Study No. 5 The Finale
Ch 8:3 – 10:3
- A fairly large number of Jews did not go 'home' when Cyrus 'the Mede' overpowered Babylon, and then ended the Jewish 'exile'. They had been captive for some 90 years and Babylon had become their home. Actually the same situation exists today. In 1948 Britain made it possible for Jews to 'come home' after being away for almost 2000 years. In our present situation ... Israel was the 'home' that NONE of them had ever lived in. A number of Jews were happy to move there. Many are still not there. Jews live in most countries of the world. We have witnessed large numbers in the last couple of decades migrating to Israel. This migration was prophesied in scripture.
Hosea 3:4-5 - "For the Israelites will live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred stones, without ephod or idol. Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to his blessings in the last days."
Ezekiel 20:34 - "I will bring you from the nations and gather you from the countries where you have been scattered -- with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with outpoured wrath."
Isaiah 11:11-12 NIV - "In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to reclaim the remnant that is left of his people from Assyria, from Lower Egypt, from Upper Egypt, from Cush, from Elam, from Babylonia, from Hamath and from the islands of the sea. He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; he will assemble the scattered people of Judah from the four quarters of the earth."
So the Jews are coming home and will continue to come home as the last days come upon this earth. And one day you and I will 'go home' to a place where we have never lived.
- Esther, and here older cousin Mordecai, were of the group who decided to stay on in Persia (Babylonia).
- Esther unexpectedly becomes queen
- Mordecai (a gatekeeper for the king) unexpectedly overhears a plot to kill the king ... and tells the king thereby saving his life.
- The king has advanced a man named Haman to prime minister. Mordecai refuses to bow to him.
- Haman comes to hate Mordecai ... and his people, the Jews and plots to kill them all.
- Haman 'throws dice' for each day of the year and coming up with the largest total, picks that day, December 13, for the kill-the-jew-day.
- Haman plans to kill Mordecai before that. On the very morning that he will ask the king for permission to kill Mordecai ... The king will discover that he has overlooked rewarding Mordecai for saving his life.
- The King tells Haman to honor Mordedai.
- At a special banquet for the king and Haman, Esther informs the king that Haman wickedly has connived to kill 'her' people.
________________ ____________________ _________________
Queen Esther has had her audience with the king. Totally outraged at what the evil, conniving Haman was planning to do with the Jewish people, he has him put to death on the very gallows that he had built for Mordecai. He confiscates the entire estate of Haman and turns it over to Esther. This likely was, in his eyes, a form of poetic justice. Esther in turn, assigns it to Mordecai.
Judging from Esther's next 'visit' to the king, it leads us to think that the king thought, with Haman gone Esther should be happy. It is strange he would not make the connection to that which Esther now brings to his attention. 8:3-6
A New Decree
Esther seeks to have Haman's original anti-Jew decree revoked. She does so with tears. I think perhaps she knew that an edict signed by the king was said to be irrevocable. I think she was begging him to make an exception. He does not make an exception. Instead he suggests that she and Mordecai word a new decree which would give the Jews the right to defend themselves. 7-14
- Be Ready
Notice that this whole episode takes place in the third month of the year. The 'annihilate the Jew' day was set for the 13th day of the twelfth month. Verse 13 states that the Jews should be 'ready' for that day. They have almost 6 months to get ready. Put yourself in their place for a moment. What all does 'be ready' mean? Perhaps things like ... if you don't have a sword, then get one (or two). Practice using it. Make changes to your dwelling place, if necessary. Work out at the gym every day. I am sure there are many ways in which they 'got ready'.
Jesus warned us of a coming 'annihilate the christian' time. And he said, Be ready. Mark 13:23 So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.
We need to do some 'body building'.
Jude 1:20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,
Get a sword and learn how to use it.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
1Co 6:12 ¶ All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
- Rejoice! Victory is on the way!
8:15-17 These verses are a brilliant example of hope. The Jews are not yet home-free. December is still a long way off. But they rejoice as if its a done deal. How about us? Do we look ahead and rejoice?
Heb 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
- Many Became Jews
In each of the many provinces, as the new decree reached into Jewish families, celebration erupted. v16 The Jews had light and gladness, joy and honor.
