Our God turns our sorrow into joy!

God rescued the Jews from the hands of their enemies,

turning their sorrow and tears into joy and celebration.

On that historic day, Mordecai sent letters to all the Jews

throughout the provinces of the Persian Empire,

instructing them to annually observe

the 14th and 15th days of the month of Adar

(the days when the Jews gathered together and defended themselves

against their enemies, killing 75,000 who hated them)

as days of feasting and joy, of giving presents to one another and gifts to the poor.

Thus, the Jews followed Mordecai's instructions

and celebrated these days as an annual festival called "Purim,"

meaning "lots" or "destiny" (Internet).

(Ref.: Esther 9:16-23).

This festival of Purim commemorates the day when the Jews,

under threat from their enemy Haman who plotted to destroy them

by casting lots and choosing the 13th day of the month of Adar,

were instead saved by God using Esther and Mordecai.

God moved King Ahasuerus to issue a decree

reversing Haman's evil plot to annihilate the Jews,

thereby rescuing them and bringing judgment upon Haman, his sons,

and all the enemies of the Jews (vv. 24-26, 31).

 All the Jews agreed to establish this tradition of celebration

for themselves and their descendants,

and for all who would join their community as Jews,

ensuring that they would annually observe these two days at the appointed time.

And they vowed to observe these days of Purim annually,

celebrating them with joy and sending gifts to each other and to the poor.

These days were to be remembered and observed throughout every generation,
every family, province, and city in the Persian Empire,

so that the Jews would never forget

the events that had happened to them (vv. 27-28).

When I meditate on these words, I am reminded of Psalms 30:11 –

"You turned my mourning into dancing;

you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy."

Applying Jeremiah 31:13 to this,

"God turns our sorrow into joy and comforts us,

giving us joy instead of mourning."

When I reflect on the mention of the Jews feasting,

I am reminded of Psalms 23:5 –

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows."

Similarly, when God rescues us and grants us victory, as He did for the Jews,

we learn the lesson to rest, celebrate,

exchange gifts with one another, and also to help the poor.