Facts about Purim

Facts about Purim.

1. The Book of Esther and the Book of Daniel are the only two Biblical accounts that took place outside the borders of Eretz Yisrael.

2. The story of this Jewish victory is based in ancient Persia, now called Iran and Iran is the arch-enemy of modern day Israel. (+ others)

3. Time of the Purim story is during the reign of King Ahasuerus Xerxes I (485-464 B.C.)

4. Jewish tradition points to Mordecai as being the author, some scholars point to Ezra or Nehemiah as being the writer as the events of The Book of Esther took place between chapters 6 and 7 of The Book of Ezra.

5. The Book of Esther is unique in that the name of God is not mentioned once but God’s presence and power are clearly demonstrated.

When Haman cast the lot for a date to destroy the Jews after tricking the King, it was to be a year later, giving the Jews time to get ready. (see Proverbs 15:3; 16:33) 

Disobedience and Deliverance.

The Command of God.

And when the Lord your God delivers them over to you, you shall conquer them and utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them nor show mercy to them.

Also you shall destroy all the peoples whom the Lord your God delivers over to you; your eye shall have no pity on them; nor shall you serve their gods, for that will be a snare to you. Deuteronomy 7: 2, 16.

The Disobedience of Saul.

King Saul spares King Agag of the Amalekites.

1 Samuel 15:8.  And so 6 centuries later – trouble!

The Deliverance of God.

Violence shall no longer be heard in your Land. Neither wasting nor destruction within your borders; but you shall call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise. Isaiah 60:18.

You shall no longer be termed Forsaken, nor shall your land any more be termed Desolate; but you shall be called Hephzibah (My delight is in her), and your land Beulah (Married) for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married. Isaiah 62:4.

The Principal People.

Ahasuerus (Xerxes I) – The Persian King.

Esther 1:1-8.

Vashti – The Queen.

Esther 1:9-22; 2:1-4.

Mordecai – The Jew.

(Name from the God – Marduk)

Esther 2:5-6, 19-23; 3:2-3.

Esther – The Jewess. (From Ishtar- Goddess)

Jewish name Hadassah – Myrtle.

Esther 2:7-18.

Haman – The Evil One. The enemy of the Jews.

Named as this in – Esther 3:10, 8:1, 9:10, 24.

Esther 3:1-15. The Evil Plot.

The Outcome.

1. Haman is hung on the gallows meant for Mordecai. (With the measure you use!)

2. The Jews rise up and kill 75,000 in the Provinces of Persia.

3. 800 are killed in Shushan the capital.

4. The 10 sons of Haman are killed.

5. The Feast of Purim – a day of feasting and resting.

6. Mordecai becomes second to the King. He is great among the Jews and well received, seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his countrymen. Esther 10:1-3.

Haman is a type of the anti-Christ who has 10 kings in the end times – Rev 17:12. The Jewish name for the anti-Christ is Armilus.