Among the most vibrant and emotionally charged festivals in the Jewish calendar, Purim stands out as a celebration not only of survival but of divine orchestration—a joyous festival that springs from the shadows of looming destruction. It commemorates the remarkable deliverance of the Jewish people from annihilation, as recounted in the Book of Esther. This tale of political intrigue, royal drama, and courageous intercession culminates in a divine reversal of fate, turning a genocidal plot into a moment of national salvation.

The name “Purim” itself derives from the lots (purim in Persian) cast by Haman, the wicked advisor to King Xerxes (Ahasuerus), to determine the day on which the Jews would be destroyed. Instead, that day became the very occasion for their deliverance and vindication. This ironic twist forms the thematic heartbeat of Purim: the God of Israel, though unseen, is never absent.

The Narrative of Deliverance

The Book of Esther tells the story of a Jewish woman named Hadassah, who, under the Persian name Esther, becomes queen of Persia. Orphaned and raised by her cousin Mordechai, Esther ascends to royal status at a time when the Jewish people face existential threat. Haman, a high-ranking official in the Persian court, grows enraged by Mordechai’s refusal to bow to him and engineers a decree to annihilate all Jews in the empire.

But the tide turns. Esther, at great personal risk, reveals her Jewish identity to the king and exposes Haman’s plot. Her courage and wisdom lead to the salvation of her people. Haman is hanged on the very gallows he had prepared for Mordechai. The king grants the Jews permission to defend themselves, and what was intended as a day of destruction becomes a day of triumph. Thus, Purim becomes an annual celebration of this dramatic reversal—a commemoration of hope, bravery, and divine deliverance.

Perhaps the most striking feature of the Book of Esther is that the name of God is never mentioned. Not even once. And yet, His presence saturates the narrative behind the scenes.

This silence is not accidental. It is theological.

The hiddenness of God in the story of Purim invites us into one of the deepest truths of faith: God often works behind the scenes. Unlike other biblical stories filled with miracles, visions, and divine speech, Esther’s story unfolds through what appears to be coincidence, timing, and human courage. But as each scene unfolds, the divine orchestration becomes unmistakable. Mordechai’s overhearing of an assassination plot, Esther’s favor with the king, the king’s insomnia that leads to reading the royal chronicles—each thread is part of a tapestry only God could weave.

For the Jewish people, Purim is a testament to the enduring reality that even when God appears silent or distant, He is still present and active. This is the theology of providence: God governs the world not only through signs and wonders but also through the quiet turning of history’s gears.

Purim’s Relevance for Christians

For Christians, the Book of Esther and the festival of Purim offer rich spiritual insights. Central among them is the theme of God’s sovereignty and redemptive purpose. Just as God protected the Jewish people in Persia through seemingly ordinary means, so too does He guide the course of human lives with a hand that is both hidden and holy.

Esther’s story becomes a living parable for the Christian journey—a reminder that even in seasons of silence, God is not absent. When prayers seem unanswered and circumstances unravel, Purim calls the believer to trust that God’s hand is at work, weaving redemption even out of suffering.

Moreover, Purim reminds Christians of their spiritual heritage. Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, stands in the long line of God’s redemptive acts for Israel. His life, death, and resurrection are not detached from this story but are the ultimate fulfillment of God’s protective love. In Esther, we see a glimpse of the Deliverer; in Jesus, we see the Deliverer in full.

The Courage of Intercession

Another powerful theme in the Purim story is the courage to stand in the gap. When Esther is faced with the decision to risk her life by appearing uninvited before the king, Mordechai’s words challenge her to see her role within God’s divine purpose:

Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

(Esther 4:14)

These words echo across the ages, calling every believer to recognize the significance of their moment, their influence, and their responsibility. Like Esther, we are placed where we are for reasons greater than we may understand. Courage, humility, and obedience open the door for God’s plans to unfold.

Reversal of Destiny

The story of Purim is soaked in reversals. Mourning turns to gladness. Fasting turns to feasting. The gallows built for Mordechai become Haman’s own demise. These divine reversals are not merely literary devices; they are spiritual metaphors for the gospel itself.

The cross, intended to be the instrument of Jesus’ shame and death, becomes the throne of His victory and the symbol of redemption. In Christ, what was meant for evil is turned to good. Like the Jews in Persia, we too celebrate the day that death passed us by and salvation reigned.

Feasting, Joy, and Remembrance

Because of everything written in this letter and because of what they had seen and what had happened to them, the Jews took it on themselves to establish the custom that they and their descendants and all who join them should without fail observe these two days every year, in the way prescribed and at the time appointed. These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. And these days of Purim should never fail to be celebrated by the Jews—nor should the memory of these days die out among their descendants.

(Esther 9:26-28)

Ever since, Purim is celebrated with joy—lavish meals, wine, costumes, theatrical readings of Esther, and gifts to the poor. Laughter and community are central to its observance. For the Jewish people, this joy is not escapism; it is testimony. It is the fruit of survival, the expression of hope fulfilled.

A well-known Jewish joke sums up the essence of many of Israel’s holidays like this: “They tried to kill us. We won. Now let’s eat!”

Christians, too, are invited into this joy—not as cultural appropriators, but as spiritual heirs. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, and celebration is a command, not a suggestion. In a world often ruled by fear and anxiety, Purim calls the people of God to rejoice—not in ignorance of evil, but in triumph over it.

A Festival of Faith in the Shadows

Purim invites us to see the divine not only in the dramatic but in the ordinary. It reminds us that even when God’s name is not shouted, His presence is still profound. Esther, the hidden queen, reflects the hidden God—a God who delivers, protects, and works through the faithful obedience of His people.

In the darkest plots, He is plotting redemption. In the silence, He is speaking through circumstance. And in every reversal, He reveals His glory.

For Christians, Purim is more than a historical celebration. It is a spiritual mirror, reflecting the truth that God is always at work, even when we cannot see Him. It is a feast of faith in the shadows—a reminder that the hidden God is never absent, and the fate intended for harm can be turned, in His providence, into a festival of joy.

This was an excerpt from my book “The Feasts of Israel for Christians: A Brief Overview of Israel’s Festivals in the Hebrew Scriptures and Their Relevance to Christianity.”