PERFUMED! LIKEWISE, when we are raised out of the WATER of BAPTISM as a NEW PERSON – born again, we are ready to bear the FRAGRANCE of the MESSIAH

And this brings us to:

• A SEASON OF SWEET SPICE

After the TREATMENT with the MYRRH, Esther had to be TREATED for SIX MONTHS with SWEET SPICES.

1. Cinnamon (represents resurrection / becoming a NEW PERSON / being BORN AGAIN and bearing the Fragrance of the Messiah. 

• Cinnamon is used to improve the flavor of bitter substances.

• YHVH wants to RAISE us up to a HIGHER PLACE (seated with Yeshua our Messiah in heavenly places, at the RIGHT HAND of GOD the FATHER read Ephesians 2:6 and Colossians 3:1) and draw us into intimacy with HIMSELF. 

• It also speaks of the SWEETNESS of the GRACE of GOD in our lives. 

• Only the BARK of CINNAMON is FRAGRANT, serving as a picture of the ROBE of RIGHTEOUSNESS that we received as a FREE GIFT after being WASHED in the BLOOD of THE LAMB, that we wear as our outer covering, bearing the FRAGRANCE of the MESSIAH. 

2. Calamus

The meaning of calamus according to Strong’s 7070 is “redeemed, brought, owned.” It also means “reed, branch or measuring rod” as the REED/ ROD pictures of the KING’s SCEPTER. It represents GOVERNMENT, AUTHORITY and DIVINE ORDER.

• This therefore has to do with learning the LAW of the KING, HIS MARRIAGE TERMS & CONDTIOINS and to ACCEPT it and to know how to please HIM. We are trained to have the MIND of THE MESSIAH – to THINK like HE THINKS so that we will DO as HE DOES/ WALK in OBEDIENCE to the FATHER as HE DOES, and HAVE THE PERFECT PEACE and JOY that HE DOES.

• We are also taught and equipped from the place of intimacy (the HOLY PLACE) to RULE and establish HIS JUDGEMENTS in the earth, Ephesians 5:25-27.

• God wants His Bride to exercise dominion and RULE in RIGHTEOUSNESS in the earth.

• His BRIDE is HIS SCEPTER in the earth and He desires to anoint her to take up HIS AUTHORITY.

• Calamus scents the air while GROWING SPIRITUALY from day to day.

• Yeshua is the VINE and we are the BRANCHES; so calamus is also a picture of the LIFE-GIVING vital connection between us and the Messiah as we abide in the VINE and RULE as HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS BRANCH in the earth. If we ABIDE in HIM, we shall BEAR MUCH FRUIT.

• Believers will be endued with HIS RESURRECTION POWER and HIS FRAGRANCE.

• IF we are WILLING TO DIE that HE MAY LIVE THROUGH US, we will no longer be VISSIBLE – ONLY WHAT HE HAS DONE IN OUR LIVES and HE ALONE WILL GET THE GLORY. 

3. Cassia

Means to BOW DOWN in deference (respect, reference, admiration, awe) to someone GREATER than yourself, to cleave (adhere closely). Strong’s 6916.

• This is a picture of humility and WORSHIP, a PICTURE of the ALTAR of INCENSE as well as FEAST 5 of YHVH, the FEAST of TRUMPETS.

• It also reflects TWO becoming ONE by the process of CLEAVING (signifying stong attachment or loyalty like we read in Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:5-6, Mark 10:7–8 and Ephesians 5:31, a DEEP COVENENTAL BOND between HUSBAND and WIFE). It therefore means in MARRIAGE and FAMILY unity, loyalty and LIFELONG COMMITMENT is required, not just physical closeness but also emotional and spiritual connection. Read Mathew 5:31-32 and Ephesians 5:22-23.

• Believers are instructed to CLEAVE unto YHVH our God (read Joshua 22:5, 23:8 and Deuteronomy 10:20), emphasising FAITHFULNESS, DEVOTION and WHOLEHEARTED COMMITMENT to GOD. In the New Testament in Romans 12:9 believers are encouraged to CLEAVE to what is GOOD, highlighting MORAL and ETHICAL COMMITMENT and SPIRITUAL ADHERENCE/ ALIGNMENT with the WILL of GOD. Read Malachi 2:10, 14-16, Ephesians 5:21.

