Haftarah of Parashat Zachor: "When Amalek's Not Amalek"

 Beth HaDerech; Messianic Jewish Congregation, Toronto, Canada Search: 2 March 2012 | 8 Adar 5772 Beth HaDerech Local Time 02:45 PM Home » Jewish Roots » 


 What is Shabbat Zachor? What is Shabbat Zachor?

 This Shabbat gets its name from the first word of the special 3 sentence Torah reading that is read on this Shabbat: Remember [Zachor] what the Amalekites did to you along the way when you came out of Egypt… In addition to the regular Torah reading, three verses from Deuteronomy are read (25: 17-19) which describe the attack by Amalek upon the Israelites during their trek through the wilderness after the exodus from Egypt. The Haftara for Shabbat Zachor recalls the war with Amalek during the time of King Saul. The leader of the Amalekites at that time was King Agag, an ancestor of Haman, who is one of the central characters in the story of Purim. The portion that is read includes a commandment to remember the attack by Amalek, and therefore at this public reading both men and women make a special effort to hear the reading. Mordecai’s genealogy in the second chapter of the Book of Esther is given as a descendant of Kish of the Tribe of Benjamin. Kish was also the name of the father of King Saul, and the Talmud accords Mordecai the status of a descendant of the first King of Israel. Together Esther and Mordechai turn the tables on Haman (a decedent of Amalek) and he is hanged upon the gallows he had built for Mordechai. The King reverses the plot and allows the Jews all over his empire, to arm themselves and attack there would be attackers (the would be Amalekites). Haman is clearly a type of Anti-Messiah (satan) who desires to see the Jewish people exterminated once and for all. In the Besorah Tovah (Good News) we know that there is soon coming one who is the embodiment of this "spirit of Haman," and of Hitler, and of all the other anti-Jewish murderers throughout the ages. This one is the "man of sin" or the anti-Messiah, Satan’s emissary (2 Thess. 2:3). Satan’s final attempt to provide the ultimate "Final Solution" will be foiled, just as Haman’s attempt was foiled.When Yeshua is finally fully revealed, He will destroy the Messiah of Evil. Israel’s long-awaited Mashiach ben David will be clearly revealed and understood to be Mashiach ben Yosef Himself. Then, and only then, will Israel experience the true deliverance and salvation of HaShem — and the rejoicing of that Purim will be like none other!