Read ESTHER 9:29–32

The Library of Congress has more than 20,000 documents from President Abraham Lincoln’s life and political career. Among the collection are letters, speeches, and personal notes. One particularly treasured artifact is a draft of the Emancipation Proclamation dated July 22, 1862. Great effort is taken to preserve these records of our history.

As we close the book of Esther, we see that the events which have transpired will not be forgotten. Queen Esther and Mordecai wrote a second letter of confirmation to establish the days of Purim. They had “full authority” given to them by the king (v. 29). Notice the level of documentation that confirmed their decision. In addition to the writing of the official edict, letters were sent to each of the 127 provinces. The letters brought good news, words of “goodwill and assurance” (v. 30), and established the tradition of celebrating Purim. They did more than simply inform the Jewish people who were alive at the time of Esther and Mordecai. This information was intended to be recorded and handed down for generations to come.

Throughout Scripture, there is an emphasis on recording the words of God and memorializing the significant moments between God and His people. In Exodus, the Ten Commandments were written on tablets of stone to record the Law of God for His people. Throughout the Old Testament, genealogies were carefully recorded, temple ceremonies paid close attention to detail, and parents passed along the stories of God to their children.

Each word, every letter, was recorded so they would “remember the days of old” (Deut. 32:7)—not just to remember the event or to celebrate a fun holiday, but to remember how God had moved to deliver and vindicate His people and to celebrate His mercy and power.

APPLY THE WORD

Have you written down your personal testimony? Some genealogists find important dates penned in the family Bible. Write a simple record of how God has worked in your life. Tuck it in your Bible or share it with your family. Show how God has been important to you and let future generations see how His hand has been at work in your life.

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Read ESTHER 9:20–28

Jewish people still celebrate the Feast of Purim each year, usually during the month of March. They set aside a day to celebrate God’s deliverance of their people as recorded in the book of Esther. They exchange gifts, make charitable donations, prepare special dishes like pastries nicknamed “Haman’s Hat,” and participate in the public reading of Esther. A special prayer, Al ha-Nissim, which is translated “For the Miracles,” is said at morning, noon, and night. They take time to celebrate and remember what God has done.

Indeed, the Jewish people had a miracle to celebrate. God had delivered them from death. Today’s passage records the very first Purim celebration. Mordecai made the day official (v. 21). They were to do three things: observe a day of feasting, give presents to one another, and give to the poor (v. 22). Certainly this would have been a welcome announcement after months of fear and days of intense battle. God had been good to His people and delivered them from Haman’s wicked plot.

This passage re-tells the story and explains the meaning of the word Purim, which comes from the word pur, the lots that are cast in divination (v. 24). Haman had decided the fate of the Jewish people by consulting fortunetellers who had cast lots, but God prevented Haman from carrying out his wicked plan.

Notice the word every used repeatedly in verse 28. This celebration would be carried out by “every family, and in every province and in every city” (v. 28). The happiness should be pervasive. This event had decided their fate and changed the course of history. They were never to forget what God had done. Purim would help them remember, so “the memory of these days” would not die out for future generations (v. 28).

APPLY THE WORD

We often come to God with requests, and He has invited us to do so. But sometimes we need to set aside time to thank Him for what He has done. We must tell the stories of God’s blessings to our children and our children’s children. Take time today to thank God, to remember what He has done, and to celebrate His work in your life.

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