“…your old men shall dream dreams (chalomot), and your young men shall see visions.” Joel 2:28

I was once a guest at a meeting of missionaries to the Jews where one stood up and said, “Lots of people speak out about preserving the Jewish community.  That’s not our business.  God will preserve the Jewish community.  Our job is to preach the gospel.”  Many people would nod their heads agreeing with this statement.  Some might even nod piously.  But I protested the statement, and with the passing of years, have grown to protest it even more deeply.

The reason is all tied up with the Book of Esther, read at this time of year for the holiday of Purim.  The story of Esther concerns the machinations of Haman, the Grand Vizier of Persia at that time, who unsuccessfully sought to wipe out the Jews in the kingdom due to an offended ego.  At the crisis point in this great story, Mordecai the Jew comes to relay a message to his niece, Esther, who is part of the King’s harem and in a position to intervene on behalf of her people.