Good morning,
We have come to the conclusion of our study of the Book of Esther.
The festival of Purim celebrates God’s deliverance from a plot to destroy all the Jews. This year the celebration begins on the evening of 6 March and ends on the evening of 7 March.
This week we will look at chapters 7-10. The plot of Haman is revealed to the King. Haman is judged. Mordecai is promoted. A new letter is sent. The feast of Purim is inaugurated.
Today we look at chapter 9-10, Jews prevail and Purim initiated.
Chapter 9 Jews destroy their enemies and Purim instituted
“Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction, and did what they would unto those that hated them.” (9:5)
“And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far,21 To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly,22 As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.” (9:20-22)
“Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. Therefore for all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and which had come unto them,” (9:26)
The Jews defeated their enemies. To commemorate this event the festival of Purim was initiated. It has been celebrated from that time till today.
“O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. 3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; 4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” (Psalm 8:1-4)
God avenges the enemies of the Jews.
Chapter 10 Mordecai’s greatness
“For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.” (10:3)
Mordecai is second to the king. More importantly, he is accepted by the Jews as a great benevolent leader.
So the story has a happy ending.
God orchestrated each event. He was in every circumstance that Mordecai, Esther, and Haman encountered.
“The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” (Proverbs 15:3)
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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