WEBVTT NOTE This file was generated by Descript 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.920 Emily: welcome to immerse: the daily bible reading experience. 00:00:03.020 --> 00:00:04.560 day 300 and 58. 00:00:04.900 --> 00:00:09.340 That night the king had trouble sleeping, so he ordered an attendant 00:00:09.550 --> 00:00:12.820 to bring the book of the history of his reign so it could be read to him. 00:00:13.810 --> 00:00:18.640 In those records, he discovered an account of how Mordecai had exposed 00:00:18.640 --> 00:00:23.170 the plot of big thana and tar to of the eunuch who guarded the door 00:00:23.170 --> 00:00:24.670 to the king's private quarters. 00:00:25.270 --> 00:00:28.000 They had plotted to assassinate King's Xerxes. 00:00:28.630 --> 00:00:32.320 What reward or recognition did we ever give Mordecai for this? 00:00:32.650 --> 00:00:33.490 The king asked. 00:00:34.135 --> 00:00:35.275 His attendance replied. 00:00:35.815 --> 00:00:37.195 Nothing has been done for him. 00:00:38.305 --> 00:00:38.845 Who is that? 00:00:38.845 --> 00:00:41.005 In the outer court, the king inquired. 00:00:41.755 --> 00:00:46.855 As it happened, Haman had just arrived in the outer court of the palace to ask 00:00:46.860 --> 00:00:49.105 the king to impale Mordecai on the poll. 00:00:49.110 --> 00:00:52.675 He had prepared the, so the attendance replied to the king. 00:00:53.065 --> 00:00:56.125 Haman is out in the court, bring him in. 00:00:56.395 --> 00:00:57.175 The king ordered. 00:00:57.790 --> 00:01:01.960 So Haman came in and the king said, what should I do to honor 00:01:01.960 --> 00:01:03.910 a man who truly pleases me? 00:01:04.750 --> 00:01:08.920 Haman thought to himself, whom would the king wish to honor more than me? 00:01:09.580 --> 00:01:10.540 So he replied. 00:01:10.930 --> 00:01:15.100 If the king wishes to honor someone, he should bring out one of the king's 00:01:15.130 --> 00:01:19.780 own royal robes, as well as a horse that the king himself has ridden 00:01:20.140 --> 00:01:22.510 one with a royal emblem on its head. 00:01:23.155 --> 00:01:27.235 Let the robes and the horse be handed over to one of the king's most noble 00:01:27.235 --> 00:01:32.485 officials and let him see that the man whom the king wishes to honor is dressed 00:01:32.490 --> 00:01:36.835 in the king's robes and led through the city square on the king's horse. 00:01:37.585 --> 00:01:39.535 Have the official shout as they go. 00:01:39.865 --> 00:01:43.525 This is what the king does for someone he wishes to honor. 00:01:44.635 --> 00:01:45.295 Excellent. 00:01:45.595 --> 00:01:46.765 The king said to Haman. 00:01:47.320 --> 00:01:52.870 Quick take the robes and my horse and do, just as you have said, for Mordecai, the 00:01:52.870 --> 00:01:58.060 Jew who sits at the gate of the palace, leave out nothing you have suggested. 00:01:59.110 --> 00:02:03.700 So Haman took the robes and put them on Mordecai placed him on the King's 00:02:03.700 --> 00:02:08.680 own horse and led him through the city square shouting This is what the king 00:02:08.680 --> 00:02:10.870 does for someone he wishes to honor. 00:02:11.770 --> 00:02:16.690 Afterward, Mordecai returned to the palace gate, but Haman hurried home 00:02:16.690 --> 00:02:19.300 dejected and completely humiliated. 00:02:20.410 --> 00:02:24.640 When Haman told his wife zeroes and all his friends what had happened, 00:02:24.970 --> 00:02:29.770 his wise advisors and his wife said, since Mordecai, this man who has 00:02:29.770 --> 00:02:32.320 humiliated you is of Jewish birth. 00:02:32.620 --> 00:02:35.170 You will never succeed in your plans against him. 00:02:35.500 --> 00:02:37.930 It will be fatal to continue opposing him. 00:02:39.475 --> 00:02:43.525 While they were still talking, the King's eunuchs arrived and quickly 00:02:43.525 --> 00:02:49.765 took Haman to the banquet Esther had prepared, so the King and Haman 00:02:49.795 --> 00:02:51.505 went to Queen Esther's banquet. 