Purim
פּוּרִים
Purim — The Feast of Deliverance
The Story of Esther
Purim (פּוּרִים - meaning “lots”) commemorates the miraculous deliverance of the Jewish people from genocide in the Persian Empire, as recorded in the Book of Esther.
The name comes from the “lots” (פּוּר - pur) cast by Haman, the wicked advisor to King Ahasuerus, to determine the date for the destruction of all Jews in the empire. But Yahweh sovereignly intervened through Queen Esther and her cousin Mordecai, turning the plot on its head.
“For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
— Esther 4:14
Key Characters and Events
Esther
A Jewish orphan who became queen and risked her life to save her people
Mordecai
Esther's faithful cousin who refused to bow to Haman and exposed a plot against the king
Haman
The prideful enemy who plotted genocide but was hanged on his own gallows
King Ahasuerus
The Persian king who unknowingly married a Jewish queen and issued decrees for deliverance
The Deliverance Theme
Though the name of Yahweh is never mentioned in the Book of Esther, His providential hand is evident on every page. The “coincidences” are too numerous to be accidental:
- Esther becomes queen “for such a time as this”
- The king has insomnia and reads about Mordecai's loyalty
- Haman arrives at the exact moment to honor Mordecai instead of hanging him
- The edict of destruction is reversed, and the Jews are saved
Purim teaches that even when Yahweh seems hidden, He is still at work, orchestrating history for the good of His people.
Observing Purim
Purim is observed on the 14th day of Adar (the twelfth month). Traditional customs include:
- Reading the Megillah (the scroll of Esther) aloud
- Giving gifts of food to friends (מִשְׁלוֹחַ מָנוֹת - mishloach manot)
- Giving to the poor (מַתָּנוֹת לָאֶבְיוֹנִים - matanot la'evyonim)
- Feasting and rejoicing
For Such a Time as This
Esther's courage challenges believers today: Are we willing to stand for Yahweh's people, even at personal cost? Are we faithful in the position where He has placed us, trusting that He has sovereignly orchestrated the circumstances?
Purim reminds us that Yahweh turns the plots of the enemy into victory for His people. As Haman's gallows became his own judgment, so the cross—intended for Yeshua's destruction—became the means of our salvation.