Purim
Good morning class.
The question of the day:
Today we will finish chapter 9. Next week chapter 10 and then we will be on to our next study.
Let's read together.
Purim Established
20 Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews throughout the provinces of King Xerxes, near and far, 21 to have them celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar 22 as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration. He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor.
23 So the Jews agreed to continue the celebration they had begun, doing what Mordecai had written to them. 24 For Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them and had cast the pur (that is, the lot) for their ruin and destruction. 25 But when the plot came to the king’s attention,[a] he issued written orders that the evil scheme Haman had devised against the Jews should come back onto his own head, and that he and his sons should be impaled on poles. 26 (Therefore these days were called Purim, from the word pur.) Because of everything written in this letter and because of what they had seen and what had happened to them, 27 the Jews took it on themselves to establish the custom that they and their descendants and all who join them should without fail observe these two days every year, in the way prescribed and at the time appointed.28 These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. And these days of Purim should never fail to be celebrated by the Jews—nor should the memory of these days die out among their descendants.
29 So Queen Esther, daughter of Abihail, along with Mordecai the Jew, wrote with full authority to confirm this second letter concerning Purim.30 And Mordecai sent letters to all the Jews in the 127 provinces of Xerxes’ kingdom—words of goodwill and assurance— 31 to establish these days of Purim at their designated times, as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had decreed for them, and as they had established for themselves and their descendants in regard to their times of fasting and lamentation. 32 Esther’s decree confirmed these regulations about Purim, and it was written down in the records.
Purim is a holiday that we as Seventh-day Adventists don't celebrate. I have to confess I had never heard of Purim until I started looking into the book of Esther several months ago. It is quite the holiday.
It is perhaps the most celebratory holiday in the Jewish traditions. There is lots of feasting, giving, dressing up in costumes, just unabashed joy that can almost seem crazy at times.
Why do they celebrate?
What are they celebrating?
What benefit do we gain from celebrating something or is it just a nice thing to do?
Is there a greater purpose than just fun?
I really believe celebrating is an extremely important action that we are supposed to take part in. There is a purpose to celebrating.
1. Helps us remember. To turn our focus on the blessings of God. To remember that he has been with us in the past and he will be with us again.
2. There is a mental shift that takes place. It gets our minds on our blessings instead of the drudgery of the mundane life.
(What are some other reasons for celebrating?)
3.
4.
5.
During the festival of Purim they have several traditions that are very interesting.
1. Everyone that has need begs, because it is tradition that if anyone asks you must give. So everyone is asking for help.
2. They eat special pastries that have three corners that are referred to as Haman's ears.
3. People dress up in crazy costumes that often make them unrecognizable to those around them. This is because in the story of Esther God was seemingly absent or in disguise yet still very much there. So they dress up in costume to disguise themselves. It also serves the purpose that if you want to ask for help people may not know who you are so you feel more free to ask.
4. There is lots of drinking! Celebrating with alcohol.
5. The book of Esther is read twice in the same day.
What do we celebrate in our homes?
What do you celebrate?
Why?
What do you do to celebrate it and why?
What do we celebrate in our church?
I know we touched on this before, but it is worth revisiting.
What should we celebrate that is unique to us? Is there anything?
What would be some ways to celebrate and why?
The past month has been quite difficult for Chris and I. We have struggled with the lack of a job and just needing and yearning for some direction in our lives. As I studied for this lesson I wondered what in our home we need to be celebrating. The obvious our anniversary (which is coming up! :))
But what about how God has lead us in the past? We have experienced him leading in our lives over and over again. We could stand to spend some time recounting that!
I have been spending worships with the recruiting team studying in Philippians. There we hear Paul talking about what brings him joy and strength. It has been uplifting to hear him speak of joy as he recounts blessings, and to remember that he wrote those words while in prison.
Strength is found in the recounting, in the celebrating.
What keeps us from celebrating?
What arguments to people use when they don't think we should celebrate?
Is celebrating biblical?
I did a bible search of the word celebrate. God over and over again in the old testament told his people to celebrate! They were told to celebrate everything! Why?
I will admit I am partial to celebrating! I love celebrating! When our kids were growing up we tried to celebrate all kinds of things. I love gathering together and celebrating with friends. I am sure there should be some kind of balance but.....
Let's celebrate!
This 4th of July we said as a class we would go downtown Charlotte and help the homeless celebrate. I would really appreciate each of you letting me know if you will be around and able and willing to help with that, or not. It will take quite of work so having many helping out together will be much appreciated.
Once I know how many of you are willing and able, then we will finalize plans. One thing I know is that we will celebrate with the homeless community and then we will head to the park down town to watch the fireworks together. So there will be time to celebrate as a "SS class family."
This week I challenge you to as a family find something new that you want to start celebrating, or rejuvenate an old celebration and commit to doing it up right!
As a kitchen class I would like us to start intentionally start celebrating together! As a church family what can and should we celebrate!
Happy Sabbath!
Go and love well..... CELEBRATE!!!
Comments
Post a Comment