The days of Purim have been
set and agreed upon by the Jews who were spread all over the Persian
empire. These two days of celebration would commemorate the time when
God delivered them from their enemies, and their festivities would
help future generations to know the mighty power of God. In chapter
nine and verse twenty-nine we see the agreement between Queen Esther
and Mordecai as they write yet another letter to confirm this annual
celebration. We read:
Then Esther the queen,
the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all
authority, to confirm this second letter of Purim.
The
verse begins, “Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail,
and Mordecai the Jew,...” As a confirmation and reminder the
author of the book of Esther tells us once again who was involved in
the process of promoting the days of Purim. As though we needed
reminding, “Esther the queen” and “Mordecai the Jew”
are listed for us once again, and the importance of knowing their
involvement is surely noted for not only those who knew them
personally, but also for we and others who would only know them by
these writings.
The
verse goes on to say, “wrote with all authority, to confirm this
second letter of Purim.” Notice once again the reference to
Queen Esther and Mordecai writing “with all authority”. In
other words they were fully commissioned by those in power, mainly
King Ahasuerus, to send letters that would call for the yearly
celebration of Purim. Lest there be any doubt concerning their
jurisdiction over this annual feast, Queen Esther and Mordecai are
mentioned as the principles from which a second letter was
constructed. As time proceeded, references to the written law of the
Persians and Jews would name these two as the ones with the ability
and power to call for such a feast.
Some events are so important
in our lives that they are worth repeating over and over again. We
tend to forget over time, and with repetitious reminders we continue
to be aware of historical events. When it concerns the intervention
of God in our lives, constant reminders of His care in the past
become stimulants for hope in present situations. Though repetition
may seem redundant at times, God's word through the Bible over and
over again helps us to be reminded that He will never leave us nor
forsake us. As we see His reminders in the scriptures we should have
these thoughts in our minds, “God loves me. God loves me. God loves
me.”
Next
time we will look at the manner in which these letter were sent out,
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
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