March, 2008

Dear Friend,

This year the Jewish holiday of Purim begins at sundown on Thursday, March 20, and continues to sundown on Friday, March 21. You may know that the holiday is a festive commemoration of the unexpected outcome of events described in the Book of Esther, in which Haman’s evil plot to annihilate the Jewish people is providentially foiled. In Jewish homes, community centers, and synagogues worldwide, children will re-enact the “whole megilah” (megilah being the Hebrew word for “scroll” and referring to the scroll containing the ten chapters of Esther). Just when it appears as if Israel’s arch-enemy has won, victory is snatched from the jaws of defeat, and the shout resounds throughout the land, Yisrael Chai (“Israel lives”)!

Interestingly, in 2008 Purim falls on the same day as Good Friday, a stroke of divine irony which should not be missed. When Jesus was put to death on the cross, it appeared as if the arch-enemy had won, but as in the chain of events involving God’s chosen people in Ancient Persia, fifth century B.C., the power of God superseded the power of Satan as, on the third day, victory was snatched from the jaws of defeat, and the shout resounds throughout the land, “He lives!”

Revelation 12 describes the profound hatred of Satan for Israel (“the woman”) because, among other reasons, she gives birth to the Messiah (“the child”) whom he knows will ultimately destroy him and will “rule all nations with a rod of iron” (Rev. 12:5). This hatred, in the face of his imminent defeat, will be manifest in unprecedented persecution of, and war against, the Jewish people (Rev. 12:13,17).

Our hearts ache as we ponder the suffering that yet lies ahead for national Israel before their ultimate deliverance and restoration to God. Just as Esther’s cousin Mordecai reminded her of the role she might play in rescuing her people from death (Esther 4:14: “And who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”), so we must be reminded that God might well use us as His instruments to share the message of life with Jewish people, and so to keep them from facing the sorrow awaiting them, apart from their Deliverer.

May I be so bold as to suggest that God has touched your heart and caused you to have an interest in Jewish evangelism “for such a time as this”? I thank Him for your loving response to His touch and pray that you might rejoice in how He will use you in the future toward this end.

Sincerely in Messiah Jesus,

Rev. Roger L. Wambold,
General Director