Purim, the story of Esther

You must watch this movie. I love it. I watched it this week again. I have watched it almost every year since it came out.

This weekend is Purim. Purim is the celebration of the victory that HaShem gave to His people Israel over their enemies during the time when Persia ruled the Near East. The story of Esther (Hadassah) is well known and loved. She was an orphan who was being raised by her cousin, Mordecai.

The pagan King who ruled over the land of Persia was looking for a new Queen, since he had banned the current Queen, Vashti, from his presence because she had refused to dance at one of his drinking parties.

Hadassah was chosen to be his new Queen. You can read the book of Esther in the Old Testament.

On the 13th day of the month of Adar," the decree said "you are to destroy, kill and slaughter all Jews, young and old, women and children, all in one day. Their money and property will then belong to you."

When Mordechai heard of the decree, he ripped his clothing and put ashes on his head as a sign of mourning. He told Esther she must go to the king to try and save the Jews. Esther was afraid, for it was forbidden to come before the king without being invited. But Mordechai said, "Who knows if you have not been put in the palace for this very purpose? If you are silent now, help will come to the Jews from some other place -- and you will perish!"

Esther asked that the Jews in Shushan fast and pray for her for three days. Mordechai gathered all the Jewish and all prayed. God heard their prayers and delivers them from Haman.

God will keep His promise and also teaches us that He can use anyone to do His special work, as long as that person is willing to submit to Him and to live according to His ways.

Deuteronomy 25:17–19. Remember what Amalek did to you along the way when you came out from Egypt, how he met you along the way and attacked among you all the stragglers at your rear when you were faint and weary; and he did not fear God. Therefore it shall come about when Adonai your God has given you rest from all your surrounding enemies, in the land which Adonai your God gives you as an inheritance to possess, you shall blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven; you must not forget. (Deut 25:17–19). The command to "blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven" is playfully fulfilled each Purim in the reading of the megillah—when the scroll that contains the story of Hadassah (Esther) is read to the community. In the Book of Esther, the first time Haman is mentioned he is described as "Haman, the son of Hamedata’, the Agagite" (3:1). Since the King of the Amalekites was Agag (1Sam 15:8), it would appear that Haman had ancestral linkage to the Amalekites. I you ask how is it possible that any Amalekites survived the war waged against them by Saul, Israel’s first king? In 1Samuel 15 we read: Saul defeated the Amalekites, from Havilah as you go to Shur, which is east of Egypt. He captured Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. (1Sam 15:7–8).

If God asked you to remove yourselves from ungodly friends or those that walk against God, do it. If He gave you a word to fulfill and you haven't, I encourage you to do it. He will have to use someone else to do it, but His word will never change.

I encourage you to listen to this teaching.
          The teaching of Purim


Happy Purim to all!!

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