00:02:52.135 --> 00:02:56.335 On this second occasion, while they were drinking wine, the king again 00:02:56.340 --> 00:03:01.795 said to Esther, tell me what you want, queen Esther, what is your request? 00:03:02.245 --> 00:03:05.575 I will give it to you even if it is half the kingdom. 00:03:06.745 --> 00:03:12.295 Queen Esther replied, if I have found favor with the king and if it pleases 00:03:12.295 --> 00:03:17.755 the king to grant my request, I ask that my life and the lives of my 00:03:17.755 --> 00:03:21.115 people will be spared for my people. 00:03:21.115 --> 00:03:26.545 And I have been sold to those who would kill slaughter and annihilate us. 00:03:27.085 --> 00:03:31.045 If we had merely been sold as slaves, I could remain quiet 00:03:31.435 --> 00:03:32.815 for that would be too trivial. 00:03:32.815 --> 00:03:34.855 A matter to warrant disturbing the king. 00:03:35.920 --> 00:03:37.360 Who would do such a thing? 00:03:37.810 --> 00:03:38.380 King's eRx. 00:03:38.380 --> 00:03:42.280 He's demanded Who would be so presumptuous as to touch you? 00:03:43.420 --> 00:03:49.270 Esther replied, this wicked Haman is our adversary and our enemy. 00:03:50.080 --> 00:03:53.110 Haman grew pale with fright before the king and queen. 00:03:53.680 --> 00:03:57.940 Then the king jumped to his feet in a rage and wed out into the palace garden. 00:03:58.615 --> 00:04:02.485 Haman, however, stayed behind to plead for his life with Queen 00:04:02.485 --> 00:04:07.285 Esther, for he knew that the king intended to kill him in despair. 00:04:07.465 --> 00:04:11.605 He fell on the couch where Queen Esther was reclining just as the king 00:04:11.605 --> 00:04:13.435 was returning from the palace garden. 00:04:14.215 --> 00:04:15.205 The king exclaimed. 00:04:15.505 --> 00:04:21.175 Will he even assault the queen right here in the palace before my very eyes, and 00:04:21.175 --> 00:04:26.605 as soon as the king spoke, his attendance covered Haman's face signaling his doom. 00:04:27.895 --> 00:04:34.015 Then Har, one of the king's eunuchs said, Haman has set up a sharpened pole that 00:04:34.015 --> 00:04:37.135 stands 75 feet tall in his own courtyard. 00:04:37.555 --> 00:04:42.415 He intended to use it to Impale Mordecai, the man who saved the king from 00:04:42.415 --> 00:04:46.075 assassination, then impaled Haman on it. 00:04:46.465 --> 00:04:50.035 The king ordered, so they impaled Haman on the pole. 00:04:50.035 --> 00:04:53.905 He had set up for Mordecai and the King's anger subsided. 00:04:55.510 --> 00:04:59.680 On that same day, king Xerxes gave the property of Haman, the 00:04:59.680 --> 00:05:01.990 enemy of the Jews to Queen Esther. 00:05:02.770 --> 00:05:06.190 Then Mordecai was brought before the king for Esther had told 00:05:06.190 --> 00:05:07.780 the king how they were related. 00:05:08.410 --> 00:05:13.270 The king took off his signet ring, which he had taken back from Haman and gave it 00:05:13.275 --> 00:05:18.880 to Mordecai, and Esther appointed Mordecai to be in charge of Haman's property. 00:05:20.320 --> 00:05:22.510 Then Esther went again before the king. 00:05:23.020 --> 00:05:28.720 Falling down at his feet and begging him with tears to stop the evil plot devised 00:05:28.720 --> 00:05:31.510 by Haman the Aite against the Jews. 00:05:32.110 --> 00:05:35.530 Again, the king held out the gold scepter to Esther, so 00:05:35.530 --> 00:05:37.450 she rose and stood before him. 00:05:38.440 --> 00:05:44.380 Esther said If it please the king, and if I have found favor with him and if he 00:05:44.380 --> 00:05:50.050 thinks it is right and if I am pleasing to him, let there be a decree that reverses 00:05:50.050 --> 00:05:56.080 the orders of Haman, son of haha, the aite who ordered that Jews throughout all 00:05:56.110 --> 00:06:01.240 the king's provinces should be destroyed for how can I endure to see my people 00:06:01.240 --> 00:06:03.940 and my family slaughtered and destroyed? 