Esther 3:7 “In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar.”
In Esther, if you see God’s face on every page, you do not have to see His name. Even though God’s name does not appear in the entire Book of Esther, you can’t help but see His face and see His hand at work. Some folks are very tripped up by the fact that God’s name does not appear at all; but if I see a photo of my grandfather, I know it is him, regardless if I see his name on paper. In the same way, I can know God was in control in Esther, even though I do not see His name.
One cannot help but see God’s face all throughout Esther, but the momentum-the turning point-in the story came when Mordecai’s deeds in saving the king’s life were made known. As the Bible demonstrates, events were “turned to the contrary.” (Esther 9:1) The gallows were turned on Haman and Mordecai was promoted in the king’s court.
The story of Esther, Mordecai, and Haman is more thrilling than fiction, yet it really happened. The series of events seems like “dumb luck.” Does life ever feel the same way? Have you recently thought, “Why today?” or, “Why did this happen?”
The word Pur means “a lot; one dice.” Purim is the plural-“two or more dice.” You can read about the Feast of Purim in Esther chapter 9, but the Jews were celebrating God’s providence. The name literally means “Feast of Chance.” Jewish people still celebrate Purim in the month of March.
So what does all this mean for us? Proverbs 16:33 says, “The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.” In other words, you don’t have to understand everything about today; God is in control. What sometimes may seem like sheer, dumb-and sometimes bad-luck does not mean that God is not in control. He is present, and you can trust Him with what you don’t know . . .
Prayer Requests:
1. Safety for campers traveling home from camp tonight and tomorrow
2. Protection and provision for Summer Staff heading home tomorrrow
Camp Quotes:
“The devil has no right to you.”
-Evangelist Bill Rice III