Purim

It is the first feast mentioned outside of Leviticus chapter 23; the place where all the feasts days taught by Moses are documented. Some unlearned and unfaithful Israelites disregard the feasts because of this, viewing it as an ordinance of man and not of God. However this feast is an important part of our history that reflects the fulfillment of prophecy. The entire history of Purim is found in the book of Esther, which occurred during the Persian captivity. Yet the prophecies came before this time period or book; they were written by Moses and several other prophets. Apocrypha Esther 10:4 “Then Mardocheus [Mordecai] said, God hath done these things.”

For instance, the prophets of old warned Israel of their demise by the Babylonians, because of their disobedience. Please read, Jeremiah 25:1-13. Likewise various prophecies also predicted the fall of the Babylonians and the rise of the Medes and Persian Empire. Demonstrating the power of the most High, that revealed centuries before to the prophets the kingdoms to come. Daniel 4:17 “This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.”

By this time the children of Israel were scattered throughout the Persian Empire. Esther 1:1 “Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:)” Verse 2: “That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,” There was an Israelite that served in the king’s court; his name was Mordecai.

Esther 2:5 “Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite;” Verse 6: “Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity [slavery] which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.” Mordecai raised Esther, the woman whom the book is named after. Esther 2:7 “And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.” Her real name was Hadassah, which meant myrtle in Hebrew; a virgin that was taken against her will by king Ahasuerus’ commandment. What led to this was the divorce of Queen Vashti, because she defied the king during celebrations. See, Esther 1:9-22.

Esther 2:1 “After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her.” Verse 2: “Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair [beautiful] young virgins sought for the king:” Verse 3: “And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women unto the custody of Hege the king’s chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them:” Verse 4: “And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.”

Mordecai renamed Hadassah to conceal her identity, after she was taken by the decree of the king. Esther 2:10 “Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it.” In contrast to Vashti that was praised only for her beauty; the scriptures teach the Israelite woman to have a beautiful and graceful spirit. See, 1st Peter 3:3-6 and Apocrypha Ecclesiasticus 36:22-23. Being raised according to the scriptures naturally gave Hadassah the qualities that are difficult to find, inward beauty. Esther 2:17 “And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.” Thus Hadassah became Queen Esther unwillingly.

In the process of time, Mordecai had gained the favor of king Ahasuerus by uncovering a plan of treason. Esther 2:21 “In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, two of the king's chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.” Verse 22: “And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai's name.” Verse 23: “And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.”

Although the two chamberlains were killed, the mastermind behind the plot was yet to be revealed. Apocrypha Esther 12:6 “Howbeit Aman [Haman] the son of Amadathus the Agagite, who was in great honour with the king, sought to molest Mardocheus and his people because of the two eunuchs of the king.” The king being unaware of Haman’s true intentions, promoted him above all his princes to the position of chief counselor. Esther 3:1 “After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him.” Inadvertently Mordecai ruined the secret plan of Haman, setting in motion the events that would define Purim.

Exodus 17:15 “And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah-nissi:” Verse 16: “For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.” The people of Amalek are descendants of Esau the father of all Edomites. Please read, Genesis 36:9-12. Haman being an Agagite meant that he was of the royal lineage of Agag, king of Amalek. Many generations before an ancestor of Mordecai did not take heed to the words of the most High, to destroy Amalek, and kept Agag the king alive. 1st Samuel 15:8 “And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive,…” The ancestor was the first king of Israel, Saul the son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin. Tracing the lineage of Haman back to the Amalekites unveiled one of the prophecies; a war the LORD (YHWH) will have with Amalek.

His lineage also showed us that he was not of Persian blood; helping us discover who the Edomites are. Apocrypha Esther 16:10 “For Aman, a Macedonian, the son of Amadatha, being indeed a stranger from the Persian blood, and far distant from our goodness, and as a stranger received of us,” In this scripture Haman is called a Macedonian instead of an Agagite; a Macedonian is a Greek. 1st Maccabees 1:1 “And it happened, after that Alexander [the Great] son of Philip, the Macedonian, who came out of the land of Chettiim, had smitten Darius king of the Persians and Medes, that he reigned in his stead, the first over Greece,” By the genealogy and historical records we could easily determine that the infamous Greeks and Romans were in fact Edomites. Hence the biblical name of the so called white race (Caucasians) is Edom.

After Haman was promoted, all the king’s servants bowed to him but Mordecai did not, nor gave him reverence. See, Esther 3:2-4. The servants incited Haman’s anger by exposing Mordecai. Esther 3:5 “And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.” Verse 6: “And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.” Haman had the power to have Mordecai punished, however prior to this incident he was already determined to molest the people of Mordecai.

The intentions of Mordecai was not to anger Haman or disrespect him; within his conscience he was resolved to only worship the Heavenly Father. Apocrypha Esther 13:12 “Thou knowest all things, and thou knowest, Lord, that it was neither in contempt nor pride, nor for any desire of glory, that I did not bow down to proud Aman.” Verse 13: “For I could have been content with good will for the salvation of Israel to kiss the soles of his feet.” Verse 14: “But I did this, that I might not prefer the glory of man above the glory of God: neither will I worship any but thee, O God, neither will I do it in pride.”

By the time he said this prayer it was too late. Esther 3:7 “In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar.” In his attempt to find the perfect day to commit genocide, the date was decided by casting lots (chance, sometimes by using dice) through idolatry and witchcraft. When the lot fell upon the twelfth month, Haman convinced the king Ahasuerus to decree the destruction of the Jews. These are his words, Esther 3:8 “And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them.” Verse 9: “If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king’s treasuries.”

