Esther and Mordecai Writing the Second Letter of Purim, Painting by Aert de Gelder, 1685

Celebrating God’s Goodness

Do you celebrate God’s goodness? Reflecting on what God has done can inspire you to trust Him more and will strengthen your faith. For Esther and Jewish families, the Feast of Purim is an annual celebration that reminds them how God delivered them from their enemies and continues to do so. Join the podcast today to celebrate God’s goodness and review the many reversals in the Book of Esther.

Reversals Continue

Approximately two months and ten days after the first decree was issued, Mordecai wrote the second edict, empowering the Jewish people to defend themselves against their enemies. The turnarounds were astounding! Today, we share at least 15 reversals and cover these points:

No Plundering (Esther 9: 1-17)

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• To plunder means to steal goods by force, often during a war and with an objective of making profit.
  
• In Esther 9, the Jewish people remembered the violation of God’s commands in their heritage (1 Samuel 15) and acted in holy retribution for self-defense but took no plunder for their profit.
  

 The Feast of Purim Established Forever (Esther 9: 18 – 10: 3)

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• Mordecai and Esther declared two days of celebration in an official decree to be remembered forever.
  
• Purim means “lots” or dice which is what Haman used to pick the date for the Jewish annihilation.
  
• The Book of Esther, also called the Megillah,  is read twice during the Feast dated according to the Hebrew calendar.
  
• Children “boo and hiss” and throw popcorn when they hear Haman’s name.
  
• Today, Jewish families celebrate by bring gifts to the poor, giving gifts to each other, and eating fruit-filled triangular cookies called Hamantashens [haa·muhn·taa·shn] or Haman’s Ears. They are delicious! You can pick up a recipe card on my website WRAPYourselfinJOY.com or in my book.
  

Banquets and Feasts in Esther

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• Esther begins with a banquet and ends with a feast, all with great joy.
  
• Four pairs of feasts celebrate the turnarounds and triumphs of God.
  

The Dream, Memory, and Plot (Esther 10 – 16).

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• Esther 10 -16 , the Deuterocanonical additions A – F,  suggest Mordecai remembers a Dream. It foretold God’s deliverance relating to the main events in Esther. In addition, these chapters add a few details to the occurrences.
  

The Hero of the Book of Esther is GOD

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• God used the beautiful Esther, caused the sleeplessness of the king, brought down Haman, exalted Mordecai, and gave the Jewish people victory over their enemies.
  
• God showed tremendous power on behalf of his people. Almost like fireworks, the reversals came quickly and spectacularly, fifteen in all.
  

Remembering God’s Goodness

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• The Feast of Purim, still celebrated yearly in the Jewish tradition, helps families remember God has delivered them and will continue to deliver them.
  
• Psalm 77 calls us to remember God’s goodness.
  

Personal Reflection

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2. Do you set aside time to remember, joyously celebrate and thank God for what He has done for you? How can you implement Esther’s example?
   
3. Do you call upon God for creative solutions or turnarounds when problems arise? Try it!
   
4. Are you encouraging others that God intervenes in history when his people seek him with prayer, repentance, and fasting? Please consider it!
   

New Podcast Series & Cup of JOY Women

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• Join my newest podcast coming this summer: Ruth – Finding JOY in Tough Times and Trusting in God’s Goodness.  If you would like to host a weekly one-hour “Cup of Joy Women ” study with your friends, email me: karen@WrapYourselfInJoy.com. It’s free and I will send you all the materials you need for the weekly one-hour discussion and study over coffee. You can read more HERE on hosting a CUP of JOY Women or Cup of JOY Gathering small group.
  

Links

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• You can download Bookmarks (and recipe card) from this podcast series at my website: WRAPYourselfinJOY.com
  
• Check out more podcasts here!
  
• Click here to find the book: Esther For Such a Time As This: Prayer, Reversals, and JOY
  

The post Esther for This Time #10 – Celebrating God’s Goodness & the Feast of Purim appeared first on Ultimate Christian Podcast Radio Network.