again ~nd ngn~n of ~he need once felt so keenly, of the povertt once so trying, of the exceeding peril which once threatened, of the boundless rehef once experienced. God's people were bidden to remember how "they were bondsmen in Egypt," to "look to the rock whence they were hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence they were digged." And these are the memories that chastise the pride of the human he11rt, and raise the tone and level of the character, and lead gradually nearer real safety and real prosperity. They are also the memories which for the future guide to the right source of confidence and of help. Of whatever advantage we know these things to be in any individual life, the advantage is one immensely multiplied in the case of 11 nation-multiplied, that is, by the whole number of those who go together to compose it.-B. Vere. 17-32.-The efects of deliverance. Our narrative closes with a bright picture, in which all clouds are scattered ; it is as sunshine after rain. Among the results of Israel's triumph we notice- I. REST. All the Jews in the empire, except those in Shushan, rested on the 14th of Adar. The Jews in Shushan, after their two days' conflict, rested on the 15th of Adar. Then all had rest. So utterly broken was the power of their enemies that they had rest not only from a past fear, but from anxiety as to the future. How sweet is rest after the agitation of a long-threatened peril-to the soldier when the battle is fought and won; to the nation when the foes who sought to destroy it are bereft of power. The soul-rest of a victory over sin and death is the gift of Christ to those who follow him (Matt. xi. 28-30 ; John xiv. 27); and when all the conflicts of earth are over, "there remaineth e. rest to the people of God," an eternal heaven (Heh. iv. 9-11). II. Joy. It is natural that joy in its inward emotion and outward manifestations should be proportionate to the benefit that has occasioned it. The wonderful deliver- ance of the Jews filled them with a wonderful joy; their hearts ran over with glad- ness. So also to the man who appropriates Christ and his redemption there is a ff joy of salvation,'' ff a joy which is unspeakable and full of glory '• (1 Pet. i. 8). John the Baptist's "joy was fulfilled " e.t the hearing of "the Bridegroom's voice " (John iii. 29). Jesus explained his object, in teaching,.his disciples the truth, as being "that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full " (John xv. 11 ). The religion of God is a religion of joy. It slays fear and banishes gloom. It turn~ all things into channels of a joy that is heaven-born. Sackcloth may be the symbolic garb of the penitent, but robes washed white and shining are the symbolic clothing of the true believer. "Songs of deliverance" encompass the saved (Ps. xxxii. 7 ; Phil. iv. 4; 1 Thess. v. 16). III. UNITY. Common trials and common triumphs have great power in binding men together. Both in their grief and in their joy the Jews became as one family. Heart flowed into heart, and all stood up and drew close in compact oneness. The deliverance would add immensely to the sense of brotherhood which the common terror had excited. In presence of such experiences minor differences in opinion a.nd practice vanish. The more that Christians realise their own need, and God's mercy m Christ, the more readily will they regard each other as brethren of the "household of faith." The history of the Church of God shows in a signal way how God often sends alternate tribulations and triumphs just to bring his people closer to himself, and thereby closer to each other against their common foes. IV. LARGE-HEARTEDNESS. A true joy enlarges the heart; a sense of goodnes! received excites a desire to do good. Grace is communicative. If we love Christ, we shall love all whom Christ loves. If we have joy in God, we shall long to impart that joy to others. The gladness of a God-saved soul diffuses itself like the light. This effect of deliverance was shown by the Jews in three ways :-1. In their "feast- ing" together. Social gatherings in connection with great events or interests, when wisely conducted, afford a good opportunity for mutual encouragement and edification. 2. In their II sending portions one to 11nother." Not content with words or messages, they exchanged presents, as tokens of thankful congratulation and sympathy. A sense of the Divine favour should make the heart generous and liberal. 3. In their presenting" gifts to the poor." Jt Wll\J remembererl. that there were many who had 170 THE BOOK OF ESTHER. [CB. X. 1-3,
not the m~ans of. c_elebrating the common deliverance; so the poor received gifts, !.l!at .,:111 might reJOice together. 11 Freely ye have received, freely give 11 (1 John lll. 11). Memorial~ :-1. A writte_n record, 11 Mordecai wrote these things 11 (ver. 20). Some have 1?ferrE;d from this sentence that Mordecai was the author of the Book of rsther. It IS as_hkely, however, that the book was composed by another from writings eft by M~rdeca1. In any case, a suitable record of the events in which the Jew played so important a part was made to become through its insertion in the sucred canon1 the best and most enduring monument' of the deliverance of Israel from the ·wiles of Haman. 2. An annual festival. Esther and Mordecai ordained that the Jews everywhere should. celebrate yearly the victory over Haman by a three days' feast. From t~at day t? this the feast of Pur, or Purim, has held its place among th~ other established festi~als ?f I_sra~l. At the present time its observance is attended bJ m,uch excess. Memonal, mstitut10ns have a great evidential value. Juet as the Lord,s Supper and the Loi:d s day at once commemorate and attest the facts of our Lord s_ death a~d re~urrection, so the feast of Purim is a testimony to the truth of the narrative co_ntamed m the Book ~f Esther. Memorials of past deliverances should- ( 1) Keep alive ou~ s~nse of gratitude. (2) Teach us our dependence on God. (3) ~trengthen our_fa.1th m God. (4) Warn us against the temptations and dangers of ~m, and co~s_tram us to lead a ~oly and God-fearing life. To have our " names written rn heaven 1s a better memonal than any that could be fashioned on earth.-D.