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What is Purim (Esther’s festival of lots)?
The Book of Esther is set in Persia (modern-day Iran) about 500 years before earthly ministry of Messiah Yeshua1Hebrew for Christ Jesus and shortly after the first wave of Jewish exiles returned to Israel from their exile.
The story of Esther starts with a young Jewish woman, a descendant of King Saul, who is elevated to the office of Queen Consort to the Persian emperor Akhashverosh, also known as Xerxes or Ahaserus. Although we are introduced to her through a beauty contest, her biography is recorded in the Holy Scriptures because her story resonates with the themes of redemption that we read in the rest of the Scriptures.
Her story echoes that of the Messiah Yeshua, who would come into the world 500 years later, during a time in which the Jewish people, again were governed by despots who did not have their spiritual or physical well-being at heart.
One might think that her story bears no connection to the Messiah Yeshua 500 years later, but her life story is full of messianic themes and she is just as much of a messianic figure as Jacob, Joseph, or Daniel. The main similarity between her mission and the mission of Messiah Yeshua is both of them were sent on a mission to save their people from physical (Esther) and spiritual (Yeshua) death and had to face down naive, corrupt, evil politicians to succeed in their mission.
Customs of Purim
Here are some of the unique traditions that make Purim special:
Reading the book of Esther
It is tradition at Purim, to read through the entire book of Esther orally. The saying “the whole megilla” comes from this tradition of reading from the scroll of Esther, called the Megilla.
It’s not a long book, but Esther’s story resonates with all Jews and other ethnic minorities who live in diaspora.
Food baskets for the poor
It’s a reminder that when one receives blessings from God, that it is only right to share them with those who aren’t as blessed as we are.
Purim plays
This tradition started in the Middle Ages but is very common to this day when people in Jewish communities get together and dress up as the main characters of the purim story and reenact the story of Purim, usually in a comedic fashion.
Traditional foods
The most well known Purim treat are cookies, called hamantaschen. Hamantaschen are triangle shaped cookies are traditionally filled with poppy seeds, prune jam or other jellies. They are said to resemble either the evil Haman’s ears or his hat, depending on which tradition you prefer. The iconic cookie is as synonymous with Purim as shamrocks are with St. Patrick’s day.
Bible studies on Purim
Tree of Knowledge and Haman’s gallows: Esther shows us how to overcome our desire to replace God
Burnt offering, Purim and Passover: Keep the coal of your heart’s fire burning long for the Kingdom of God
Studies and resources on Purim (Feast of Lots in the book of Esther)
How are the main people in the book of Esther also thematically tied to other people in the Bible?
Messianic symbols, message in the Book of Esther
Seventh day of Unleavened Bread: Significance then and today of Israel’s crossing of the Red Sea
Structure of the Book of Esther points to messianic prophecy
Purim: God loads the dice for His glory
Purim — an interactive condensed drama from the book of Esther
Book of Esther dramatic reading for Purim available for download
Hallel Fellowship has been celebrating Purim, the Feast of Lots recorded at the end of the Bible book of Esther, with a dramatic reading of the book with pantomime. The fellowship has developed an hourlong version of the book. Book-of-Esther-script-for-six-readers-TQ Book of Esther dramatic reading script for six readersDownload http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf If you can’t view the embedded slideshow, visit the Photos page.
‘Esther’s Legacy’: A historical look at numerous assaults against Jews and the response from by-standers
Purim: Book of Esther tells a never-old tale of hatred against God’s blessed servants
Reflections on Purim, the Feast of Lots in the book of Esther
Purim (Festival of Lots): The ‘hidden’ holy day
Discover more from Hallel Fellowship
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