Purim
Jo Stoll
In less than a week, Purim will be here. Purim is a joyous Jewish holiday remembering the Jewish people’s salvation from a death sentence that occurred during the reign of King Ahasuerus. A death sentence issued against all Jews in the kingdom because a Jewish man refused to kneel and bow down to the prime minister.
When Haman saw that Mordecai was not bowing down or paying him honor, Haman was filled with rage. But it was repugnant in his eyes to lay hands on Mordecai alone, for they had told him the identity of Mordecai’s people. So Haman sought to destroy all the Jews, the people of Mordecai, who were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus (Esther 3:5-6).
There is no mention of God’s name is in the book of Esther, and we do not know why. However, this festival has become a beautiful remembrance of the deliverance of the Jewish people from the attempt of wicked Haman the Agagite, a descendant of Amalek, the eternal enemy of God (Ex.17:16). In this passage, Jewish people are identified as “Mordecai’s people.” Their identity was the primary reason for their death sentence. Antisemitism continues to remain a constant threat even in modernity, and just like Esther, we are invited to speak out and raise awareness of it, even in high places.
Though faced with annihilation, the Jewish people fasted and prayed and sought deliverance. We can use this example in our own lives as a reminder to trust in the unseen but ever-present God. He is faithful and true, and He has given us ultimate salvation through Messiah Yeshua.