Purim - The Feasts of Lots

Biblical Background:

Esther 9:20-28

Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews throughout the provinces of King Xerxes, near and far, to have them celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration. He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor.

So the Jews agreed to continue the celebration they had begun, doing what Mordecai had written to them. For Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them and had cast the pur (that is, the lot) for their ruin and destruction. But when the plot came to the king’s attention, he issued written orders that the evil scheme Haman had devised against the Jews should come back onto his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows. (Therefore these days were called Purim, from the word pur.) Because of everything written in this letter and because of what they had seen and what had happened to them, the Jews took it upon themselves to establish the custom that they and their descendants and all who join them should without fail observe these two days every year, in the way prescribed and at the time appointed. These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. And these days of Purim should never cease to be celebrated by the Jews, nor should the memory of them die out among their descendants.

(emphasis mine)

Traditional Observances:

Purim is certainly one of the favourite holidays among the children as they are encouraged to be joyful and dress up as the main characters of story for the synagogue services.

The service itself is the reading of the scroll of Esther. Often, following the reading, there is a dramatic re-enactment called the ‘Purim Shpiel’ (yiddish). At this time, children are given noisemakers called ‘groggers’ and are encouraged to make lots of noise every time the name ‘Haman’ is mentioned in effect, blotting out his name as G-d commanded. By contrast, every mention of the hero ‘Mordechai’ is followed by loud cheers and shouts of joy.

Following the service is a fun filled Purim Party complete with plenty of food (of course..) games, and sometimes even a bazaar and door prizes. True joy of the deliverance is felt in this party atmosphere. Rabbinic tradition even goes so far as to say that one should partake of the joy and drink until one does not even know the difference between Haman and Mordechai (Megillot 7b)! This attitude is a little extreme, but it does illustrate the great joy that is associated with the Feast of Purim.

As written in the scriptures, Purim is not only to be a celebration for the redeemed Jews, but also a time to send food and gifts to the poor of the community. Often boxes (like Christmas hampers) are filled with food, sweets such as chocolate coins and traditional cookies called ‘hamantashen’. The word ‘hamantashen’ is translated as ‘Haman’s pockets’ however in the Hebrew they are called ‘Ozney Haman’.... Haman’s ears... these treats are meant to remind us of the sweet victory over this awful antagonist.

The name ‘Purim’ is not a Hebrew word like the other Jewish festivals but is rather a Persian word meaning ‘lots’. The holiday got it’s name from the lots that Haman drew to determine the day on which he would carry out his evil plan to destroy the Jewish people.


Prophetic Fulfilment:

The holy day of Purim is not directly mentioned in the New Testament, but the lessons of this feast permeate it. The main lesson is found in the faithfulness of G-d towards his covenant people. In Genesis 12:3 we find that part of the promise to Abraham is divine protection: “I will bless those who bless you and whoever curses you I will curse; and all the peoples on the earth will be blessed through you.

Another very important lesson of this holy day is the responsibility of man to accomplish G-d’s will. Interestingly, the Book of Esther is the only book of the Bible that the name of G-d is not mentioned even once; yet He can be seen working out His perfect plan behind the scenes. We have a responsibility to follow through if the will of G-d is to be carried out. When the evil plot of Haman became known to the Jewish community of Persia, there was a call to praying and fasting and action on Queen Esther’s part.

When we fail to carry out G-d’s commands, they can have long lasting effects for generations to come. King Saul failed to fully obey the command from G-d to “blot out the memory of Amalek from under the heaven” (Deut. 25:19) and because of this, the Amalekites lived on.... Haman was an Agagite, a descendant of Amelek!

Note: Amalek was the wicked king who came out against the children of Israel as they wandered in the desert. Amalek took no pity on Israel, destroying the weakest among them - those who fell behind....

Jewish people today are facing the ‘Haman’ of our day - The president of Iran... (did you know that modern day Persia is Iran!) However what is even more dangerous is the threat of spiritual catastrophe for the thousands who are far from the G-d of their fathers who sent Yeshua, the appointed Messiah. Undoubtedly, G-d is drawing many Jewish people to Yeshua in these latter days, but the labourers are few.

Purim should be a reminder to all believers that G-d desires to use people who are available to serve in the kingdom. To the Jew first.... (Romans 1:16)

Who knows... have you been placed where you are for such a time as this?