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February 2018
Purim: Why 'Hamans' Fail? by Sam Nadler
They tried to kill us. We won (by God’s grace)! “Let’s eat!” This is sort of a short summary of most every Jewish Holiday. Well, at least it is true for Purim. In the story of Esther, Haman, the Prime Minister of Persia, had planned to destroy the Jewish people.
(Continue to read more...)
They tried to kill us. We won (by God’s grace)! “Let’s eat!” This is sort of a short summary of most every Jewish Holiday. Well, at least it is true for Purim. In the story of Esther, Haman, the Prime Minister of Persia, had planned to destroy the Jewish people. Much to his chagrin, however, things were not working out as he had planned, so he went back to his advisers for help.
With Friends like These…
Ever notice how many friends now become “I told you so” advisers when things don’t go well? We read in Esther 6:13, “Haman recounted to Zeresh, his wife, and all his friends everything that had happened to him. Then, his wise men and Zeresh, his wife, said to him, ‘If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fail, is of Jewish origin, you will not overcome him, but will surely fall before him.’” Even though these same people advised him to hang Mordecai (Esther 5:14), they now see the handwriting on the wall’ and warn Haman that he cannot stand against Mordecai the Jew: Haman’s ruin was already assured. The Hebrew states, emphatically, ki-na’foal ti’pole: “falling you will fall! You will absolutely fall.” You will not win, but absolutely fail.” Yes, the Jews in Babylon were under the chastening hand of their God, but not for their destruction. Their God was at work to redeem them and Haman would ultimately fail.
But how did Haman’s advisors know of his certain failure? They had been taught historically, Biblically and prophetically.
Historically
Haman’s advisors had seen for the previous 50 years how God had miraculously worked through their own King Cyrus. The Jewish people had been enslaved in Babylon & Persia for 70 years, but just as had been predicted by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 29:10), they were released by King Cyrus’ decree to go back to Israel again.
Biblically
While the Jews were in Babylon, they had the writings of the prophet Daniel in their possession. In the Book of Daniel, the uniqueness, power and purpose of the God of Israel was revealed: “Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face and did homage to Daniel. The king answered Daniel and said, ‘Surely your God is a God of gods and a Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, since you have been able to reveal this mystery.’” (Daniel 2:46, 47) Again, in Daniel 6:25-27, “the God of Daniel… delivers and rescues and performs signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, Who has also delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.” In Daniel 7:27 “Then the sovereignty, the dominion and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Highest One.”
Prophetically
One of their early ‘wise Men’, Balaam (Numbers 21:5) had actually tried his hand at this “cursing Israel business,” and had found it to be a really bad idea. “How shall I curse whom God has not cursed? And how can I denounce whom the LORD has not denounced? Blessed is everyone who blesses you (Israel), and cursed is everyone who curses you. I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; a star shall come forth from Jacob, a scepter shall rise from Israel, One from Jacob shall have dominion.” (Numbers 23:8, 20, 23; 24:9, 17, 19)
It was from this same area that the Magi would come at the time of Messiah’s birth. The Magi recognized the truth of Balaam’s words, that the Jews were the hope of the world since through them and them alone would come the Messiah, the blessing of Abraham for the world who shall have dominion (Matthew 2:1). Therefore, because of the historical, biblical and prophetic truth, Haman’s advisors knew that he was doomed to fail! For as Balaam said, “Blessed is everyone who blesses you, and cursed is everyone who curses you.” This was first declared by God, Himself, to Abraham in Genesis 12:3, “And I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” This is why the Hamans, the Hitlers, the Anti-Messiah and all others who curse the Jews must ultimately fail.
