The Spiritual Battle of Esther: Divine Intervention, Aliyah, and the Everlasting Covenant By: Chaim Malespin

The Scepter of Life and Death: Esther’s Spiritual Warfare

By Chaim Malespin

In Esther 4:16-17, we see an act of spiritual warfare unfold. Esther, the Jewish queen of Persia, is faced with an impossible choice—risk her life to plead for her people or remain silent and watch their destruction. She proclaims:

“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!”

(Esther 4:16).

This moment highlights a powerful biblical truth: in the unseen realms, battles are won through fasting, prayer, and divine intervention. Just as Esther prepared to enter the presence of King Ahasuerus without an invitation—a crime punishable by death—she needed the golden scepter to be extended. Spiritually, this represents the favor and mercy of Elohim. Without His divine intervention, Israel’s fate would have been sealed.

The Hidden Hand of Elohim

Although the Book of Esther does not mention the Name of Elohim, His hidden hand is evident throughout. The decree against the Jews in Esther 3:13 was not just a political maneuver but a spiritual attack against the covenant people of Elohim. Haman, a descendant of Agag the Amalekite, sought to erase the Jewish people, fulfilling the ancient hatred of Amalek (Exodus 17:16).

Mordechai understood that the stakes were beyond politics—this was a war against the promise of Elohim to His people. He urged Esther:

“Who knows if you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

(Esther 4:14).

But Esther recognized that she could not enter this battle alone—she needed Elohim’s intervention through fasting and prayer. This same principle applies today in our spiritual battles.

The Power of Fasting and Prayer in Warfare

Esther’s fast was not personal but corporate, engaging the entire Jewish community. Throughout Scripture, fasting is used during moments of crisis:

Jehoshaphat declared a fast when Judah was under attack (2 Chronicles 20:3).

Ezra fasted for protection before returning to Jerusalem (Ezra 8:21-23).

Yeshua fasted before His public ministry and confrontation with HaSatan (Matthew 4:1-11).

Esther’s act of intercessory fasting shifted the spiritual realm. The result?

The scepter was extended, granting her favor (Esther 5:2).

Haman’s plot was reversed—the gallows he built for Mordechai became his own demise (Esther 7:10).

Israel triumphed over their enemies (Esther 9:1-2).

Just as Moses, Aaron, and Hur lifted their hands in prayer while Joshua battled Amalek (Exodus 17:10-13), Esther and her maidens engaged in unseen warfare while Mordechai and the Jewish people prepared for battle.

The Eternal War Against Amalek

The battle between Mordechai and Haman was a continuation of an ancient war—the war between Israel and Amalek.

1. Saul’s Disobedience and Agag’s Survival (1 Samuel 15)

Elohim commanded King Saul to completely destroy Amalek (1 Samuel 15:3). However, Saul disobeyed and spared King Agag. As a result, the prophet Samuel rebuked him, saying:

“Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has also rejected you from being king”

(1 Samuel 15:23).

Though Samuel later executed Agag (1 Samuel 15:33), some Amalekites survived, leading to Haman’s rise centuries later.

2. The Consequences of Saul’s Mercy on Agag

An Amalekite claimed to have killed Saul (2 Samuel 1:6-10), showing the irony of Saul’s incomplete obedience.

Mordechai, a descendant of Saul’s tribe (Benjamin), had to finish the battle that Saul failed to complete.

Unlike Saul, Mordechai refused to bow to Haman (Esther 3:2), signaling a victory over Amalek’s influence.

3. Amalek in Prophecy: The End-Times Battle

Elohim declared:

“I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.”

(Exodus 17:14-16).

This ancient war continues spiritually today. The spirit of Amalek seeks to prevent Aliyah, erase Israel, and stop the coming of Messiah.

Antiochus IV: A New Amalekite

The spirit of Haman resurfaced through Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175-164 BCE), the Greek ruler who tried to wipe out Jewish identity:

He outlawed the Torah and circumcision (1 Maccabees 1:48-50).

He desecrated the Holy Temple by sacrificing a pig on the altar (1 Maccabees 1:54).

He forced Jews to eat non-kosher food (2 Maccabees 6:18-7:42).

He replaced biblical festivals with Greek pagan rituals.

But Elohim raised up the Maccabees, and through their victory, the Temple was rededicated—an event we celebrate as Hanukkah.

Throughout history, evil rulers like Antiochus, Herod, Hitler, and others have tried to erase Israel, but all have failed. Why? Because Elohim’s covenant is unbreakable.

Elohim’s Covenant is as Eternal as the Universe

Jeremiah 31:35-37 establishes a cosmic guarantee for Israel’s survival:

“Thus says the LORD,

Who gives the sun for light by day,

The ordinances of the moon and the stars for light by night…

If those ordinances depart from before Me, says the LORD,

Then the seed of Israel shall also cease from being a nation before Me forever.”

(Jeremiah 31:35-36).

Elohim ties Israel’s survival to the fixed laws of the universe. If the sun, moon, and stars were to stop functioning, only then would Israel cease to exist.

Since the universe is immeasurable (Jeremiah 31:37), Israel’s existence is divinely secured.

Aliyah: The Prophetic Restoration of Israel

Elohim used Cyrus to prepare the way for the Jews’ return to Zion (Ezra 1:1-3). But many Jews stayed in Persia, leading to the events of Esther. Had they returned 120 years earlier, the threat of Haman might have been avoided.

Aliyah (return to Israel) is a prophetic mandate.

Haman tried to stop Aliyah by seeking Jewish extermination.

Today, modern Amalekites still seek to prevent Jews from returning home.

Yet, Elohim is gathering His people again, fulfilling His Word:

“I will bring you back to the land I gave to your ancestors.”

(Jeremiah 16:15).

Conclusion: The Final Redemption

As we read the Book of Esther during Purim, we remember:

Elohim’s sovereignty is absolute—even when unseen.

Fasting and prayer change history.

The spirit of Amalek will always rise—but will always be defeated.

Aliyah and the restoration of Israel are unstoppable.

Mordechai was dressed in blue and white, the colors of Israel. His victory reminds us that Elohim’s promises to Israel will never fail.

As we see the Temple preparations, Aliyah waves, and Israel’s resilience, we know: Yeshua is coming soon. Just as Esther prepared for her moment, we must prepare the way for the return of the King. Chag Purim Sameach!