Purim, by definition, means ‘lot’ or something that was decided by the casting of lots (straws if you will). There is something interesting about the Feast of Purim for it is the first Old Testament feast that was non-Mosaic and the last Jewish feast celebrated before Passover. But the major theme of Purim is ‘rest’. Think of this. For an entire year the Jews had dreaded seeing the month of Adar approaching. They had read the edict written by Haman ordering their annihilation. For a year they lost sleep and the stress level was high for every Jew’ every man and woman and child. But they also had the edict in hand written by Mordecai allowing them to defend themselves. Only one thing is wrong with that and I, as a concealed carry permit holder, understand the moral dilemma with defending oneself; someone will die. Then the 13th of Adar arrives (March 7, 473 BC) and the attacks begin. Here is an interesting side note. Jewish tradition teaches that Moses was born on and died on March 7th. After a couple of days of fierce fighting the battle is complete and now the Jews want their children and their children’s children to observe a day of feasting and gladness that would be remembered every year; Purim (Vs. 17). Now what does Purim mean to us, seeing that we are Gentiles?
I. REST HAS THE ABILITY TO ENLARGE ITSELF Vss. 18-22
(a) Rest by a Great Deliverance: This feast not only memorialized the days of fighting or conflict (13th and 14th) but also the day when it was over.
Psalm 94:13 That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity…
1. Folks, that is what Heaven is all about. Our lives are filled from every side with adversity. The hardships of life and the misfortunes of the fleshly world can easily take our eyes and turn them to every negative thing that would rob of us of the joys found in Christ. Listen though to how Paul kept himself from the temptation found in adversity.
2 Corinthians 4:6-10 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. [We are] troubled on every side, yet not distressed; [we are] perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
2. These days of Purim, even though they were mingled with the tears of anguish and mourning in Mordecai’s day, joy and gladness and feasting and gifts were to be the theme that would be established as a memorial that their families would keep forever.
• Feasting (‘to drink’ because their fate was sealed by a signet ring and a drink) • Joy • Benevolence to others
II. REST CAN REMIND US OF THE BLESSING OF LIFE Vss. 23-26
(a) As a Caution: Purim reminded the Jews to never take the gift of life too lightly. They faced annihilation. Haman had every intention of wiping the Jews from the face of the earth and out of the memories of their enemies from a captive land. Vss. 23-24
• To consume; break, consume, break, crush • To destroy; to perish and be void of
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
(b) At a Cost: The selfless account of Esther approaching the king on behalf of all Jews will be remembered forever because she placed her life on the line for them all. Vs. 25
1. If I perish, I perish…. a. Esther’s courage and Mordecai’s character was to become the theme of this annual Jewish celebration.
I do not ask to walk smooth paths Nor bear an easy load, I pray for strength and fortitude To climb the rock-strewn road. Give me such courage I can scale The hardest peaks alone, And transform every stumbling block Into a stepping-stone. GAIL BROOK BURKET
Character is distilled out of our daily confrontation with temptation, out of our regular response to the call of duty. It is formed as we learn to cherish principles and to submit to self-discipline. Character is the sum total of all the little decisions, the small deeds, the daily reactions to the choices that confront us. Character is not obtained instantly. We have to mold and hammer and forge ourselves into character. It is a distant goal to which there is no shortcut. SIDNEY GREENBERG
III. REST IS TO BE ETERNAL Vss. 27-28
(a) An Established Rest: The Jews imposed these three days of rest upon themselves in perpetuity or time without end. This feast was first held on March 9, 473 BC. Purim was observed this year on February 25th and ended on the 26th at nightfall. The victorious Jews never intended for these days of rest to ever end.
1. David said…
Psalm 16:9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.
2. Jesus said…
Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
3. Paul said as an invitation to us all, both Jew and Gentile alike…
2 Thessalonians 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels…
a. Look at verses 27-32 again. This feast was to signify that rest would be ordained, remembered, kept in every place and that this rest is ordained under a supreme authority. The rest for the Jew came under the authority of Esther the Queen.
b. The rest for all believers comes under the authority of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords; Jesus Christ.
How shall we rest in God? By giving ourselves wholly to him. If you give yourself by halves, you cannot find full rest; there will ever be a lurking disquiet in that half that is withheld. Martyrs, confessors, and saints have tasted this rest, and “counted themselves happy in that they endured.” A countless host of God’s faithful servants have drunk deeply of it under the daily burden of a weary life—dull, commonplace, painful, or desolate. All that God has been to them he is ready to be to you. The heart once fairly given to God, with a clear conscience, a fitting rule of life, and a steadfast purpose of obedience, you will find a wonderful sense of rest coming over you. JEAN NICOLAS GROU (1731–1803)