The king trusting Haman agreed without inquiring of what race were the people that will be destroyed. Moreover the benefit of receiving so much silver enticed the king. Esther 3:13 “And the letters were sent by posts into all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.” Immediately Mordecai went to make Esther aware of what happened and to instruct her to entreat the king for her people. However a law of the Persians forbade any, including the queen by penalty of death, to come unto the king without being called. Therefore she requested that Mordecai gather all the Jews in Shushan to fast and pray for her. Please read, Esther chapter 4.

After three days of fasting, Esther came to the king’s court. Her courageous act was met with mercy from the Heavenly Father, instead of being punished with death, the king asked what was her request. She asked for the king and Haman to come to a banquet that she prepared for them. During the banquet, the king asked her what she desired of him, and she requested his presence again, confirming that she would reveal her desire then. In the following banquet queen Esther sought of the king favor for her and her people. Esther 7:3 “Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:” Verse 4: “For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king’s damage.”

Esther revealed to the king how Haman wants to destroy the Jews without the king being informed of the whole matter. Esther 7:5 “Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so?” Verse 6: “And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman...” At this point the king learns of Esther’s nationality; showing us that by looks alone or stereotypes that was not possible. There are many dark skinned nations subject to the king, including the Persians which she could have been confused for. Then the king was told that Haman made gallows to hang Mordecai; the person that once saved his life. Esther 7:9 “And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon.” Verse 10: “So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king’s wrath pacified.”

Finally the king understands fully Haman’s plot. Apocrypha Esther 16:12 “But he, not bearing his great dignity, went about to deprive us of our kingdom and life:” Verse 13: “Having by manifold and cunning deceits sought of us the destruction, as well of Mardocheus, who saved our life, and continually procured our good, as also of blameless Esther, partaker of our kingdom, with their whole nation.” Verse 14: “For by these means he thought, finding us destitute of friends to have translated the kingdom of the Persians to the Macedonians.” Verse 15: “But we find that the Jews, whom this wicked wretch hath delivered to utter destruction, are no evildoers, but live by most just laws:” The full intentions of Haman was to takeover and convert the Persian Empire to Greek. Haman’s letters that were written in the king’s name were still in force.

After Esther pleaded for her kinsmen, the king gave Mordecai power to write in his name. In the copy of the writing, Mordecai commanded the Jews to be ready against that day and avenge themselves on their enemies. Esther 9:1 “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;)” Verse 2: “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.”

Then went out the Israelites by the decree of the king, and slaughtered all those that sought to destroy them. In Shushan the king granted the Jews two days to kill all their enemies. Esther 9:15 “For the Jews that were in Shushan gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and slew three hundred men at Shushan; but on the prey [spoils] they laid not their hand.” Verse 16: “But the other Jews that were in the king’s provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand, but they laid not their hands on the prey,”

Unlike king Saul from the tribe of Benjamin who kept alive Agag (the king of the Amalekites) and took the spoils, this generation fulfilled prophecy. Genesis 49:27 “Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.” Identical to the prophecy, Mordecai and Esther were from the tribe of Benjamin and they instructed the people to voraciously devour their enemies like a ravenous wolf without worrying about the spoils. Therefore the people did not plunder the spoils during the daytime, they focused on hunting the prey (their enemies) like a wolf. At night the people celebrated; divided the riches (spoil) from the war and sent gifts to each other.

They feasted for two days with great gladness, praising the most High for keeping his promise to Abraham and for saving them. Esther 9:17 “On the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same rested they, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.” Verse 18: “But the Jews that were at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof; and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.” Verse 19: “Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another.” Verse 20: “And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far,” Verse 21: “To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly,” This celebration is kept on the fourteenth and fifteenth day of the twelfth month which is called Adar (which falls between February and March).

To keep it holy we must do as our forefathers that rested, meaning these are Sabbath days. On these days we are not do any kind of work, it is a day off from our jobs and school work. No business could be conducted as in buying or selling. See, Nehemiah 10:31. The only way it differs from the weekly Sabbath is that we are allowed to cook. Cooking on the weekly Sabbath, the seventh day of the week is not allowed. See, Exodus 35:2-3. This means that if Purim coincides with the weekly Sabbath you must prepare the meal before the Sabbath; since you will not be able to cook. Please refer to the Sabbath report for more information.

This significant feast is declared in other prophecies in relation to Christ. Numbers 24:7 “He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.” Christ the king of Israel will be exalted above Agag (the ancestor of Haman) by giving salvation to his people. This prophecy was many generations before Agag was born. Numbers 24:18 “And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly.” Verse 19: “Out of Jacob shall come he [Christ] that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city.” Verse 20: “And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever.”

Esther 9:26 “Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur….” The name Purim means lots, because of Haman’s actions. Esther 9:24 “Because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that is, the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them;” However the word Purim is plural, meaning that God caused it to be two lots. Apocrypha Esther 10:9And my nation is this Israel, which cried to God, and were saved: for the Lord hath saved his people, and the Lord hath delivered us from all those evils, and God hath wrought signs and great wonders, which have not been done among the Gentiles.” Verse 10: “Therefore hath he made two lots, one for the people of God, and another for all the Gentiles.” Verse 11: “And these two lots came at the hour, and time, and day of judgment, before God among all nations.” Verse 12: “So God remembered his people, and justified his inheritance.”

In this manner will the Heavenly Father remember his people and justify them in the last days. Their king will come with a shout and defend them against their enemies and his kingdom shall be exalted. Apocrypha Esther 16:22 “Ye shall therefore among your solemn feasts keep it an high day with all feasting:” This concludes the feast days (holidays) that are according to the Holy Bible. Today we should keep these days like our forefathers instructed us, resting with gladness of heart and of sending portions one to another. Shalam (Peace)!