Es 8:17 And in every province and city, wherever the king’s command and decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a holiday. Then many of the people of the land became Jews, because fear of the Jews fell upon them.
Even though there were 'not yet delivered' from the 'kill-the-Jew-day', they had something to sing about. They were excited. Excitement is contagious. For a number of reasons, many became Jews.
The early church in the days of the book of Acts multiplied daily. The church was excited. The power of Pentecost was fresh and new. Because the written new Testament was not yet available, the miraculous 'sign gifts' abounded. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." Nehemiah 6:8
By the way, the joy of the Lord gives strength, not just to the nation of the Jews, not just to the church ... but also to you – on a personal level.
Ps 40:1 ¶ I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry.2 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps.
3 He has put a new song in my mouth—Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the LORD.
December 13
Victory is possible! Why? Because they had time to prepare of course. But also, fear fell on all the people. For the past 6 months the people knew that the Jews were given the right to be ready. Officials within the kingdom supported the Jews. No doubt they loved Esther, their Queen. They respected Mordecai, the prime minister. Compared to Haman ... actually there is no comparison. Mordecai is one of most upright prime ministers this world has ever seen. (v4)
9:5-10 Here follows a list of their victories.
The people of the provinces all had time to change their negative attitude toward the Jews. To insist on “Kill them ... after all, its totally legal!” shows how deep a hatred some of them had for the Jewish people.
In v5 there is a general statement: defeated all their enemies
In 6-10 ... a list of names of particular people. These names mean nothing at all to us, but apparently were prominent at the time. Finally in v10 the ten sons of Haman are included.
9:11-13
A report of those killed in Susa is brought to the king. 500 in that city alone, including the 10 sons of Haman.
-The king's offer: What else would you like to see done?
-Esther's unusual request: Hang the already dead sons of Haman on 10 gallows. We wonder what is she thinking? For one thing, she wants this to be a public statement. She also requests for a one-day extension to eliminate enemies of the Jews within the city of Susa. Perhaps some would perceive a 'vindictive spirit' in her. I don't think this is the case. She wants to communicate a message, leave God's people alone! She wants also to put forward a reason to 'think twice' before someone should attempt further aggression against the Jews.
Three hundred additional enemies are killed on the fourteenth of the month. Written into this edict was the permission to 'plunder'[1] their enemies. Haman's edict contained a similar clause.[2] But note that here in 9:15 the Jews did not lay a hand on the plunder. This phrase is mentioned in 9:10 and again 9:16.
The Jews were granted permission to do more than what they needed to do to defend themselves. Why did they not take advantage of it? Haman and his group of enemies surely would have.
1. Perhaps they were imitating 'father Abraham'. Ge 14:23 "... I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich’ --
2. perhaps to show that they aimed at nothing but 'self-preservation' ... not the raising of their estates.
3. Perhaps to show they wanted protection and freedom, but they were not blood-thirsty. They had permission to also kill women and little ones, but they did not do that[3].
The apostle Paul made a personal statement about purposely not using specific freedoms and permissions that were granted to him.
1Co 6:12 ¶ All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
1Co 9:12 If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ.
Self-advancement is not a 'Christian' thing. Paul gives us this directive;
1Co 10:24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.
Jesus gave a great example when he said, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." Mark 10:45
"Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? Mt 26:53
And Paul said, Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? 1Co 6:7
- Celebrate! After it was all over they rested and celebrated. 9:18
- An annual holiday – Purim
The Jews were told by Mordecai to make this an annual holiday. 9:20-32
I suppose like any holiday, as time passes, the event changes. Sometimes an event will lose its meaning entirely. Like Christmas to most of the world. Like Easter.
The holiday of Purim remains one of the greatest and happiest of events on the Jewish calendar.
How is Purim celebrated?
Remember that in Judaism, the night always precedes the day, so every holiday begins the night before, and ends at nightfall the next day.
The night of Purim we read the Book of Esther in the synagogue immediately after the nighttime prayers. Each time the name of Haman (the bad guy) is mentioned, we make noises, stomp, yell, that sort of thing. We call this practice Klopping Haman -- "Hitting Haman." It is done to remember the commandment of "You shall blot out the name of Amalek." (Haman was an Amalekite, and that was his real motive for hating Jews. It was an "inherited" racism.)
