History has a Way of Repeating Itself!
Ahmadinejad is President in
Persian Iran – Purim is upon us – We have a sort of Rerun of an Ancient Event – I believe it will have the same type of Ending for Ahmadinejad as it did for Biblical Haman!
February 28, 2007
http://www.tribulationperiod.com/
The article by Rosenberg in the Jerusalem Post is certainly a timely one, and clever in its present day adaptation to the ancient Esther story, now being replayed in the Middle East. According to Scripture, Haman was not able to eliminate God’s people from the earth by his treachery, nor will Ahmadinejad be able to do it. Just as Haman was eliminated from the face of the earth by the God of Israel, so will Ahmadinejad, or any other person, suffer the same fate when attempting to eliminate Israel.
Begin Jerusalem Post Article
From Haman to ‘Ahmad-i-nejad’
Stephen Gabriel Rosenberg, THE JERUSALEM POST
February 27, 2007
The Purim story, which takes place at the very end of the Babylonian Exile, has a good historical core: Ahasuerus is Xerxes I – in Persian Chashavarsha – who spent his first years subduing Egypt and failing to conquer Greece.
Thus he could only marry Esther in his seventh year, perhaps to console himself for his defeat in Greece. Ahasuerus spent the rest of his reign building palaces, and for that he needed money.
With Haman’s help he tried to raise cash from the Jews, which Haman promised to get out of them within the year, which was the term of his chancellorship. Under the Persian system the courtiers took it in turns to rule the cabinet for one year.
Why was Haman anti-Semitic when the Persian Empire as a whole showed tolerance and acceptance of other cultures?
The empire was so large, stretching from India (Hodu) to Nubia (Kush) that conformity was impossible. Xerxes and his father, Darius, had imported foreign craftsmen to build their palaces in Susa, and these included Jewish gold and silversmiths.
They lived well – better than the local peasants.
This element probably joined with the many other Jews who had remained behind from the Exile after the destruction of the First Temple. They had become wealthy merchants and even bankers, living in the mighty Persian cities. They kept to themselves in business as well as in religion and their success must have attracted envy and even hatred in such centers as the royal Persian summer capital of Shush.
CHANCELLOR Haman planned to exploit this and made his move, to raise money under threat of death, from the hated Jews of Susa.
Haman was a foreigner, an Agagite, but he had had the sense to make his name attractive to the ruling class by adopting one that was the core of “Hachamanish,” founder of the royal Persian dynasty of the Achaemanids.
He also had the good sense to marry a local girl, whose name, Zeresh, in Persian means “the golden one.” Haman, in fact, had made himself more Persian than the Persians.
As chancellor he now promised to boost royal revenues before the end of his term – the end of the Hebrew month of Adar. He used the tool of anti-Semitism to fuel his dastardly plan, but thanks to his exposure by the queen it failed. But the hatred engendered in the royal summer capital of Shush outlasted his own death, and the Jews had to fight for their lives, particularly in Shushan.
THE THEME of Purim, the threat of annihilation and ultimate salvation, has played itself out over and over again in Jewish history. In happened, for instance, in Ptolemaic Egypt, according to the Third Book of Maccabees, when Ptolemy IV Philopator turned against the Jews.
After his stunning victory over the forces of Antiochus III at Rafiah in 217 BCE, he visited Jerusalem in triumph and requested to enter the Temple and the Holy of Holies as a mark of gratitude.
To his astonishment, Ptolemy was refused by the priests. Such an insult was not to be borne and Ptolemy took his revenge on the Jews of Alexandria by concentrating them all in the Hippodrome and forcing them to stay there until he had mustered his army and their elephants to trample them to death.
Came the auspicious day and the troops plied their elephants with drink to egg them on to charge into the crowd of defenseless Jews – men, women and children.
As the order to advance was given, the drunken elephants hesitated, turned and stampeded over their tormentors, crushing the Egyptian army underfoot and leaving the Jews standing in wonder.
THEN THERE was Purim in Frankfort-on-Main in 1612. The good citizens and artisans petitioned against the Jews of the ghetto, to whom they were in debt, to have the standard rates of interest reduced on their loans.
The local senate did not agree and hatred of the Jews
festered, enabling the local guildmaster, Vinzenz Fettmilch, to send a petition to the emperor accusing the senate of protecting the Jews.
The petition was rejected, but Fettmilch incited the rabble to attack the ghetto. The gates were torn down and for their own protection the Jews were herded into the cemetery while the rabble went on the rampage and ransacked every house in the Jewish quarter.
Eventually the mayor and his troops evacuated most of the Jews out of the city, but not until two of their number had been killed.
The matter came to the court, the emperor sided with the Jews, had Fettmilch and four accomplices tried and beheaded, and ordered the Jews to be brought back to their ghetto to the sound of pipes and drums.
That was in March 1616, five days
after the festival of Purim.
MODERN TEHERAN is less than 500 km. from Shush. Its present ruler, Ahmadinejad, is aiming “to wipe Israel off the map.” It is not clear why he maintains this mantra, but it seems to be to keep himself in power without having the bother of helping his own people to better their living conditions. He denies the Holocaust, which killed millions of Jews, while seeking nuclear weapons to make it a reality anew, even if only by threats. He strives for this weaponry in order to become champion of the Arab world. But he is no Arab, he is a Persian, a Farsi, one of the Arabs’ age-old enemies. So he has adopted an Islamic name, meaning “most praiseworthy‚” in Arabic, plus “son of” in Persian.