The Promises of God
‘‘I will bless those who bless you.’’ Because God is a God of blessing Haman must ultimately fail. Notice the text: those who bless is plural, those who curse is singular. The desire and expectation of God is to bless many and curse few. When you don’t bless the Jews you must ultimately fail, for you are contrary to God’s desire, and His nature: God is love (1 John 4:8, 16), not hate. That’s why Messiah came as God’s response to our sins. We are created in the image of God; therefore, we are to be an instrument of blessing, not cursing, of love rather than hate. Haman was wrong and ultimately had to fail. The Nazis were wrong and had to ultimately fail. The KKK, ‘Christian Identity’/ White Supremists, skinheads, etc. are wrong and will ultimately fail. If you hate (especially the Jews), you are wrong, and you ultimately have to fail. To bless Abraham is to bless the God of Abraham in faith and obedience. To curse is, therefore, to deny God and disobey His Will and Word. And that is always failure.
The Problems of God
‘’The one who curses you I will curse.’’ Because sin ultimately is judged, Haman had to fail. Expect to be cursed with the curse you brought upon the Jews. There are curses and there are ‘curses.’ Some work right away, as with Haman, some later, even as the Egyptian firstborn were killed because of how they treated Israel’s first born. “Then you shall say to Pharaoh, Thus says the LORD, Israel is My son, my firstborn. So I say to you, Let My son go that he may serve Me; but you have refused to let him go. Behold, I will kill your son, your firstborn.”(Exodus 4:22). Though they made Israel suffer for generations, eventually, they were cursed with the same curse they gave Israel. Universally we are taught, “What you sow this also you will reap” (Galatians 6:8). You sow love, you reap love; you sow hate, you reap hate. Parents, remember this when you train up your children. Love them unconditionally and they will love you as well. If you’re overly judgmental toward them, don’t be surprised what you reap. It’s almost like an O’ Henry story: poetic justice that Haman died on the same gallows he made for Mordecai the Jew (Esther 7:10). What he sowed he reaped. Hitler committed suicide thinking that in so doing he would escape justice. But the Scripture says “It is appointed unto man once to die then comes the judgement” (Hebrews 9:27). No sooner had Hitler died, he was then facing judgement before the King of the Jews. He who curses will be cursed.
The Person of God
Remember, it’s not because God has a soft spot in his heart for just the Jews: He’s concerned about all people-in you (Abraham) shall all the families of the earth be blessed. Again God states to Abraham “and in your seed will all the nations of the world be blessed” (Genesis 22:24). God will ultimately use Israel as His instrument of influence in the world. God promises that Israel is the key to God’s ‘international blessing program.’ Notice, it says ‘in your seed;’ that is, “seed’ not seeds. Thus it was his seed, Isaac, not Ishmael, and Jacob and not Esau, and then his seed through Judah, then David and finally to Yeshua. This is even as the New Covenant teaches in Galatians 3:16, “The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say ‘and to seeds,’ meaning many people, but ‘and to your seed,’ meaning one person, who is Messiah. And I Galatians 3:14, “He redeemed us in order that the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Messiah Jesus. Because “God so loved the world;”therefore, Haman had to fail. When God loves, He loves a world. And when He gives, He gives His son. There is ultimate victory for all people, for all who will believe in Yeshua the Messiah, the ultimate ‘seed of Abraham’. God could not let the Jews be destroyed for through them comes Messiah, the Savior of the world. Even today, the Second Coming of Messiah depends on the repentance of Israel (Matthew 23:39, Acts 3:19-21). So even today, those who curse the Jews must ultimately fail. Therefore, let us live to be an instrument of blessing to the Jews, and to all people. For those that bless, even as God blesses, must ultimately succeed even as God’s Will eternally succeeds. Right now, if you will trust in and bless Yeshua, the king of the Jews, you will receive the eternal blessing of salvation and forgiveness; for in Yeshua, the seed of Abraham, are found all the blessings of heaven forever! (Ephesians 1:3).
