Purim: God’s Story of Protection

If you were to attend synagogue on the night of the celebration of Purim, you would hear raucous shouts of “Boo Haman!! Yay Mordechai!!” echoing through the halls. During the reading of the Megillah (the Book of Esther) congregants dress in costume and use noisemakers called groggers to drown out the name of Haman, and clap joyously whenever Mordechai is mentioned.

Purim, a festival close to the heart of Jesus himself, is one of the most joyful and fun-filled holidays on the Jewish calendar. On Purim we celebrate God’s protection of the Jewish people from the hands of Haman who wanted to rid the world of the Jews. Most know that Jesus was Jewish. But most people do not think about the fact that, being Jewish, he celebrated the Jewish festivals. The festival of Purim, though never mentioned in the New Testament directly, was certainly a part of Jesus’ life. 

The History of Purim 

After the destruction of the first Temple in Jerusalem, four hundred and fifty years before the birth of Jesus, the Jewish people were dispersed throughout Asia Minor. The Jewish community in Persia (modern-day Iran) grew in size, prospered, and flourished under the rule of King Ahasuerus (also known as Xerxes). The Jewish community assimilated into Persian culture and grew. But, as has happened countless times throughout history, things took a turn for the worse. “Let’s get rid of the Jews” is a common theme in world history, and the story of Purim is no different. In fact, the theme is central to the celebration. Due to the growing influence of the Jewish community and because of ancient hatred of the Jewish people, an evil official arose in the Persian government and targeted the Jews for annihilation.

Haman, the devious official of the king, required homage and worship of himself. In doing so he deliberately put the Jewish people in a difficult situation: worship pagan gods, or be destroyed. “When Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow or pay him homage, Haman was filled with wrath. Haman sought to destroy all the Jews who were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus—the people of Mordecai. Therefore letters were sent by couriers into all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all the Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, and to plunder their possessions.” Esther 3:5,9,13

Though God is never mentioned in the Book of Esther, he is always working behind the scenes to accomplish his purposes and keep his promises. Through a series of “random” circumstances, the Jewish Esther marries King Ahasuerus (who didn’t initially know that she was Jewish), becomes the Queen of Persia, and her uncle Mordechai urges her to expose Haman as the evil man he was.

During a special banquet Esther exposes Haman who is then hung on the very gallows he had prepared for Mordechai. “Look! The gallows, fifty cubits high, which Haman made for Mordecai, who spoke good on the king’s behalf, is standing at the house of Haman.” Then the king said, “Hang him on it!” So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king’s wrath subsided. Esther 9:24.

Though the Jewish community in exile under Persian rule became secular, idolatrous, and were living outside of God’s will, God remained faithful to HIS promises. The prophet Jeremiah was called to the nation of Israel while they were in rebellion. Still God says to rebellious Israel through Jeremiah:

 This is what the Lord says, He 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 armies is His name: “If this fixed order departs From Me,” declares the Lord, “Then the descendants of Israel also will cease to be a nation before Me forever.” Jer. 31:35-36

Regardless of how rebellious Israel was, is, or will be, God is a God who keeps his covenants. His promises are sure. He will always be true to his word. Protecting the Jewish people and the nation of Israel is assured. God will use the nation of Israel for his glory. The existence of the Jews today is a miraculous expression of God’s unconditional covenant with Israel.

The Celebration of Purim

The retelling of the story of the Book of Esther is a main part of the celebration. Have you ever heard the term “the whole megillah?” Megillah means “scroll” in Hebrew. The phrase comes from the traditional reading of the entire book (scroll) of Esther during the celebration of Purim. During the reading listeners in the congregation “boo” and make noise whenever the name of Haman is mentioned, and cheer at the name of Mordechai. The reading of the bible can become quite raucous! But that’s a part of the celebration!

 Therefore the Jews of the villages who dwelt in the unwalled towns celebrated the fourteenth day of the month of Adar with gladness and feasting, as a holiday, and for sending presents to one another...and gifts to the poor. Esther 9:19, 22 Feasting is also a big part of the celebration of Purim. In fact it’s commanded! We are told to “feast and rejoice.” Hamentaschen, or “Haman’s Hat” is a traditional triangular cookie filled with jellies, poppy seeds, or other sweet fillings. One theory says that the three-cornered cookie is traditionally thought to be the shape of the hat that Haman wore.

Giving to others and to the poor is a major theme leading up to and during the celebration of Purim. Gift baskets filled with sweets and festival food are given to friends and family. Giving of charity to those in need reminds us that we have been in need, therefore we should to give to others in need.

The Relevance of Purim

God deplores racism in any form. In the book of Esther racism was specifically directed toward the Jewish people. A well known TV and movie personality was recently reprimanded for publicly saying that the Holocaust was not driven by racial hatred of the Jews. Anyone even vaguely familiar with WWII history knows that the Holocaust was racially driven. Many people were caught up in the wicked “racial cleansing” attempts by Hitler. Gypsies, homosexuals, Christians, and other racial/social/religious minorities were slaughtered. However, ridding the world of the Jews was central to Hitler’s plan. The Jews were the primary race targeted for extermination by the Nazi regime.

On Purim “...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 By celebrating, we remember and recognize that God will always keep his promises and preserve the Jewish people. The primary theme of the Book of Esther is God’s faithfulness to his promises.

God wants you to join in the celebration! “So they called these days Purim...Therefore, because of all the words of this letter, what they had seen concerning this matter, and what had happened to them, the Jews established and imposed it upon themselves and their descendants and all who would join them, that without fail they should celebrate these two days every year, according to the written instructions and according to the prescribed time.” Esther 9:26-27

“All who would join them”...is YOU! Jesus celebrated the Jewish festivals. They all point to him. To God’s faithfulness. To his promises past, present, and future. Remembering is important because God is the author of history. It is our prayer that evil remembered is evil avoided in the future. Even if you read this newsletter after Purim, take time to read through the Book of Esther with your friends, family, children and grandchildren. Teach them about God’s heart for Israel and the Jewish people. Help them to understand that it is important to be one who allies themselves with Israel and the Jewish community.