This chapter describes the Jews defeating those who sought to destroy them, and the creation of the Feast of Purim, to celebrate God’s deliverance.
“And Mordecai… sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus… obliging them to keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar and also the fifteenth day… year by year, as the days on which the Jews got relief from their enemies… turned for them from sorrow into gladness… that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, days for sending gifts of food to one another and gifts to the poor.” (v20-22 abr)
Once all of Haman’s followers were defeated, and the ten sons of Haman were hanged (like Haman was), Mordecai declares a new Jewish holiday. Similar to the edict which spelled the Jews’ demise, and the one that allowed them to fight back, a third nation-wide declaration is sent out mandating a feast and celebration to be kept every year.
The Jewish people have it right when it comes to celebrations. God commanded that several feasts and festivals be kept throughout the year, for every generation. Almost all of these feasts commemorate an act of God, or an aspect of who God is. I’m not sure what your faith tradition is, though growing up in a North American Christian setting we didn’t have very many faith-based celebrations throughout the year – basically Christmas and Easter – and our celebrations of those holidays did not align with Jewish traditions.
I’m not suggesting that we all switch from our traditional celebrations to Jewish celebrations (though you can if you wish). I am encouraging us to celebrate God and His mighty works more often than we currently do. Jewish traditions have many annual celebrations (at least 12) and several of those are multi-day events. Let’s set aside more than just a couple of days per year to celebrate God and who He is.
Father God, our Benevolent King, thank you for encouraging us to celebrate and enjoy our lives in Your presence. You have blessed us with so much, including the gift of salvation, so it only makes sense to worship and celebrate You, our King and Creator. May we remember You often, and praise Your mighty name, proclaiming Your works from the East unto the West. May our words and actions glorify, honor and praise You, forever and ever, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training