READ MORE
Winter Fruit - Tu B'Shvat
They tried to kill us. We won (by God’s grace)! “Let’s eat!” This is sort of a short summary of most every Jewish Holiday. Well, at least it is true for Purim. In the story of Esther, Haman, the Prime Minister of Persia, had planned to destroy the Jewish people. Much to his chagrin, however, things were not working out as he had planned, so he went back to his advisers for help.
advisers when things don’t go well? We read in Esther 6:13, “Haman recounted to Zeresh, his wife, and all his friends everything that had happened to him. Then, his wise men and Zeresh, his wife, said to him, ‘If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fail, is of Jewish origin, you will not overcome him, but will surely fall before him.’” Even though these same people advised him to hang Mordecai (Esther 5:14), they now see the handwriting on the wall’ and warn Haman that he cannot stand against Mordecai the Jew: Haman’s ruin was already assured. The Hebrew states, emphatically, ki-na’foal ti’pole: “falling you will fall! You will absolutely fall.” You will not win, but absolutely fail.” Yes, the Jews in Babylon were under the chastening hand of their God, but not for their destruction. Their God was at work to redeem them and Haman would ultimately fail.
But how did Haman’s advisors know of his certain failure? They had been taught historically, Biblically and prophetically.
Historically
Haman’s advisors had seen for the previous 50 years how God had miraculously worked through their own King Cyrus. The Jewish people had been enslaved in Babylon & Persia for 70 years, but just as had been predicted by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 29:10), they were released by King Cyrus’ decree to go back to Israel again.
Biblically
While the Jews were in Babylon, they had the writings of the prophet Daniel in their possession. In the Book of Daniel, the uniqueness, power and purpose of the God of Israel was revealed: “Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face and did homage to Daniel. The king answered Daniel and said, ‘Surely your God is a God of gods and a Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, since you have been able to reveal this mystery.’” (Daniel 2:46, 47) Again, in Daniel 6:25-27, “the God of Daniel… delivers and rescues and performs signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, Who has also delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.” In Daniel 7:27 “Then the sovereignty, the dominion and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Highest One.”
Prophetically
One of their early ‘wise Men’, Balaam (Numbers 21:5) had actually tried his hand at this “cursing Israel business,” and had found it to be a really bad idea. “How shall I curse whom God has not cursed? And how can I denounce whom the LORD has not denounced? Blessed is everyone who blesses you (Israel), and cursed is everyone who curses you. I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; a star shall come forth from Jacob, a scepter shall rise from Israel, One from Jacob shall have dominion.” (Numbers 23:8, 20, 23; 24:9, 17, 19)
It was from this same area that the Magi would come at the time of Messiah’s birth. The Magi recognized the truth of Balaam’s words, that the Jews were the hope of the world since through them and them alone would come the Messiah, the blessing of Abraham for the world who shall have dominion (Matthew 2:1). Therefore, because of the historical, biblical and prophetic truth, Haman’s advisors knew that he was doomed to fail! For as Balaam said, “Blessed is everyone who blesses you, and cursed is everyone who curses you.” This was first declared by God, Himself, to Abraham in Genesis 12:3, “And I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” This is why the Hamans, the Hitlers, the Anti-Messiah and all others who curse the Jews must ultimately fail.
The Promises of God
‘‘I will bless those who bless you.’’ Because God is a God of blessing Haman must ultimately fail. Notice the text: those who bless is plural, those who curse is singular. The desire and expectation of God is to bless many and curse few. When you don’t bless the Jews you must ultimately fail, for you are contrary to God’s desire, and His nature: God is love (1 John 4:8, 16), not hate. That’s why Messiah came as God’s response to our sins. We are created in the image of God; therefore, we are to be an instrument of blessing, not cursing, of love rather than hate. Haman was wrong and ultimately had to fail. The Nazis were wrong and had to ultimately fail. The KKK, ‘Christian Identity’/ White Supremists, skinheads, etc. are wrong and will ultimately fail. If you hate (especially the Jews), you are wrong, and you ultimately have to fail. To bless Abraham is to bless the God of Abraham in faith and obedience. To curse is, therefore, to deny God and disobey His Will and Word. And that is always failure.
