Now that the letters of
Mordecai were sent to the Jews located in the one hundred and
twenty-seven provinces of the Persian empire, Jews throughout the
kingdom were not only celebrating their victories over their enemies,
but they would also make these festivities an annual event. In
chapter nine and verse twenty-four we review the reasons for their
observances. We read:
Because Haman the son
of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised
against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that is,
the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them;
The
verse begins, “Because...” The Bible is the best interpreter of
the Bible, and when we see the word “Because”, “For”,
“Wherefore” and “Therefore” we can be certain that we are
going to receive the reason for something that was just mentioned. In
this case the scriptures help us once again to know why the Jews were
celebrating, and although it is a repeat in some measures of what was
already stated in this chapter, the fact that it is mentioned again
should only inspire us to its importance.
The
verse goes on to say, “...Haman the son of Hammedatha, the
Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews to
destroy them,...” We are reminded that the Jews were
celebrating “because” of this wicked plot by “Haman
the son of Hamedatha, the Agagite” to destroy them. We may
remember in an earlier teaching that King Saul should have destroyed
every Amalekite but did not, so Haman, this “Agagite” or
descendant of Agag an Amalekite was still alive. Notice too that he
is named “the enemy of all the Jews” which from the
results of our story is not an enviable position. Enemies of the Jews
should take note and beware especially when they are as Haman who “
devised against the Jews to destroy them”. The Jews were
celebrating an annual holiday because their enemies thought they
could prevail against them. They were wrong.
The
verse continues, “and had cast Pur, that is,
the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them;” The word “Pur”
means “lot” or “lots” and signifies the manner in which Haman
thought to destroy the Jews. Though his plan was failed, nonetheless
Haman believed that he would have victory not only over Mordecai whom
he hated but also every Jew throughout the Persian kingdom. His
desire was to “consume them” and “destroy them”,
however his plan was foiled by the Jews who defended themselves.
Haman's lost cause gave reason for the Jews to have an annual time
which included cheerfulness, generosity and charity, and thus they
did and do even today.
Sometimes
it is good for us to review the reasons that we have annual
celebrations. Rather than simply abide by the dictates of a calendar
when we observe holidays, it is good for us to remember why we pay
particular attention to them. In other words, we should ask “why do
we celebrate Christmas, Valentines Day, Easter, Memorial Day,
Veterans Day, etc.?” When we reduce these days to minimal reasons
such as “another day off” or “a time to give or get gifts” we
may lose the true meaning for the celebration of them. Perhaps as we
consider the Jews' review of why they have their annual celebration,
we too will remember to consider more carefully the reasons we
celebrate ours.
Next
time we will see how Haman reaped what he sowed, 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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