Esther Chapter 9

What sets us apart from others?

Each time the enemies of the Jews come at them, the Jews will beat them soundly, with slaughter and destruction.  But each time their aim is achieved, which is to defend against the onslaught of the enemies, the Jews will stop fighting and not lay hand on the plunder.  This clearly distinguishes the intent of the Jews in fighting this warfare from the wishes of Haman, echoed by the enemies of the Jews, which is for the total destruction of the Jews, including the termination of all offspring and plunder of all their possessions.

The Jews could very well have laid hands on the plunder citing the king’s decree as the reason.  They may feel justified to do so, especially after all the trauma and hardship that they were put through.  The plunder can serve as compensation.  They however chose not to do so.

They have indeed lived up to the expectations of the Lord, as a nation not reckoned among the nations, upholding values through their actions and faith that glorify our Lord God, influencing others such that fear, honour, and praise came from the people of the land.

Not only is godly lineage preserved, the spread of the message throughout the land was also achieved.

Here we also understand the purpose of instituting the festival of Purim.  Beyond just mere feasting and celebrations, the Jews were made to understand the passing on of message throughout posterity, that the days should be kept and remembered everywhere, by everyone in all generations.  Do we similarly recognise and actively pass on our faith, such that our future generations do not forget and fail to hold fast to the goodness and blessings brought about by God’s deliverance?

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