Esther, Who Brought About the Blessing of Purim

Haman’s decree goes out to every province. On a single day, the thirteenth of the month of Adar, the Jews are to die without even knowing why.

Mordecai would not bow to Haman, because he could not acknowledge Haman as a god. On the surface it is one man’s defiance, but behind it lies a scheme of Satan, in which a descendant of Amalek seeks to wipe out God’s people. God knew of that scheme beforehand and had already set Esther in the place of queen.

Esther fasts for three days, resolved that if she perishes, she perishes, and then goes in before the king. She has already taken her stand as one who is dead to the world, and so she has no fear. That resolve won the king’s heart, and with it came victory: her people, once in peril, were delivered, and Haman himself was brought to judgment instead.