• CLEAVNG to GOD involves OBEDIENCE, LOVE and ADHERENCE to HIS COMMANDMENTS, reflecting a COVENENTAL RELATIONSHIP (as we read in Deuteronomy 4:4, 14:4, 30:20, Joshua 22:5, Acts 11:22-23). 

• We are also WARNED, not to CLING to the idols of the nations/ representing the worldly desires and pleasures (Joshua 23:8). 

• The BRIDE of YESHUA casts down her crowns and cries, “worthy is the LAMB that was slain.” (Revelation 5:12). She gives ALL the LGORY to her BRIDEGROOM and takes NONE for herself. 

• Cassia is a COUSIN of cinnamon but has PURPLE FLOWERS and grows at very high altitude, therefore it is a picture of living close to the HOLIEST PLACE in the presence of YHVH our God the Father. Whereas cinnamon, only the bark is scented; in cassia the WHOLE TREE, including the LEAVES, are FRAGRANT. Cassia was used to scent garments. 

• PURPLE speaks of ROYALTY – YESHUA the MESSIAH’s KINGLY anointing is manifested in us as cassia does its work. 

• GENUINE HUMILITY is required, understanding that without the HOLY SPIRIT, we are “poor” in spirit, brings promotion to kingship; if we have THE MIND of the MESSIAH, which is HUMILITY; then the SAME ANOINTING that scented HIS GARMENTS (the GARMENTS of the BRIDEGROOM) will descend upon His BRIDE. 

• Cassia represents the FRAGANCE of the MESSIAH permeating our whole being and God wants HIS FRAGRNCE to PREMEATE our GARMENTS and PURPOSE, therefore also our MINSITRIES. Read Genesis 8:21, Leviticus 16:12, 2 Corinthians 2:14-17, 4:7, Ephesians 2:10, Ephesians 5:2, Philippians 4:18, Song of Songs 1:3, Revelation 5:8, 8:4 and Psalm 45:7-8, 141:2. 

• We go from glory to glory as we WORSHIP and BOW before the KING of kings.

• The TRUE ESSENCE of WORSHIP is SACRIFICE and SURRENDER and as we DIE to SELF, the FRAGRANCE of CASSIA is RELEASED through our lives. Read Luke 9:24 and 1^st John 3:14.

If we will PERSERVERE and CLEAVE to HIM in intimacy and WORSHIP in every circumstance, HIS ANNOINTING will be poured out in even GREATER MEASURE – until we reach the place of receiving the HOLY SPIRIT without measure. It is only out of TRUE INTIMACY WITH HIM, being grafted into the VINE, John 15:1-11 becoming part of HIM, sharing HIS HART and HIS MIND/ HAVING HIS WORD IN US),that REAL FRUITFULNESS comes.

4. Olive Oil

Olives yielding illuminating oil is A SYMBOL of the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD.

• It was the OLIVE OIL in the HOLY ANNOINTING oil that was made in accordance to God’s instructions to Moses that allowed all the INGREDIENTS to mix and flow together, activating the PERFUME.

• We need to continually be soaked in THE SPIRT to be TAUGHT and LED by HIM and receiving the GIFTS of the SPIRIT as and when needed to EXECUTE our PURPOSE (read 1^st Corinthians 12:4-11)

This represents STEP 3-5 in the TABERNACLE:

– From the GOLDEN TABLE OF SHOWBREAD,

– Through to the GOLDEN MENORRAH and then,

– To the GOLDEN ALTAR of INCENCE in the HOLY PLACE.

It is also a representation of FEAST 3-5 of ABBA FATHER

• From FEAST 3: FIRST FRUITS (now sitting at the TABLE and LEARNING from YESHUA our MESSIAH/ THE LIVING WORD OF GOD, BEING WASHED EACH DAY WITH HIS LIVING WATER, REPENTING and TURNING AWAY FROM SINFUL HABITS, WORDS and BEHAVIOUS – cleansing our MIND and HEART, receiving HIS MIND enabling us to PLEASE YHVH our GOD and KING and walking/ living in OBEDIENCE to HIS COVENANT).

• Through to FEAST 4: THE FEAST of WEEKS/ PENTECOST (being filled with HIS HOLY SPIRIT OF FIRE, being SET-ABLAZE with WISDOM, UNDERSTANDING, COUNSEL, POWER, KNOWLEDGE and FEARING YHVH and being able to FULFIL our PURPOSE. Except for the ANNOINTING just coming upon us, it ABIDES within us. We FUNCTION out of WHO GOD has made us to be and not just out of works that we do.

