The date of the wonderful victory was placed on the Jewish calendar to be celebrated year after year as a reminder that God had delivered His people from annihilation. As stated in verse 22 they were to make them days of feasting and joy, of sending presents to one another and gifts to the poor. The name given to the festival was Purim, which is taken from the Babylonian word pur meaning "lot". The name Purim was chosen because Haman had actually cast lots to determine the days when the Jews would be annihilated.
In establishing the Festival of Purim, the Jews made three significant declarations as we see in Esther 9:27-29.
1. They and their descendants would never fail to observe these two days
2. They would observe the celebration of Purim within every city and province or district
3. They would never let the account of their deliverance fade from their memory nor from the memory of their descendants.
The Feast of Purim is practiced to this day. The Jews face their enemies every day - that is why we need to continually pray for Israel. We will see next how Purim has been celebrated.
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