Summary of Esther 9:20-32
Due to these events, Purim was established (named after the casting of lots, pur, for the Jews’ destruction), a time to remember these two days of the Jews defeating their enemies.
BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 15, Day 4: Esther 9:20-32
9) A festival to remember the two days the Jews defeated their enemies. The Festival of Purim commemorates the “great reversal” of the Jews’ fate. It celebrates their deliverance from Haman’s genocidal plot, which was determined by a “pur” (lot). It marks the time their designated day of destruction was transformed into a day of victory, turning their sorrow into joy.
10a) Because God is near, and He wants us to be happy. And, we have Jesus! What is there NOT to be grateful for?! Believers should rejoice always (Phil 4:4) because their joy isn’t based on fleeting circumstances, but on the unchanging reality that “the Lord is near” (Phil 4:5). It is an act of faith and God’s will (1 Thess 5:18), rooted in gratitude and trust, not in feelings.
b) Gosh, this is a loaded question! Everything to put it simply. God is good, omniscient, omnipotent, and in control. His love wraps me. And He is responsible for everything in my life. And, I get to be with Him forever! What joy! Joy comes from knowing God is sovereign, present (“the Lord is near”), and always working for our good, even when hidden. Our salvation is secure, our sins are forgiven, and He promises to turn our greatest sorrows into joy and grant us eternal life.
11a) It gives me courage to keep fighting the good fight when all I want to do is give up. Remembering God’s past faithfulness builds our trust for future challenges. It gives us a bank of evidence to draw from, proving His character and reliability. This strengthens our faith, reduces fear, and provides hope when we face uncertainty.
b) God’s ways, will, and purpose always prevail. The core truth many people want their loved ones to remember is that God loves them unconditionally and He is always faithful. No matter what challenges they face or mistakes they make, He is always present, He will never leave them, and His goodness can always be trusted.
Because that truth is the ultimate anchor in life.
People want their loved ones to grasp this because it’s the foundation for:
- Security: Knowing God’s love is unconditional gives a person unshakeable worth that isn’t dependent on their performance, success, or what others think of them.
- Resilience: Believing God is faithful and present provides profound comfort and hope during failure, fear, and suffering. It’s the conviction that they are never truly alone.
Ultimately, it’s the one truth that can provide deep peace and a solid foundation, no matter what life brings.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 15, Day 4: Esther 9:20-32
I love how the Jews turned a day that was to be their end into triumph, victory, and celebration! How amazing!
End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 15, Day 4: Esther 9:20-32
Remembering what God does for us is so important.
Today, Purim is a joyous, carnival-like holiday. Jews celebrate by reading the Megillah (Scroll of Esther), wearing costumes, and making noise at Haman’s name. The celebration includes a festive meal, sending food gifts to friends (Mishloach Manot), and giving charity to the poor.
END NOTES SUMMARIZED
Esther 9:20-32 documents the official establishment of the Festival of Purim as a permanent, annual celebration.
Interpretation
Following the Jews’ victory, Mordecai writes letters to all 127 provinces, instructing the Jews to celebrate the 14th and 15th days of Adar every year. This new festival, named Purim (after the “pur,” or lot, that Haman cast), was to commemorate the great reversal: the time their sorrow was turned to joy and their mourning into a celebration.
The passage emphasizes that this was a time for feasting, joy, sending gifts to one another, and giving presents to the poor.
The section concludes by noting that Queen Esther confirmed the institution of Purim with a second letter, giving it her full royal authority and making its observance a permanent, binding tradition for all future generations of Jews.
Conclusion
This passage formalizes the story’s triumphant ending. It shows the Jewish leaders, Mordecai and Esther, ensuring that God’s hidden providence and their miraculous deliverance would never be forgotten. They deliberately transformed a date chosen for their destruction into a permanent, joyful festival, enshrining the themes of reversal, deliverance, and communal celebration into their national identity.
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