Purim Esther 9:26 - Equipped for Battle

The annual feasts were set, and the letters of Mordecai had the Jews all over the Persian empire in agreement with him about the celebrations. Their victories over their enemies who were inspired by Haman were complete, and their lives had been saved. In chapter nine and verse twenty-six we discover the name for these yearly festivities where we read:

Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. Therefore for all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and which had come unto them,

The verse begins, “Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur.” We see once again the word “Wherefore” and we are reminded that when we read the scriptures and the word “wherefore” is used, we are to look at the verse or verses before it and discover what the “Wherefore” is there for. In this case the reference is to the resolve of the Jews to make this time of feasting an annual celebration whereby they would remember the tremendous victories they had over their enemies. We also learn that they called this time “Purim” which comes from the word “Pur”. “Pur” means “the lot” and “Purim” is the plural of “lot” or “lots”, and it refers to the manner in which wicked Haman devised a plan to destroy the Jews. His plot was spoiled, and over a two day period the Jews defended themselves against their enemies.

The verse goes on to say, “Therefore for all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and which had come unto them,...” Once again the word “therefore” is used and it is there to describe the inspiration for the annual festivities call “Purim”. There are three things listed: “...for all the words of this letter;...that which they had seen concerning this matter;...which had come unto them.” The Jews had the letter, what they saw, and what came to them as motivations to keep this time of annual feasting. Because this time would occur every year, the future generations would be able to recount the events where God intervened in their lives to save them. Though future generations would not be able to experience personally the actual fighting and defense, the letter would help them to recount the marvelous salvation of God.

When we think about the inspiration for the time of Purim which is celebrated to the present day, we too may be inspired to remember what a great salvation the Lord Jesus has provided for us. Perhaps we will recall our previous battles and the victories we obtained. Maybe there were things we saw as we fought through them, and maybe there were onslaughts of the enemy which came to us. We know this, we have the letter above all letters in the scriptures to remind us over and over again how God has intervened in our lives and saved us from enemies that would destroy us. As we ponder these things today, we too might desire to set an anniversary to some victory we have won through the help of Jesus Christ. Perhaps the days of Purim will be our time of celebration too.

Next time we will see the Jews acceptance of this annual celebration, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

 

Until tomorrow...there is more...

 

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” and the new marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore