Topic: An Abiding Milestone [Saturday April 25, 2015]
Text: Esther 9:20-28
Key verse: “And that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed” (Esther 9:28).
Today, the term “Anti-Semitism” is almost exclusively used to refer to hatred or prejudice against the Jews even though they are not the only Semites. It is puzzling that despite God’s promise to Israel through Abraham that “I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee” (Genesis 12:3; 27:29), the Jews have continued to be the target of unrivaled and mysterious hatred till date.
One of the most menacing occasions when Anti-Semitism reared up its ugly head was when Haman, the chief minister of King Ahasuerus, in 473 B.C. plotted to eliminate the Jews throughout the Medo-Persian Empire. By a providential deliverance, Haman’s plot failed and he was hanged on the gallows which he had erected for Mordecai.
The Jews were also empowered by a counter decree to defend themselves against their enemies. On the day they were supposed to be killed, the Jews got rid of their enemies including the ten sons of Haman.
What followed was the birth of what became an annual commemorative festival called “Purim” which is celebrated on the 14th and 15th of March (Hebrew month of Adar). Purim, meaning “lot”, is an ironic reference to Haman’s resort to casting of lot to determine the month and date appropriate for the massacre of the Jews. The lot-casting, which they started on the first month, favoured the 13th day of the last month.
The long intervening period enabled the Jews to seek divine and royal redress and had the wicked decree reversed. Purim, a celebration of God’s intervention, is marked with joyful activities including, candle lights, reading of the book of Esther, sharing and rejoicing. Being delivered from eternal damnation is enough reason for the believer to have constant “Purim”.
But even in everyday life, God still delivers His people from every evil plot. Never should we lose sight of the gracious interventions of God “Who delivered us… and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us” (1 Corinthians 1:10).
Bible in One Year: Psalm 131-138
Thought for The Day: Think of God’s goodness and celebrate.
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
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