Ta’anit Ester, or the Esther Fast, is a Jewish fast from dawn until dusk on Purim eve, commemorating the three-day fast observed by the Jewish people in the story of Purim.
Purim is celebrated by giving mutual gifts of food and drink, giving charity to the poor, a celebratory meal, and a public recitation of the Scroll of Esther in addition to many prayers.
In preparing for the Esther Fast, this question arose in my heart: “Could it happen again?” Could similar events as in the book of Esther happen again?
- An international federation of 127 nations
- An evil man gaining influence by lies and deception
- A law passed to kill all the Jews in the world (and by inference, all Christians who support Israel)
- Iran (Persia) playing a key role in the plan to annihilate the Jews
- (Seeing Esther as a figure of the church): The worldwide church enjoying a royal, bridal-type intimacy, grace and beauty in worship
- The church challenged to recognize her own Jewish roots
- The church interceding and fasting for the salvation of the Jewish people
- At the very last moment of seeming total disaster, there is a sudden and supernatural turnaround
- The people of God fight with authority and gain the victory
- The kingdom is transferred into the hands of godly people, resulting in joy for all nations
Well, it could happen again, couldn’t it?
“Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!” (Esth. 4:16)