• And we FAST and PRAY, FEAST 5: TRUMPETS. When we are AWAKE and PREPARED, we have to CALL other people to WAKE UP and to PREPARE TO MEET THE KING, interceding for them in PRAYER and FASTING.

We see the example in Esther PRAYING and FASTING in Esther 4:16-17, calling others/ fellow believers (the Body of Messiah), to join in and fulfilling our PURPOSE even in the face of death!

THE ALTAR OF INCENCE where the INCENCE was BURNED PROVIDED a pleasing aroma to YHVH and is a PICTURE of PRAYER and ALSO OF US BECOMING a pleasing aroma to Him (read Exodus 30:8).

• The HEBREW word for PERFUME (Srong’s 5130) means to TURN into FRAGRANCE by FIRE – an ACT of WORSHIP to vibrate, rock, wave, shake or sprinkle. It also means to fumigate and cleanse, to drive out (Stong’s 7004) reminding us of Hebrews 12:26 that He promised to once again SHAKE heaven and EARTH and only those things unshakable will stand, thus PREPARING the BRIDE for greater INTIMACY.

The fragrance of the MESSIAH

We read in 2nd Corinthians 2:14-16 that God the Father constantly leads us in the Messiah “in a triumphal procession and through us spreads everywhere the FRAGRANCE of what it means to KNOW HIM! For to God (the Father) we are the AROMA of the MESSIAH, both among those being SAVED and among those being LOST; to the latter we are the SMELL of DEATH leading to only more death; but to the former, we are the SWEET SMELL of LIFE leading to MORE LIFE.”

AS WE CAN SEE, THIS IS NOT A FRAGRANCE LOVED BY ALL, especially not by the HAMAN’s of the world.

Through Him we release the:

• Aroma of WORSHIP (read Leviticus 16:12, Revelation 8:4, Psalm 141:2 and Genesis 8:21).
• The fragrance of PRAYER (read Luke 22:14-15, James 5:16, 1^st Thessalonians 5:17 and Colossians 4:2).
• The Fragrance of FORGIVENESS (read Ephesians 4:32, Matthew 6:12 and Luke 6:37).
• The AROMA of LOVE (read 1^st Peter 4:8, 1^st Corinthians 13:13 and Proverbs 17:17).
• The Fragrance of GENEROSITY (2^nd Corinthians 9:6-7, Acts 20:35 and Luke 6:38).
• The fragrance of THE GOSPEL (read 2^nd Corinthians 2:15, Mathew 28:19, Mark 16:15 and Acts 1:8).
• The fragrance of GOOD DEEDS (read Matthew 5:16, Ephesians 2:10, Galatians 6:9 and Colossians 3:23).
• Fragrance of HUMILITY (read James 4:10, Ephesians 4:2, Matthew 23:11 and Luke 14:11).

We are LIKE ESTHER, ABLE to do it, because we have BEEN ANOINTED/ SET-APART by BEING SAVED by our MESSIAH and KING with HIS OWN BLOOD and DYING to our OLD SINFUL NATURE that bogged us down. We have been TAUGHT the KINGS WAYS and OBEDIENCE to HIS COVENANT as well as RECEIVED HIS GIFTS (who we are, what our purpose is, what our authority is to execute our purpose) and we have been REBORN as CHILDREN of GOD THE FATHER, knowing HE PROVIDES and CARES for us and PROTECTS us. And we RECEIVE HIS HOLY SPIRIT, GUIDING, SUPPORTING, ENCOURAGING and LEADING US and  FULLY EQUIPTING us to FULFILL OUR PURPOSE. And therefore, we are able to BEAR the FRUIT of THE HOLY SPIRIT of LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, HUMILITY and SELF-CONTROL.

Then we can rise up like Esther as part of the REMNANT to seek YHVH earnestly on behalf of LOST SOULS for DELIVERANCE from our evil enemy as explained in  Ephesians 6:12. And also interceding for FELLOW BELIEVERS who are PERSECUTED by those hating God’s people.

And we FIGHT THE SPIRITUAL WAR clothed with the ARMOR of YHVH of HIS TRUTH, HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, HIS GOOD NEWS of PEACE, HIS SHIELD of TRUST, HIS DELIVERANCE and HIS WORD, THE SWORD of THE HOLY SPIRIT/ and our WEAPONS of WARFARE of 1^st Corinthians 13 LOVE and KEEPING our MINDS focused on our COMMANDER YESHUA the MESSIAH who is the GOD of LOVE, LIGHT and PEACE.

