The God of Purim is Still Seated on His Throne!

Read: Esther

Last night, I looked up the date for the celebration of Purim for 2026. It will begin at sunset on Monday and it will end when the sun sets on Tuesday. Purim is a fun and festive time when the Jews remember the truth that God's fingerprints were all over Esther's story. Even though His Name was not ever mentioned in the book that bears her name. More about that in a bit.

Little did I know as I thought about this holiday commemorating the deliverance of God's people from their enemy Haman, that this morning, Israel and the United States would be once again, battling yet another of Israel's enemies. Iran, whose government refers to Israel as the Little Satan and the United States as the Great Satan.

Around 2,500 years have passed since the wicked man Haman devised a plan to slaughter the Jews, but it was merely one of many insidious plots that have been hatched against God's chosen people throughout the years. What is fueled all this hatred? Behind the Haman's and the Hitlers is the evil one. The one who has stood against God and tried to grab prominence that was never his, Ezekiel 28:12-16; Isaiah 14:12-16. He is the one who in addition to opposing Israel also seeks to thwart us at every turn as we do God's work, 1 Peter 5:8. He is the one whom Ephesians 6:10-20 reminds us to stand against using the spiritual weapons given to us by the Lord.

For today, let's take a look at the One Who is on our side. Esther's God Who worked beautifully behind the scenes. He does that even now, and His plans for Israel and for us will not be thwarted, Proverbs 21:30-31. There is no God like Him. Who but our God can bring about everything that He has planned! We have plans, but the smallest thing can throw a monkey wrench into them. It isn't like that with God Who knows not merely what will happen today but months down the road. The fancy word for this truth is that He is omniscient.

1. Therefore, God knew that Queen Vashti would stand her ground and fail to appear when the king ordered that she appear before his nobles. God knew that there was a woman among the Jews who would eventually be chosen as the new queen. Giving her a place of prominence years later when her intervention would be needed. So, exit Vashti and enter Esther.

2. Therefore, God knew that Esther's Uncle Mordecai would add to Haman's hatred of the Jews when he refused to bow before him. It is likely that Esther's uncle took that stand because it is believed that Haman was an Amalekite. They opposed and harassed the Jews throughout the years. They even made it a point to attacked the weak ones at the time that Israel left Egypt.

3. Therefore, God knew that Esther would obey her uncle and not disclose the fact that she was Jewish. At least, not until the right time.

4. Therefore, God knew that one night when the king couldn't sleep, his official would read the very dull book of happenings within the kingdom. They didn't have phone books, and what a discovery the wakeful king made. Mordecai had saved the monarch's life and hadn't been rewarded. That was not the Persian way. Rewards were important, and this one was long overdue. We couldn't write a plot with this many ordinary circumstances that all came together to make a beautiful tapestry!!

5. Therefore, God knew that Haman who had been given undeserved prominence and power by the king, would be in the court right when the king had a question. ‘How should a deserving man be honored by the king!’ Haman had a ready answer; ‘That man should be pampered with all kinds of regalia.’ Surely, he pictured himself receiving pomp and praise.

6. Therefore, God knew that Haman's life was about to unravel since the honors he thought he deserved were instead going to be lavished upon his enemy, and he was the one who would have to do the lavishing. Talk about falling a long way down! If that weren't enough, the gallows that he meant for Esther's uncle would soon be used to eliminate both him and his sons.

7. Therefore, God knew that Esther would tell the king that she was a Jew at just the right time so that the trap that the evil man had set would spring on to his own head.

8. Therefore, God knew that the king's edict that had spelled downfall for the Jews would be overridden by a second edict. A writing that allowed the Jews the opportunity to fight against their enemies. An edict that brought about victory for God's people and the reason for a celebration each year. A celebration that continues even to this day!

So, Purim is really a reason for us to celebrate too. A time to remember that God's plan to set up His kingdom will surely come to fruition just as His protection for the Jews has never waned. There has always been a plan in place to rescue them, and one day, they will come to full knowledge of Messiah Who loves them and continues to hold out His love to them Romans 10:21. Purim. A reminder that God has been, is and always will be faithful. What He has promised, He will fulfill!