Esther 9:18-10:3
We are quite familiar with the phrase “Merry Christmas,” but most Christians know little of the Jewish holiday Purim, which is celebrated in late February or early March in honor of Queen Esther. Purim, Judaism’s most dramatic, fun-filled holiday, has been celebrated annually for over 2000 years. Families gather to give gifts and celebrate the deliverance of their people. It is an ancient reversal of the Holocaust. In fact, the Nazis forbad the reading of Esther in the concentration camps during World War II. An anonymous Jew once summed up Purim in nine words or less: “They tried to kill us, we won, let’s eat.”
The book of Esther is read on Purim night and again the next day in both the synagogue and private homes. Whenever Haman’s name is read there is stomping of the feet, booing and hissing! On Purim morning, people visit friends, deliver tasty treats, reach out to fellow Jews and give gifts to the poor. The day’s grand finale includes dressing up in costumes and partaking of a festive meal. While most of Judaism’s religious feasts were described in the books of Moses, it’s interesting to note that Purim began over 1000 years after Moses died. The celebration of Purim is different from the other Jewish feasts. Rather than being given by God’s commandment, Purim began as a spontaneous response of God’s people to His omnipotent faithfulness.
1. The Feast of Purim Explained (vv. 18-32)
Following the victory over their enemies, the Persian Jews celebrated. The author explains that Jews in Susa celebrated on the 15th day because Esther had requested an extra day to continue their destruction while those outside the capital celebrated on the 14th day.
The recording of these events was crucial. Future generations needed to know the history of Purim. So Mordecai recorded these events and sent letters to all the Jews throughout the provinces of Persia. He wanted them to know the story behind the celebration which would be observed annually on the 14th day of Adar in most towns and villages and on the 15th day in the capital city.
The Jews agreed to continue the celebration, doing all that Mordecai had written. And then follows a long review of the events, explaining the origins of Purim. The author again states, “These days should be remembered and observed in every province and in every city. And these days of Purim should never cease to be celebrated by the Jews, nor should the memory of them die out among their descendants” (v. 28).
Note vv. 29-32: “So Queen Esther, daughter of Abihail, along with Mordecai the Jew, wrote with full authority to confirm this second letter concerning Purim. And Mordecai sent letters to all the Jews in the 127 provinces of the kingdom of Xerxes—words of good will and assurance – to establish these days of Purim at their designated times … Esther’s decree confirmed these regulations about Purim, and it was written down in the records.”
It is truly remarkable that a Jewish woman would write such a full authoritative letter to confirm Mordecai’s letter! No other woman among God’s people has ever written with such authority to confirm or establish a religious practice that still stands today. Most other biblical women are known for their faithfulness and their roles as wives and mothers (Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Ruth, etc.). Esther is remembered not for being a wife and mother, but for being a queen! Highly unusual! This was official. However, it is Mordecai who has the last word in chapter 10.
2. Mordecai’s Fame Described (10:1-3)
Life returned to normal after the crisis was over, and Mordecai remained as the king’s personal assistant. As the majority of the Jewish people continued to live under Persian rule, Mordecai continued to rise in power. And God used him mightily, much like God had used Daniel in the Babylonian and Medo-Persian Empires (Daniel 3:48) and Joseph in Egypt (Genesis 50:20). “Because he [Mordecai] worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews” (10:3b).
God has ordained secular government. Mordecai (Daniel and Joseph as well) served successfully in a pagan government. While we are unaware of Mordecai’s faith (the text tells us very little except for his possible reference to God saving the Jewish people from “another place” 4:14), these were men who were able to serve successfully, balancing the secular with the sacred (Romans 13:1-7).
Providence is cause for our praise to the all-powerful God. For example, a man was washed ashore on an uninhabited island. He’d painstakingly constructed a crude hut with a few things he salvaged off the wreck and whatever he could find around him. That little hut was his only protection from the elements. Upon returning one evening from a lengthy search for food, he was terrified to see his hut engulfed in flames.
The loss devastated him. He spent the night despondent, sleeping on the sand. When he awoke the next morning, to his surprise he saw a ship anchored off the island. A crew member stepped ashore and said, “We saw your smoke signal and came to your rescue.” Things are not always the way they seem. God, in His mercy, providentially used the fire to alert the passing ship!
This is the story of Esther. God used a number of seemingly unrelated events to put Esther in a unique position so she could speak up for her people when they were threatened with extermination. She came into her own as she claimed boldly who she was when she asked for the lives of her people.
Had we lived in that day, would we have predicted this young, Jewish orphan would grow up to be queen of Persia? Who knew that cousin Mordecai would become second in command? God did, and He humbly arranged it all behind the scenes. And even though Esther’s name is mentioned 55 times and Mordecai’s name is stated 52 times, it is God who is the main character of the book. Even though His name is never mentioned, He is present through the entire story and this is cause for praise.
The story of Esther shows how God fulfilled His covenant promise in the lives of His people … “even when they had chosen not to return to their homeland when they had the opportunity. This care, evidenced particularly in the precise timing of events for the Jews’ benefit, is, in fact, the outstanding feature of this account.”
While few today experience Bible miracles (parting the Red Sea, conceiving a child within a virgin etc.), many taste His providence, which is equally supernatural. Someone has said, “A coincidence is a miracle in which God prefers to remain anonymous.” We need to be aware of what God is doing in our lives.
As we continue to live faithfully in Christ, we can be sure that whatever happens to us, the decisions we make, the mistakes we regret and yes, the sins we commit, are all links in God’s plan. Though we are responsible for our sin, He is overruling, weaving our actions into the tapestry of our life for His glory.
Take Home Truth: God uses secular government to providentially bring about His will.
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