Esther 9:20-32
"Mordecai... [had] them celebrate...the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration."
(ESTHER 9:20-22)
From the Old Testament story of Esther, we learn about the Jewish celebration of the Festival of Purim. It was to be a celebration of the nation's survival after God-fearing Esther and her uncle Mordecai were used strategically by God to save His chosen people whom the enemy tried to destroy. The festival would commemorate the defeat of Haman's evil plan and celebrate God's faithfulness. It was an occasion of genuine joy born out of sorrow. The people would rest, share food with each other, and offer gifts to the poor.
It is so like our God to send in Esther as a rescuer of His people, someone who seemed unlikely and who came just when the people needed it most. With the lives of all the Jews about to be stamped out, it is no wonder Mordecai described their joy as coming out of mourning.
And isn't that the same basis for our true joy today? Even while we were yet sinners - people deserving of death - God sent His Rescuer for us. Jesus brings joy out of the sorrows of our lives. Let's celebrate!
INSIGHT
WE HAVE MUCH TO CELEBRATE BECAUSE OUR KING BORE OUR SORROWS AND SINS ON THE CROSS, BRINGING ULTIMATE JOY FROM THE ULTIMATE INJUSTICE.
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
1 Chronicles 24-25
Psalm 5
Matthew 6-7
Esther 9:20-32
New International Version (NIV)
Purim Established
20 Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews throughout the provinces of King Xerxes, near and far, 21 to have them celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar 22 as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration. He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor.
23 So the Jews agreed to continue the celebration they had begun, doing what Mordecai had written to them. 24 For Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them and had cast the pur (that is, the lot ) for their ruin and destruction. 25 But when the plot came to the king’s attention,[a] he issued written orders that the evil scheme Haman had devised against the Jews should come back onto his own head, and that he and his sons should be impaled on poles. 26 (Therefore these days were called Purim, from the word pur. ) Because of everything written in this letter and because of what they had seen and what had happened to them, 27 the Jews took it on themselves to establish the custom that they and their descendants and all who join them should without fail observe these two days every year, in the way prescribed and at the time appointed. 28 These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. And these days of Purim should never fail to be celebrated by the Jews—nor should the memory of these days die out among their descendants.
29 So Queen Esther, daughter of Abihail, along with Mordecai the Jew, wrote with full authority to confirm this second letter concerning Purim. 30 And Mordecai sent letters to all the Jews in the 127 provinces of Xerxes’ kingdom—words of goodwill and assurance— 31 to establish these days of Purim at their designated times, as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had decreed for them, and as they had established for themselves and their descendants in regard to their times of fasting and lamentation. 32 Esther’s decree confirmed these regulations about Purim, and it was written down in the records.
Footnotes:
a. Esther 9:25 Or when Esther came before the king
CHRISTIANS YOU SHOULD KNOW - AMY HOWARTH
How would you finish the phrase "I'll be happy when..."? Amy Howarth wanted to be a teacher living near the beach, but when she got her wish she still felt empty. That's when God changed her life.
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