Saturday, September 28, 2013

Pur Esther 3:7 - Equipped for Battle

Haman has purposed in his heart to destroy Mordecai and his people the Jews because Mordecai will not obey the king's commandment to bow before him. Not only does Haman desire that Mordecai and his relatives be exterminated, but he has begun a plan for carrying out his wishes. In chapter three and verse seven we discover more about Haman's diabolical ploy. We read:

In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar.

Our verse begins, “In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus,...” The timing of this event is given to us clearly in this portion of the verse – in the first month, “Nisan” which means “their flight”...in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus.” We may remember that King Ahasuerus held feasts for those in his provinces and in his palace during the third year of his reign where he banished Queen Vashti from his throne, held a beauty contest in the sixth year of his reign, and named Esther as his new Queen in the tenth month of the seventh year of his reign. Now we skip ahead fifteen months or so and Haman is plotting in the month of “Nisan” which corresponds to our March – April.

The verse continues, “they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar.” The idea behind the casting of lots was to mystically determine the best time to eliminate the Jews. Astrology was used to determine the perfect time to carry out such an extrication, and by casting “Pur” or lots they tested each day and month of the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus' reign. The month of “Adar” means “glorious”, so from “their flight” to “glorious” Haman tested the days.

We may notice that from “their flight” depicting the time when Israel fled from Egypt until “glorious” this plan of Haman was tested for timing. He certainly did not take into account that the Jewish people were protected and overseen by God Almighty during his plan. The very months he chose to determine their demise was enough information, but sometimes the most obvious reasons are overlooked. Regardless of whether he considered such things or not, we do note his determination as he is driven to have his revenge upon Mordecai. Like Satan himself who desires to destroy all people who align with Jesus Christ, Haman becomes a prime example of how one so opposed to the people of God will use whatever means possible to eliminate them. Cast “pur” as you will oh enemy of God, and watch as your mystical methods foil beneath the mighty hand of the Creator.

Next time we will see Haman speaking to the king about the Jews, 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.



No comments:

Post a Comment