Esther 09.26-28 l THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD part03

Today’s reading: Esther 08.01-10.03

Esther 09.26-28 “26 Therefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. And because of the instructions in this letter, both what they had seen in this regard and what had happened to them, 27 the Jews established and made a custom for themselves and for their descendants and for all those who allied themselves with them, so that they would not fail to celebrate these two days according to their regulation and according to their appointed time annually. 28 So these days were to be remembered and celebrated throughout every generation, every family, every province and every city; and these days of Purim were not to fail from among the Jews, or their memory fade from their descendants.”

In today’s reading, Esther asks for a new law to be instituted so that the Jews could defend themselves (Esther 08.01-17). In Esther 09.01-32 it is recorded that the Jews then rose up and defended themselves and then they started the Feast of Purim (Lots) to remember how the LORD saved them from destruction. The book closes with the greatness of Mordecai (Esther 10.01-03).

The providence of God is again revealed throughout our text for today.

Mordecai now was placed in the position that Haman once held (Esther 08.02), and between him and Esther, they were allowed to issue a new law allowing the Jews to assemble and defend themselves from any attackers (Esther 08.08-14). Many people decided to become Jews because they saw the providence of God in all of these events (Esther 08.17).

The providence of God was seen in that the Jews were victorious against their enemies, and even those in the royal family and government assisted the Jews (Esther 09.01-03; Esther 09.05-16)! Mordecai’s reputation spread throughout the Persian controlled territories (Esther 09.04). On the day that was originally set aside to annihilate the Jews, they had a great victory and were able to celebrate the next day (Esther 09.17-19)!

Mordecai, the Jew that annoyed Haman because he would not bow (Esther 03.02; Esther 03.05-06; Esther 03.08-10; Esther 05.09-14; Esther 06.12) was brought up to a prominent position, all because of the providence of God (Esther 10.01-03).