Haman also represents a picture of Satan and the antichrist/ antimessiah DEMANDING WORSHIP and those who do not worship them will be killed. WHEN BELIEVERS FAST and PRAY, Satan loses honor and YEHSUA the MESSIAH is GLORIFIED (Read Esther 3, 5:9 & 6:14 and Isaiah 14:3-17).

And we then also see in the BOOK of ESTHER

• A SEASON OF A WEDDING and a WAR

Esther was selected as the new queen of the kingdom.

This represents step 6-7 in the TABERNACLE:

The ARK of the COVENANT with the MERCY SEAT on top in the HOLIEST PLACE.

1. THE ARK of the COVENENT contained:

1). THE TEN COMMANDMENTS/ a SUMMARY of the TORAH (Genesis to Deuteronomy) and therefore of the WEDDING COVENANT.

2). THE STAFF OF AARON, representing God given AUTHORITY and

3). A POT OF MANNA, signaling PROVITION for the BRIDE.

And the measure you will allow the GOVERNMENT and ORDER of GOD to be imposed upon your life, according to that measure (which you CHOOSE by your WILLINGNESS to yield to HIS WORKINGS), you will RECEIVE a DOUBLE PORTION of ANOINTING to WORSHIP and CLEAVE to Yeshua the Messiah, the BRIDEGROOM. Those who sow in tears are going to reap with songs of JOY as they see the FRUIT of their intimacy with YHVH/ the MESSIAH.

2. THE MERCY SEAT

Signals the BRIDEGROOM’s MERCY for the BRIDE, HE HAS THE POWER TO KILL HER, for coming uninvited to him, like Esther to king Ahasuerus, but in HIS MERCY and GRACE HE EXTENDS HIS SCEPTER to HER and let her LIVE. A picture of GOD the FATHER, extending HIS MERCY to US, even though we have transgressed HIS COVENANT, but because we are WASHED in the BLOOD of YESHUA our MESSIAH, the SON and LAMB of GOD the FATHER, and we are WASHED in THE WATER of HIS WORD, being BORN AGAIN in HIS IMAGE (having the MIND of MESSIAH YESHUA and FOLLOWING HIM WILLINGLY in OBEDIENCE to the FATHER) and are FILLED with the FIRE of HIS HOLY SPIRIT and therefore being able to FULFILL our PURPOSE and RESIST EVIL, HE EXTENDS HIS SEEPTER TO US and LETS US LIVE in HIS PRESENCE FOREVER.

This is also a PICTURE of FEAST 6-7 of ABBA FATHER which we may call: MEETING THE KING

FEAST 6: THE DAY OF ATONEMENT

Which will comprise of a:

• WEDDING, entailing the FIRST RESSURECTION of believers including an award ceremony to HIS FAITHFUL SERVANTS (Read Revelation 20:4-6).

We see in the Book of Esther, the wedding CELEBRATION of king Ahasuerus and Esther occurred in the SEVENTH YEAR of the king’s reign (Esther 2:16).

2) And FEAST 6 of YHVH also involves a WAR against the enemies of YHVH called JUDGEMENT DAY and culminating in the WAR of ARMAGEDON ending with the antichrist & false prophet being cast into the LAKE of FIRE.

WAR 1 – ARMAGEDON (is a picture of the war against the antichrist: in the case of the BOOK of ESTHER: HAMAN)

• After Esther’s ascent to the throne, Haman and his TEN sons, who were annoyed because Esther’s uncle Mordechai did not want to BOW before him, initiated a secret plot to kill the Jews (the people of the Southern Kingdom comprising of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin) Esther 3:13.

• Esther however intervened by exposing Haman’s evil plan and thereby SAVING the Jews.

• This history of the Book of Esther has many PROPHETIC LAYERS making it important to take note of by all BELIEVERS.

• Esther and her uncle Mordechai can therefore be viewed as a picture of the REMNANT being THE BRIDE of YESHUA the MESSIAH and the wicked Haman as the future antichrist/ antimessiah.

• At the end of days, the antichrist/ antimessiah (a type of Haman and the kings under him will rise up to plot to destroy the nation of ISRAEL (including all believers grafted in) and the JEWS. This conspiracy will however not succeed. The WAR of ARMAGEDON ends with the antichrist & false prophet being cast into the LAKE of FIRE (Read Revelation 19:20).

