"Mordecai recorded these events and sent letters to the Jews near and far, throughout all the provinces of King Xerxes, calling on them to celebrate an annual festival on these two days. He told them to celebrate these days with feasting and gladness and by giving gifts of food to each other and presents to the poor. This would commemorate a time when the Jews gained relief from their enemies, when their sorrow was turned into gladness and their mourning into joy.
So the Jews accepted Mordecai’s proposal and adopted this annual custom. Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews, had plotted to crush and destroy them on the date determined by casting lots (the lots were called purim). But when Esther came before the king, he issued a decree causing Haman’s evil plot to backfire, and Haman and his sons were impaled on a sharpened pole. That is why this celebration is called Purim, because it is the ancient word for casting lots.
So because of Mordecai’s letter and because of what they had experienced, the Jews throughout the realm agreed to inaugurate this tradition and to pass it on to their descendants and to all who became Jews. They declared they would never fail to celebrate these two prescribed days at the appointed time each year. These days would be remembered and kept from generation to generation and celebrated by every family throughout the provinces and cities of the empire. This Festival of Purim would never cease to be celebrated among the Jews, nor would the memory of what happened ever die out among their descendants.
Then Queen Esther, the daughter of Abihail, along with Mordecai the Jew, wrote another letter putting the queen’s full authority behind Mordecai’s letter to establish the Festival of Purim. Letters wishing peace and security were sent to the Jews throughout the 127 provinces of the empire of Xerxes. These letters established the Festival of Purim—an annual celebration of these days at the appointed time, decreed by both Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther. (The people decided to observe this festival, just as they had decided for themselves and their descendants to establish the times of fasting and mourning.) So the command of Esther confirmed the practices of Purim, and it was all written down in the records." Esther 9:20-32
We have an enemy. He wants us killed. He is constantly plotting. He never gives up. He is after us 24/7.
"Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8
As we journey through this life, we must take advantage of every opportunity to celebrate our victory over death, hell and the grave. Satan was defeated, once and for all time, when Jesus was crucified on the Cross.
Celebrating our victory as often as possible strengthens us and reminds us of our victory. Whatever trials come our way in this life are miniscule in comparison to our great victory over satan.
How did the Jews celebrate the Festival of Purim?
"He told them to celebrate these days with feasting and gladness and by giving gifts of food to each other and presents to the poor. This would commemorate a time when the Jews gained relief from their enemies, when their sorrow was turned into gladness and their mourning into joy." Esther 9:22
1. Feasting
2. Gladness
3. Giving gifts to each other
4. Giving gifts to the poor
So the Jews accepted Mordecai’s proposal and adopted this annual custom. Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews, had plotted to crush and destroy them on the date determined by casting lots (the lots were called purim). But when Esther came before the king, he issued a decree causing Haman’s evil plot to backfire, and Haman and his sons were impaled on a sharpened pole. That is why this celebration is called Purim, because it is the ancient word for casting lots.
So because of Mordecai’s letter and because of what they had experienced, the Jews throughout the realm agreed to inaugurate this tradition and to pass it on to their descendants and to all who became Jews. They declared they would never fail to celebrate these two prescribed days at the appointed time each year. These days would be remembered and kept from generation to generation and celebrated by every family throughout the provinces and cities of the empire. This Festival of Purim would never cease to be celebrated among the Jews, nor would the memory of what happened ever die out among their descendants.
Then Queen Esther, the daughter of Abihail, along with Mordecai the Jew, wrote another letter putting the queen’s full authority behind Mordecai’s letter to establish the Festival of Purim. Letters wishing peace and security were sent to the Jews throughout the 127 provinces of the empire of Xerxes. These letters established the Festival of Purim—an annual celebration of these days at the appointed time, decreed by both Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther. (The people decided to observe this festival, just as they had decided for themselves and their descendants to establish the times of fasting and mourning.) So the command of Esther confirmed the practices of Purim, and it was all written down in the records." Esther 9:20-32
We have an enemy. He wants us killed. He is constantly plotting. He never gives up. He is after us 24/7.
"Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8
As we journey through this life, we must take advantage of every opportunity to celebrate our victory over death, hell and the grave. Satan was defeated, once and for all time, when Jesus was crucified on the Cross.
Celebrating our victory as often as possible strengthens us and reminds us of our victory. Whatever trials come our way in this life are miniscule in comparison to our great victory over satan.
How did the Jews celebrate the Festival of Purim?
"He told them to celebrate these days with feasting and gladness and by giving gifts of food to each other and presents to the poor. This would commemorate a time when the Jews gained relief from their enemies, when their sorrow was turned into gladness and their mourning into joy." Esther 9:22
1. Feasting
2. Gladness
3. Giving gifts to each other
4. Giving gifts to the poor
Let's celebrate by inviting friends and family over for a celebration meal. Include a time of singing worship songs to God and a time of sharing with our friends what God has done for us. Include giving gifts to each other, and giving gifts to the poor.
Celebrating daily is important as well. Celebrate during our prayer time each morning with singing and dancing. Celebrate every time we go to church. Reflect on God's goodness to us.
Even though we may be facing the most horrific trial of our life, we must celebrate the victory that is sure to come.
"For we walk by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7
"Thank You, Jesus, for this reminder that I must take every opportunity available to me to celebrate life and peace and joy in You. Sure, I have struggles. But because of Your Supreme Sacrifice on the Cross, the battle is already won. How I love You! AMEN."
Celebrating daily is important as well. Celebrate during our prayer time each morning with singing and dancing. Celebrate every time we go to church. Reflect on God's goodness to us.
Even though we may be facing the most horrific trial of our life, we must celebrate the victory that is sure to come.
"For we walk by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7
"Thank You, Jesus, for this reminder that I must take every opportunity available to me to celebrate life and peace and joy in You. Sure, I have struggles. But because of Your Supreme Sacrifice on the Cross, the battle is already won. How I love You! AMEN."
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