This year the Jewish Feast of Purim begins at sundown 14 Adar 5786,
(Monday, March 2, 2026 and ends at nightfall Tuesday
March 3rd) extending over Wednesday in Jerusalem.
The Book of Esther remains one of the best examples of God's
enduring love and faithfulness towards His people, Israel.
It is also the story of two virtuous women.
Queen Vashti of Persia
Image courtesy/Reddit
"The King of Persia was entertaining all the nobles and princes of the land
at a large and raucous banquet inside the palace at Shushan. In the midst
of the debauchery going on, he ordered that his queen, Vashti, be brought
to this wild party so that his drunken guests could gaze upon her beauty.
But the queen refused to come.
"Fearing for her dignity and desiring to protect her womanly modesty and bearing
as queen, she refused the king's request. The king, embarrassed before his
subjects, issues a royal commandment, that is inflexible, divorcing the queen."
-Salem Kirban Reference Bible
"A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far precious than rubies."
(Proverbs 31:10)
Although she soon disappears from the story, Queen Vashti can be commended
for standing her ground, despite the dire consequences which followed.
" Modesty is the crown jewel of womanhood."-Salem Kirban
Queen Esther of Persia
Image courtesy/Pinterest
"...and if I perish, I perish."
(Esther 4:15)
"Like Moses, Queen Esther was not overwhelmed by her privileged position to the point
where she would compromise with sin. Nor did Esther forget her humble beginnings.
Esther undoubtedly realized she was God's messenger for this critical hour. She calls
for a 3-day fast indicating her dependence upon God. She knows if the king's golden
sceptre is not extended to her in this audience on behalf of her people, that she will die.
Nevertheless, having first called on God, she decides to see the king regardless of
the ceremonial procedure and with faith and assurance she says, "If I perish, I perish!"
-Salem Kirban Reference Bible
"And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court,
that she obtained favor in his sight; and the king held out to Esther the
golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near and touched
the top of the sceptre. Then said the king unto her, "What wilt thou,
queen Esther, and what is thy request? It shall be given thee
to the half of the kingdom."
(Esther 5:2-3)
"The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD."
(Proverbs 16:33)
The Triumph of Mordecai
(1475)
Sandro Botticelli
Image courtesy/National Gallery of Canada
Although God is not mentioned in the story of Esther it is abundantly clear
that He is in the details of this remarkable story of faith and redemption.
What evil court advisor Haman devised for the Jewish people through his
astrologers and magicians by casting lots, God countermanded, not only
through the actions of His servant, Esther, but beginning on the fateful
night when her husband was plagued with a bad case of insomnia.
Unable to sleep, the king ordered the historical records be brought to his bedchamber,
where he learned that one of his subjects, a man named Mordecai, had never been
properly rewarded after he exposed a plot by two eunuchs of his court to
assassinate him. The king then sent for his advisor, Haman.
The ingratiating Haman, who first believes that the reward bestowed by
the king is for him, is later incensed to learn that the honor of being led
through the streets of the city on horseback will go to Mordecai, the righteous
man who refuses to bow before him! And that he (Haman) will be the
one designated to lead him!
Then, after Queen Esther exposes Haman's nefarious plot to annihilate
her and her people to her husband, the angry king condemns the wily
Haman to hang on the very gallows he had ordered built to punish Mordecai.
"Sin has its just and sure reward."-Salem Kirban
A powerful (or should it be "power mad"?) enemy was soundly defeated.
Haman, a descendant of Agag, the king of the Amalekites, was an enemy of God.
"The LORD will war against Amalek from generation to generation."
(Exodus 17:16 )
Meanwhile, the man who refused to bow his knee to anyone but the LORD,
righteous Mordecai, was rewarded and given a position of authority in the land.
"For Mordecai the Jew was next to the king, Ahasuerus, and great among
the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth
of his people and speaking peace to all his seed."
(Esther 10:3)
Esther and Mordecai
Arent de Gelder
(1645-1727)
Dutch artist
Image courtesy/Fine Art America
"Remember what happened long ago, for I am God, and there is no other;
I am God and there is none like Me."
(Isaiah 46:9 )
💖 Have a beautiful and blessed Purim! 💖
