Tomorrow evening (March 6) begins Purim (pronounced POOR-im). This annual event celebrates how Jewish people survived the planned annihilation of all Jews in the Persian Empire when Esther was the queen of Persia. It is a huge comfort to know our sovereign God works behind the scenes for us. There are two interesting backstories to this victory. Round #1: Israel vs. the Amalekites Exodus 17 describes the ruthless Amalekites attacking the Israelites who have just fled from Egypt. The Hebrew fighters gain ground when Moses’ hands are up but fail when his arms fall. They beat the wicked warriors after […]
Tag Archives: Purim
Costume Party
Chag Purim Sameach! Happy Purim! The festival of Purim remembers the story in the book of Esther. The Jews were threatened with annihilation but emerged victorious. This is my first time observing the holiday in Jerusalem, which makes it extra special. One of the traditional ways it is celebrated today is by dressing up in costumes. Picture Halloween without trying to be scary. Why costumes? In the story, Esther conceals her identity. She married the king but kept her Jewish background a secret, revealing it later. Even more, God is hidden in the book. He is never mentioned! The author […]
Purim: Fighting God
So the Jews agreed to continue the celebration they had begun, doing what Mordecai had written to them. For Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them and had cast the pur (that is, the lot) for their ruin and destruction. But when the plot came to the king’s attention, he issued written orders that the evil scheme Haman had devised against the Jews should come back onto his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows. (Therefore these days were called […]
Purim: When God was Hiding
For Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them and had cast the pur (that is, the lot) for their ruin and destruction. But when the plot came to the king’s attention, he issued written orders that the evil scheme Haman had devised against the Jews should come back onto his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows. (Therefore these days were called Purim, from the word pur.) Esther 9:24-26 Today was Purim. It is a day to remember the events […]