What Is Purim?

Short Answer: Unlike many of the festivals and assemblies that believers in the Messiah hear about, Purim is not a festival commanded by Elohim. The celebration of Purim comes from the Jewish people and the modern customs associated with it are largely either from Rabbinical sources or assimilated secular festivals. The recorded events forming the basis of Purim are found in the book of Esther. This book is unusual in that it is the only book in Scripture that does not directly mention the Almighty. Perhaps this is not so unusual since these events occurred in the Babylonian Empire after the time of the Captivity of Judah. However, it does contain a prophetic picture of the work of the Messiah as the Savior hidden within the events.

The major theme within the story of Hadassah / Esther is that the Eternal still cares for His people. Human history is messy. The people of Israel have wandered and are not keeping the covenant. Yet, like a good shepherd, Elohim remembers and keeps His promise to care for His sheep. The surprising twist is always how and when He chooses to make that care known. A sub-theme within the story is a prophetic picture of the crucifixon of the Messiah that defeats sin and death.

The name of Purim came because Hamaan chose to cast lots, called Pur in the Persian language, to determine the day to kill the Jewish People. It is from this term that Purim receives a name. That date fell on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month. Afterword, the Jewish people are given permission to defend themselves and destroy their enemies. Subsequently, the following day was chosen as a day of celebration.

Elohim has made a covenant relationship with His people. It includes the promise of close relationship in the land of Israel when His people seek Him and of distant relationship in captivity when His people turn away from Him. We see these events play out in dramatic form in the Babylonian captivity of Judah and the following events of Purim. The survival of the Jewish people comes on multiple levels during Purim. On the stage one watches the actions of Mordecai and Esther who are both noticed by the King and then play the pivotal roles of stopping the destruction of the people. More importantly, one can notice that behind the scenes the Almighty is working for His people. The many important timings that occur for Mordecai and Esther to be noticed, chosen, and favored all have the appearance of His intervention in events to cause a type of salvation to happen.

Avoiding this Tragedy

One of the sad things about this event is it could have been avoided at multiple times in history. Mistakes can carry on for centuries and millenia - both physically and spiritually.

One step in this long series goes back to the events of King Saul and King Agag. The Agagites were enemies to Israel and Saul was ordered to kill them all. However Saul spared King Agag. One of Agag's descendants was the wicked Haman. Interestingly, Mordecai was also a descendant of Saul which put the two on an ancient level of animosity from the beginning.

However, the story goes further back. The Agagites are descendants of Esau. So the rivalry between Jacob (represented by Mordecai and the Jews) and Esau (represented by Haman) was yet another layer to the conflict. Also, another point where obedience and patience would have prevented much trouble through history.

Crucifixion Chiasm

At the center of the story of Purim is a central event where the plot suddenly reverses and the bad guy is defeated instead of the hero. It is a crucifixion like event that occcurs a few hundred years before the Messiah would even be born.

One of the Hebraic writing techniques is called a chiasm. In this style of writing, a mirror image is made where topic 'A' is discussed at the beginning and end of the book. Inside of that, topic 'B' is discussed and later discussed again. Inside of that, topic 'C' will be discussed two times. This continues until the very center topic is reached ... and it is this topic on which the entire writing focuses.

Esther's Story In the story of Esther, a king who is in pursuit of pleasure allows a wicked man, Haman, to come to power. Haman's pride cannot handle a single Jew, Mordecai, who will not bow to him. So he plots to destroy all the Jews. However, as the story unfolds, Haman's evil is discovered and the very method he would use to destroy Mordecai became his own undoing.

The chaism in Esther follows this pattern: Topic A (1-2,9-10) involves the greatness and decrees of Haman, then Mordecai (also saving the king, then saving the Jews). Topic B (3,8) shows the elevation of Haman, then Mordecai. Topic C (4,8) Show Mordecai and Esther planning things behind the scenes. Topic D (5,7) has the two banquets. Finally, Topic E (6), has the moment of reversal where Haman is humiliated and Mordecai is honored.

Israel's Story In the greater Picture, it is relatively easy to equate characters with the history of His Special People. The drunken king, would represent fallen man and the pursuits of the flesh which most of the world is seeking. Esther can be seen as representing Israel with Mordecai being symbolic of Yahshuah. The wicked Haman is representative of the devil who wants to destroy Israel.

It should be noted that being hung is not the western idea of a gallows with a rope and a noose. Instead, in the cultures of the Medes and Persians, this would mean being attached to a tree or pierced on a stake. In fact, the Hebrew language uses 'ha-etz' which signifies a tree. According to the Bible, being hung on a tree would mark Mordecai as a cursed man [see Deu. 21:22].

The amazing thing with this picture is that the very instrument that the enemy wanted to use to destroy Israel, the stake, became the triumphant moment when the enemy was destroyed. Unlike Mordecai, when Yahshuah went to the stake, He was actually hung there to die. But this was a sacrificial death on our behalf and when He rose from the grave, this event marked the defeat of satan's plans.

Modern Day Attacks

Throughout history, governments and nations have either tried to assimilate believers or destroy them. Currently, it seems the effort is focused on making the Bible illegal and destroying they people. This is especially true in Communist and Islamic nations. To be Christian (or Jewish) can be highly risky in some areas.

While human history is complex, the Arab / Muslim world is largely the descendants of Ishmael and Esau. Therefore, the ancient rivalry between Israel and Edom continues to this day.

How Do We Celebrate Purim?

Because this is not a biblically commanded observance, one must be careful to distinguish Jewish / Rabbinic tradition from what might be expected of a Believer in general.

The Jewish Celebration Rabbinic and secular traditions abound in the Orthodox celebration of Purim. The four requirements are the reading of the scroll of Esther, a feast, giving gifts of drink and food to at least two people, and to give charity to at least two people. There is also the fast of Esther which is held the day before Purim when the people were to be killed. Other traditions including much drinking of wine, beauty contests, and wearing masks or costume parties for children.

Biblical Believers Although this is a Jewish celebration rather than a covenant commandment, taking a moment to remember His Providential care in our lives seems appropriate. As part of His special people Israel, this event becomes part of our history as well. It also acts as a reminder that persecution can come at any time and we should both be prepared to go through it by sticking to righteousness and to expectantly see His rescue.

This page is under construction. My apologies for any misspellings, repeated text, missing references, etc. Please visit again later for a more complete treatment of this topic.