Thereafter the THOUSAND YEAR REIGN of PEACE of Yeshua the Messiah will ensue with the RESURECTED BELIEVERS REIGNING WITH HIM as we read in Revelation 20:4-6 and then ending with the WAR of GOG and MAGOG.

WAR 2 – GOG and MAGOG (the final war against: SATAN)

• With Haman executed, the king still faced the problem of the DECREE he issued to destroy the Jews. According to the law of the Medes and Persians, a previous law could not be nullified, however additional laws could be passed to circumvent the current law. With this in mind, king Ahasuerus decreed that while the Jewish community might be open to attach, they could now DEFEND themselves with all the power they could muster. Hence, the very day appointed for DESTRUCTION, 13 Adar became a DAY of DELIVERANCE and GREAT JOY for the JEWS as they successfully repelled the attacks of their enemies.

• Revelation 20 informs us that there will again be time of deception of the nations, and a vast number will be gathered for battle from the four corners of the earth and they will surround the camp of God’s people and His city. But like ESTHER, the BRIDE, a PICTURE of THE RESSURECTED BELIEVERS,  will be fine and already living with the KING under HIS PROTECTION but those living in the NATIONS during the THOUSAND YEAR OF PEACE (possibly including people from the TRIBE of JUDAH who had not yet accepted the Messiah prior to His second coming), will now have the opportunity to DEFEND themselves by CHOOSING LIFE, being OBEDIENT to YHVH the FATHER and RECEIVING ETERNAL LIFE (read Zechariah chapter 12-14). 

• And we see that this war ends with Satan being cast in the LAKE of FIRE, the SECOND RESURRECTION and the GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGEMENT, followed by the SECOND DEATH in the LAKE of FIRE for those whose names are not written in the BOOK of LIFE (those who did not accept Yehsua as their Savior and did not follow Him) as well as DEATH and SHEOL (the underworld, the place of the unsaved death) now also destroyed in the Lake of Fire. Read Revelation 20:10-15.

And then it is time for FEAST 7: THE FEAST of TABERNACLES

Then those who were part of the FIRST RESURRECTION and WHOSE NAMES are WRITTEN into the BOOK of LIFE will enter into ETERNITY and live in the NEW JERUSALEM with God the Father, the LIGHT of the CITY and YESHUA the MESSIAH the LAMP of the CITY). Read Revelation chapters 21-22.

And just as there was GREAT JOY in the end of the BOOK of ESTHER a picture of the SEVENTH FEAST of YHVH, there will be GREAT JOY, DEEP GLADNESS and PEACE in the everlasting KINGDOM of GOD.

And we therefore see, just like the FEAST of HANNUKAH, the FEAST of PURIM is a PRACTICAL EXPLANATION of THE IMPLEMENTATION of YHVH’s SEVEN FEASTS!

The clear lessons of the FEAST of PURIM are:

• What was meant for evil is turned for good (Genesis 50:20 and Romans 8:28).

• Sorrow and tears are traded for singing and joy (Isaiah 61:3, Psalm 30:11, Matthew 5:4, John 16:20 and Revelation 21:4).

• TRUE JOY, does not depend on what we SEE or FEEL. As believers we learn to WALK by FAITH (2^nd Corinthians 5:7) because we depend on our COVENENTAL FAITHFULL GOD, YHVH who: PROVIDES for us, SPEAKS to us and RAISES us TO ETERNAL LIFE.

• HIS PRESENCE in our LIVES is REAL, therefore we have JOY amidst uncertainty and dances in the storms. We find JOY and PEACE not by escaping difficulty, but by ENCOUNTERING YHVH our GOD’s FAITHFULNESS amidst it. Habakkuk described it as follows in chapter 3:17-18 “For even if the fig tree doesn’t blossom and no fruit is on the vines, even if the olive tree fails to produce, and the fields yield no food at all, even if the sheep vanish from the sheep pen, and there are no cows in the stalls; still, I will rejoice in YHVH, I will take JOY in the God of my SALVATION! He makes me swift. Elohim my Master is my strength! He makes me swift and sure-footed as a deer and enables me to stride over my high places.”

• The enemy may plot, but the KING of kings extends His scepter of GRACE and MERCY to us.

• The accuser (Satan) writes decrees of DEATH, but YESHUA our REDEEMER writes a LETTER OF LIFE in ABUNDANCE and therefore we can go from mourning to CELEBRATION!