Remembering

Haman was filled with hate. With an uncompromising attitude, he vowed to destroy all the Jews in Persia. The Greek translation of Esther described his feeling that the Jews had “caused so much trouble for so long,” and that they all should “die a violent death in a single day.” Then, he believed, Persia would “be secure and stable” (Esther 13:1-15 GNB). But Esther used her position as the Persian Queen to save her people.

Throughout the centuries, others have had this same kind of hatred. Jews have been blamed for national problems, ruthlessly persecuted and killed.

This anti-Jewish spirit intensified for many in Germany following their defeat in World War I. After this war, Adolf Hitler became a vocal advocate for the conclusion that the Jews were responsible for defeat. He even called Jews “the personification of the devil” and “the symbol of all evil.”

Once Hitler and his Nazi party came to power in Germany in 1933, he began to implement his plan to eliminate all Jews. Jewish-run businesses were boycotted, and German Jews lost their citizenship. Synagogues were burned, and Jews were attacked and killed.

The Nazis had planned a “final solution” in which all Jews were to be murdered. They created concentration camps in which more than six million Jews were killed (along with several million non-Jews).

In the aftermath of World War II, the world was shocked as the horrors of this holocaust were revealed. Many questions were asked. How could such things have happened? Why couldn’t something have been done to stop this? These events were a powerful impetus for the creation of the modern state of Israel, which took place on this day in 1948.

Even today, hatred of the Jews still is strong among many people around the world. However, though many still seek their destruction, God still has a plan and a love for His people. Today, make a commitment to pray for God’s protection and blessing for His people, the Jews.