Overcoming Fruit From the Tree of Life – Adar II 5779 -By Beth Auman and JoBeth Kested
We are now entering the month of Adar 2 in the Hebrew Calendar from March 7 through April 5th. It follows the previous month of Adar 1 and is added to the Hebrew Calendar every three years in order to sync with the solar calendar. The motto for this month is Mi-shenikhnas adar marbim be-simcha or “When Adar arrives, joy increases.” Tradition teaches that Adar is so full of joy that it is as if Adar were pregnant with happiness. Indeed, the Hebrew Calendar leap years give us two Adars to contain all the joy of Adar!
Let’s also remember that the significant tribe in the months of Adar is Naphtali, which means “Sweetness is to me”. This is a time of celebration that the curse of bitterness is overturned and is turned into sweetness. Purim is celebrated in this month and is the happiest, most joyous celebration time in the Hebrew calendar. This is definitely an overcoming month to experience joy!
What is the fruit from the tree of life that the Lord is offering to us in this season of Adar? (Revelation 22:2a NKJV)
Clue – The sweetness of extravagant overcoming joy in overcoming idolatry and strategies of destruction!
Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 NKJV
In the festivities of Purim, the Jewish people celebrate overthrowing the evil Haman who was determined to destroy Esther’s uncle Mordecai and all the Jewish people in the land!
John 10:10 (NKJV) 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
Clue – That old devil always overplays his hand!
Don’t ever forget that in the Purim story Haman actually cast dice to determine the date of the extinction of the Jews. He didn’t just want to murder the babies, or the men and women. He wanted to kill the entire Jewish race. Let that sink in for a moment. The battle is fierce for those who submit themselves to the LORD.
Clue – Who is a Jew, what does it mean and why do we need to know?
The first individual to be called a Jew (Yehudi) in the Scriptures was Mordecai, of Purim fame.
“There was a man, a Yehudi, in Shushan the capital, whose name was Mordecai . . . a Yemini” (Esther 2:5).
The Talmud adds: “He is called a Yehudi, implying that he descended from Judah; he then is called Yemini, implying that he is a Benjaminite.” Rabbi Jochanan responds that Mordecai was of the Tribe of Benjamin but was called a Yehudi because anyone who rejects idolatry is called a Yehudi.” Other commentaries explain that the name Yehudah shares the same root as the Hebrew word hoda’ah, which means acknowledgement or submission. One who acknowledges Gd’s existence and submits to His authority—to the extent that he is willing to sacrifice his life for the sanctification of His name—he is called a Yehudi.
Let’s look at the story of Esther in one of the most amazing Books of the Bible. Esther was an orphan, raised by her uncle Mordecai, a Yehudi. Esther became the Queen in Vashti’s place because Vashti disrespected the King’s authority by refusing to come to a war council banquet. She did not follow the protocol of the earthly kingdom in which she reigned. Therefore, she was banished.
“Esther had not revealed her people or family, for Mordecai had charged her not to reveal it. And every day Mordecai paced in front of the court of the women’s quarters, to learn of Esther’s welfare and what was happening to her. Esther 2:10-11 NKJV
If anyone was ever on a Quest it was Esther. Esther, was a Yehudi and had to conceal her Jewishness while in the Kingdom. She was submitted to Elohim and continued to pray only to Him while in the contest to become Queen. “The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.” (Esther 2:17 NKJV) She learned the ways of their earthly protocol and yet in her heart Ester always knew that there was a greater purpose that God had for her life.
