The Feast of Purim - Celebrating Esther.

This week Jewish communities throughout the world will observe the feast of Purim, the story behind the ancient celebration can be found in the book of Esther. Esther is an obscure book to many, even though it is a story of romance and palace intrigue set in the glory days of the Persian Empire.
There is no mention of the name of God in the book. There is no reference to worship or faith. There is no mention or prediction of the Messiah; no mention of heaven or hell; there is nothing "religious" about it.
Yet, even the works of Shakespeare's dramatic genius cannot compare with the drama and irony found within the pages of Esther.
A Jewish maiden, elevated to the throne of Persia as its queen, is used by God to preserve His people against a Holocaust-like genocide. To this day, the Feast of Purim is held to commemorate these events. Instituted by Mordecai to celebrate the deliverance of the Jews from extermination, Purim (from Akkadian, puru, "lots") is so called after the lots cast by Haman in order to determine the month in which the slaughter was to take place. Held on the fourteenth day of the Jewish month of Adar (this year March 14 but changes dates in either March or April), Purim is one of the most joyous days of the year.
The book of Esther chronicles real historical events. It deals with the Jews escape from genocidal annihilation after their return from Babylonian captivity. Chronologically, Esther makes possible Nehemiah. It was Esther's marriage to the king of Persia that ultimately leads to the rebuilding of Jerusalem and enables the chain of events that led to the appearance of the Messiah five centuries later.
Orphaned as a child and brought up by her cousin Mordecai, Esther was selected by King Xerxes to replace the queen when Vashti was disgraced. Haman, the prime minister, persuaded Xerxes to issue an edict of extermination of all the Jews in the Persian Empire. Esther, on Mordecai's advice, endangered her own life by appearing before the king-without being invited - in order to intercede for her people.
Seeing that the king was well disposed toward her, she invited him and Haman to a private banquet, during which she did not reveal her desire but invited them to yet another banquet, thus misleading Haman by making him think that he was in the queen's good graces. Her real intention was to take revenge on him. During a second banquet, Queen Esther revealed her Jewish origin to the king, begged for her life and the life of her people, and named Haman as her enemy.
Angry with Haman, King Xerxes retreated into the palace garden. Haman, in great fear, remained to plead for his life from the Queen. While imploring, Haman fell on Esther's couch and was found in this ostensibly compromising situation upon the king's return. He was immediately condemned to be hung on the very gallows which he had previously prepared for Mordecai. Xerxes complied with Esther's request, and the edict of destruction was then changed into permission for the Jews to avenge themselves on their enemies.

It is also interesting to note that Haman, the villain in the Book of Esther, is described as the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, indicating his descent from Agag, king of Amalek. Meaning Haman was an Amalekite.
Now why is this of interst?
Back in 1 Samuel 15:2-3 God commands the Israelites to "...attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants..." But saul did not complete the task. That is why God tore the Kingdom out of Saul's hands and gave it to David.
(1 Samuel 28:16-18). Not only did Saul lose his right to be King over Israel, but also if he had followed God's instructions and wiped out the Amalekites, then Haman would not have been born and Esther would not have been needed.
Can you notice a pattern?
Through the sin of one - Saul - the threat of death came to many. But through the obedience of one - Esther - God's people were saved.
Through the sin of one - Adam - sin etenered the world, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all. But through the obedience, grace and sacrifice of one - Jesus Christ - God's people are saved.