Purim is an annual feast which the Jews continue to celebrate till this age. It was established by Mordecai and Queen Esther to helpthe future generations of Jews, to remember how God intervened on their behalf and relief them from complete annihilation from their enemy. It is a festival of great joy because it marked a time when what was meant for harm was turned into victory. It was a record of how Haman, the enemy of the Jews, plotted against their destruction, but through God’s hands who placed Esther and Mordecai in the right place, brought salvation to His people. The Gallow which Haman built was meant to put Mordecai to death, but in the end, Haman was hung on it. The king’s decree though could not be reversed, but another decree was issued to allow the Jews to defend themselves. The festival of the Purim reminds his people how God provided a way of escape, demonstrating His faithfulness to His covenant people.

Throughout Scripture, God instructs His people to remember His mighty works. For example, the Passover was instituted as a memorial to the Israelites’ deliverance from slavery from Egypt. Joshua asked the Israelites to set up the twelve stones taken from Jordon river at Gilgal after they had pass the Jordan river by God’s divine intervention. In the New Testament, Jesus called us to remember his atoning work on the cross, how His body was broken and blood shed for the redemption of all mankind, through the Lord’s Supper.

The words “obliged/obligated” appeared four times (v21,27,31,31) in this text. Mordecai and Queen Esther obliged the Jews to keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar and also the fifteenth day of the same, year by year, a day to remember Purim. It is not because God is insecure and need people to remember His doing. It was more likely that men suffers from spiritual amnesia readily, forgetting what God has done and sliding back into their sinful nature. The act of remembering God’s mighty works help us to stay focus on Him. Our own lives are full of moments when God has delivered us—sometimes visibly, other times behind the scenes, just as He worked in Esther’s story. When we take time to remember these divine interventions, our faith is strengthened, and we develop a deeper trust in God’s providence. When we intentionally remember and reflect on God's goodness, we cultivate gratitude and faith, knowing that the same God who delivered in the past will continue to be faithful.

Dear brothers and sisters, what are some spiritual traditions you keep to remember what Christ has done? The reason why we take great effort yearly to celebrate Christmas and Easter is not because it is a fine religious tradition to upkeep, but more importantly a spiritual act of worship to remember Christ redeeming works in our lives. That while we were sinners, Christ came and died for us. It is the ultimate story of how God provided a way of escape, demonstrating His faithfulness to His covenant people. It is the same reason why we conduct the Lord’s supper as often as we can, for Christ calls us to “Do this in remember of Him”. Dear brothers and sisters, what would you do in your daily habits to remember and reflect on God’s mercy and grace?

Prayer: Dear God, we are like sheep that easily go stray, but thank you oh God for establishing means of helping us to always remember your goodness and grace. Lord, please help us to build up a discipline of remembering who you are so that we stand firm in your nature and works. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.