Purim is this weekend and I couldn’t be more excited about it!
Out of all the feasts I feel like Purim is the best example of the pure joy of being a believer. It is completely a feast of thanksgiving and praise for the deliverance that Yahweh gives us on a daily basis. It’s an equalizing feast, everyone from the least to the greatest has something to celebrate.
So here is a little back story for you. Purim is about the story of Esther also known as Hadassah. If you have not read the story I highly suggest that you do, it’s only 10 chapters long and you can usually read it all in one sitting. The celebration of Purim comes from Esther 9:20-32 in verse 22 it says that “…He (Mordecai) wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor.” Purim in modern days has taken on a few traditions in addition to feasting, giving food, and gifts to the poor. Purim is a costume party, we like to dress up as different people from the bible but some people just dress up as anything. During services we read the whole book of Esther and cheer for Mordecai, boo for Haman, and aww for Esther. Traditionally people will eat these Haman’s ear pastries which I need to learn how to make.
With all those great traditions and festivities it is no wonder why I like Purim so much. Who doesn’t like dressing up and feasting? But all of those great things are not why I like Purim, they are pluses for sure but they are just extra. The meat and soul of Purim for me is the freedom we have in Yahweh. We can trust that He has placed us where we are every day to bring His freedom to everyone. We may not see His name on it (we don’t see His name at all in the book of Esther) but why should He when we know His name is on everything. He uses the lowly orphan in Esther to pour out His justice and mercy on all of Israel and he uses all of us lowly people to pour out His perfect justice and mercy on everyone because we all are Israel.
Doesn’t that fire you up to know that Yahweh’s justice flows through you! What greater joy is there than His freedom!
So let’s read our history in Esther, let’s dress up like our very great grandparents, and let’s feast because we have been redeemed!
Filed under: Uncategorized, Costume, Esther, Feast, Hadassah, Haman, Justice, Mercy, Mordecai, party, Purim