00:06:05.230 --> 00:06:08.950 Then King Xerxes said to Queen Esther and Mordecai the Jew. 00:06:09.370 --> 00:06:14.290 I have given Esther the property of Haman and he has been impaled on a pole 00:06:14.350 --> 00:06:16.420 because he tried to destroy the Jews. 00:06:17.050 --> 00:06:21.490 Now go ahead and send a message to the Jews in the King's name, telling 00:06:21.490 --> 00:06:25.030 them whatever you want, and seal it with the king's signet ring. 00:06:25.690 --> 00:06:30.310 But remember that whatever has already been written in the King's name and sealed 00:06:30.315 --> 00:06:33.010 with his signet ring can never be revoked. 00:06:34.015 --> 00:06:39.025 So on June 25th, the king secretaries were summoned and a decree was 00:06:39.025 --> 00:06:41.365 written exactly as Mordecai dictated. 00:06:42.025 --> 00:06:46.165 It was sent to the Jews and to the highest officers, the governors, and 00:06:46.170 --> 00:06:51.865 the nobles of all the 127 provinces stretching from India to Ethiopia. 00:06:52.645 --> 00:06:55.705 The decree was written in the scripts and languages of all the peoples of 00:06:55.705 --> 00:06:58.195 the empire, including that of the Jews. 00:06:58.885 --> 00:07:02.395 The decree was written in the name of Kings Xerxes, and sealed 00:07:02.395 --> 00:07:03.715 with the king's signet ring. 00:07:04.285 --> 00:07:08.905 Mordecai sent the dispatches by Swift messengers who rode fast horses, 00:07:08.905 --> 00:07:11.035 especially bred for the King's service. 00:07:12.205 --> 00:07:15.865 The King's decree gave the Jews in every city authority to 00:07:15.865 --> 00:07:18.115 unite, to defend their lives. 00:07:18.535 --> 00:07:23.755 They were allowed to kill slaughter and annihilate anyone of any nationality 00:07:23.755 --> 00:07:28.585 or province who might attack them or their children and wives, and to 00:07:28.585 --> 00:07:30.175 take the property of their enemies. 00:07:30.925 --> 00:07:35.065 The day chosen for this event throughout all the provinces of King's Xerxes 00:07:35.365 --> 00:07:37.645 was March 7th of the next year. 00:07:38.650 --> 00:07:43.600 A copy of this decree was to be issued as law in every province and proclaimed 00:07:43.600 --> 00:07:48.340 to all peoples so that the Jews would be ready to take revenge on their enemies. 00:07:48.340 --> 00:07:52.810 On the appointed day, so urged on by the King's command, the 00:07:52.810 --> 00:07:57.100 messengers rode out swiftly on fast horses bred for the King's service. 00:07:57.760 --> 00:08:01.450 The same decree was also proclaimed in the fortress of Suse. 00:08:02.860 --> 00:08:07.570 Then Mordecai left the King's presence wearing the royal robe of blue and white. 00:08:07.885 --> 00:08:13.405 The great crown of gold and an outer cloak of fine linen and purple, and the 00:08:13.405 --> 00:08:15.985 people of suse celebrated the new decree. 00:08:16.705 --> 00:08:21.115 The Jews were filled with joy and gladness and were honored everywhere 00:08:21.715 --> 00:08:25.675 in every province, in city where wherever the king's decree arrived. 00:08:26.035 --> 00:08:29.875 The Jews rejoiced and had a great celebration and declared 00:08:29.875 --> 00:08:31.675 a public festival in holiday. 00:08:32.455 --> 00:08:36.895 Many of the people of the land became Jews themselves for they feared 00:08:36.895 --> 00:08:38.335 what the Jews might do to them. 00:08:39.865 --> 00:08:45.685 So on March 7th, the two decrees of the king were put into effect On that day, the 00:08:45.685 --> 00:08:50.425 enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but quite the opposite happened. 00:08:51.055 --> 00:08:54.325 It was the Jews who overpowered their enemies. 