Afterwards, we go home and eat a festive meal. The custom today is to visit one's Rabbis or anyone who has taught you Judaism lessons. In many places people (often students in a yeshivah) put on plays, usually funny plays, but not always. In general, the theme is fun and happiness. A lot of singing and dancing goes on, but it is forbidden to act wild or dangerous. This happiness is a requirement by Law, except for people who are, G-d forbid, in mourning.
The next morning, after the morning prayers, we read the Book of Esther again, doing the same thing at the evil Haman's name. Afterwards, we eat a festive breakfast meal, and begin the day's other observances. The day's obligatory services constitute a number of things, including the giving of charity to at least two poor people. This is called Matanos lo'evyonim. It is a requirement and an obligation, and one of the Commandments we are required to fulfill on the day of Purim.
The Law, however, is that we should give to anyone who asks, and we pray that G-d do likewise to us, to give us whatever we ask just for asking. It is known that Purim is the best day for raising charity, because everyone gives what they can and often more.
Also among the day's obligatory services is the requirement to give at least one friend two food items that are already prepared and are ready to be eaten. This is called Shalach Manos (though to be grammatically correct it should be called Mishlo'ach Manos, but few people bother with grammar these days, so never mind).
You can read about these in the Megillah, the Book of Esther, Chapter 9, verse 22: "...as the days on which the Jews gained relief from their enemies, and the month which had been transformed for them from one of sorrow to gladness, and from mourning to festivity. They were to observe them as days of feasting and gladness, and for sending delicacies to one another, and gifts to poor people."
We celebrate by having joy and happiness. That's why we make plays, that's why we spend the day in never-ending singing and dancing, going around giving our friends and relatives baskets of goodies and sweets, dressing in costumes, cracking jokes, getting tipsy, giving charity, things like that.
The primary Festive Purim Meal is eaten in the late afternoon on Purim, after Minchah (the afternoon prayer). One must eat bread (washing as Jewish Law dictates), at least one cooked food, and drink at least one cup of wine. We call this the Purim Seudah.
The drinking of wine is significant, because many of the events of Purim happened through wine. Ahasueraus got drunk and killed Vashti, paving the way for Esther to be made queen. Esther gave wine to King Ahasueraus and lowered his defenses, which resulted in his killing Haman. Thus the Megillah tells us that we should celebrate by "feasting." The Hebrew words for "feasting" means bread, cooked food, and drinking wine. The Talmud therefore tells us to drink on Purim "more wine than we usually do."
During this meal, it is customary to begin the study of the Laws of Passover, which is just one month away.
The day before Purim, the Fast of Esther, we do not eat from morning until after hearing the Megillah at night, because of the fast that Esther ordained.
At the afternoon service before Purim it is customary to give three coins (preferably silver, and preferably coins with the number ½ on them) to charity in memory of the three "half-shekels" given to the Temple. In many synagogues the coins are provided as loans. We donate one-and-a-half dollars to the synagogue, to purchase the coins. We then pick up the silver coins so that we can take possession of them, and then donate them back to the synagogue. This is called Mach'tzis Hashekel, The "Half-Shekel."
It is correct not to engage in business or go to work on Purim, if this is possible.
Before and during Purim we wish each other "ah fraylechin Purim" -- a joyful Purim.
http://www.beingjewish.com/yomtov/purim/customs.html
What can we remember from this book? I like this short summary from Insight for Living (Chuck Swindoll)
Life can be hard. Difficult times happen, and pain cannot be avoided. When life doesn’t make sense, do you turn to God or away from Him? Let the book of Esther encourage you that God is always present. Jesus called us “friends” ( John 15:15), and the Spirit is our “Helper” (14:26). Trust and obey, as Esther did. And watch God silently weave all events for His glory . . . and for our good.
Ro 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
[1] See 8:11
[2] See 3:13
[3] Haman was an Amalekite. It is likely that most of his 'kin', the Amalekites, made up that large number (75,000) that were killed among the provinces. I am sure that the Jews had no idea they were fulfilling a prophecy: Ex 17:14 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven."
