Remember…

So the Jews accepted what they had started to do, and what Mordecai had written to them. For Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur (that is, cast lots), to crush and to destroy them. But when it came before the king, he gave orders in writing that his evil plan that he had devised against the Jews should return on his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows. Therefore they called these days Purim, after the term Pur. Therefore, because of all that was written in this letter, and of what they had faced in this matter, and of what had happened to them, the Jews firmly obligated themselves and their offspring and all who joined them, that without fail they would keep these two days according to what was written and at the time appointed every year, that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, in every clan, province, and city, and that these days of Purim should never fall into disuse among the Jews, nor should the commemoration of these days cease among their descendants. (Esther 9:23–28)

Haman wanted all Jews destroyed, particularly Mordecai who had gained favor with the king. Esther exposed this man’s treachery, and the king came up with plan B and allowed the Jews to defend themselves on the two days they would be attacked. And they did. Haman was hanged and these two days became special and to be celebrated. 

This happened centuries ago yet Jewish people celebrate Purim today as a joyous festival on 14th of Adar (March 2–3, this year). They celebrate the survival of their ancestry with reading the Book of Esther, giving to charity, exchanging food gifts, and eating special food.

The story from the OT is an exciting read. I’m also intrigued that the two days of Purim have not been forgotten. This event shows how God takes care of His people in surprising ways, not only the Jews against the anti-Semitism of those days, but His people from every tribe and culture. 

It also stresses the importance of remembering the way God works in history by not  explicitly mentioning God. He works behind the scenes and in natural events. Some families play “I spy God” to remind them that He is always near, always involved in their  lives and that a major aspect of faith is believing what He says even though we cannot see Him.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. (Hebrews 11:1–3)

The Bible says “Faith comes by hearing” and this also is not necessarily audible. His Spirit speaks to our spirit and when we ‘hear’ God, we know it is Him.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27)

That voice is to be remembered. He tells me to remember the Sabbath, remember His covenants and commandments, remember His power and promises, and how I was a slave to sin but am now His servant, remembering His goodness and that He gives me all I need. My prayer is the same as this psalm:

Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. (Psalm 63:3–8)