Repeated words/phrases:
(1) 9:17b They then rested on the fourteenth day and made it a day for banqueting and happiness.
v.18b making it a day for banqueting and happiness.
v.19b set aside the fourteenth day of the month of Adar as a holiday for happiness, banqueting, holiday, and sending gifts to one another.
v.22b These were to be days of banqueting, happiness, sending gifts to one another, and providing for the poor.
Obviously, they were happy because their trouble turned to happiness and their mourning to a holiday v.22a. However, v.22b added more details to their celebration. They provided for the poor. Why? I guessed when everyone was banqueting and sending gifts the poor could not afford to do so even though they were joyous like everyone else.
Obviously, they were happy because their trouble turned to happiness and their mourning to a holiday v.22a. However, v.22b added more details to their celebration. They provided for the poor. Why? I guessed when everyone was banqueting and sending gifts the poor could not afford to do so even though they were joyous like everyone else.
Let's remember the poor, especially during the holidays.
(2) Both Mordecai and Esther wrote a letter to all the Jews to have them to observe the Purim v.20-32. However, in the 2nd letter it was mentioned that,
9:31 to establish these days of Purim in their proper times, just as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had established, and just as they had established both for themselves and their descendants, matters pertaining to fasting and lamentation.
The word, "fasting" appears 2 other times in Esther (4:3, 16). Obviously it was tied to prayers. God was the reason for their turning around. When they celebrated they were reminded not to forget about God for He is the reason for their celebration.
The word, "fasting" appears 2 other times in Esther (4:3, 16). Obviously it was tied to prayers. God was the reason for their turning around. When they celebrated they were reminded not to forget about God for He is the reason for their celebration.
When we celebrate our turn around, let's not forget Who brought changes in our lives.
(3) v.10b But they did not confiscate their property.(repeated in v.15, 16).
(ZIBBC) Xerxes’ edict granted the Jews the right to plunder the spoil of their enemies (8:11), completely reversing Haman’s decree. The Jews’ refusal to touch the plunder might be designed to demonstrate that the slaughter was not motivated by greed. But it seems more likely that their restraint reflects the fact that the conflict is presented as a showdown between Israel and Amalek (see comment on 3:1). Since God had forbidden the Israelites from taking plunder from the Amalekites (1 Sam. 15:3), they took no spoil from their enemies in this battle either.
For some reasons, Jews did not take the property. When they had the right to do so they did not. Which means, they exercised some restraint. Why? Because they knew that the chance was given by God and they needed to do it in honor of God (when God told Israel not to take plunder from the Amalekites).
When we know that the changes in our lives were brought by God we have certain changes in our lives in order to honor Him. What are those changes in you?
Audrey
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