RPG Teenz
WHAT IS ‘PUR’ AND ‘PURIM’?
AUG 14
Esther 9
Memorise Esther 9:22 "from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day"
WHAT IS ‘PUR’ AND ‘PURIM’?
If you were to visit Israel or any Jewish community around the world sometime around March, you would have the privilege of witnessing the celebration of the Jewish festival of Purim. You might see carnivals, and many of them dressed up in costumes, perhaps even cross-dressing, as they party, feast, drink and give gifts to each other. Some have even described the festival of Purim as the Jewish Mardi Gras. In fact, because the dates are rather similar, these festivals are sometimes even celebrated together.
Reading the end of the book of Esther, we realize that this Jewish festival actually has its roots from the Bible. The word ‘purim’ is the plural form of the Hebrew word ‘pur’ which simply means lots, as in to cast lots (like a ‘lucky draw’). This is what Haman did in Esther 3:7, in seeking to find an auspicious date which they could seek to destroy the Jews. However, God sovereignly guided the lot cast so that the date set was as far away as possible, giving Mordecai and Esther enough time to prevent the attack and prepare the Jews. After the date had come and gone, and the Jews were able to defend against the attack and smite their enemies, they acknowledged that God was indeed at work amongst them, for He had turned their "sorrow into joy, and from mourning into a good day". They would remember this event with feasting and joy, and giving of gifts to each other and to the poor, so they fixed this date upon their calendar (Esther 9:26-28).
Whilst the festival of Purim does indeed have a very meaningful biblical significance, it is sad that the Jews today have turned it into an excuse for partying and drunken revelry. Where it should have been a day where they should remember and meditate on God’s wonder-working power in protecting them from their enemies, and His merciful deliverance from destruction, they have turned it into a day where they would feast and celebrate for no reason other than to have fun. In fact, it is similar to how many Christians today claim to remember events like Christmas and Easter, but only pay lip service to Christ. Instead of meditating on the wonderful events of His birth and resurrection, these holy days have simply become holidays, festive commercially motivated seasons that only promote pagan godless lifestyles, instead of the worship of the Holy God.
Thought: What is the true meaning of Christmas and Easter?
Prayer: Lord, help me to make this year’s Christmas a meaningful one.
Posted in Teens RPG
Esther 9
Memorise Esther 9:22 "from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day"
WHAT IS ‘PUR’ AND ‘PURIM’?
If you were to visit Israel or any Jewish community around the world sometime around March, you would have the privilege of witnessing the celebration of the Jewish festival of Purim. You might see carnivals, and many of them dressed up in costumes, perhaps even cross-dressing, as they party, feast, drink and give gifts to each other. Some have even described the festival of Purim as the Jewish Mardi Gras. In fact, because the dates are rather similar, these festivals are sometimes even celebrated together.
Reading the end of the book of Esther, we realize that this Jewish festival actually has its roots from the Bible. The word ‘purim’ is the plural form of the Hebrew word ‘pur’ which simply means lots, as in to cast lots (like a ‘lucky draw’). This is what Haman did in Esther 3:7, in seeking to find an auspicious date which they could seek to destroy the Jews. However, God sovereignly guided the lot cast so that the date set was as far away as possible, giving Mordecai and Esther enough time to prevent the attack and prepare the Jews. After the date had come and gone, and the Jews were able to defend against the attack and smite their enemies, they acknowledged that God was indeed at work amongst them, for He had turned their "sorrow into joy, and from mourning into a good day". They would remember this event with feasting and joy, and giving of gifts to each other and to the poor, so they fixed this date upon their calendar (Esther 9:26-28).
Whilst the festival of Purim does indeed have a very meaningful biblical significance, it is sad that the Jews today have turned it into an excuse for partying and drunken revelry. Where it should have been a day where they should remember and meditate on God’s wonder-working power in protecting them from their enemies, and His merciful deliverance from destruction, they have turned it into a day where they would feast and celebrate for no reason other than to have fun. In fact, it is similar to how many Christians today claim to remember events like Christmas and Easter, but only pay lip service to Christ. Instead of meditating on the wonderful events of His birth and resurrection, these holy days have simply become holidays, festive commercially motivated seasons that only promote pagan godless lifestyles, instead of the worship of the Holy God.
Thought: What is the true meaning of Christmas and Easter?
Prayer: Lord, help me to make this year’s Christmas a meaningful one.
Posted in Teens RPG