God's Protection and Purim

Today my sister Anna is teaching a Sunday School class on the book of Esther. This is a great book, and our family remembers the fun of hearing the story of Esther during our Purim celebrations. Purim is a celebration of God’s protection and care during dangerous times. Today this book is a reminder that God takes care of His people – no matter what.
While the word “God” is not contained in the book of Esther, God’s presence is very clear.
One interesting rabbit trail that can be found connecting Ester to other parts of the Bible is found in the phrase: “the evil plan of Haman the Agagite, which he had devised against the Jews” Esther 8:3.
The Amalekites are historic enemies of Israel.
* Exodus 17, where the Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. Joshua fought this battle as Moses held up his hands until the battle was won.
* In Judges 3, they joined Eglon king of Moab in punishing the Hebrews for 18 years.w In Judges 6, they joined the Midianites in a war against the Hebrews.

We meet Agag (the possible ancestor of Haman) in 1 Samuel 15, when Israel, under the leadership of Samuel fights against the Amalekites, defeating them. God tells Israel, “totally destroy everything that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.” However, Saul spares the King, Agag. “But Saul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs--everything that was good.” 1 Samuel 15:8. Saul was punished for this in 1 Samuel 28:18.
* A story is told in 2 Samuel 1 about an Amalekite who lies to David about Saul’s death.
It is said that Satan worked through the Amalekites in the days of Moses, Saul, David and Esther in order to kill the Messiah who would come through the nation Israel.

The Amalekites were descendants of Esau (brother of Jacob). King Herod was also an Idumaean, or a descendant of Esau. God's Word frequently predicted that the descendants of twin brothers Jacob and Esau would be in conflict. (Genesis 25:23). King Herod tried to kill Jesus, and eliminate the Messiah (Matthew 2:16).
Through this story we find that if we will put God first in our lives our lives will have purpose (Esther 4:14), and we will be under the shadow of His protection.