We've been fortunate
We've been fortunate to have a fairly easy winter so far. January was the third warmest on record which was great news given the price of heating oil. Then, New York City was hit by a record blizzard. Again, we were pretty much spared as the weather got unseasonably warm for the next four days and most of the snow melted! As I write its' late February, and I, for one am counting the days till Spring. Our one major snow allowed Ellen and myself to break out Jakob's sled; I'm ready now to store it away till next year. I hope was as friendly as ours has been...
PURIM
Purim is the celebration surrounding the events we read of in the book of Esther. It's an exciting saga, "...an ancient story of court intrigue, deception, miscommunication, druken parties, assassination plots, a foolish king, a delinquent queen, villiains, a strong hero and one beautiful heroine" (from everything Jewish.com). Behind the scenes, God, who is never mentioned, orchestrates events for the deliverance of His people.
The book of Ester was recognized as part of the canon of Scripture around 200 B.C.E Over the centuries, customs grew around the celebration so that by the Middle Ages what we now know as Purim customs were developed. The Megillah (scroll) of Ester is read on the 14th. month of Adar, which will be march 14th. this year. Noisy graggers will be spun to try to drown out Haman's name whenever it is read. Loud cheering will take placewhenever Mordechai's name is read.
Children dress in costumes of one of the five main characters- Ester, Mordechai, Queen Vashti, King Ahaseurus or Haman. It's a very festive holiday, perhaps the most fesitive of all.
Hamentaschen, a delicious pastry are eaten as the jewish community celebrates the 2500 year old story. But as old as the events may be. "...the story of Purim presents the eternal story of the Jew threatened in a strange land" (from everything Jewish.com).
The Persion Empire, ahere this transpired was mighty. It stretched from present day Ethiopia to as far as India. But the might of Persia wasno match for the power of God. God gave Israel victory over oppression. He fufilled His promise to keep His people in preparation for bringing them home again. As someone once said, You and God are a majority!" Israel learned that lesson over and over again and it became their reason for living.
There are many lessons to be drawn from Purim- God's Sovereignty, God's faithfulness, the importance of individual faith and courage, God given talents used for Gods glory, etc. also God's love for Israel and God's provision of delieverence are lessons which have meaning for Israel and the Church. The journey of God's people on earth may be fraught with dangers and tenuous, like a "fiddler on the roof", but God will watch over with Divine care, protection and provision.