A) Defense of Jews against their enemies: v 1 to 16:
1) the date on which the events took place:
was the 13th day of 12th month, a date chosen by Haman himself according to the oracles or omens sages, astrologers or magicians of the kingdom of Persia, he consulted: 3.7. So this day, according to their predictions, would be unfavorable to the Jews was, for a turnaround, unlike the day par excellence of asserting their supremacy over their enemies and their victory. How
today at the dawn of the third millennium, it is still thus:
- instead of relying on God, great and small consult seers and astrologers to make their decision: Ezekiel
21.26 to 27 - the shelves of bookstores and supermarkets are full of predictions of soothsayers and prophets of all hair announcing a golden age or a "new age" for the whole earth.
Like the prophets of the Old Testament, we can be sure of one thing: these predictions will not materialize. Happen in the world, not what the soothsayers and the occultists of all stripes predict, but what God says and decides only: Isaiah 41.21 to 26.
2) the turnaround:
Like Haman, their enemy, many people in history have planned the extermination of Jews. But, just like Haman, their hopes have been disappointed at all: see Isaiah 7.4 to 7; Ezech 21.28. Indeed, just when they thought and accomplish their projects, by the sovereign action of God, this is not them but the Jews who emerged victorious from battle. Where are indeed passed today:
- Hitler's third Reich millennium and his "final solution"?
- Stalin and his plans for destruction?
Israel is still there, more than ever present and powerful on the stage of history. His mere presence among us today, as a nation, is sufficient to show the sovereign action of the providence of God towards them.
Men unfortunately do not learn from history. One last time, led the last Haman, the Antichrist, the armies of the world will gather at the Holy Land, once again, plan the extermination of the Jewish people. But on this day, which will be the 13th of Adar, a turnaround divine and just when they think their reach purposes, it will be God's people who come out victorious and won the battle: Soph 3,8.14-15; Zach 14.1 to 5.12 to 16; Joel from 4.9 to 21.
3) the 2 camps:
Where previously the situation of Jews seemed hopeless, the turnaround has changed all divine:
- the terror of the Jews seized and paralyzed their opponents, making them unable resist them: Exodus 23.27; Joshua 2.9, 1 Sam 14,15; 2 Chr 14.13; 17.10, 20.29: terror whenever Israel has found his place before God and His thanks.
- the dread of Mordecai had seized all powerful and important men of the kingdom, who immediately chose to support his camp: v 3 and 4.
How will he still further the day when Jesus was crucified, and will prove to be manifested at the end of time as the Savior and Redeemer of Israel, His people. His anger will burn so quickly against all those who in their stubborn fool will persist in their anti-Christian and anti-Semitic madness: Psalm 2.10 to 12. On this day, so we'll see many kings, now hostile to Israel, "flipped" and rally the cause of the Messiah: Isaiah 19.16-25; 2.1 to 4, Zach 14.16.
What folly, however, among those who, faced with evidence that the winds of history had turned, persevered in their determination to fight at all costs want the Jews and their prince. He will know, like their mentor and his son, that their plight was reserved: v 5-10, Isaiah 14.21.
Similarly, since the resurrection of Jesus, the wind of history has turned: Acts 2.36; Rom 1:5; Heb 10.12-13. The return of Jesus, Son of God, will not, therefore, all about joy. Because Paul says, He will come from heaven with mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God and those who do not obey His gospel. It will then be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His strength: 2 Thes 1.6 to 10. How too, while there is still time and before it is too late, is it urgent to make peace with Him: 2 Cor 5.20 to 6.2.
4) the role of Esther in the victory of the Jews: v 12-13:
She again gives a double request:
- as a sign of a symbol for anyone who persists in complying with the decree of Haman, son killed his ten were hanged on the same gallows as their father
- an additional period of 24 hours is granted to Jews in the city of Susa in self-defense against their opponents.
Both requests vengeful and bloodthirsty nature can surprise us in the mouth of a woman of such great quality. They include, however, well if you enter:
- that what is at stake here is not simply a matter of interest but the very survival of the people of God
- in the spirit of Esther, her application is not motivated by an insatiable thirst for revenge, but in the mere application of the just punishment that deserved the enemies of the Jews.
Two obvious signs show that pure desire for justice that inspired Esther to Ahasuerus in his application:
- the fact that, while winners and superior to their adversaries, the Jews are not allowed to engage, as c ' was often the custom, looting and abuses: v 10 and 16. Their goal was to defend and not to go very bad in the eyes of all the other inhabitants of the kingdom of Persia. In doing so, they were justified and were spared what other kingdoms have failed to learn after being instruments of God to exercise His decision: to be considered in turn: 1.9 to 12 Amos Obadiah 10-16; Isaiah 10.5 to 7.12- 13.