“After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him and set his seat above all the princes who were with him. And all the king’s servants who were within the king’s gate bowed and paid homage to Haman, for so the king had commanded concerning him. But Mordecai would not bow or pay homage. Then the king’s servants who were within the king’s gate said to Mordecai, “Why do you transgress the king’s command?” Now it happened, when they spoke to him daily and he would not listen to them, that they told it to Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s words would stand; for Mordecai had told them that he was a Jew. When Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow or pay him homage, Haman was filled with wrath. But he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone, for they had told him of the people of Mordecai. Instead, Haman sought to destroy all the Jews who were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus—the people of Mordecai. In the first month, which is the month of Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, they cast Pur (that is, the lot), before Haman to determine the day and the month, until it fell on the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar.” Esther 3:1-7 NKJV
“…In the name of King Ahasuerus it was written, and sealed with the king’s signet ring. And the letters were sent by couriers into all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all the Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, and to plunder their possessions.” Esther 3:12-13 NKJV
And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:13-14 NKJV
Esther trusted in the wise counsel of her uncle Mordecai and submitted herself and the eminent destruction of her Jewish people to God. She relied totally on Him alone as she instructed all her handmaidens and the Jews in the city to fast and pray with her. God did not disappoint her; with clear instructions requiring her trust and obedience to see the salvation of God. In the end it was Haman and his entire family that was rendered extinct and the Jewish people were saved!
“By these letters the king permitted the Jews who were in every city to gather together and protect their lives—to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the forces of any people or province that would assault them, both little children and women, and to plunder their possessions, on one day in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar.
The Jews had light and gladness, joy and honor. And in every province and city, wherever the king’s command and decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a holiday.” Esther 8:11-12, 16-17a NKJV
When a trial comes, the moment that it begins, submit your trial immediately to the LORD. The word submit means duck – get out of God’s way so that He can bring His Victory quickly. When we submit immediately, He is involved immediately. If we wait and try to defeat the devil alone then we are fighting a losing battle. With God all things are possible. Without Him we lose. Esther did not perish nor did the Jewish people. Nor will you! As you learn to submit your circumstance immediately to the LORD, walk in His ways of wisdom and instruction you will also eat of the ripe fruit in this month of extravagant joy in overcoming idolatry and strategies of destruction!
“Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” James 4:7-8, 10 NKJV
Submission to seek the wisdom and counsel of Jesus, our Lord and King, is the key to Victory. In the resurrection power of the blood of Jesus, The Messiah, we have the right to submit our circumstances to Him, appropriate His blood, in the declaration of His name with His title deed of ownership over all our battles, trial and circumstances. The power of His name and His blood shed for us is more than most of us can truly comprehend.
From JoBeth: Several years ago my husband came home from work, where he had been employed in a position of leadership for 18 years, and shared that he had received an email that morning unjustly releasing him from his job! In absolute shock, we hit our knees with tears pouring down our faces, submitting all to the Lord and declaring our total dependence upon Him; not jobs, people or circumstances. There were those that advised us to fight the injustice to be fully restored to the position that we knew God had sovereignly, previously given to him. We felt God’s instruction to trust and wait on Him. About 6 weeks later we received a call offering my husband his dream job in the mountains of Colorado that led us into one of the most joyous, happy and fulfilling seasons of our entire lives!
“Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.” Psalm 126:6 NIV
Today, Ask the LORD if there is anything that you need to submit to Him. Learn to submit your life and each situation that arises to Him quickly. Follow His well-lit path to our fulfilled destiny in Him. He is our Victory and there is such Joy during this month of Adar II. Celebrate with Him. Embrace the ripe fruit from the tree of life this month and learn to Love what the LORD Loves. Embrace the joy in the journey together on this Quest with us.
“Sing out the honor of His name; Make His praise glorious. Say to God, “How awesome are Your works! Through the greatness of Your power Your enemies shall submit themselves to You. All the earth shall worship You And sing praises to You; They shall sing praises to Your name.” Selah” Psalms 66:2-4 NKJV
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Reference: https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/640221/jewish/What-is-the-Meaning-of-the-Name-Jew.htm
Overcoming Fruit From the Tree of Life – Adar II 5779 -By Beth Auman and JoBeth Kested
(Photography purchased or taken by BethAuman and JoBeth Kested) Photo Art by Beth Auman)
© Beth Auman and JoBeth Kested 2019