This is a continuation of our Esther bible study – Chapter 9. This is the tenth and final installment on a bible study series on the book of Esther. We are studying chapter 9, verses 19-22.
Esther 9:19-22, English Standard Version (ESV)
19 Therefore the Jews of the villages, who live in the rural towns, hold the fourteenth day of the month of Adar as a day for gladness and feasting, as a holiday, and as a day on which they send gifts of food to one another. 20 And Mordecai recorded these things and sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far, 21 obliging them to keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar and also the fifteenth day of the same, year by year, 22 as the days on which the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month that had been turned for them from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, days for sending gifts of food to one another and gifts to the poor.
What an amazing turn of events. The day of destruction and a reason for mourning and grieving is turned into a day of celebration. God had heard the cries of His people and had acted on their behalf to save them from demise.
Esther had played a role but remember the dream of King Xerxes? Remember a King’s heart of pride that had banished Vashti but shown mercy to Esther? None but a heavenly father could have intervened in a time and place such as this to save a remnant of Israel. Purim in 2013 will start on Sunday, the 24th of February and will continue for 2 days until Monday, the 25th of February. {1} Note that in the Jewish calander, a holiday begins on the sunset of the previous day, so observing Jews will celebrate Purim on the sunset of Saturday, the 23rd of February. {2}
As a mom and wife these verses serve to renew my faith and to trust in my heavenly Father. I have these two precious lives entrusted to me; to teach, train-up, steward, love, feed, nurture and care for. But the story of Esther reminds me that even with everything that I can see, I do not see everything that is going on. God is working behind the scenes always, orchestrating events and blessings on our behalf; sometimes even protecting us with out our knowledge.
It is reason to be THANKFUL. I REJOICE that He is in control and that I am not and I celebrate His divine providence and protection over myself, my children and my husband. Nothing happens out from under His loving watch over us.
What a beautiful ending to what could have been a tragic story. In honor of this happy ending, I thought I’d have a little fun and share a recipe with you.
Image from: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/great-grandmother-bubbies-hamantaschen/
Wikipedia.org: “Purim is celebrated by giving mutual gifts of food and drink, giving charity to the poor, a celebratory meal, and public recitation of the Scroll of Esther. Other customs include drinking wine, wearing of masks and costumes, and public celebration.
On Purim, triangular pastries called (“Haman’s pockets”) are served. A sweet pastry dough is rolled out, cut into circles, and traditionally filled with prune or mun, a sweet poppy seed filling, then wrapped up into a triangular shape with the filling either hidden or showing.”
If you’d like to watch a video on “how to” make these Haman’s Pockets cookies you can watch this tutorial on youtube:
Recipe & instructions: source: http://www.crumbboss.com/hamentaschen-cookies/
- Butter 8oz (2 sticks)
- Sugar 1/2c
- Egg Yolks 2
- Vanilla X 2tsp
- Cake Flour 2 1/2 c (12 ozs.)
Follow video directions. Note, in the video, the baker had already creamed the butter and sugar for 5 minutes on high speed before making the video, and
keep watch on the consistency of the dough after it has been chilled, it is very crumbly, this is normal, you will have to knead it back together.
I love that we get to end our study on Esther with a celebration and a fun dessert to celebrate with. I pray you’ve been blessed by our study.
In His Grip,
Monica
{1} source: http://www.when-is.com/purim-2013.asp
{2} source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purim
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If you’d like to start at the beginning of this study, please go to:
Esther Schedule for Study
Esther Chapter 1
Esther Chapter 2
Esther Chapter 2 part 2
Esther Chapter 3
Esther Chapter 4
Esther Chapter 5
Esther Chapter 6
Esther Chapter 7
Images are from the movie “One Night with the King”. The movie plays out in elaborate detail the drama of the story of Esther. It’s fun to watch and a great catalyst for discussing the story of Esther.
{1} http://www.studylight.org/com/mhm/view.cgi?book=es&chapter=007
{2} http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prejudice
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