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The Book of Esther – Bible Study 15

Expository Commentary on the Book of Esther

The Feast of Purim was not a festival commanded by Moses, yet it remains one of the festivals observed by the Jewish people to this day.

In the Book of Esther, it was established that this feast should be celebrated from generation to generation. The Jews resolved that it should be observed faithfully and without fail.
Even today, Jews around the world celebrate Purim with great joy on the 14th day of the month of Adar.
The Persian word "Pur" means "lot". Haman cast lots to determine the most suitable day for the destruction of the Jewish people. However, God overturned his evil plan. In remembrance of this event, the feast was named Purim ("Lots") (Esther 9:24–26).
Through Moses, God commanded the Israelites to observe certain feasts:
Passover
Pentecost (Feast of Weeks)
Feast of Tabernacles
Yet the Jews continue to celebrate Purim to this day. Why?
Haman conspired to destroy the Jewish people completely and selected the day of destruction by casting lots. A royal decree was issued and distributed throughout the empire. As a result, the capital city of Susa was thrown into confusion. Among the Jews there was distress, mourning, weeping, and lamentation.
There was a custom in the Persian Empire that once a king issued a decree, not even the king himself had the authority to revoke it. Therefore, the Jewish people were under a sentence of death.
But God intervened and brought about a great deliverance through Esther. King Ahasuerus then issued a new decree.
Immediately, on the twenty-third day of the third month, the month of Sivan, the royal scribes were summoned. They wrote out all Mordecai's instructions to the Jews, the royal officials, the governors, and the administrators of the 127 provinces stretching from India to Ethiopia. These decrees were written in the script and language of each province and also in the script and language of the Jews themselves.
The king's decree granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves. They were authorized to destroy, kill, and annihilate any armed force from any people or province that might attack them, their women, and their children. They were also permitted to plunder the property of their enemies (Esther 8:9, 11).
The earlier decree was not officially revoked; instead, the Jews were given legal authority to defend themselves. The appointed day for this action throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus was the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar.
To commemorate this mighty act of God, the Jews began celebrating the Feast of Purim on the fourteenth day of Adar, and they continue to observe it with joy to this day.
The Jews were already observing this feast during the earthly ministry of Jesus. There is no record in Scripture that Jesus ever opposed the celebration of Purim.

The central message of Purim for Christians is this:
"Even when God seems unseen, He is at work. He never forgets His people and is able to turn the evil plans of men into instruments for His glory."
Therefore, the Feast of Purim stands as a powerful testimony to God's Providence, Protection, and Faithfulness to His promises.


With this, we conclude our exposition of the Book of Esther. Next, we will begin a study of the Book of Job and meditate on its profound truths in the coming lessons.

If these studies on the Book of Esther have been a blessing to your spiritual life, please share your thoughts and feedback with me. Such encouragement is pleasing to the Lord and strengthens His work.
In God's Service,