Israel is celebrating Purim today!  It is a celebration of the delivery of the Jewish people from annihilation by Haman, an official in the Persian empire, and is recorded in the book of Esther.  There, we find an orphaned girl (Esther), raised by a relative (Mordecai) while in exile.  “Upside down drama” definitely plays out as we find that young Jewish girl (whose ethnicity was hidden for her own safety) winning a beauty contest and becoming queen to King Ahasuerus.

Little did they know, God was preparing Queen Esther for “…such a time as this.”

In a wild series of events, because of Mordecai’s faithful service to the king and because of Esther’s position, the Jewish people were saved from the murderous Jew-hater, Haman.  Thus, the Jews are alive today because the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is faithful to His everlasting promises!  (Take time to read the entire story in Esther!  You will be blessed.)

One for Israel released an article, Esther: The Upside Down Drama, I found highly interesting.  I hope you will enjoy it, too, as we contemplate this joyful day in which Jews celebrate their deliverance!

PS: On Purim, children often dress up like Mordecai and Esther, and there is a “carnival-like” atmosphere, complete with noise-makers, candy and gifts.  On the surface, it may seem like what we know in America as Halloween.  However, while Halloween rises out of evil, occultic roots, Purim arises from the Biblical account of Esther.  The two celebrations are totally unrelated.

Want to dig deeper?  You will find more information about Purim here.