- A fairly large number of Jews did not go 'home' when Cyrus 'the Mede' overpowered Babylon, and then ended the Jewish 'exile'. They had been captive for some 90 years and Babylon had become their home. Actually the same situation exists today. In 1948 Britain made it possible for Jews to 'come home' after being away for almost 2000 years. In our present situation ... Israel was the 'home' that NONE of them had ever lived in. A number of Jews were happy to move there. Many are still not there. Jews live in most countries of the world. We have witnessed large numbers in the last couple of decades migrating to Israel. This migration was prophesied in scripture.
Hosea 3:4-5 - "For the Israelites will live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred stones, without ephod or idol. Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to his blessings in the last days."
Ezekiel 20:34 - "I will bring you from the nations and gather you from the countries where you have been scattered -- with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with outpoured wrath."
Isaiah 11:11-12 NIV - "In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to reclaim the remnant that is left of his people from Assyria, from Lower Egypt, from Upper Egypt, from Cush, from Elam, from Babylonia, from Hamath and from the islands of the sea. He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; he will assemble the scattered people of Judah from the four quarters of the earth."
So the Jews are coming home and will continue to come home as the last days come upon this earth. And one day you and I will 'go home' to a place where we have never lived.
- Esther, and here older cousin Mordecai, were of the group who decided to stay on in Persia (Babylonia).
- Esther unexpectedly becomes queen
- Mordecai (a gatekeeper for the king) unexpectedly overhears a plot to kill the king ... and tells the king thereby saving his life.
- The king has advanced a man named Haman to prime minister. Mordecai refuses to bow to him.
- Haman comes to hate Mordecai ... and his people, the Jews and plots to kill them all.
- Haman 'throws dice' for each day of the year and coming up with the largest total, picks that day, December 13, for the kill-the-jew-day.
- Haman plans to kill Mordecai before that. On the very morning that he will ask the king for permission to kill Mordecai ... The king will discover that he has overlooked rewarding Mordecai for saving his life.
- The King tells Haman to honor Mordedai.
- At a special banquet for the king and Haman, Esther informs the king that Haman wickedly has connived to kill 'her' people.
________________ ____________________ _________________
Queen Esther has had her audience with the king. Totally outraged at what the evil, conniving Haman was planning to do with the Jewish people, he has him put to death on the very gallows that he had built for Mordecai. He confiscates the entire estate of Haman and turns it over to Esther. This likely was, in his eyes, a form of poetic justice. Esther in turn, assigns it to Mordecai.
Judging from Esther's next 'visit' to the king, it leads us to think that the king thought, with Haman gone Esther should be happy. It is strange he would not make the connection to that which Esther now brings to his attention. 8:3-6
A New Decree
Esther seeks to have Haman's original anti-Jew decree revoked. She does so with tears. I think perhaps she knew that an edict signed by the king was said to be irrevocable. I think she was begging him to make an exception. He does not make an exception. Instead he suggests that she and Mordecai word a new decree which would give the Jews the right to defend themselves. 7-14
- Be Ready
Notice that this whole episode takes place in the third month of the year. The 'annihilate the Jew' day was set for the 13th day of the twelfth month. Verse 13 states that the Jews should be 'ready' for that day. They have almost 6 months to get ready. Put yourself in their place for a moment. What all does 'be ready' mean? Perhaps things like ... if you don't have a sword, then get one (or two). Practice using it. Make changes to your dwelling place, if necessary. Work out at the gym every day. I am sure there are many ways in which they 'got ready'.
Jesus warned us of a coming 'annihilate the christian' time. And he said, Be ready. Mark 13:23 So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.
We need to do some 'body building'.
Jude 1:20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,
Get a sword and learn how to use it.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
1Co 6:12 ¶ All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
- Rejoice! Victory is on the way!
8:15-17 These verses are a brilliant example of hope. The Jews are not yet home-free. December is still a long way off. But they rejoice as if its a done deal. How about us? Do we look ahead and rejoice?
Heb 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
- Many Became Jews
In each of the many provinces, as the new decree reached into Jewish families, celebration erupted. v16 The Jews had light and gladness, joy and honor.
