Purim

2023-05-16

And that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed. (Esther 9:28)

The enemy of the Jews, Haman, cast lots to see which day he would destroy Mordecai and his people (Esther 3:7). He did this because Mordecai would not revere him as he expected. Surely this viceroy to the king would be more dignified and less vengeful! However, whatever his reason, this was occasion for a spiritual enemy to destroy God’s people.

However, the enemies of God and His people should have learned this proverb: “The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD” (Proverbs 16:33). God’s sovereign protection over His people was exemplified in this story of Esther the queen. What the wicked meant for evil, God meant for good (cf. Genesis 50:20).

The decrees from Mordecai and Esther the queen could not reverse the damaging edict from the recently executed Haman, but they empowered the people to defend themselves from their enemies. For two days, God delivered His people’s enemies into their hands.

Thenceforth, letters were sent from Mordecai and the queen to celebrate those two days of deliverance annually, calling the holidays “Purim” (lots). They celebrated these days by specific practices. “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” (Esther 9:22).

Our Lord delivered us in a similar way. God’s enemies destroyed the LORD’s Anointed on the cross, but this sorrow was turned into our joy when He rose from the dead. Perhaps our Lord thought about the verse Esther 9:22 when He told us this: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy” (John 16:20).

The story of Purim is another reminder that our Lord can bring good out of evil. We likewise can live a life of giving because of our joy.