00:08:54.955 --> 00:08:58.825 The Jews gathered in their cities throughout all the king's provinces to 00:08:58.825 --> 00:09:00.865 attack anyone who tried to harm them. 00:09:01.465 --> 00:09:05.455 But no one could make a stand against them, for everyone was afraid of them. 00:09:05.995 --> 00:09:10.585 And all the nobles of the provinces, the highest officers, the governors 00:09:10.945 --> 00:09:15.025 and the royal officials helped the Jews for fear of Mordecai. 00:09:15.685 --> 00:09:19.555 For Mordecai had been promoted in the king's palace, and his fame 00:09:19.555 --> 00:09:24.055 spread throughout all the provinces as he became more and more powerful. 00:09:25.600 --> 00:09:28.840 So the Jews went ahead on the appointed day and struck down their 00:09:28.840 --> 00:09:33.640 enemies with the sword they killed and annihilated their enemies and did as 00:09:33.640 --> 00:09:35.470 they pleased with those who hated them. 00:09:36.190 --> 00:09:40.420 In the fortress of Suse itself, the Jews killed 500 men. 00:09:41.530 --> 00:09:46.400 They also killed Parsha Dolphin aspe po. 00:09:47.520 --> 00:09:51.840 A Aha par aai. 00:09:52.375 --> 00:09:59.305 Erdi and Vaha, the 10 sons of Haman, son of Haha, the enemy of the Jews. 00:09:59.845 --> 00:10:04.795 But they did not take any plunder that very day when the king was 00:10:04.800 --> 00:10:07.915 informed of the number of people killed in the fortress of Suse. 00:10:08.245 --> 00:10:09.685 He called for Queen Esther. 00:10:10.225 --> 00:10:14.425 He said The Jews have killed 500 men in the fortress of Suse 00:10:14.425 --> 00:10:17.365 alone as well as Haman's 10 sons. 00:10:17.905 --> 00:10:21.805 If they have done that here, what has happened in the rest of the provinces? 00:10:22.510 --> 00:10:24.610 But now what more do you want? 00:10:25.120 --> 00:10:26.440 It will be granted to you. 00:10:26.680 --> 00:10:28.270 Tell me and I will do it. 00:10:29.350 --> 00:10:32.170 Esther responded, if it please the king. 00:10:32.500 --> 00:10:37.060 Give the Jews in suse permission to do again tomorrow as they have done today. 00:10:37.570 --> 00:10:41.200 And let the bodies of Hamans 10 sons be impaled on a poll. 00:10:42.130 --> 00:10:47.320 So the king agreed and the decree was announced in suse and they impaled 00:10:47.320 --> 00:10:49.180 the bodies of Haman's 10 sons. 00:10:50.035 --> 00:10:55.345 Then the Jews at SUSE gathered together on March 8th and killed 300 more men. 00:10:55.825 --> 00:10:58.105 And again, they took no plunder. 00:10:59.035 --> 00:11:03.025 Meanwhile, the other Jews throughout the king's provinces had gathered 00:11:03.025 --> 00:11:04.765 together to defend their lives. 00:11:05.155 --> 00:11:10.705 They gained relief from all their enemies, killing 75,000 of those who hated them, 00:11:11.415 --> 00:11:13.165 but they did not take any plunder. 00:11:13.915 --> 00:11:18.925 This was done throughout the provinces on March 7th, and on March 8th, they rested. 00:11:19.300 --> 00:11:22.690 Celebrating their victory with a day of feasting and gladness. 00:11:23.380 --> 00:11:28.000 The Jews at SUSE killed their enemies on March 7th, and again on March 8th, 00:11:28.420 --> 00:11:33.250 then rested on March 9th, making that their day of feasting and gladness. 00:11:34.090 --> 00:11:39.340 So to this day, rural Jews living in remote villages celebrate an annual 00:11:39.340 --> 00:11:44.350 festival and holiday on the appointed day in late winter when they rejoice 00:11:44.500 --> 00:11:46.450 and send gifts of food to each other. 