Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke before the United States congress on the eve of Purim to lay out the reasons the United States should not make a deal with Iran.
Mr. Netanyahu sounded an alarm today. He was not speaking to Republicans or Democrats, he was not pleading with the president or really even our congress. He was reaching out to the American people.
The story of Purim is told in the book of Ester. It is a story of the near destruction of the Jewish people by evil Persians the forefathers of today’s Iranians. It was ultimately the Persian king who spared Ester’s people just as today there are people in the same region who do not desire the destruction of modern Israel.
Then as it is today there were difficult choices to be made. Gentiles and Jews alike must decide to stand with the people of Israel or allow evil to grow stronger. The temptation is to remain comfortable and unwilling to get involved when we are safe, just as Ester was in her role as queen.
The challenge was to risk her safety and future for others, for her people. In the same way, America can continue to remain on the sidelines, allowing the Islamic State and Iran to continue their transformation of the Middle East and Africa.
Iran and the Islamic State may have conflict now, but they are radicalizing through attrition the counties that surround Israel, while America stands down and capitulates with terrorists and dictators throughout the region.
And so, Israel and her prime minister are appealing to the American people not to remain silent for such a time as this. The Lord will ultimately come to the rescue of Israel, but He is calling on those that follow Him to be heard.