The Problems of God
‘’The one who curses you I will curse.’’ Because sin ultimately is judged, Haman had to fail. Expect to be cursed with the curse you brought upon the Jews. There are curses and there are ‘curses.’ Some work right away, as with Haman, some later, even as the Egyptian firstborn were killed because of how they treated Israel’s first born. “Then you shall say to Pharaoh, Thus says the LORD, Israel is My son, my firstborn. So I say to you, Let My son go that he may serve Me; but you have refused to let him go. Behold, I will kill your son, your firstborn.”(Exodus 4:22). Though they made Israel suffer for generations, eventually, they were cursed with the same curse they gave Israel. Universally we are taught, “What you sow this also you will reap” (Galatians 6:8). You sow love, you reap love; you sow hate, you reap hate. Parents, remember this when you train up your children. Love them unconditionally and they will love you as well. If you’re overly judgmental toward them, don’t be surprised what you reap. It’s almost like an O’ Henry story: poetic justice that Haman died on the same gallows he made for Mordecai the Jew (Esther 7:10). What he sowed he reaped. Hitler committed suicide thinking that in so doing he would escape justice. But the Scripture says “It is appointed unto man once to die then comes the judgement” (Hebrews 9:27). No sooner had Hitler died, he was then facing judgement before the King of the Jews. He who curses will be cursed.
The Person of God
Remember, it’s not because God has a soft spot in his heart for just the Jews: He’s concerned about all people-in you (Abraham) shall all the families of the earth be blessed. Again God states to Abraham “and in your seed will all the nations of the world be blessed” (Genesis 22:24). God will ultimately use Israel as His instrument of influence in the world. God promises that Israel is the key to God’s ‘international blessing program.’ Notice, it says ‘in your seed;’ that is, “seed’ not seeds. Thus it was his seed, Isaac, not Ishmael, and Jacob and not Esau, and then his seed through Judah, then David and finally to Yeshua. This is even as the New Covenant teaches in Galatians 3:16, “The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say ‘and to seeds,’ meaning many people, but ‘and to your seed,’ meaning one person, who is Messiah. And I Galatians 3:14, “He redeemed us in order that the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Messiah Jesus. Because “God so loved the world;”therefore, Haman had to fail. When God loves, He loves a world. And when He gives, He gives His son. There is ultimate victory for all people, for all who will believe in Yeshua the Messiah, the ultimate ‘seed of Abraham’. God could not let the Jews be destroyed for through them comes Messiah, the Savior of the world. Even today, the Second Coming of Messiah depends on the repentance of Israel (Matthew 23:39, Acts 3:19-21). So even today, those who curse the Jews must ultimately fail. Therefore, let us live to be an instrument of blessing to the Jews, and to all people. For those that bless, even as God blesses, must ultimately succeed even as God’s Will eternally succeeds. Right now, if you will trust in and bless Yeshua, the king of the Jews, you will receive the eternal blessing of salvation and forgiveness; for in Yeshua, the seed of Abraham, are found all the blessings of heaven forever! (Ephesians 1:3).
READ MORE
Winter Fruit - Tu B'Shvat by Sam Nadler
. (Continue to read more...)
For those of us who live in colder climates, we usually do not think of winter as a season for bearing fruit. However, the Scriptures encourage us to be fruitful, not based upon the times and seasons, rather, we are given confidence to be producing the spiritual fruit of the life of Yeshua in season and out of season.
Whether this fruit is seen in our praise, which is “the fruit of the lips” from Hebrews 13:15, or in our practice through “the fruit of righteousness” found in Hebrews 12:11, our spiritual fruit is not based on any season but by abiding in Yeshua (John 15:5).
We have a reminder of ‘out-of-season’ fruit in a winter holiday called the Jewish New Year for the Trees-Tu B’Shvat.
The word Tu is the number 15 represented by two letters from the Hebrew alphabet, tet and vav. Shvat is the name of the Hebrew month in which it is celebrated; hence, Tu B’Shvat means “the 15th of Shvat.” This year it arrives on January 31st. Although a minor Jewish holiday it can be encouraged to consider this new year of the trees.
Actually, in the Jewish calendar, it is one of four New Years of Rosh HaShanahs mentioned in the early rabbinic writings. This Holiday was originally a time to take note of the fruits that were counted for the tithes and offerings. During the Middle Ages it developed as a recognized celebration and the eating of fruits was added. To this day it has become popular with many Jewish people. Growing up in my Middle Village, NY synagogue, we celebrated this holiday by eating different types of fruit and nuts and discussing the Land of Israel and its importance to our people.
