7 In the first month, which is the month of Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, they cast Pur (that is, they cast lots) before Haman day after day; and they cast it month after month till the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar. 8 Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom. Their laws are different from those of every other people, and they do not keep the king’s laws, so that it is not to the king’s profit to tolerate them. 9 If it please the king, let it be decreed that they be destroyed, and I will pay 10,000 talents of silver into the hands of those who have charge of the king’s business, that they may put it into the king’s treasuries.” 10 So the king took his signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews. 11 And the king said to Haman, “The money is given to you, the people also, to do with them as it seems good to you.”
Esther 3: 7-11
“Pur” is the Persian word for “lot”, something like dice, used to leave a decision to chance – or to the God who guides every chance.
Points to Ponder
- Haman deceived the king to believe the Jews are the enemies of the kingdom. He went from something that’s true like they are scattered abroad and dispersed among people in all provinces, to something somewhat true about having a different law, the law of Moses. Then he falsely accused them of not keeping the king’s law. We just have to admit that sometimes our enemies are smarter than us. They know how to gain a foot after having an inch. So…
and do not give the devil a foothold.
Eph 4: 27
- Haman might think he outsmarted Mordecai and the Jews. But as Proverbs 19:21 tells us ‘Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” The Pur landed on the twelve-month (11 months later) for the killing of the Jews. It was exactly the duration God intended for Esther and Mordecai to work out their plan to save the Jews. It was exactly the way God wants to defeat his enemies and deliver His people.
- Once again, are you praying for the president, the governor, the mayor, the principal, your boss, ….? We would be doomed if they are foolish leaders like Ahasuerus.
Raisins & Apples Bible Devotional & more 