Esther comes to an end with the beginning of the Jewish holiday known as Purium. It is still celebrated to this day. One of my professors in seminary, a rabbi, told us that it often felt like a Jewish Halloween, with candy and scary masks representing Hamann. As this day is celebrated, the story is told over and over again. There is something powerful about telling our story. When was the last time you told your story to your children or your grandchildren? When have you told them about your salvation? Or about what God has done for you? Tell your story today. There’s power there!

Shameless plug: here’s a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history.

Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he’ll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God’s Word.

If you’d like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up.

Click on the image above or this link to watch today’s video.

You can read today’s passage here.

You can podcast this reflection here. You can subscribe through Spotify or Apple Podcasts as well.

Or, if you’d like to read the transcript of the video, keep reading!

Good morning! It’s great to be with you today as we conclude our study of Esther. We’ve been journeying through this book for a while now, and today we will finish with chapters 9 and 10, which recount the inauguration of Purim—a Jewish holiday still observed today.

Tomorrow, we’ll start studying Galatians. There’s no deep reason for choosing Galatians—I simply enjoy it. Recently, it has been part of my personal devotional reading, and I love the rich theological insights Paul provides. So, today we wrap up Esther, and tomorrow we begin Galatians.

The Jews in Susa gathered on the 13th and 14th days, resting and celebrating on the 15th. Throughout the provinces, the Jews established the 14th of Adar as a day of gladness, feasting, and gift-giving. Mordecai recorded these events and sent letters instructing all Jews to observe these days yearly, commemorating how their sorrow turned into joy and their mourning into celebration.

Haman, the enemy of the Jews, had plotted their destruction, casting “pur” (lots) to determine their fate. However, through Esther’s intervention, his plans backfired, leading to the establishment of Purim—a festival of remembrance and rejoicing. The holiday was decreed for future generations as a way to honor God’s deliverance.

King Ahasuerus continued his reign, and Mordecai, now second in command, was recognized for his leadership and commitment to the well-being of his people.

One of the recurring themes in the Old Testament is the importance of festivals and celebrations as a means of remembrance. Purim serves to remind the Jewish people of God’s faithfulness and deliverance. Many of the Jewish holidays, such as Passover and Yom Kippur, originate from the Law, but others, like Purim and Hanukkah, come from historical events and serve as reminders of God’s intervention in their history.

A rabbi once described Purim as a kind of “Jewish Halloween,” where people give treats, dress up, and even portray Haman as a villain. The purpose of these traditions is to remember and retell the story of God’s salvation.

Just as Purim was established to remind future generations of God’s deliverance, we too are called to share our stories of faith. Have you ever told your children or grandchildren about your conversion? Have you shared how God called you into ministry or how He has provided for you in times of need?

We tell many stories to our families—stories of our childhood, family traditions, and personal experiences. But do they know why your faith matters? Have you shared with them how Jesus saved you and transformed your life?

Revelation tells us that the enemy is defeated by the blood of the Lamb and the power of our testimony. When we share what God has done, it strengthens our faith and blesses others.

Today, I encourage you to tell your story. Share with a child or a loved one how you met Jesus, how God has guided you, or how He has provided for you. Just like the Jews established Purim to remember God’s work, we should pass down our testimonies to the next generation.

There’s an old hymn that says, “I love to tell the story, for those who know it best seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest.” Your story has power. Your testimony can inspire, encourage, and bring others closer to Christ.

Thank you for studying Esther with me. It has been a joy. Tomorrow, we begin Galatians, and I look forward to diving into this incredible book with you. Have a great day!