- the warning was clear that the enemies of the Jews for the public hanging of the son of their enemy to the gallows when he himself had perished. Was not she in some way an invitation was sent to them to abdicate and renounce to follow the instructions of the decree which they claimed murderer?
Another reason biblical at the request of Esther is that it, as a Jew, bends to the biblical law of retaliation: an eye for eye, tooth for tooth: Exodus 21.24. It does not yet know Jesus, by His word, will teach from God surpassing any other Act and exceeding that given in the Old Testament law of forgiveness and love which applies not only to his brothers and friends, but even to his enemies: Matt from 5.43 to 45.
Do we not surprised, however, the severity of judgments that will reach the enemies of God, even on the order of Jesus, our Savior, Rev. 6.1. 8.1. They are the expression, not the year of grace, but the day of His wrath: Luke 4.18-19; Isaiah 61.1-2, Rev. 6.16 to 17.
B) Purim: v 17 to 32:
The days of fear are gone, the Jews made the two days following their release, 14 and 15 of Adar, Holidays, rest and joy. The institution of a holiday after a day of victory and its transformation into secular tradition is not unique to Jews, but common to all peoples that have experienced war and oppression: for example: 8 May, anniversary for the French end of the second world war ... However, the fact that almost 25 centuries after the fact, it is still commemorated, however, takes a spiritual and prophetic other. Let's see what this festival of Purim for the Jews and what it can to teach us, people of the New Covenant and believers from the pagan world:
1) Purim for Jews :
- It was officially instituted by Mordecai and Esther with a double letter: v 20 and 29, so that not only those who had experienced the event, but their descendants do not forget no: v 31. It is a constant concern of the Lord that the deeds of the spiritual history of God's people do not fall into oblivion, but are:
. recorded in Scripture: Exodus 17.14
. commemorated as a traditional festival that is retained in the memory: Exodus 12.14
. recalled and told to future generations so they do not forget: Joshua 4,6-7.21-22, Psalm 78.5-6
This perpetuation of remembrance is especially necessary for the people of God in times of distress and suffering. She reminds him that if he now through a difficult time, it has not always been this way and that God may, as He once did, the issue of his enemies perfectly and all its tribulations: Ps 77.11 to 13. She also serves as a base of prayer and supplication for God's people in times of trial, exile or temporary abandonment: Psalm 44.
- It is for Jews of all time, the clear message from the Lord that if, for a time, he is obliged, because of their sins to hide His face, His faithfulness to the covenant that He contracted with them can not fail them and guarantee their future their supremacy and their future security as a people elected earth: Deut 31.17-18; 32.19-20; Jer 3.12 to 13; Ezekiel 38.18-22; 39,21-22.29. On this day, the time of Jacob's trouble, which has now lasted for centuries, is finally over: Jer 30.7 to 11; Rom 11.28-29. It is also therefore a clear warning of what will happen to anti-Semitic of all time: Genesis 12.3
- It would be a day of joy and celebration for all the people. Therefore on this day:
. messages of peace and loyalty were sent to all Jews in all provinces of the empire: v 30; see 3 John 2, 1 Thess 1.1 ...
. mutual exchanges of gifts were made: v 19. Welcomed by the issue made by God, we congratulated each other trying to cheer each other by this
. we made donations to the poor so they are not excluded from the party, but they can rejoice with all: v 22. Nobody should be excluded from the party because of poverty or poverty (how it is different for Christmas Day, remember the coming of our great Savior and Liberator ...)
- It is still commemorated today by the Jews of our time as follows. On this day, we read the book of Esther and we made 3 prayers:
. a prayer of praise and thank the Lord for the grace to participate in this festival.
. another prayer of praise to the Lord, thanking Him for deliverance and protections granted to His people in past centuries
. a final prayer of praise to the Lord thanking Him for giving them life in order to participate in this ceremony
A feature at the festival: to read the name of Haman, they all cry out: "Clear his name! "Or" The name of the wicked will disappear! "Amid the din of young people, the name of Haman son of vote in a single voice broadcast, a reminder that the hanged together.
2) parallel the Christian holiday of Purim:
It can be seen in the Holy Communion in the traditional institution or other Christian holidays like Christmas or Easter. In these days of celebration and joy, where gifts are exchanged and where everyone, rich and poor participate, we Remembering:
- or the coming of the Lord in this world
or - His death and His resurrection for us: 1 Cor 11.23-26
- in any case, His victory and His complete triumph over the enemy
That motto of our Christian life is the same as that adopted in all its tribulations, the apostle Paul: "Rejoice in the Lord always: Phil 4.4."
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