Es 8:17 And in every province and city, wherever the king’s command and decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a holiday. Then many of the people of the land became Jews, because fear of the Jews fell upon them.
Even though there were 'not yet delivered' from the 'kill-the-Jew-day', they had something to sing about. They were excited. Excitement is contagious. For a number of reasons, many became Jews.
The early church in the days of the book of Acts multiplied daily. The church was excited. The power of Pentecost was fresh and new. Because the written new Testament was not yet available, the miraculous 'sign gifts' abounded. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." Nehemiah 6:8
By the way, the joy of the Lord gives strength, not just to the nation of the Jews, not just to the church ... but also to you – on a personal level.
Ps 40:1 ¶ I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry.2 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps.
3 He has put a new song in my mouth—Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the LORD.
December 13
Victory is possible! Why? Because they had time to prepare of course. But also, fear fell on all the people. For the past 6 months the people knew that the Jews were given the right to be ready. Officials within the kingdom supported the Jews. No doubt they loved Esther, their Queen. They respected Mordecai, the prime minister. Compared to Haman ... actually there is no comparison. Mordecai is one of most upright prime ministers this world has ever seen. (v4)
9:5-10 Here follows a list of their victories.
The people of the provinces all had time to change their negative attitude toward the Jews. To insist on “Kill them ... after all, its totally legal!” shows how deep a hatred some of them had for the Jewish people.
In v5 there is a general statement: defeated all their enemies
In 6-10 ... a list of names of particular people. These names mean nothing at all to us, but apparently were prominent at the time. Finally in v10 the ten sons of Haman are included.
9:11-13
A report of those killed in Susa is brought to the king. 500 in that city alone, including the 10 sons of Haman.
-The king's offer: What else would you like to see done?
-Esther's unusual request: Hang the already dead sons of Haman on 10 gallows. We wonder what is she thinking? For one thing, she wants this to be a public statement. She also requests for a one-day extension to eliminate enemies of the Jews within the city of Susa. Perhaps some would perceive a 'vindictive spirit' in her. I don't think this is the case. She wants to communicate a message, leave God's people alone! She wants also to put forward a reason to 'think twice' before someone should attempt further aggression against the Jews.
Three hundred additional enemies are killed on the fourteenth of the month. Written into this edict was the permission to 'plunder'[1] their enemies. Haman's edict contained a similar clause.[2] But note that here in 9:15 the Jews did not lay a hand on the plunder. This phrase is mentioned in 9:10 and again 9:16.
The Jews were granted permission to do more than what they needed to do to defend themselves. Why did they not take advantage of it? Haman and his group of enemies surely would have.
1. Perhaps they were imitating 'father Abraham'. Ge 14:23 "... I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich’ --
2. perhaps to show that they aimed at nothing but 'self-preservation' ... not the raising of their estates.
3. Perhaps to show they wanted protection and freedom, but they were not blood-thirsty. They had permission to also kill women and little ones, but they did not do that[3].
The apostle Paul made a personal statement about purposely not using specific freedoms and permissions that were granted to him.
1Co 6:12 ¶ All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
1Co 9:12 If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ.
Self-advancement is not a 'Christian' thing. Paul gives us this directive;
1Co 10:24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.
Jesus gave a great example when he said, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." Mark 10:45
"Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? Mt 26:53
And Paul said, Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? 1Co 6:7
- Celebrate! After it was all over they rested and celebrated. 9:18
- An annual holiday – Purim
The Jews were told by Mordecai to make this an annual holiday. 9:20-32
I suppose like any holiday, as time passes, the event changes. Sometimes an event will lose its meaning entirely. Like Christmas to most of the world. Like Easter.
The holiday of Purim remains one of the greatest and happiest of events on the Jewish calendar.
How is Purim celebrated?
Remember that in Judaism, the night always precedes the day, so every holiday begins the night before, and ends at nightfall the next day.
The night of Purim we read the Book of Esther in the synagogue immediately after the nighttime prayers. Each time the name of Haman (the bad guy) is mentioned, we make noises, stomp, yell, that sort of thing. We call this practice Klopping Haman -- "Hitting Haman." It is done to remember the commandment of "You shall blot out the name of Amalek." (Haman was an Amalekite, and that was his real motive for hating Jews. It was an "inherited" racism.)
