Introduction

The book of Esther is a rather unpopular book of the Old Testament. The book is well received by Jews, however, among Christian scholars, it is negatively reviewed. This is majorly attributed to the fact that almost all of Christendom is muddled on the doctrine of Replacement Theology which sowed seeds of the Antisemitism in the Christian faith. Because Replacement Theology teaches that the church replaced Israel then the survival of Israel becomes a problem to the theologian.

The opposition against the book may be experienced because the book of Esther reveals the faithful preservation of the Jewish people, while in opposition to this the Church has shown anti-Jewish prejudice. The book exposes that there is a future and hope for Israel.

Other concerns have been raised because unlike other holidays like Passover or the Day of Atonement whose themes are clear, the significance of Purim is not well understood which has caused others to cancel the whole book in its entirety. However, this will be addressed in this discourse. Regarding Purim, it is written: 

Esther 9:28 - “These days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city, that these days of Purim should not fail to be observed among the Jews, and that the memory of them should not perish among their descendants.”

Background

The story takes place during the reign of the Medo-Persian empire. After Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon destroyed Jerusalem in 586 A.D, the Jewish people were taken into exile to Babylon. According to the Prophet Jeremiah, the exile would last 70 years (Jer. 25:12). Belshazzar succeeded Nebuchadnezzar. However, he brought judgment against Babylon when he used the treasure cups from the Temple of Jerusalem to drink wine. 

On that same night a handwriting was written on the wall while Belshazzar was feasting, “MENE MENE TEKEL UPHARSIN.” Frightened, the King summoned Daniel who gave the interpretation of the inscription. The handwriting on the wall meant that God had numbered the days of his kingdom and brought it to an end; he had been weighed and found wanting, and his kingdom had been divided and given to the Medes and Persians (Daniel 5:25). In 549 B.C Babylon fell to the unified Kingdom of the Medes (led by Darius I) and the Persians (led by Cyrus). However, later Cyrus became the undisputed King of the empire.

Cyrus was kind to the Jews and God moved his heart to make a decree that the Jews should return to Jerusalem in Judah and rebuild the Temple (Ezra 1:1-3). After Cyrus died, Ahasuerus succeeded him. After the fall of Babylon, many Jews returned to the Holy Land but with equal measure, many Jews opted to remain within the vast Persian empire. In this context is where we meet the hero and heroine of Purim.

During the reign of Ahasuerus an evil political leader, Haman (an Amalekite), planned to destroy the Jews because of his absolute hatred for Esther’s cousin Mordechai. After the plot was discovered, Queen Esther instructed all the Jews in the Persian empire to hold a three-day fast. Risking her life, Esther made a petition to King Ahasuerus on behalf of the Jews. The King, in turn, gave the Jews consent to not only defend themselves but also devote their enemies to utter destruction. Haman was hanged on the same gallows he had built to hang Mordechai in a divinely orchestrated twist of fate. The ‘Purim’ (meaning lots) which the enemy cast on the people of God was reversed on his head.

The Dates of Celebrating Purim

13th Adar is when Haman had planned to massacre all the Jews. The next day the redemption of the Jews came as they were able to reverse the enemies’ plans. The holy day of Purim is celebrated on the 14th Adar in the diaspora while in Israel it is celebrated on the 14th and 15th. Jews. This is due to the fact that the Jews in Shushan celebrated the festival on both days. Jews in Israel identify with Jews in Shushan. 

Esther 9:20-21 And Mordecai wrote these things and sent letters to all the Jews, near and far, who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, to establish among them that they should celebrate yearly the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar.”

In a leap year Purim is observed on the 14th of Adar II. The months of Adar and Nisan are very significant in Jewish history since they demonstrate God's deliverance at the hands of their enemies. The irony is that Passover, unlike Purim, is filled with miracles and God’s presence such as the Ten plagues and the Moses staff that turned into a snake. On the other hand, in Purim, God is subtle and the divine presence in not so obvious. In the book of Esther, the name of God is not even mentioned once. Yet amidst the silence, God’s hand saves his people.

Significance of Purim

Purim commemorates the Jewish people's deliverance from their nemesis, Haman. God reversed Haman's plot to annihilate the Jewish people. The festival of Purim and the book of Esther show God's sustenance and provision to the Jews. Of Israel, it says," for whoever touches you touches the apple of His eye." (Zech. 8:3)

Jeremiah 31:35-37 - Thus says the Lord, who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar— the Lord of hosts is his name: "If this fixed order departs from before me, declares the Lord, then shall the offspring of Israel cease from being a nation before me forever." Thus says the Lord: "If the heavens above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth below can be explored, then I will cast off all the offspring of Israel for all that they have done, declares the Lord."

If you've seen the ordinance of the sun, moon, and the stars, then it means that God's plan for the seed of Israel is still in effect today. The book of Esther clearly illustrates God's faithfulness to Israel and to everyone He is in covenant with. 

God crushed Haman, a kind of the Anti-Messiah who will be revealed in the last days (2 Thess. 2:3). Haman harbored the same spirit of the Anti-Messiah as Antiochus Epiphanes and Adolf Hitler. Haman's resentment of one man moved his heart to desire to murder Mordechai's entire race.

The story serves as a clear message to those harboring the spirit of antisemitism that God's love for the Jewish people is everlasting. Those who reject the idea of Purim and the teaching of the book of Esther automatically align themselves with Haman, consequently becoming enemies of the God of Israel. Those who subscribe to the error of Replacement Theology unknowingly question the faithfulness of God. If God wasn't faithful to Israel, what makes them so sure He would be faithful to them.

Most importantly, if Haman was successful in his massacre plot, the Messiah wouldn't have been born, and the redemption plan would have been momentarily thwarted. However, all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28). Halleluyah! Glory be to Adonai. "This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes." (Psalms 118:23)

Chag Sameach Purim! (Have a joyful Purim Festival)

By Deacon Felix Wainana