This is why the rural Jews, who live in the villages, observe the fourteenth day of the month of Adar as a day of joy and feasting. It is a holiday for sending gifts to one another. Sermons
I. A GENERAL AND SIMULTANEOUS JOY. It was not in every respect equal. But in one respect it was equal, in that wherever it spread it was the joy of life, of life rescued from the brink of destruction. Joy need not be equal all round a family; nor all round the world's family; for there are in hearts exceedingly various degrees of susceptibility, and these by themselves are sure to govern largely the exact amount of what can be called happiness or joy. All that is necessary to the one largest, purest, most loving heart in the whole circle is, that all others be blessed and happy at the same time, and according to the full measure of their capacity. But a joy that is not general, that is exposed to overhearing the sounds of complaining, or the sighs of those who mourn alone, or the echoes of the outcry of pain, is deeply felt to be imperfect. II. A JOY FULL OF MUTUAL KINDNESS. Quite independently of the differences in human life that show one man rich and possessing all things, and another poor and needy, there are differences within a far less range of compass, and yet innumerable. These do not show the extremes of condition; and by Divine wisdom they do make the room for all the play of sympathy, for all the works of mutual kindness. These save hearts from stagnation, and make the healthful ripples and movement after movement of life, stirring the affections within. Were all this at an end, the dead level of human life and feeling would be appalling indeed. The joy that does not find this room for mutual service, for "readiness to good works," for interchange of the offices of affection and friendship, if general, would nevertheless be selfish to the last degree. How happy that short reign of community of goods in the early apostolic history, when all "of them that believed were of one heart and one soul: neither said any of them that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common." And that would be inferior to the conscious pleasure of a constant exchange of the tokens of sympathy and of the deeds of kindness. In the joy that should shut out the prizes of mutual service it would be felt that there was something wanting. III. A JOY FULL OF CHARITABLE KINDNESS. There can be no doubt that the kindness of charity is in reality an easier exercise and a less rare grace than that of a perfect mutual kindness. Yet we know the special honour put upon poverty both by the life and the lip of Jesus. And we know the abounding promises that his word makes to those who pity and give to the poor. There is indeed a certain subtle danger that may lurk in the perpetual exercise of charitable kindness. The giver can almost always reckon on the exaltation of position which belongs to the patron. He may be injured by what underlies the beautiful and ever-welcome words of the regretful Job: "When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me." Nevertheless, men little need at present to be warned of the danger; they seldom come near enough to this temptation. And, meantime, must not the joy that knows not the spirit of charity to the poor fatally want? There must be something different from vacant want indeed, bad as that should be. That joy must feel itself "a guilty thing." But now in this typical joy of God's suddenly-rescued people in the days of Esther all these elements were present. The people had all been in one danger, had all enjoyed one deliverance, and they all experience one general pervading joy. Common suffering while it lasts draws us near to one another by a proverb; it is rather the index of cowardice of heart. But when the return of common mercy finds us drawing near to one another in the works of practical fellowship, and showing compassion to the poor in the works of charity, then a happiness is kindled of the best that earth knows. The companions in danger and in rescue are found still companions in prosperity. In woe and in weal they have learned to be one. The common escape from danger quickens a sincere compassion. And this history cannot be judged to fall short of portraying the one danger of the whole race of mankind, the one rescue open to them, and the one united life of joy, of love, of charity that Christians ought to live here on earth. - B.
