Introduction
Esther 9:20—10:3: In today’s reading, Mordecai commemorates the Jews’ victory over their Persian enemies by instituting the festival of Purim. It is observed on the fourteenth and fifteenth of Adar in the Jewish calendar, which usually falls in February or March. The celebration involves exchanging food and giving to the poor, and is named after the lots (“purim”) Haman had cast to determine the day for destroying the Jews. Mordecai and Esther instruct the people to observe the festival annually for all time.
Today’s Key Verse: Esther 9:22a GNT
These were the days on which the Jews had rid themselves of their enemies; this was a month that had been turned from a time of grief and despair into a time of joy and happiness.
Read
20 Mordecai had these events written down and sent letters to all the Jews, near and far, throughout the Persian Empire, 21 telling them to observe the fourteenth and fifteenth days of Adar as holidays every year. 22 These were the days on which the Jews had rid themselves of their enemies; this was a month that had been turned from a time of grief and despair into a time of joy and happiness. They were told to observe these days with feasts and parties, giving gifts of food to one another and to the poor. 23 So the Jews followed Mordecai’s instructions, and the celebration became an annual custom.
24 Haman son of Hammedatha—the descendant of Agag and the enemy of the Jewish people—had cast lots (“purim,” they were called) to determine the day for destroying the Jews; he had planned to wipe them out. 25 But Esther went to the king, and the king issued written orders with the result that Haman suffered the fate he had planned for the Jews—he and his sons were hanged from the gallows. 26 That is why the holidays are called Purim. Because of Mordecai’s letter and because of all that had happened to them, 27 the Jews made it a rule for themselves, their descendants, and anyone who might become a Jew, that at the proper time each year these two days would be regularly observed according to Mordecai’s instructions. 28 It was resolved that every Jewish family of every future generation in every province and every city should remember and observe the days of Purim for all time to come.
29 Then Queen Esther, the daughter of Abihail, along with Mordecai, also wrote a letter, putting her full authority behind the letter about Purim, which Mordecai had written earlier. 30 The letter was addressed to all the Jews, and copies were sent to all the 127 provinces of the Persian Empire. It wished the Jews peace and security 31 and directed them and their descendants to observe the days of Purim at the proper time, just as they had adopted rules for the observance of fasts and times of mourning. This was commanded by both Mordecai and Queen Esther. 32 Esther’s command, confirming the rules for Purim, was written down on a scroll.
10 King Xerxes imposed forced labor on the people of the coastal regions of his empire as well as on those of the interior. 2 All the great and wonderful things he did, as well as the whole story of how he promoted Mordecai to high office, are recorded in the official records of the kings of Persia and Media. 3 Mordecai the Jew was second in rank only to King Xerxes himself. He was honored and well-liked by his fellow Jews. He worked for the good of his people and for the security of all their descendants.
Reflect
Why does Mordecai tell the Jews to celebrate on these days? Why might he tell them to commemorate a military victory by “giving gifts of food to one another and to the poor” (verse 22)? Who is commanded to observe the festival (verse 27–28, 30–31)? How does your church or community celebrate days of peace and deliverance?
Pray
Lord God, your works stand forever, testifying to your mighty name. Do not let me forget what you have done for me; give me a thankful and generous heart. May I be quick to praise you and help my neighbors in need. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Ruth 1:1–22: Naomi and Ruth return from Moab to Bethlehem.
