Understanding Purim

by James Goll

March 2008

Understanding Purim centers around an aspect of praying for Israel by looking at one of the historic times of Crisis Intervention through Intercession as recorded in the Book of Esther.

This is not only a "prayer assignment," but is intended as a tool of preparation for us to enter into a time of prayer with fasting (I call this The Cry) during Purim each year.

In this critical hour, it is imperative that we learn to be effective intercessors aligned with God's word, will, and ways for the days in which we live.


It is all the more important that we pray for Israel in this hour.

The Origin and Description of Purim

The celebration of Purim originated out of the decrees of Mordecai and Queen Esther (Esther 9:29-32). It was a time when intervention arose through desperate acts of prayer and fasting, led by Queen Esther, to overturn the decree for the annihilation of the Jewish people inspired by Haman. Haman's evil plot was revealed, the tables were turned, and he was hung on his own gallows. The events took place historically roughly between 483 to 471 B.C.

According to the Jewish calendar, Purim is held in the month of Adar, which usually falls in February or March. Moses was born in Adar. It is also the month when the Jewish leader of the Maccabees defeated the Syrians, and the month when the orders were given to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem preceding the reconstruction of the Temple and first return of the Jewish people to Israel. Redemptively, the period of time known as Adar has been a time when intervention comes out of crisis.

Although Purim was founded in Biblical times, its observation is not commanded by God as are the holy convocations mentioned in Leviticus 23. But the Holy Spirit is prophetically calling believers today to participate in this special time of sacrifice in this generation.

Haman's Lineage Exposed

King Ahasuerus unfortunately promoted a man who eventually became one of Israel's all-time worst enemies. His name was Haman, and he is described as the "son of Hammedatha, the Agagite" (Esther 3:1).

Haman's lineage is significant to the history of Purim. He was a descendant of Agag, who was a king of the Amalekites in the days of Saul and Samuel. Saul defeated Agag but disobeyed the Lord by allowing him to live. The prophet Samuel rebuked King Saul for his disobedience then "hewed Agag in pieces before the Lord" (1 Samuel 15:33).

Being an Amalekite, Agag was part of the group of people who were long-term enemies of Israel. Because of their treatment of the children of Israel in the days of Moses, God declared war on Amalek "from generation to generation" (Exodus 17:16). In Jewish teaching, Amalek is seen as the epitome of anti-Semitism.

Haman therefore had a heritage of enmity toward the Jewish people. As the book of Esther unfolds, we see how Haman was used to exhibit this generational hatred toward God's Chosen People.

The problem is that this ancient, malevolent spirit has plagued our planet throughout the generations. It has no regard for human reason, logic, good intentions or mere religious pursuits. This dark spirit of anti-Semitism--or what may be called "the spirit of Haman"--is on the loose once again.

The Mordecai Anointing

The Holy Spirit wants to inject the burden of the Lord for purposes of God among the Jewish people into the global prayer movement, like a nurse with a fully loaded needle. We need a potent injection of God's heart into our heart! That is why God wants to raise up a Mordecai anointing to prepare Esther for a time of intervention. We need to know what Esther accomplished, but what was Mordecai's task? What was his divine assignment?

Mordecai's job was to raise up and prepare Esther for her hour of influence before the king. Mordecai raised Esther as his own daughter. He did not bow down or pay homage to Haman, who sought the destruction of the Jews, but only worshipped the one true God. He intercepted Haman's scheme of the enemy and revealed it with wisdom to those in authority. He walked in prophetic counsel and instilled courage into Esther.

Esther, properly tutored and mentored by the counsel of Mordecai, seized the moment through prayer and fasting. Esther was anointed to intervene and stand in the gap, yet she had to walk in cooperation with the preparation of Mordecai, the spiritual authority God had placed in her life.

God chose to work through Mordecai to alert Esther to her destiny and timing of her intercessory acts on behalf of the Jews. God is looking for modern-day Mordecais to prepare His people for such a time as this!

The Esther Mandate--12 Scriptural Points

The following 12 points are taken from chapters 2–5 of the book of Esther:

• Esther: 2:7--Esther was adopted and raised by Mordecai.

• Esther 2:10--Esther received instruction from Mordecai's oversight.

• Esther 2:11--Mordecai watched over Esther's progress.

• Esther 2:19--Mordecai sat at the King's Gate.

• Esther 2:20--Esther remained under Mordecai's authority.

• Esther 2:22--The plot was revealed as Mordecai and Esther walked together.

• Esther 3:2--Mordecai would not bow down to Haman.

• Esther 4:1--Mordecai fasted, wept and mourned before all.

• Esther 4:4,5--Mordecai refused false comfort and remained resolute.

• Esther 4:14--Mordecai's admonishment to Esther to accept the appointment.

• Esther 4:15,16--Esther's reply, "If I perish, I perish!"

• Esther 5:2--Esther thus obtained favor with the king.

The Cry Continues to Arise!

Every year I am calling on Christians to sacrifice our time, our comfort, and our agendas to undertake an Esther Mandate Fast at Purim. This spiritual investment of the Worldwide Prayer Movement in the global Body of Christ will not fail. It will bring about nothing less than "God's will on earth as it is in Heaven" for the Jewish people and the nation of Israel. Join me and thousands of others as we seek the face of God once again as a bride prepared for her king.

A Prayer for Purim

Lord, I pray that the Holy Spirit will release revelation to the leadership of the Body of Christ to be modern-day Mordecais who help prepare Esther--the Bride of Christ--for her task of standing in the gap for Israel and the Jewish people worldwide. Holy Spirit, I ask You to anoint the reading of the book of Esther this week and that "watchmen would be awakened worldwide" to their task of standing with Israel.  

Join me on the walls of intercession!  

James W. Goll
Encounters Network


Email: info@encountersnetwork.com