We continue our study of the month of Adar on the Hebrew calendar as we again examine a time of darkness in the lives of the Jewish people and how it relates to where we are today. We will look at the events of the book of Esther that reveals the events in the lives of a remnant of the Jewish people who were still in Persia while another remnant had returned to Judah and were struggling to reestablish temple worship according to the Law of Moses. Esther is the only book in the Bible not to mention the name of God, but God is not absent. This account from the month of Adar stands out for two reasons: (1) The primary purpose of the book of Esther was to relate the dramatic origins of the feast of Purim. (2) To reveal the sovereignty and faithfulness of God that permeates each scene as nothing is coincidental in His Divine plan. Today is the Jewish celebration of Purim—a time of great joy and celebration—a time to welcome miracles!
The book is named for the “star” of the story, a young Jewish girl named Hadassah who was taken from her guardian, Mordecai, and forced to compete for the affection of the king. Her Jewish name was Hadassah which means “myrtle” and in the Bible is a sign of peace and God’s blessing. (Zech. 1:11) Perhaps it was symbolic of her destiny to procure peace and blessing for God’s people in Persia. The Jews in Esther’s time were under threat of genocide by Haman, a close confidant of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes). Esther entered Ahasuerus’ palace as a prospective concubine, but God had greater plans for the young Jewish woman.
King Ahasuerus was known for his drinking, lavish banquets, harsh temper, and sexual appetite. In 483 BC, after a 180 day display of his riches, splendor, and pomp, he held a massive banquet. In drunken merriment, Ahasuerus requested that his wife, Queen Vashti, appear before the king “in order to display her beauty to the people and nobles, for she was lovely to look at” (Esther 1:11). When Vashti refused, she was banished from the kingdom. His so-called wise advisers and friends encouraged him to gather all the beautiful young virgins to his harem (Esther 2: 3-4). Esther was taken into custody by the eunuch (castrated male servant) in charge of the women, yet her cousin Mordecai kept close watch on her (Esther 2:11). After ten months, Esther was brought before the king, and he loved her more than anyone else. Esther won the king’s favor and took Vashti’s place as queen (Esther 2: 17). Though Esther’s initial circumstances appeared to serve the evil purposes of a lustful king, God used her situation, position, and character to protect the people of Israel. Esther, in meekness and humility, trusted in God’s sovereignty with her every action, confident that His will would be done concerning her people—no matter what the consequences to herself. With no concern for her personal safety, Esther acted as an intercessor with the king on behalf of her people, the Israelites (Esther 4: 16), ultimately exposing Haman’s evil plot and saving the Jews from destruction.
We can clearly see the battle between the forces of evil against God and His people. Haman was a descendant of the Amalekites who were from the line of Esau and ancient enemies of God. Amalek means “people who lick blood.” Their goal was the destruction of the Jewish people. He cast the lot, called “pur”, in order to determine the day that the Jews would be exterminated. (Esther 3: 7) The 13th day of Adar is chosen to exterminate the Jews (Esther 3: 13). When events seemed out of control to Esther and Mordecai, when the king dictated ruin for their people, when evil was poised to triumph…God was at work. God’s sovereignty is best summarized in Mordecai’s exhortation to Esther: “And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?” (Esther 4: 14) God worked through their dark days, their faithful obedience (Esther risked her life before the king (5: 1-3), and their victories (Esther revealed Haman’s plot and the Jews’ destruction of their enemies (7-9). This message is clear: God is sovereign even when life doesn’t make sense. The king amends his decree to allow the Jews to defend themselves on the 13th of Adar (Esther 8: 12). The 13th of Adar arrives and a Divine reversal occurred: “Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king’s commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them, (though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;) The Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt; and no man could withstand them; for the fear of them fell upon all people.”
The theme of finding God in the midst of darkness and difficulty is an important one. It reminds us that even when we can’t see or understand God’s actions, He is always with us, guiding and supporting us through every challenge and trial. The book of Esther reflects the theme of obscurity that runs throughout the story of Purim. However, this concealment is not a cause for despair or confusion. Rather, it is an invitation to look deeper and find God, and the hidden aspects of ourselves, that are always present but may not be immediately apparent. Purim is a time that we need to unearth the concealed parts of ourselves as well as remind us that God is always present in our lives, even when we can’t see Him.
These well-known scriptures come to mind that underscore this theme: Genesis 50:20: Joseph reassures his brothers after the death of their father, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant if for good in order to bring about this present result…” Romans 8: 28: “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
Purim is a reminder not to despair and to keep the faith. And it’s a reminder that our sorrow can turn to joy, mourning to celebration. In this time of great darkness in our nation, God wants to take this mess and turn it into a miracle! Purim isn’t about being passive but to do as Esther did—stand up for what one believers in and willing to do whatever it takes to be obedient to God at “such a time as this.” It is a time for us to draw near to God in fasting and prayer so that we will be empowered to be brave and take courage to meet the challenges presented by life’s hard side. It is a time to find inspiration in the beauty and joy of the Lord and His Word—to open our eyes and hearts to Him. God seems to be doing a new thing—opening up the windows of heaven and pouring out His Spirit—especially upon the younger generation! Every so often God opens the gates wide enough to give us a message that can sustain us when things seem hopeless. The message is: “I am here now, as I have been all along and I will always be here for you. Not just when the sea splits, or when My presence overwhelms you, but when you elect to choose to see Me.” God wants to put a fire in our bones this season to do His work and to do His will—and to run the race—and to be pushed and plowed into the positions the Lord has called us to—to lock up arms and to stand, and to speak the Word of the Lord in this hour to people and to rally them to stand and to speak the Word of the Lord—to fight the good fight of faith for God is with us and in us! God, breathe new life into us and into our nation at such a time as this—let us see Your Glory!