TODAY IN THE WORD
The festival of Purim is still celebrated in Judaism to commemorate the deliverance in the book of Esther. God’s people were threatened with annihilation, but through a series of reversals of fortune, hidden identity, and Esther’s courage, they triumphed over their tormentor. The comedic elements of this book have long been recognized, and accordingly, the celebration of Purim is a time of fun and merriment. Noisemakers are used during the public reading of Esther any time Haman’s name is mentioned in order to signal disrespect for him, and delicious foods are shared with friends and family.

The book of Esther contains various forms of comedy, particularly relating to the fate of Haman. His dramatic reversal—he thinks he will be grandly honored by the king only to find that his elaborate plans for recognition are bestowed upon his arch-enemy Mordecai—is a classic version of comic misunderstanding (see Esther 6). Our focus today lies on the way the entire story of Esther dramatizes the comedy of redemption. Haman magnified a personal slight from Mordecai into a vendetta against all the Jews (3:6). The text implies that Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman because Jews reserved such devotion for God alone (see Daniel 3). By manipulating the king, Haman was able to procure an order to destroy all the Jews in Persia on one day (3:13).

Only Esther was in a position to intervene, but it involved risking her own life. With the spiritual support of her cousin Mordecai and the Jewish community, she agreed to plead with the king (4:16). Her ingenuity revealed the true nature of Haman’s plot, and Haman was hanged on the gallows where he had intended to kill Mordecai (7:10).

Although Haman had been executed, the order against the Jews was irrevocable. Esther again beseeched the king to protect her people, and Mordecai was given the opportunity to issue a decree in the king’s name empowering the Jews to resist any attack. What once appeared to be certain annihilation ended as a day of celebration.

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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The observance of Purim usually involves four elements: listening to the book of Esther read aloud; sending gifts of food to friends; giving food to the poor; and eating a festive meal. As part of reflecting on and celebrating our own great redemption, consider incorporating these into your schedule soon. Read the entire book of Esther, either on your own or with others, share food with friends and with those in need, and enjoy a meal together with loved ones. We can celebrate being delivered from certain death into abundant life!

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