Mordecai issued a decree to all Jews to defend themselves from those who would attack them. After the defending(or attacking) was done, by the Jews, Mordecai issued another decree to celebrate. By law, Jews were to take two days and celebrate what God had done: how He had saved them from destruction, how He has sent salvation, how He has provided for His people…again. Celebrating God was a large part of the Jewish culture, and Christianity being what Judaism was to turn into, a large part of Christianity should be celebration!
Esther is an amazing book of scripture (like all books of the Bible) that relates brilliantly to our lives today. The book never actually uses the name of God from front to back but the God’s providence and sovereign hand is seen throughout, if you are looking. Esther starts out at a party and ends with a new Jewish festival...in the end we will see why God should be praised. As people we do crazy things, but God is always to be trusted because His vision is sure and secure. Knowing God has all things in His hands should allow us to practically live our lives in his name every day. The book of Esther is about: alcohol, women, suspense, sex, evil guys, more evil guys, the good guys (who look a bit like evil guys), death, destruction, mayhem, intrigue, revenge, holidays, the Providence of God.
