Folks, let us open our Bibles and turn to the Book of Esther. Today is March 3rd, and right now the Jewish people are celebrating Purim. This joyful feast began at sunset yesterday and continues through today. Purim comes straight from the pages of Scripture, it's the commemoration of God's deliverance of His people from destruction in the days of ancient Persia.
The Book of Esther tells a remarkable story. Though the name of God is never mentioned once in the entire book, not even once, yet you see His hand working behind every scene.
It's a beautiful picture of God's overruling providence in the Persian Empire, under King Ahasuerus, who ruled over 127 provinces. A wicked man named Haman rose to power. Haman hated the Jews. When Mordecai, a faithful Jew, refused to bow to him, Haman was furious. He cast lots, pur in the Persian language, to set a date for the total extermination of the Jewish people.
But God had already been at work long before the plot was hatched. He positioned a beautiful young Jewish woman named Esther in the palace as queen. Her cousin Mordecai, who had raised her, discovered a conspiracy against the king and reported it.
Esther, though she had kept her Jewish identity hidden, was called upon by Mordecai with those famous words: "Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14, NKJV).
Esther fasted and prayed, then approached the king at great personal risk. The plot was exposed. Haman was hanged on the very gallows he had built for Mordecai. The Jews were given the right to defend themselves, and they prevailed.
What the enemy meant for evil, God turned to good. The day of deliverance became a day of feasting and joy.
The Jews established Purim as a lasting memorial (Esther 9). To this day, they read the Megillah, the scroll of Esther, twice during the holiday, once at night and once in the day.
They make noise with groggers to blot out Haman's name whenever it's read. Children and adults dress in costumes, echoing how identities were hidden in the story.
They eat hamantashen, those triangular pastries called "Haman's ears", and send gifts of food to friends while giving generously to people experiencing poverty. It is a time of great rejoicing, turning sorrow into gladness.
Now, why should we as Christians pay attention to this book this week? We live in days when antisemitism is rising again, hatred against the Jewish people showing its ugly face once more.
Tensions and conflicts involve Israel and Iran, the very land of ancient Persia, this is where the Book of Esther speaks directly to such threats. It shows that no scheme against God's chosen people can ultimately succeed.
God preserves a remnant. His promises to Abraham stand firm: "I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you" (Genesis 12:3).
In churches that take the Scriptures literally, verse by verse, like us at bornagainchristians.org, we see Esther as true history.
God has an eternal purpose for Israel. He has not cast them off. Romans 11 tells us the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable. This book encourages us to stand with His people, to pray for their deliverance, and to trust that even when God seems silent, His hand is moving.
Some fellowships follow covenant theology and see the church as the fulfillment of Israel's promises spiritually. They value Esther as a true account of God's providence and courage in faith, condemning antisemitism and praying for protection for all who suffer. Yet the lessons remain, God is sovereign, working unseen to bring about His will.
I encourage you this week to read through Esther, it is only ten chapters, short but powerful but use your Bible or these Bible apps that even has audio.
Watch how God orchestrates events of the king's sleepless night, the reading of Mordecai's good deed at just the right moment, and Esther's bravery.
Meditate on providence, God's hidden hand guiding history for His glory and the good of His people.
Purim reminds us of deliverance, for the Jews in Persia then, and points forward to the ultimate deliverance through our Lord Jesus Christ, who saves us from sin and death.
In these uncertain days, trust that God is still on the throne. He has not forsaken His people, and He will not forsake you.
Who knows? Perhaps you've come into the kingdom for such a time as this, to pray, to stand for truth, to proclaim God's faithfulness.
May the Lord bless you as you open His Word.
He is faithful
Peter
Add comment