ON THE VANGUARD

PURIM
“But when the plot came to the king’s attention, he issued written orders that the evil schemer Haman had devised against the Jews should come back onto his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows. (Therefore these days were called Purim, for the word pur.)”
Esther 9:25-26a

As we have been looking at for the past few days, today is Purim. Purim marks the deliverance of the Jews as a result of the events taken by Queen Esther when she exposed the evil plan of Haman against the Jewish people. This annual celebration is set as a reminder of how God worked behind the scenes to bring about the salvation for His chosen people. With Mordecai uncovering the wickedness of Haman to Esther, followed by his pep talk to the queen that even she may not be spared from an ill fate, God’s silent plan of why Esther was chosen began to make sense. However, in order for us to understand the celebration of life, let us step back a few days prior to this event.
With the pur cast, the days ahead looked dark. Queen Esther, Mordechai, and Jews throughout the land had taken to prayer and fasting, believing that God would raise His hand in opposition to the fate that lay ahead. And then, the day of risk came. With the knowledge setting in that she too may not be exempt from death, Esther approached the king, an action that in itself could have brought about her death. Yet still she came. And what is more, she found the mercy of the king as he held out his gold scepter to her (Est 5:2). At the king’s request, she spoke that her desire was to have the king and Haman join her for a feast. When night fell, she was joined by these men and asked again what she desired. Her request once more, was that they again join her the next evening for another meal. Esther’s request was once again accepted.
It was on the second night that the true reason for Esther’s request was made known as she pleaded to the king, in the presence of Haman, that her people be spared. Queen Esther spoke, “If I have found favor with you, O king, and if it pleases your majesty, grant me my life – this is my petition. And spare my people – this is my request. For I and my people have been sold for destruction and slaughter and annihilation (Est 7:3-4).” Outraged, the king demanded to know who had made a threat on Esther’s life. Then, pointing in the direction where Haman sat, Esther replied, “The adversary and enemy is this vile Haman.” Furious, the king left while Haman, knowing his fate, begged now for his life and fell at the seat where Esther sat. This fall happened just as the king was returning, and sealed the fate of Haman the Agagite. The curse of death that Haman had planned for the Jews now became the same curse that would end his life.
So then, with the death of Haman came the adaptation of the ruling the king had already approved. Where once the decree had gone out stating that Jews would die, now the degree was amended to state that the Jews could fight back against any army that opposed them (Est 9:1-5). And this ordinance, also sealed with the king’s signet ring, is the basis of what we celebrate during Purim. The words of Mordechai, the risk of Esther, and the secret hand of God brought about life for the Jews, and in this we celebrate. Again, when it looks as though all hope is gone, it serves us to know that God is still at work. God’s faithfulness and protection will always be there even when we cannot see His physical hand.