On the thirteenth day of the month Adar. This national memorial —I. WAS ESTABLISHED BY SUPREME AUTHORITY. II. WAS APPROVED BY A GRATEFUL PEOPLE. III. WAS SANCTIONED BY THE MARVELLOUS NATURE OF THE EVENTS CELEBRATED. IV. WAS HALLOWED BY THE MANNER OF ITS CELEBRATION. V. WAS PRESERVED BY A WISE METHOD. VI. IS PERPETUATED WITH GOOD RESULT. (W. Burrows, B. A.) 1. Keep in remembrance an interposition of the Almighty, without which the Jewish nation and religion had been in a great measure, if not wholly, extinct in the world. 2. Mark a striking fulfilment of prophecy in the destruction of the Amalekites, who were the hereditary enemies of the Jews. 3. Stimulate confidence in God in the most critical circumstances, and refusal to pay such homage to the creature as is due to God only. 4. Foster that recognition of God in history and providence which men are ever liable to overlook and forget. In these respects it was an institution which should prove as advantageous to after-generations, and even more so, than to the people of God who were then living. "The Lord God omnipotent reigneth." (T. McEwan.) I. TAKE A VIEW OF THE REASONS HERE ASSIGNED FOR THE ESTABLISHING THE OBSERVATION OF THE DAYS MENTIONED IN THE TEXT. 1. They were delivered from the entire extirpation of themselves and their religion out of the dominions of the Persian king. 2. The destruction with which they were threatened was in all human appearance inevitable. 3. The Jews might plainly discern a special hand of God in the deliverance which was granted them. 4. As this was a signal instance of God's special favour towards them, so it was but one instance among many others which they continually had from one generation to another. II. CONSIDER THE MANNER IN WHICH THE JEWS ARE HERE COMMANDED TO OBSERVE THEIR FESTIVAL. It includes three parts. 1. The natural. Feasting, rejoicing, etc. 2. The religious. Thanksgiving and praise. 3. The charitable. Sending portions one to another.If our gratitude to God on memorial days be sincere, we shall go on to express our sense of great deliverances. 1. By living as becomes those who have received such great favours from the hands of God. 2. We shall be zealous to maintain and secure the inestimable blessings hitherto continued to us. (Samuel Bradford.) The feast instituted by Mordecai was designed to be —I. II. III. (J. S. Van Dyke, D. D.) I. WITH THE HISTORICAL VALUE OF A FEAST OF THIS SORT. II. THERE IS ALSO AN EDUCATIONAL VALUE IN SUCH A FEAST. All the education of a child is not comprised in what he receives at school. He learns much in the home. He is greatly affected by what he sees on the streets. Dr. Andrew Reid tells us how profoundly he was moved by the sight of the statue of John Howard in St. Paul's Cathedral, and traces to that the benevolent purpose of his life, which ended in the establishment of so many asylums for orphans and imbeciles. So we ought to be careful what sort of men those are whom we allow to be honoured in that way. For every one who looks upon a statue is moved to ask, "Whose is it? what was his character? what was his history? and why has he been honoured thus?" And the answers will be a part of the education of those who put the questions, stirring their ambition or firing their enthusiasm. It is the same with national holidays. The Passover, etc. (W. M. Taylor, D. D.) (J. S. Van Dyke, D. D.) II. Days of AWAKENING AND CONVERSION. III. Days of DARKNESS. 1. Days of BEREAVEMENT. 2. Days of MENTAL DEPRESSION. 3. Days of PERPLEXITY. IV. Days of DELIVERANCE. V. Times of REFRESHING and SEASONS OF COMMUNION WITH GOD. VI. THE DAY OF DEATH AND THE DAY OF JUDGMENT. (J. Bolton, B. A.) I. LET US THINK OF IT AS A MEMORY DAY. There are those who think it unkind to recall the memory of the dead, or even to speak to the bereaved of their losses. There are some who think that the only way to console is by diverting the thoughts from all memory of that which occasioned pain. There is no more mistaken treatment for the human heart than to prescribe oblivion for its cure. The very memory of the loved one blesses us and makes us more gentle and tender toward the living. It is neither manly nor womanly nor human to be either hard-hearted or forgetful. Then, do you think that the heart of our nation is softened, and that sympathy, sensibility, and true greatness are promoted by our observance of a national memorial day? II. THAT OUR MEMORIAL DAY IS A DAY WITH VERY IMPORTANT LESSONS. 1. It teaches Christian patriotism. Love of country is not only a natural sentiment in every true heart, but it is right in the sight of God. No man can ignore his relation to his country and not sin against God. 2. Again, our memorial day teaches the value of peace. Memorial day is a constant reminder of the terrible price paid. 3. The day also brings lessons of gratitude and hope. Memory is the mother of gratitude. So when we recall our national blessings how much cause we have for gratitude to God! "The Lord hath done great things for us whereof we are glad." (Southern Pulpit.). I. II. III. IV. V. VI. (W. Burrows, B. A.) 1. In the character of his government. "He laid a tribute on the land," etc. Possibly this was a judicious system of taxation, designed to displace some obnoxious method of raising money for the public treasury. 