00:11:47.935 --> 00:11:52.825 Mordecai recorded these events and sent letters to the Jews near and far 00:11:53.125 --> 00:11:57.625 throughout all the provinces of King's Xerxes, calling on them to celebrate 00:11:57.625 --> 00:11:59.965 an annual festival on these two days. 00:12:00.475 --> 00:12:03.985 He told them to celebrate these days with feasting and gladness, 00:12:04.255 --> 00:12:08.245 and by giving gifts of food to each other and presents to the poor. 00:12:08.905 --> 00:12:12.535 This would commemorate a time when the Jews gained relief from their enemies, 00:12:12.865 --> 00:12:17.245 when their sorrow was turned into gladness and their mourning into joy. 00:12:18.070 --> 00:12:21.700 So the Jews accepted mordecai's proposal and adopted this 00:12:21.700 --> 00:12:24.900 annual custom Haman son of Haha. 00:12:24.905 --> 00:12:25.720 The Aite. 00:12:26.020 --> 00:12:30.460 The enemy of the Jews had plotted to crush and destroy them on the 00:12:30.460 --> 00:12:32.650 date determined by casting lots. 00:12:33.010 --> 00:12:34.690 The lots were called Purim. 00:12:35.410 --> 00:12:39.610 But when Esther came before the king, he issued a decree causing 00:12:39.640 --> 00:12:41.890 Haman's evil plot to backfire. 00:12:42.190 --> 00:12:46.300 And Haman and his sons were impaled on a sharpened pole. 00:12:46.975 --> 00:12:50.905 That is why this celebration is called Purim, because it is the 00:12:50.905 --> 00:12:53.215 ancient word for casting lots. 00:12:54.115 --> 00:12:58.075 So because of Mordecai's letter and because of what they had experienced, 00:12:58.435 --> 00:13:02.785 the Jews throughout the realm agreed to inaugurate this tradition and 00:13:02.785 --> 00:13:06.415 to pass it on to their descendants and to all who became Jews. 00:13:07.015 --> 00:13:10.765 They declared they would never fail to celebrate these two prescribed 00:13:10.765 --> 00:13:12.865 days at the appointed time each year. 00:13:13.600 --> 00:13:18.640 These days would be remembered and kept from generation to generation and 00:13:18.640 --> 00:13:23.200 celebrated by every family throughout the provinces and cities of the empire. 00:13:23.770 --> 00:13:28.690 This festival of Purim would never cease to be celebrated among the Jews, 00:13:29.140 --> 00:13:33.130 nor would the memory of what happened ever die out among their descendants. 00:13:34.345 --> 00:13:38.935 Then Queen Esther, the daughter of Abigail, along with Mordecai the Jew, 00:13:39.325 --> 00:13:44.605 wrote another letter putting the Queen's full authority behind Mordecai's letter 00:13:44.845 --> 00:13:47.155 to establish the Festival of Purim. 00:13:47.785 --> 00:13:48.235 Letters. 00:13:48.235 --> 00:13:53.065 Wishing peace and security were sent to the Jews throughout the 127 00:13:53.065 --> 00:13:55.435 provinces of the Empire of Xerxes. 00:13:56.160 --> 00:14:01.260 These letters established the Festival of prm, an annual celebration of these 00:14:01.260 --> 00:14:07.020 days at the appointed time decreed by both Mordecai, the Jew and Queen Esther. 00:14:07.830 --> 00:14:11.340 The people decided to observe this festival just as they had 00:14:11.345 --> 00:14:14.760 decided for themselves and their descendants to establish the 00:14:14.760 --> 00:14:16.260 times of fasting and mourning. 00:14:16.860 --> 00:14:21.150 So the command of Esther confirmed the practices of Purim, and it was 00:14:21.150 --> 00:14:23.130 all written down in the records. 00:14:25.045 --> 00:14:28.915 King Xerxes imposed a tribute throughout his empire, even 00:14:28.915 --> 00:14:30.325 to the distant coastlands. 00:14:30.805 --> 00:14:34.705 His great achievements and the full account of the greatness of Mordecai 00:14:34.945 --> 00:14:38.935 whom the king had promoted are recorded in the book of the history 00:14:38.935 --> 00:14:41.035 of the Kings of Media and Persia. 00:14:41.845 --> 00:14:45.775 Mordecai, the Jew, became the prime Minister with authority next 00:14:45.775 --> 00:14:47.665 to that of Kings Xerxes himself. 00:14:48.250 --> 00:14:52.870 He was very great among the Jews who held him in high esteem because he 00:14:52.870 --> 00:14:57.100 continued to work for the good of his people and to speak up for the 00:14:57.105 --> 00:14:59.500 welfare of all their descendants.