Afterwards, we go home and eat a festive meal. The custom today is to visit one's Rabbis or anyone who has taught you Judaism lessons. In many places people (often students in a yeshivah) put on plays, usually funny plays, but not always. In general, the theme is fun and happiness. A lot of singing and dancing goes on, but it is forbidden to act wild or dangerous. This happiness is a requirement by Law, except for people who are, G-d forbid, in mourning.
The next morning, after the morning prayers, we read the Book of Esther again, doing the same thing at the evil Haman's name. Afterwards, we eat a festive breakfast meal, and begin the day's other observances. The day's obligatory services constitute a number of things, including the giving of charity to at least two poor people. This is called Matanos lo'evyonim. It is a requirement and an obligation, and one of the Commandments we are required to fulfill on the day of Purim.
The Law, however, is that we should give to anyone who asks, and we pray that G-d do likewise to us, to give us whatever we ask just for asking. It is known that Purim is the best day for raising charity, because everyone gives what they can and often more.
Also among the day's obligatory services is the requirement to give at least one friend two food items that are already prepared and are ready to be eaten. This is called Shalach Manos (though to be grammatically correct it should be called Mishlo'ach Manos, but few people bother with grammar these days, so never mind).
You can read about these in the Megillah, the Book of Esther, Chapter 9, verse 22: "...as the days on which the Jews gained relief from their enemies, and the month which had been transformed for them from one of sorrow to gladness, and from mourning to festivity. They were to observe them as days of feasting and gladness, and for sending delicacies to one another, and gifts to poor people."
We celebrate by having joy and happiness. That's why we make plays, that's why we spend the day in never-ending singing and dancing, going around giving our friends and relatives baskets of goodies and sweets, dressing in costumes, cracking jokes, getting tipsy, giving charity, things like that.
The primary Festive Purim Meal is eaten in the late afternoon on Purim, after Minchah (the afternoon prayer). One must eat bread (washing as Jewish Law dictates), at least one cooked food, and drink at least one cup of wine. We call this the Purim Seudah.
The drinking of wine is significant, because many of the events of Purim happened through wine. Ahasueraus got drunk and killed Vashti, paving the way for Esther to be made queen. Esther gave wine to King Ahasueraus and lowered his defenses, which resulted in his killing Haman. Thus the Megillah tells us that we should celebrate by "feasting." The Hebrew words for "feasting" means bread, cooked food, and drinking wine. The Talmud therefore tells us to drink on Purim "more wine than we usually do."
During this meal, it is customary to begin the study of the Laws of Passover, which is just one month away.
The day before Purim, the Fast of Esther, we do not eat from morning until after hearing the Megillah at night, because of the fast that Esther ordained.
At the afternoon service before Purim it is customary to give three coins (preferably silver, and preferably coins with the number ½ on them) to charity in memory of the three "half-shekels" given to the Temple. In many synagogues the coins are provided as loans. We donate one-and-a-half dollars to the synagogue, to purchase the coins. We then pick up the silver coins so that we can take possession of them, and then donate them back to the synagogue. This is called Mach'tzis Hashekel, The "Half-Shekel."
It is correct not to engage in business or go to work on Purim, if this is possible.
Before and during Purim we wish each other "ah fraylechin Purim" -- a joyful Purim.
http://www.beingjewish.com/yomtov/purim/customs.html
What can we remember from this book? I like this short summary from Insight for Living (Chuck Swindoll)
Life can be hard. Difficult times happen, and pain cannot be avoided. When life doesn’t make sense, do you turn to God or away from Him? Let the book of Esther encourage you that God is always present. Jesus called us “friends” ( John 15:15), and the Spirit is our “Helper” (14:26). Trust and obey, as Esther did. And watch God silently weave all events for His glory . . . and for our good.
Ro 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
[1] See 8:11
[2] See 3:13
[3] Haman was an Amalekite. It is likely that most of his 'kin', the Amalekites, made up that large number (75,000) that were killed among the provinces. I am sure that the Jews had no idea they were fulfilling a prophecy: Ex 17:14 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven."