Musing – Were you created “For Such A Time As This”?

 Hebraic Musing – Were you created “For Such A Time As This”?

This timing question is the key message in the book of Esther.  The book tells about overcoming a plot to annihilate the Jewish nation!  The plot builds to the point that Queen Esther, an undercover Jewess, desperately seeks “what to do?” advice from her Uncle Mordecai.  His answer to Esther - “For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”  Esther 4:14

The Jews celebrate the events in this book each year as “Purim.”  The literal meaning of the Hebrew word of ‘Purim’ is ‘lots that are cast’. This is in reference to how Haman (Booo) cast lots to decide on which day he would order the attack and killing of the Jewish people.

Purim celebrates the dramatic turn-around events recorded in the book of Esther, where the wicked Haman (“Booo”) tried to annihilate the Jewish people of ancient Persia.  The Jews were saved through God’s miraculous arranging of events, as expressed by the heroics of Mordechai and Esther.

Reading the book of Esther is enjoyable and unique.  It reads like (a) a History Report; and (b)a mystery novel, and (c) a lesson for us from the Almighty.  The book has no mention of God; and it is positioned in the Bible as historical, but it also serves as a transition to the poetic books.

As might be expected when celebrating salvation from a failed massacre, Purim can get a little raucous, thus Jewish Purim celebration customs typically include:
  - Reading the scroll of Esther (shouting “Booo” whenever Haman’s name is mentioned)
  - Hamantaschen, a sweet triangular cookie filled with jam, preserves or chocolate.
  - Sending Food to Friends and Gifts to the Poor
  - Rejoicing & enjoyment of the Purim Feast

How do the Jews summarize the Purim feast/celebration?  “They tried to kill us, we won, let’s eat.”

Our Bible does provide many other examples of those who stood strong and won; for example:

·      Ordinary men – “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13

·      God placed you here and now – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

·      Jesus obediently fulfilled His FSATAT – “I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.“ John 17:4

·      What did Paul consider his FSATAT purpose to be?  “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me...” Acts 20:24 NIV

As we Christians find ourselves experiencing anti-godly events in these latter days, we have choices:

Do we complain about the pitiful world we have to deal with compared to the America of years gone by?
   or    
Do we do whatever our Almighty Omniscient Creator needs us to do For Such A Time As This? (FSATAT)

Points to Ponder

Has your purpose in life been to prepare FSATAT?

Do you think God has your FSATAT behind you?  Or ahead of you?

How should we proceed?
Obey Mary; she told us “Whatever He says to you, do it.”  John 2:5

Are we “ordinary” enough to be like Peter and John?

Someday, might we be saying – “They tried to kill us, we won, let’s eat.”

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                            August 1, 2023
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”  

Note - All scripture references are from the NKJV unless noted