Feast of Purim Established

Esther 9:18–Esther 10:3
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The Feast of Purim was not established by the Mosaic Law. It was commanded by Mordecai (vv. 20-28) and by Esther (vv. 29-32). These two feast days were for remembering the goodness of God working through circumstances to protect His people from extinction. This feast was called Purim (referring to the lot) because of Haman’s use of the lot to determine the time of the execution (3:7). Mordecai proclaimed that the Jews were to make the 14th and 15th days of March official feast days (vv. 18-19). The feast involved eating and gift giving to friends and to the poor (vv. 20-23). Purim is still celebrated today. During the feast, the book of Esther is read in its entirety. A letter written by Queen Esther was sent to the Jews in all 127 provinces proclaiming the reason for the new holiday (vv. 29-32). 

The book closes by speaking of the king’s power, but more importantly extols the leadership abilities of Mordecai who was once a hated Jew in the Persian Empire (vv. 1-3). King Xerxes made everyone in his kingdom and those across the sea pay taxes (v. 1). Mordecai was promoted by Ahasuerus and loved by the Jews (v. 3). Mordecai had virtually unlimited opportunities to shape the policies and administration of the Empire. His high position guaranteed the welfare of the Jews while they lived in a foreign land.

Application

As the early Jewish readers read this account, they would have been struck by the way God was sovereignly protecting them, often when they did not even realize it. Many things happened in this book that were beyond anyone’s control except that of God who overseas history. No wonder Purim was celebrated yearly with such rejoicing; to help the Jews remember that God is in control and that people should faithfully worship and serve their God.