Shabbat Zachor

Shabbat Zachor

This is the Shabbat of Remembering – which always occurs on the Sabbath before Purim. What are we “remembering?”

Deuteronomy 25:16-19 (NASB) “For everyone who does these things, everyone who acts unjustly is an abomination to the LORD your God. [17] Remember what Amalek did to you along the way when you came out from Egypt, [18] how he met you along the way and attacked among you all the stragglers at your rear when you were faint and weary; and he did not fear God. [19] Therefore it shall come about when the LORD your God has given you rest from all your surrounding enemies, in the land which the LORD your God gives you as an inheritance to possess, you shall blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven; you must not forget.”

Haman was a descendant of Amalek, who was a descendant of Esau. On the Shabbat before Purim, “Remember what Amalek did to you as you came out of Egypt.” In Ex. 17:16, “The LORD has sworn; the LORD will have war against Amalek from generation to generation.” “Don’t forget!” says Adonai.

In my past articles on “Warring with Amalek,” I delve into the deeper meaning of what and who Amalek represents. To remember the destructive nature of the Amalekites, one must first look at the man or woman in the mirror. The masks of Purim also allude to the hidden nature within disguising either the crafty or the righteous. Which one are we?

“So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy (kavod). Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set. So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.” (Exodus 17:11-13, NASB)

 Is Joshua (Yeshua) warring with the Esau in you?

When Moses’ hands (Torah) are lifted up, Joshua (Yeshua) prevails over Amalek.

The power of the Law is to expose the Amalek within, so his memory will be completely blotted out. The “old man” must die. That is the function of the Light of the Torah – it unmasks what is in the darkness, most especially those hidden places of the heart that are ruled by fear and doubt. Everything is laid bare before the mouth of Yeshua’s Sword (Heb. 4:12-13).

This Shabbat Zachor, remember Amalek in order that his memory may be erased. It sounds like a paradox, but it is the Way. Remove the mask.