[On March 22, Jewry celebrate Purim, a feast not originally included in the seven “My Feasts” commanded by the God of Israel as recorded in Leviticus 23. It commemorates an event that occurred much later than the 40-years wandering of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai as narrated in the Five Books of Moses known as the Torah. Sinaite BAN explains the significance of the feast in this post, first published in 2013. For a literary perspective on the book that has been relegated in the 3rd section called “Ketuviim” of the Hebrew Scriptures or TNK (Tanach, Tanakh), here’s an extra read:
- Shushan, is the Hebrew form of the name Susa, which is in the area known as Eilam, in what is now Iran.
- Back then, it was called Bavel (Babylonia).
- It was part of the empire of Persia and Media.
It happened between Ezra 6 and 7, which was in the third year of Ahasueraus’ reign, that would be the year 483 B.C, placing it during the exile of the Jews into Babylonia, after the destruction of the First Temple.
- It explains the origin of one of the Jews most festive holidays, the Feast of Purim.
- The word Purim means lots and refers to the casting of lots by Haman to determine the day of the slaughter of the Jews.
- Purim is held the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the last month of the Jewish calendar our February -March).
- It is usually preceded by a fast on the thirteenth day in memory of Esther’s fast. (4:16)
- That evening the book of Esther is read publicly in the synagogue.
- Each time the name of Haman is read, the Jews stamp on the floor, hiss, and cry, “Let his name be blotted out.”
- The next day, they again meet at the synagogue for prayers and the reading of the Torah.
- The rest of the day and the next day are given over to great rejoicing, feasting, and giving gifts.
- This is one feast where the Jews are allowed to drink and get drunk.
This is not a biblical feast, but the Jews have been observing it faithfully for centuries.
- It is of utmost significance to see this for here lies the living significance and permanent value of the book.
- The great thing here is the fact of providential preservation; “providential” as distinct from what we call the “miraculous”.
- We are meant to see providential overruling as distinct from supernatural intervening.
- In God’s providential care of the universe, He governs in precise detail all that He has created.
- He is the God who sees, but also the God who exercises sovereign control over the means and the end.
- By His sustaining and redeeming activity, every thought , intention, and action throughout history have been orchestrated for the purpose of bringing glory to Him.
- Because though God may seem distant
- and though He is invisible to see,
- He is always invincible.
This is the main lesson in the book of Esther.
- It calls us to a life of walking by faith not by sight.
- God can use the lowliest and most insignificant person and by providence control the circumstances around them to allow them to be a mighty instrument of His salvation.
- There are no coincidences in God’s economy.
- We see God in the forefront of every single detail of our life from the time, place and family we were born into and even till the time and place of our death.
- The micro as well as the macro details of our life are subject to His purpose. therefore, there is a true meaning and purpose to every aspect of our life.
- All is in submission to God’s will.
- but carefully observe His orchestration of events seemingly behind the scenes,
- but always in complete control.
- the invisible God but invincible God of the book of Esther
- is the same God in our lives,
- working in the seemingly mundane, humdrum circumstances of our lives,
- whether they be good or bad.
- how without violating human free will and without interrupting the ordinary ongoing of human affairs,
- a hidden Power unsuspectedly but infallibly control all things.