Festival of Purim

Festival of Purim begins at sundown on Saturday, March 15, 2014 and 

ends at nightfall on Sunday, March 16, 2014.

What is Purim:

Purim is one of the most joyous and fun festival celebrations on the Jewish calendar. It remembers a time when the Jewish people living in Persia were saved once again from extermination. A brief summary of the Book of Esther:

• King Xerxes (Ahasuerus) has his Queen expelled and Esther, the adopted daughter of Mordecai, a Jew, is chosen as queen.

• Mordecai learns of a plot to assassinate King Xerxes who informs Esther who in turn tells the king.
• *Prior to speaking to the King, Esther prepares herself with 3 days of fasting. We see a Messianic reference here: Jesus was away 3 days before His resurrection and triumph over evil. 

• A man called Haman is promoted by King Xerxes who plots to exterminate the Jews, including Mordecai.

• Haman's plot goes wrong and he is hanged on the gallows that he intended for Mordecai.

• Mordecai is promoted in place of Haman but he cannot revoke the legislation to exterminate the Jews.

• Moredecai therefore has a law passed that the Jews may defend themselves and retaliate on the day and the Jews destroy their enemies.

The word "Purim" means "lots" and refers to the lottery (Esther 3:7) that Haman used to choose the date for the proposed massacre of the Jews.  The Lord God intervened and saved His chosen people.  Although Gods name is not mentioned in the Book of Esther, “the finger of God is directing many minute events for the bringing about of His people’s deliverance.” (Matthew Henry)

 “In the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, on its thirteenth day ... on the day that the enemies of the Jews were expected to prevail over them, it was turned about: the Jews prevailed over their adversaries. ( Esther 9:1)And they gained relief on the fourteenth, making it a day of feasting and gladness.(Esther 9:17)[Mordecai instructed them] to observe them as days of feasting and gladness, and sending delicacies to one another, and gifts to the poor. (Esther 9:22)” These days of feasting and are known as Purim, or Festival of Lots. 

How is Purim celebrated today? It begins at the synagogue with a complete reading of The Book of Esther.  During the reading the children are prepared with gragger (noise makers) and every time the name of Haman is mentioned, everyone boos, hisses, stamps their feet and twirls their graggers.  

Gods Deliverance is Cause for Celebration

Following the time at the synagogue, families hold parties and the children and adults wear costumes and masks. The masks signify a hidden aspect to Purim.  As mentioned before, the name of God is never mentioned in the Book of Esther, yet God is very much behind the scene, preserving His people.

Christians are not commanded to celebrate Purim, however when we have an understanding and knowledge of the significance of this festival we build a connection with our Jewish family.  We recognize that Haman was not the first to plot for the destruction of God’s chosen people, nor will he be the last.  The world believes that there is a Jewish problem and many plot evil to get rid of them.  Theologically this is even happening in Christian circles.  When we lack knowledge of the roots of our faith, we lose the significance and debt that we owe to the Jewish people ~ our very Christian faith is Jewish!

I love this quote by Elizabeth George found at the end of my study of Esther:

In the Book of Esther, we clearly see God at work in the lives of individuals and in the affairs of a nation. Even when it looks as if the world is in the hands of evil men, God is still in control, protecting those who are his. Although we may not understand everything happening around us, we must trust in God’s protection and retain our integrity by doing what we know is right. Esther, who risked her life appearing before the king, became a heroine. Mordecai, who was on “death row” (so to speak), rose to become the Prime Minister of the nation. No matter how hopeless our condition, or how much we would like to give up, we need not despair. God is in control of our world.

God always rescues His people!

Shalom!

Kelly