2. In the acquiescence of his subjects. II. THE GREATNESS OF MORDECAI IS SEEN — 1. In the contrast existing between his present and his former position. 2. In the fact that his severest trials became the avenue through which he ascended to fame. 3. In his reaching the pinnacle of greatness by simple fidelity to principle and unwearied diligence. 4. In his employing the influence he acquired, not for selfish ends, but to promote the welfare of his people.Lessons — 1. He who fills well the position he occupies thereby effectually recommends himself to a higher. 2. Nothing is lost by maintaining integrity. 3. Worldly prosperity is often the result of religious faith. 4. It is unwise to be disheartened in the hour of adversity (J. S. Van Dyke, D. D.) 1. It was not, therefore, for his own sake only that Mordecai was exalted. 2. Before Mordecai was exalted it was the will of God to try the faith of the Jews. 3. One great purpose of the trial was to recall them to a recollection of their true office and position in the world as witnesses of God and pilgrims to the heavenly city. 4. God prepared an advocate and protector for His people years before Haman had power to do them harm. 5. To prepare the way for this advocate and protector, the divorce and dethronement of Vashti was overruled by God for the advancement of Esther to the crown of Persia. 6. The foundation of Mordecai's greatness was actually laid by his bitterest and most implacable enemy. 7. To pave the way for Mordecai's future advancement, a claim had to be established on the gratitude and confidence of the king, long before the rise of Haman. 8. The time pointed out by the lot for the slaughter of the Jews providentially fell so close to the end of the year as to give almost as much time as possible to Esther and Mordecai to consider what steps could be taken to avert the destruction of their nation. 9. Esther's concealing her Jewish origin, both before and after coming to the throne, was overruled to the confusion and destruction of Haman. He would never have issued the decree against the Jews had he known that the queen was a Jewess. 10. Haman's concealing from the king that it was the Jewish nation he wished to destroy was overruled so as to become the means of his own downfall. 11. The insolence and impatience of Haman getting the better of his prudence was the means of defeating and disappointing his malicious schemes. 12. That Esther should have been received with favour by the king, after she had apparently been slighted by him for thirty days, was clearly an instance of the hand of God. 13. That Esther, through some impression on her mind, should have deferred her petition till the following day, was one of the most remarkable providential interferences in the whole history. The delay led to the erection of the gibbet on which Haman afterwards suffered and also to his humiliation in being compelled to do public honours to Mordecai. 14. The king's sleepless night had momentous results. 15. How providential that Haman should have been at hand at the very moment the king was desirous for some one to propose a suitable reward for Mordecai! 16. Haman's humiliation at being compelled to do honour to Mordecai so dispirited him that when Esther's terrible charge was made against him he was not able to make even a plausible defence, such as his ignorance that the queen was a Jewess and his ignorance of any conscious intention to injure her. 17. Even the trivial circumstances that the chamberlains sent to summon Haman to the banquet arrived before he had time to have the gibbet taken down and removed, and that thus they came to be informed that it was prepared for Mordecai, were as plainly the work of providence as any other event in the whole narrative. 18. To all these extraordinary accidents and coincidences we must add that the issue of the whole matter placed the Jews in a much more prosperous condition than they were in before, and confirmed their faith in the Divine promises and protection. (W. Crosthwaite.) II. WE LEARN HERE THE PECULIAR CARE WITH WHICH GOD WATCHES OVER HIS CHURCH AND PEOPLE. III. WE SEE THE WONDERFUL MANNER IN WHICH GOD RAISES UP INSTRUMENTS FOR THE PRESERVATION AND DELIVERANCE OF HIS PEOPLE. IV. WE NOTICE THE SURPRISING MANNER IN WHICH PROVIDENCE OPENS UP THE WAY IN WHICH THESE INSTRUMENTS ARE DESTINED TO ACT. V. WE ARE TAUGHT THE DUTY OF PLACING OUR SOLE TRUST AND DEPENDENCE ON GOD. VI. WE LEARN FROM THIS BOOK THE HIGH UTILITY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES, AND THEIR STANDING AUTHORITY AS A RULE BOTH TO INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES. (Thomas McCrie, D. D.) (Thomas Carlyle.) ( C. H. Spurgeon.). 4410 banquets Tiberias. Some Miscellaneous Matters Respecting the Face of the Land. Place of Jesus in the History of the World. Esther |
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