Eric Reece
With Christians observing the season of Lent – and churches hosting their spring revivals – our friends in Judaism celebrated Purim on Wednesday.
Purim means “lots,” and is named for the way the date was decided for eliminating all Jews from Persia by casting lots. This Jewish holiday recounts the events of the Book of Esther and is a day of joyous celebration – because the plot failed.
The Book of Esther is set during the Jewish exile in Persia and begins with the king holding a banquet. After a week of partying, the king ordered his queen Vashti to come before the crowd, so he could show her off like the rest of his riches. She refused and has been seen as a heroine for not allowing herself to be put on display. It is decreed she was no longer queen and it is set for a new queen to be chosen.
The new queen would be selected by the king and the most beautiful ladies in the kingdom were brought before him. The one who caught his eyes was a woman named Esther. Esther’s parents had died and she was adopted by her cousin Mordecai, who raised her as his daughter. Esther became queen – yet the king did not know she was a Jew.
Haman rose to power and became the king’s chief advisor. He expected everyone to bow down to him. Mordecai bowed only to God and Haman was angry enough he decided to destroy all of Mordecai’s people. He convinced the king to give him permission to eliminate all Jews and the king agreed – not knowing the queen he loved was a Jew.
When he found out about the order, Mordecai’s grief was uncontrollable. When Queen Esther heard of it, she found out about Haman’s plan. Mordecai asked for her help and his plea included the well known verse, “And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14).
Esther was able to speak with the king and requested a banquet with Haman in attendance. The king realized he had not honored Mordecai for saving his life and asked Haman what should be done to honor someone the king wanted to honor.
Believing it was him, Haman had it all planned out – before he found out it was Mordecai who the king was honoring.
In shame, he realized his plan to eliminate Mordecai and his people backfired.
At the feast, Esther asked the king to spare the lives of her and her people. The king was surprised and soon, Haman’s plan was revealed The king sentenced him to hang on the gallows he had built for Mordecai. The king revoked his decree to eliminate the Jewish people in his kingdom.
The modern-day celebration of Purim includes a time of fasting and the reading of the Book of Esther in worship. Children wear costumes and eat a triangular shaped cookie that represents Haman’s ears. Baked goods are given to friends, and families rejoice with plenty of good food and drink. Lastly, gifts are made to charities to offer joy to others.
Purim is a celebration of how God once again saved God’s people.
Eric Reece is the faith columnist for The Graham Star. He is pastor of Robbinsville United Methodist Church and can be reached via email, ereece@wnccumc.net.