During this Summer I want to discuss some Holidays that are in the Old Testament.
God prescribes many religious holidays for the people of Israel in the Bible. Today, I want to talk about Purim. Although Purim is not as central as other holidays we have discussed, it is still Biblical. Purim is celebrated annually on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar (typically in March). The day celebrates when Esther saved her people while they were living under the Persian Empire. We find out in her own book of the Bible that Esther is a Jewish girl. She becomes the wife of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I) after he has a falling out with his wife, Vashti. This probably happened around 478 B.C.
I want to give a short outline of Esther. First, in the early section of the book, there is a sense that the lives of the Jews are in danger (1:1–5:14). During these chapters, Queen Vashti is replaced by Esther. Then, there is a report by Mordecai, who is an older cousin and father figure to Esther. He discovers an assassination plot against Ahasuerus and tells Esther about it. Later, Haman asks permission from the king to kill the Jews because one Jew (Mordecai) refuses to bow to him. The king issues a decree. Mordecai talks to Esther to convince her to go before the king, saying to her in Esther 4:14:
"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?"
She goes before the king. The plot is exposed, Haman is revealed as wicked, and Mordecai is made an important official.
A lot happens in this book, and I encourage every Christian to read it. It’s probably the closest the Bible gets to a spy novel or movie. The holiday of Purim itself is established in chapters 9:20–23. The fun thing about the holiday is that the book of Esther is read in public, with actions required from the audience. When Esther’s name is read, you are supposed to go “ah.” When Mordecai’s name is read, you are supposed to cheer. And when Haman’s name is read, the listeners are supposed to boo! Apparently, it’s a festive holiday with drinking and dressing up, and Jews still celebrate it to this day.
What does Purim or the life of Esther have to say to us? First, we too should not bow before paganism, nor should we treat the government as a god. Second, God places us in specific roles at specific times to do our duty. We might not know what important roles God has planned out for us.
