Purim is this Wednesday the 23rd. Did you know that? It's easy to forget about Purim. After all, it's only celebrated by Jews. But it SHOULD mean something to you if you're Christian because it's in the Bible, in the Book of Esther in fact. The Book of Esther is written in a way unlike any other book of the Bible. The very existence of this book presented problems to the fathers of the Protestant Reformation, most especially to Luther. Martin Luther at first had BIG problems with it: "I want to toss this book into the River Elbe!" he said. "It judaises too much and is full of heathenish naughtiness!" Later he came 'round to believing it was divinely inspired.
Still, Esther's book is strange. God is not directly mentioned at all in the entire book. Plus, there's a strong strain of Jewish nationalism running throughout the narrative. And again, there's the tone of the book: an unmistakable element of of ribald levity, of actual humor in its depiction of events that occurred in Persia some 450 years before Christ.
In addition to that, the Book of Esther ends on a note of rejoicing in what amounts to a CIVIL WAR in Persia, led by the Jews, and the slaughter of 75,000 of their enemies, the conversion of many Persians to the Hebrews' faith, and Mordechai (Esther's uncle) elevated to that of Prime Minister, almost like Joseph was to the Pharaoh of Egypt.
[Here the entire pre-recorded broadcast at www.blogtalkradio.com/fougcrew Click on "LIVE" at the top menu bar, scroll down and click on the show's title. That's all!]
Still, Esther's book is strange. God is not directly mentioned at all in the entire book. Plus, there's a strong strain of Jewish nationalism running throughout the narrative. And again, there's the tone of the book: an unmistakable element of of ribald levity, of actual humor in its depiction of events that occurred in Persia some 450 years before Christ.
In addition to that, the Book of Esther ends on a note of rejoicing in what amounts to a CIVIL WAR in Persia, led by the Jews, and the slaughter of 75,000 of their enemies, the conversion of many Persians to the Hebrews' faith, and Mordechai (Esther's uncle) elevated to that of Prime Minister, almost like Joseph was to the Pharaoh of Egypt.
[Here the entire pre-recorded broadcast at www.blogtalkradio.com/fougcrew Click on "LIVE" at the top menu bar, scroll down and click on the show's title. That's all!]
