Reading: Esther 8-10
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, The Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to their writing, and according to their appointed time every year; 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 (Esth. 9:26-28).
Haman had felt himself to be invincible. His decree to execute all Jews had been approved by the Persian king, whose word was irrevocable law (1:19). Since Haman believed that no power in the world existed that was greater than the king, he knew that he could not fail. Haman’s astrologers had cast pur (meaning they had cast lots) to determine the most favor- able time for the execution of all the Jews. Haman’s ‘lucky day’ had fallen on the thirteenth day of the last month. It is doubtful how ‘lucky’ it truly was for him, though, considering he didn’t even live to see it (7:10). Haman would have been much better served if he had taken to heart the wisdom of God: The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord (Prov. 16:33).
Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. God turned the determined day of execution from one of death to one of deliverance. In turn, the Jews turned it into an annual celebration of the wondrous miracle afforded them by God, that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed. The Feast of Purim is testimony to the fact that what often appears to us as chance, good luck, or worldly happenstance is, in actuality, a manifestation of the will of God, the Almighty Ruler of the world. The Lord hath prepared His throne in the heavens; and His kingdom ruleth over all (Ps. 103:19).
We, too, should remember and celebrate the times God has moved dramatically in our lives or on our behalf. By reflecting on the times that the Lord blessed us with hope, help, or deliverance, we will remind ourselves that we serve a loving God that cares for His children deeply. If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him (Matt. 7:11). It is right and good that we celebrate the miracles that the Lord has caused to affect our lives here on earth. Still, when doing so, we must never allow ourselves to lose sight of how all of this pales in comparison to His greatest gift of all, Christ Jesus, in whose blood all who are washed are redeemed.
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved (John 3:16-17).
Thought for Today: ‘Chance’ and ‘luck’ are often merely prideful and self-centered descriptors of God’s will.
Christ Portrayed: By Mordecai, who was exalted from servanthood to a position of honor and glory next unto (the) king (Esth. 8:2,15; 10:3). His life illustrated Christian conduct. Christ came to earth as a servant and was exalted to the right hand of God (Phil. 2:5-11; Mark 16:19).
Word Studies:8:3 put away the mischief = avert the evil; device = scheme; 8:10 posts = couriers; 9:4 waxed greater and greater = became increasingly popular and powerful.
Pray For Our Nation:Today is Flag Day • Government Officials: Rep. Steny Hoyer (MD) • Country: Rwanda (12,337,138) Central Africa • Major Language: Kinyarwanda • Religious Freedom • 56.5% Roman Catholic; 26% Protestant; 11.1% Adventist; 4.6% Muslim; 0.1% Indigenous Beliefs; 1.7% None • Prayer Suggestion: Glorify God, who is able to use national leaders to accomplish His purposes (Ezra 7:27-28)
Optional Readings: Galatians 3