Purim – Celebration of God’s Faithfulness
February 25 – February 26, 2021
Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”
Psalm 126:2 NIV
From Thursday evening at Sunset until Friday evening at sunset, Purim will be celebrated.
This holiday is a reminder to our Jewish friends and fellow Christians that no matter how difficult things seem, especially through the uncertainty of these difficult times, that our God is there to carry us through it all.
As we read through the book of Esther, a beautiful tapestry emerges as we see glimpses of God’s everlasting love and faithfulness. Throughout the events taking place, we see how intractably involved God is—although behind the scenes—reversing the murderous plots of the enemy of His people. His desire is always to rescue, deliver, and save His chosen people.
Esther, a young Jewish orphan girl was adopted by her cousin, Mordecai. He raised and esteemed her as his own daughter. Under Mordecai’s care, she was well-loved and protected and grew up to be an obedient girl with great beauty. Through a series of events, she became crowned queen (wife) of King Xerxes of Persia. It is clear and evident that the favor of God was upon her life—positioning her at the royal courts for a higher purpose. She was hand-picked by the Providence of Almighty God to rescue her people.
Mordecai had forbidden Esther to reveal her Jewish roots in the king’s courts, and she obeyed his instructions just as she did throughout her childhood. Mordecai set at the king’s gates—uncovering a conspiracy to assassinate King Xerxes. He told Queen Esther about the plot, and she in turn reported it to the king. This plot was investigated and found to be true, and it was all recorded in the presence of the king.
As we read on, we learn of Haman the Agagite’s plot to destroy all Jewish people living in every province of the kingdom. Haman held the highest seat of honor over all other royal officials in the courts of the king. As commanded by the king, all other officials and people knelt down and paid honor to him. Haman was told of Mordecai, the Jew, who refused to show him honor. Mordecai’s refusal to kneel before Haman enraged him, filling him with great hatred not only for Mordecai but for all Jewish people. He devised a murderous plot and got permission from the king to issue a decree to destroy all Jews.
When Mordecai learned of Haman’s plot and the king’s decree, he tore his clothes, and went into mourning, crying loudly throughout the city. Queen Esther was informed of what was happening with Mordecai and was greatly distressed. Mordecai instructed her to go to the king and plead for mercy for her people. Queen Esther was very reluctant to go before the king without being summoned by the king first as it was against the law and punishable by death. In the verses below, you will read the exchange of communications between them during a time of extreme danger to them personally and to all the Jewish people of their day.
“…Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this? Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions.
Esther 4:13-17 NIV
We know how the story ends. God’s reversal of the enemy’s plan was brought about by the actions of two people.
Mordecai lived an honorable life. He was used by God to raise Esther, preparing her to accomplish her Godly purpose and destiny. He exposed the wicked plans to murder the king and would not bow down to Haman, the Hagagite, and the enemy of the Jews.
Esther grew into a beautiful young woman with a humble spirit, kind, obedient, and very courageous! She was loved by all in the courts of the king. She gained the king’s favor and love. She stood ALONE before the king, at great peril to herself, on behalf of her people!
Because of their actions, they were mightily used by the Hand of God to put an end to the enemy’s plan to destroy His people. God’s faithfulness and mercy were displayed in such a magnificent and powerful act of deliverance for His people of the day! The enemy was utterly exposed, humiliated, and destroyed!
The story of Esther—the celebration of Purim is a great reminder to Jew and Gentile that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is faithful. He is a God who keeps His covenant with His ancient people. He is a mighty deliverer!
In 2021, this holiday is an opportunity for all of us to remember and celebrate the faithfulness of our God, especially as we live through these uncertain times. To know that He cares about us, that He is intimately involved in our lives, that He has a plan for us, to teach us, and to help us through every plot of the enemy against us. Our God is with us, especially in the moments when we don’t see or feel Him nearby. What can be more meaningful, bring us more joy and shalom than a reminder that our God is always there? He is a faithful, loving Father!
Purim is also a celebration of God’s protection and promise to deliver His covenant people. God’s faithfulness is with His children, no matter where they are. We witness this as our dear Olim go through the challenging process of preparing to make Aliyah.
Let us pray and ask the LORD to give us boldness and courage to take our posts, to STAND with our Jewish brothers and sisters. May each of us be ready to respond in obedience to our God as He calls us to play our role in bringing about the fulfillment of His purposes for His holy work of Aliyah.
Thank you for your ongoing support. We appreciate and value your prayers and your giving as a blessing to our Jewish friends making Aliyah from our nation.
