Purim – For Such a Time as This!

Purim is the celebration of life for the Jewish people. The story is as old as the Bible, as it is recorded in the book of Esther. The Persian Empire was at its height at the writing of the book of Esther, a kingdom of over 127 provinces from India to Ethiopia (Esther 1:1-2) with King Ahasuerus reigning over his vast empire.

Through a dramatic turn of events, Esther, a young Jewish woman, was chosen to be queen of the land when King Ahasuerus chose her from the most beautiful virgins of all the provinces which he ruled. Although Esther was from Jewish origin, she did not make her identity known in obedience to her cousin Mordecai.

The Plot of Haman

The events of the book of Esther read like a movie script. King Ahasuerus appointed a man named Haman to be an authority over all the princes of his kingdom (Esther 3:1). Haman was a trusted man of the king and powerful in the kingdom. Haman was a man who loved power and wanted everyone to bow down to him. There was a certain Jew named Mordecai, Esther’s cousin, who would not bow to him and this greatly frustrated Haman. In learning that Mordecai was a Jew, Haman decided not to do anything to Mordecai as he had a more elaborate plan.

Haman hated the Jewish people and wanted to destroy the whole Jewish race (Esther 3:1-6). Haman approached the king and convinced the king that it was in his best interest to destroy this certain people that did not follow the king’s law. King Ahasuerus trusted Haman, gave him his signet ring, and permitted him to make a decree to destroy this people as he wished. An edict was sent out to destroy the Jewish people in all of the provinces of the Persian Empire on the 13th day of the month of Adar (Esther 3:7-15).

The Fast of Esther

Mordecai heard of this decree of Haman and mourned by tearing his clothes, sitting in sackcloth and ashes, fasting and weeping along with all of the Jews of the kingdom (Esther 4:1-3). When Queen Esther heard that Mordecai was mourning, she inquired as to what was happening through an exchange of messengers and Mordecai alerted Esther to Haman’s plot. Mordecai entreated Esther to use her position to go to the king and ask him to spare the lives of the Jewish people. Esther was afraid but Mordecai spoke boldly with her and challenged her that she also will not escape this threat, even as the queen. Then Mordecai spoke these famous words, “And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:15).

Through a providential turn of events, which began with a three-day fast of all the Jews of Susa which was directed by Queen Esther (Esther 4:15-17), the king and Haman were invited to a feast that Esther hosted. The king promised Esther to ask whatever she desired, even up to half of the kingdom. Esther asked the king and Haman to return the next day for another feast (Esther 5).

The Providence of God

That same night, after the first feast of Queen Esther, the king couldn’t sleep and he ordered his servants to bring the records to be read in his hearing. While the records were read, it was discovered that Mordecai had foiled a plot to kill the king but Mordecai had never been rewarded. While the king was considering how to properly reward Mordecai, Haman came into the court of the king. The king welcomed Haman and asked him “What is to be done for the man whom the king desires to honor?” (Esther 6:6)  Haman thought that the king was referring to himself and told the king in detail how he would like to be honored. The king then commanded Haman to honor Mordecai the Jew and parade him in the city as he had detailed. Haman did as the king commanded.

On the second day, the king and Haman came to Esther and the king again asked Esther what her request would be, up to half of the kingdom. At this point Esther pleaded to the king for her life and the life of her people as an enemy had sought to destroy them. The king asked regarding the identity of this enemy and Esther replied by stating that the “enemy is this wicked Haman“ (Esther 7:5-6).

The king was outraged and ordered Haman to be hung on the very gallows which Haman himself had built to hang Mordecai. Haman was killed and Mordecai lived to reverse the decree of death for the Jews, giving them power in place of weakness throughout the kingdom. So it was decreed on the 13th of Adar, according to the king’s edict, giving the Jews the right to defend and destroy any people or army that would come against them (Esther 8). And it happened just like this. The Jews defended themselves against their enemies and they triumphed.

Purim Today

Today Purim is celebrated as Jews around the world remember the great salvation that God provided over the enemy of the Jews. A fast is observed on the day before Purim, the 13th of Adar, and then a grand celebration on the day of Purim, the 14th of Adar. This year the “Fast of Esther” is observed on Thursday, February 25, 2021, and Purim is celebrated on Friday, February 26, 2021, with the reading of the book of Esther and celebrations beginning on Thursday evening.

Shushan Purim (Purim of Susa) is celebrated in the Old City of Jerusalem on the day following Purim. This year Shushan Purim will be celebrated on Sunday, February 28, 2021, which is one day later than usual due to the Sabbath day. Shushan Purim follows the account of the Jews in Susa defending themselves on two days, the 13th and 14th of the month Adar, and then celebrating on the 15th of Adar (Esther 9:16-18).

Purim celebrations begin with a full reading of the book of Esther at the synagogue. People dress up in costumes to remember how Esther was queen of the kingdom but her identity was hidden from everyone, including the king, until she revealed it to him. The Hebrew name Esther “אסתר” – “Ester” means “hidden.”

A Present Day “Haman” and Our Responsibility

Haman was the most adamant enemy of the Jewish people in his time. It is written of Haman that he was from a certain lineage: “After these events King Ahasuerus promoted Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him and established his authority over all the princes who were with him.” (Esther 3:1) Haman was counted as an “Agagite,” which connects him to the famous King of Amalek, Agag (1 Samuel 15:8). The Amalekites were a people that sought to destroy the nation of Israel when they first came out of Egypt and as a result, God determined that the Amalekites should be utterly destroyed (Exodus 17:14). It is no wonder that Haman, a descendant of the Amalekites, sought so vehemently to destroy the Jewish people.

Haman was also part of the Persian kingdom when he sought to annihilate the Jewish people. Iran is present day Persia. Iran openly declares that it is set on destroying the state of Israel. The spirit of Haman and the hate of the nation of Israel still exists and must be dealt with.

Beyond the evil plans of the Iranian regime, global Islamic Jihad is a more imminent threat today not only to the Jewish people and to the nation of Israel but to civilization as a whole. Islamic Jihadists are becoming more and more common place in our world. Antisemitism and the desire to destroy innocent life, as Haman attempted 2500 years ago, is still alive in our day and age. The ultimate enemy is Satan himself who can only be destroyed by the power of God and by the blood of the Lamb.

Following the example of Queen Esther, we as believers in Almighty God and in His Messiah Yeshua need to fast, pray, and entreat our Father in heaven to destroy the enemy who is blinding the eyes of men and women in this world. We must pray for all to repent and come to salvation in the Name of Yeshua. We also need to pray and ask God to show mercy to the Jewish people and the state of Israel. May Almighty God turn the evil plans of Iran and all of those who hate Israel against themselves just as He did to Haman, the enemy of the Jews, 2,500 years ago in Persia. Our hope must be in God Himself and not in the governments of this world.

Let us make the most of these days and be men and woman of prayer and fasting, following the pattern of Esther and Mordecai along with the Jews of Susa who made the most of an impossible situation. Let us be vigilant and let us rejoice in the overcoming power of God through Yeshua the Messiah.

Purim Sameach!  (Happy Purim)

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