Purim

The Book of Esther is a book fraught with intrigue, plots, and the providence of God. It contents retell a miraculous deliverance of the Jewish people from it's "haters," who had plotted a violent, destructive genocide headed by Haman.

Haman was a Persian noble who became Prime Minister under King Ahasuerus. He was the enemy of Mordecai, the cousin or Uncle of Esther. Mordecai, being a Jew, could not bow before the official, and give to him the adoration customary under Persian rule. Haman became so angry, he decided that he didn't want to just take out Mordecai. Haman went after the entire Jewish population living under the Persian empire.

This became the downfall of Haman. Queen Esther, revealed the plot, and Haman was hanged on the very gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai.

While the hanging of Haman, seems to have very little to do with his plot to destroy the Jewish nation, as he was accused of trying to assault the queen in the palace. The killing of his ten sons, and the destruction of the almost 80,000 (500 in Shushan and 75,000 in the rest of the provinces Ester 9:12,16) haters did.

The Festival of Purim was decreed by Queen Esther, Prime Minister Mordecai, and King Ahasuerus gave his approval. It is called Purim as the Bible says because of the "Pur" or the lot that Haman cast in order to decide which day the genocide should land on. (Possibly a part of idolatrous ritual as it is called divination)

The feast would cover two days the 14th and 15th in the month of Adar (approximately our March). It was given in two days because it took two days to defeat their enemies. This was exactly 11 months after Haman cast the lot.

Purim according to the letter and vision that Mordecai had, was to be days of feasting and joy, and sending portions one to another, and giving gifts to the poor. In verse 18 of Esther 9 it tells us that they celebrated on the 13th and 14th in the city and those in the rural areas celebrated on the 14th and 15th.

Today the Jews begin their celebration with a fast on the thirteenth day of the month. This commemorates Haman's decree. They go to the synagogue and hear the Book of Esther publicly read. anytime the name Haman is mentioned, they cry out, "May he be accursed!" or "May his name perish!" Children are given a special Purim rattle and they shake it every time they hear Haman's name read. Sometimes instead of crying out the people will clap their hands or stomp their feet when his name is read.

ON the fourteenth day of the month, the Jews go to synagogue again, and again the story of Esther is read, and they have special prayer. Sometimes the story about Moses and the Amalekites (ex. 17:8-16) is also read.

They then go home to a festive holiday meal with gifts and special food. The celebration continues into the next day. Poor people and the needy are also especially remembered with gifts on these days.

It is amazing how quickly the importance of someone's accomplishments can be lost to future generations. Sometimes it's not that the younger generation doesn't care, it is often they don't know. Mordecai and Esther wanted to make sure this didn't happen to this festival.

This is the only Festival in the Bible that was not ordained by God but by the decree of a Queen.

Purim was to an obligatory Festival.

I love how the Bible words it in verse 29

Esther 9:29 (KJV)

29 Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority, to confirm this second letter of Purim.

They pull the position card - Esther the QUEEN!!! and She writes WITH ALL AUTHORITY

2500 years later, people are still celebrating this great victory over an evil foe. People still remember the demonic leader who wanted to kill of an entire population, but God prevailed with just the right people, in just the right places, in just the right time. Not coincidence but by providence.