Ahmadinejad is a Persian thriving on a manufactured anti-Semitism foreign to the history of his own people. However hard he tries, he cannot deny his own roots, which are not the roots of Islam; and thus he is likely to fail in his ambition to lead the Arab world.
With his pretensions to be an Arab his people will reject him and seek to divert the enormous funds now earmarked for nuclear capability to social projects and the rebuilding of Persian cities like the ancient Bam, devastated by earthquake and other natural disasters.
Haman was a foreigner who tried to be more Persian than the Persians, and failed. Ptolemy tried to be too close to the Jews, was rejected by the custodians of the Temple, turned against the Jews, and failed. Fettmilch tried to be more anti-Semitic than his emperor, could not carry the establishment with him, and failed.
“Ahmad-i-nejad” is a Persian who is trying to be more Arabic than the Arabs. Let us pray he also fails.
The writer is a fellow at the Albright Institute of Archaeological Research in Jerusalem.
End Jerusalem Post Article
The following Scriptures give a good account of Queen Esther’s bravery in being led by the God of Israel to put her life on the line for the safety of her people by deliverance from wicked Haman.
Esther 4:7-17 to 5:3 – And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king’s treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them. [8] Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people. [9] And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai. [10] Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai; [11] All the king’s servants, and the people of the king’s provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days. [12] And they told to Mordecai Esther’s words. [13] Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews. [14] For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? [15] Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, [16] Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.
[17] So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him. [1] Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king’s house, over against the king’s house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house. [2] And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre. [3] Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.
The following New Testament parallel of Messiah extending his Sceptre to all those who would come before him requesting his deliverance and salvation for sin, is the joy of my existence.
A King Who Is a Star and a Sceptre of Righteousness!
The sceptre (modern English scepter) was the symbol of the authority of the ancient kings. It was a rod or staff, a badge of authority, the proper ensign of sovereignty. It was held when the king sat on his throne, when directing battle from his portable command post throne, and on solemn occasions of state.
The wise men had come seeking the king who would one day carry the sceptre of Israel.
Matthew 2:1,2 – Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, [2] Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
As indicated in Prophecy Update 149A, the wise men had seen the star on the western horizon, from their position in the east, probably between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. As indicated in 149A, they most likely had been looking for the new star, the symbol of a king’s birth, for the reasons I gave in the Numbers 24:17 exposition.
Numbers 24:17 – I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel,
The Star symbolized the King’s birth, and the Sceptre an indication of the God-given ensign of his right to rule. It is interesting to note how the Persian kings, and others, used the sceptre to grant favor or death. The way they used it could instantly give life or death to their subjects. One such account of this is recorded in Esther. If one of his subjects came into his presence in the inner court of his throne room without his invitation, it was a life or death situation for that individual. If the king did not extend his sceptre to them so they could receive it, they were put to death. If he extended it to them and they received it, they were granted life.
Esther 4:11 – All the king’s servants, and the people of the king’s provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.
Esther was tested, put on the spot! Was she going to go into the king unannounced, and risk death to plea for the people of Israel, or was she going to simply try to keep her own life. Her final words in Esther 4:15,16 bear the record of the choice she made. She was willing to perish in order for her people to live.
Esther 4:15,16 – Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, [16] Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which IS NOT according to the law: AND IF I PERISH, I PERISH.
Esther 5:1-3 – Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king’s house, over against the king’s house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house. [2] And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre. [3] Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.
The King of all believers, the Sceptre who came out of Israel did the same for us, and in so doing, he perished for us, and has promised to share his coming kingdom with us.
Luke 12:32 – Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Our King of kings, went before the High Priest, before the Governor, Pontius Pilate, before King Herald, for all believers, knowing he would perish and bear our sins on the cross to deliver us from spiritual death, and provide us with a place in his kingdom. He has spoken to us in these last New Testament days by our King, his Son, and his Son has held out his Sceptre to all who will accept his favor. Those who receive his held out Sceptre, receive eternal life in union with him. Those who refuse his held out Sceptre remain in spiritual death forever.
John 1:11-14 – He came unto his own, and his own received him not. [12] But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: [13] Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
[14] And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Hebrews 1:2,3,8 – Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; [3] Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; [9] But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
His extended sceptre is his own personal righteousness, without which no man can come into his presence. He held out his sceptre to me 59 years ago, and I, a sinner, condemned, and unclean, received his favor, his mercy, his forgiveness, and his personal righteousness. I am still a sinner in the flesh, but his righteousness lives in my soul, and he will never leave, nor forsake me.
Romans 3:20-26 – Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. [21] But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; [22] Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: [23] For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; [24] Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: [25] Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; [26] To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
I am one of the subjects of the King of kings, who has granted me the eternal favor of his sceptre. And his kingdom will soon come on this earth.
I want to serve him in this coming kingdom, and I am persuaded he will assign me a work in his kingdom directly proportional to the degree I was willing to work for him in one of his churches in this present church age.
Ephesians 2:22 – In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Ephesians 3:21 – Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end.
Amen.
Revelation 22:16 – I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches.
I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
Revelation 2:26-29 – And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: [27] And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. [28] And I will give him the morning star. [29] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Psalm 2:6-12 – Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
[7] I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. [8] Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. [9] Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. [10] Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
[11] Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. [12] Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. (Have you received his extended sceptre?)
Romans 10:13 – For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
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