Traditionally, grapes, dates, olives and pomegranates are all part of the holiday because they are spoken of in the Hebrew Scriptures and especially because they are associated with the Land of Israel. Specific categories of fruit and nuts include first, those with hard, inedible exteriors and soft edible insides, like oranges, bananas, walnuts, and pistachios; second, fruits with soft exteriors, but with a hard pit inside, such as dates, apricots, olives and persimmons; and third, fruit that is eaten whole such as figs or berries. Let us consider how these aspects of the Tu B’Shvat fruits can picture our spiritual life:
“Fruits and nuts with hard, inedible exteriors and soft edible insides” What a vivid reminder of our spiritual life in Messiah! While we are in this world, we often need to be “hard on the outside” in order to be resistant and “not conformed” to conflicting influences (Romans 12:2). For example, the Scriptures often teaches us to “resist the devil” (James 4:7; Ephesians 6:13; 1 Peter 5:7-9). On the other hand since He who is in us is greater than He who is in the world (1 John 4:4) we need to be soft inside, that is yielded and responsive to the Holy Spirit, just as we are resistant to the unholy spirit.
“Fruits and nuts with soft exteriors, but with a hard pit inside” Here we have another contrasting illustration of our walk in Messiah. The soft exteriors remind us to be loving to all, yet with a “hard pit inside.” This is not to say that we should be hard-hearted, but rather uncompromising in the absolutes of God’s eternal Word. This gives us the internal character of righteous integrity and iron backbone to withstand the wayward wind of this world. How often our merciful “soft exterior” may be offended and hurt by the unkindness of this world system! Our internalizing of the world’s attack on our testimony in Messiah can make “the love of many grow cold” (Matthew 24:12). That is why we need a “hard pit”–a heart firm in the faith of our unchanging love (in Yeshua). No matter how others may despise our faith they cannot stop us from caring and showing God’s love.
“Fruit that is eaten whole” As we mature, we enjoy all of His Word. Some portions of God’s Word are difficult to digest (John 6:60). But as we press on in His eternal word, we recognize that “solid food is for the mature” (Hebrews 5:14) and that “all Scripture is both inspired and profitable” (2 Timothy 3:16). As we mature in Messiah’s truth that will cause us to walk in His truth, then every area of our life will bring “praise to His glory” (Ephesians 1:6,12,14).
“Fruit that is associated with Israel” this category covers all of the rest. Mature fruit-bearing means being less concerned with God’s eternal agenda. A maturity for both Jewish and Gentile believers will further reflect the apostolic concern that Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles taught regarding the ministry of prayer: “My heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved” (Romans 10:1). Our heart’s desire and spiritual fruit is seen more and more as we become a person after God’s own heart like David, who taught us to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6).
Therefore, may our maturity in Messiah reflect the heart of the King of the Jews in having fruit associated with Israel!
Please join us in prayer that this year we all will be bearing fruit that testifies of the God of Israel’s love. His love that is fully and forever received in Yeshua, the Jewish Messiah and Savior of the world.
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Feb.11-12 Congregation Planting Conf, Phoenix AZ
Feb 18 9:45 am Zion Hill Baptist, Lawndale NC
Feb.25, 11:00 am: Berea Baptist, Mooresville NC
Mar, 4, 10:00 am: Calvary Baptist, Wilmington NC
Mar.10, 5:30 pm: Newlife Community. Asheville NC
Mar,11, 10:00 am: Newlife Community, Asheville NC
Mar 18, 10:00 am: Calvary Baptist, Manhattan NY
Mar 18, 5:00 pm: Calvary Baptist, Bethlehem PA
Mar.24,5:30 pm: First Assembly of God. RockinghamNC
Mar 25, 10:00 am: Unity Baptist, Gastonia NC
Mar 28,6:00 pm: Carmel Baptist, Matthews NC
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