On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, the edict commanded by the king was to be carried out. On this day the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but now the tables were turned and the Jews got the upper hand over those who hated them. -Esther 9:1
Today is the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, on the Hebrew calendar. This means that today is the first day of the Festival of Purim, commemorating God’s dramatic turnaround on behalf of His people, which we can read about in the Book of Esther. I encourage you to take some time to read this precious book – the Jewish people still do so as part of their celebration of Purim.
A prideful man named Haman used his influence with King Xerxes, of the Persian Empire, to issue a decree in the King’s name stating that all Jews could lawfully be killed, and their goods could be plundered on this day. About a year earlier, Haman had hatched his evil plot and cast lots (like rolling dice) to determine the date on which his plan, and this decree, would go into effect. Due to the extensive size of the Persian Empire at that time (from India to Ethiopia), this meant that if this decree were to be fully carried out, then every Jewish person on the face of the planet could have been eliminated. All over the empire when the Jews learned of this decree they wept, mourned, fasted, and even wore sackcloth and ashes as a sign of terrible loss and grief.
It seemed the fate of the Jewish people was sealed and that they were quite possibly finished forever. But God (two of my favorite words) was not about to allow the light of His people to be snuffed out.
Haman made every preparation for the destruction of the Jews, especially his nemesis Mordecai the Jew who would not bow down to Haman. But God made preparations, too. God had made a way for Mordecai’s niece, Esther, whom Mordecai had raised as his own daughter after her parents passed away, to be the Queen of Persia.
Haman became more and more proud and full of himself, bragging about his status with the King and how he imagined the King was going to honor him. But God resists, even mocks, the proud and gives grace to the humble. God caused the King to have a sleepless night on which he requested to have the logbooks of his reign read to him. Through this, the King discovered that Mordecai was deserving of a reward for something that he had done years earlier, and he determined to honor Mordecai for it.
Haman prepared a seventy-five foot pole for Mordecai to be gouged on and displayed for everyone to see what happens to someone who refused to bow down to Haman. But God caused Haman’s vicious plot to be exposed, and Haman was gouged and displayed on the very pole that he had prepared for Mordecai.
The King ordered that a new decree be issued which authorized the Jews to defend themselves and take vengeance on anyone who tried to kill them in accordance with the initial decree. The Jews, who had been mourning and weeping, were now filled with joy and gladness. When this day came, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, all those years ago, it was the Jews who were victorious over their enemies in an amazing display of God’s sovereign rule (even though He is never explicitly mentioned in the Book of Esther.)
As we walk in the obedience of faith, we encounter situations that look hopeless by what the eye can see and in which we feel helpless and powerless to do anything to help ourselves. Sometimes, it even appears as if the enemy of all righteousness, that is the devil himself, is going to be victorious over God’s plan for our lives and that we ourselves may be close to being extinguished. But God sees things differently than we do, and His ways are higher than our ways. He will not allow a plan of His to be thwarted or a child of His to perish. The same God who turned the whole situation around on the day of Purim for the good of His people is the same God who is working all things together for your good as you follow Him in your walk of faith.
Purim means “lots” which was the dice-rolling method of making a decision in those days. If you are in a tough situation right now, take it to heart that even lots cast are determined by the Lord. Moreover, even if it appears that the lots have not landed in your favor, God is a God of turnarounds, and He has a way of making everything work out for your good in the end. Take a moment today to remember a time when He has done this for you in the past and renew your trust that He is able to do it for you in whatever you are facing right now.
To God be all glory and honor and praise. Happy Purim!
Scripture References: The Book of Esther, Proverbs 3:34, Proverbs 16:33, Romans 8:28, Isaiah 55:9, Job 42:2, John 3:16
Originally published as: "But God - the Festival of Purim" - Reprinted from The Obedience of Faith Blog - Copyright © 2013 Wendy Bowen – ALL RIGHTS RESERVED WORLDWIDE