PURIM: Haman was determined to destroy the Jews of Persia. He cast dice for an entire year, before choosing the 13th day of the 12th month (Adar) of the following year. But God turned the tables for them through Esther. That day of death became a day of victory… “and the month was turned for them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day” (Esther 9:22). Coincidence?
HANUKKAH: For almost two years, the Greek mad-man Antiochus pushed the worship of Zeus. Finally, on Kislev 25, he defiled the altar by sacrificing a pig. But, exactly three years to the day, God turned the tables through the faithful leadership of the Maccabees. On exactly Kislev 25, the day of oppression became a day of victory. Coincidence?
CHRISTMAS: It was the tenth day of the tenth month (Tevet), in 590 BC, when the king of Babylon surrounded the city of Jerusalem in a siege. God said to Ezekiel, “Write the name of the day, this very day” (Ezekiel 24:2). But in 5 BC, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month (which begins in the evening), Mary gave birth to the Messiah of the world. This date was recorded by the Jews, the Temple in which He was dedicated, and the Roman census. God turned the tables against sin, and the day of exile became the Day of the Gift of Righteousness and Reconciliation. Coincidence? Not at all…
Early Believers carried the Gospel message to the world… “that the blessing of Abraham might come on the nations through Jesus Christ” (Galatians 3:14). That “blessing” is the promise of ‘overcoming the world’ by faith. Now our dates of death, oppression, and exile can be turned to victory and joy through His love and power.
Hallelujah!
Comments