By Marelinke van der Riet

As the Hebrew month of Adar begins, a palpable sense of anticipation fills the air here in Jerusalem—Purim is just around the corner! This is no ordinary celebration; it marks a testimony of triumph—the miraculous moment when God reversed the fate of the Jewish people, transforming their impending annihilation into a resounding victory. What seemed like an inescapable fate was turned on its head. Purim calls us to rejoice in this divine turnaround, knowing that God is always in control and capable of changing the course of history in a single moment.

As we reflect on Purim and its divine reversal, have you ever considered your own life and realised that what seemed like a mere coincidence or a random series of events was actually part of a larger, divinely orchestrated plan?

In the Book of Esther, we see this play out through the casting of lots—the word pur, meaning “lot” (Esther 9:24), gives Purim its name. Haman, the genocidal enemy of the Jews, used the casting of lots to determine the day of their destruction. What appeared to be a random event sealing their fate became the very catalyst for Haman’s downfall, turning the tide and marking the beginning of a divine reversal. The Jews, once condemned to die, ultimately triumphed over their enemies.

This dramatic turn of events is captured in Esther 9:1: “Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month of Adar, on the thirteenth day, the time came for the king’s command and his decree to be executed. On the day that the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, the opposite occurred, in that the Jews themselves overpowered those who hated them.”

This verse demonstrates a profound truth: God, in His sovereignty, can—and often does—transform the enemy’s harm into good. Even in the direst circumstances, He can turn the most perilous situations into something redemptive. This story stands as a testament to the undeniable truth that no force, no scheme, can ever thwart God’s ultimate plan.

Could it be that you are living in a moment right now where God is quietly setting the stage for a great turnaround, just waiting for the curtains to be drawn back? Romans 8:28 reminds us: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” This scripture reassures us that no matter how challenging or confusing things may seem, God is at work behind the scenes, weaving everything together for a greater good. It perfectly encapsulates the principle we see at play in Purim—what was meant for harm, God uses for good.

Simply put: When the plot thickens, God flips the script. The story is not set in stone—God always has the power to rewrite it.

This concept is clearly demonstrated in the Book of Esther. Haman, who expected to be honoured by the king, was instead forced to honour Mordechai, the very man he had plotted to kill (Esther 6:11). In another twist, Haman had intended to hang Mordechai on the gallows, but found himself hanged on those very gallows (Esther 7:10). The ultimate reversal occurs when the destruction Haman planned for the Jews backfires, and instead, the Jews were granted the power to defend themselves and defeat their enemies (Esther 9:1). What was once a day marked for mourning became a day of joy and celebration—a true divine turnaround.

Do we trust God enough to believe that, even in our darkest moments, He is positioning us for a breakthrough?

This is the very heart of Purim’s celebration. It became a time of feasting, exchanging gifts, and caring for the poor—a joyful celebration of divine deliverance. Mordechai’s letters instructed the Jews across King Xerxes’ provinces to celebrate the fourteenth and fifteenth days of Adar each year “as the days on which the Jews had rest from their enemies, as the month which was turned from sorrow to joy for them, and from mourning to a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and joy, of sending presents to one another and gifts to the poor.” (Esther 9:22)

Adar is traditionally associated with joy, as the Talmud teaches, “When Adar enters, joy increases.” The name Adar, derived from the Hebrew word adir (meaning “strength” or “power”), emphasizes the connection between joy and strength. In times of difficulty, the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10), empowering us to stand firm in faith.

Interestingly, this year, Purim coincides with a rare celestial event—a blood moon. A blood moon occurs during a total lunar eclipse when the Earth’s shadow casts a red hue over the moon. Celestial signs, often referenced in Scripture, are known to signal pivotal moments in God’s redemptive plan (Joel 2:31; Acts 2:20). This celestial event can serve as a reminder of His power to turn darkness into light.

What if the very forces trying to bring you down are the ones God will use to elevate you?

The theme of divine turnaround is not confined to Purim; it is woven throughout Scripture. Joseph, for instance, was sold into slavery by his brothers but later rose to power in Egypt, declaring, “you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” (Genesis 50:20) Similarly, the death and resurrection of Jesus represent the greatest reversal, turning death into life and defeating sin and death. These stories, and many others, demonstrate God’s power to turn apparent defeat into ultimate victory.

In modern times, the Jewish people continue to face adversaries, such as Hamas. Notably, the Hebrew word hamas—from which this terror group derives its name—appears in the Bible and means “violence.” While some may view this as a coincidence, it is strikingly reflective of the group’s essence and the carnage it perpetrates. The first mention of the Hebrew word hamas appears in Genesis 6:11, during the story of Noah: “The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence [hamas].”

This period of corruption and wickedness led God to cleanse the earth with a flood. Today, we face similar corruption and violence in the world, exemplified by groups like Hamas. In light of this, an important question arises: In such a world, who will stand firm on the “ark”? Who will preserve faith and integrity in the face of evil, refusing to be overcome by it?

It is in times like these, when darkness seems overwhelming, that we are reminded of the powerful reversal found in Romans 12:21: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

This call to action challenges us to resist despair and continue pursuing goodness, even when confronted with great evil.

As Israel faces yet another adversary in Hamas, we can draw hope from the lessons of Purim. Despite Haman’s power and influence, and the seemingly certain fatality of the Jewish people, it was God who ultimately had the final say. Just as God turned the tables on Haman and changed the course of destiny, He can do the same today—transforming what the enemy intends for evil into something good.

What if October 7, instead of being a day marked by death, becomes a source of new life, strength, and resilience. Remarkably, Israel has seen a wartime “baby boom” with a 10% increase in births in the final months of 2024. What if, through Hamas’s attempt to reclaim land, Israel not only defends itself but expands its borders? What if, in the wake of the Syrian killings, peoples that have long harboured animosity toward Jews suddenly turn to Israel, their sworn enemy, for salvation? 

What if the worst moment of your life could unexpectedly turn into your greatest victory?

This Purim season, let us remember that the joy of the Lord is our strength, empowering us to overcome every challenge. God is still in control and can once again turn the tables on the forces of darkness, bringing victory to His people. God’s providence is not just an ancient story; it is an ongoing reality in our lives today. Whether in the days of Haman, Hitler, or Hamas, God’s power remains unshakeable. No enemy, no matter how formidable, can stand against Him. God is the ultimate victor, and His plans for His people will always prevail.

While people may cast lots, it is God who determines how they fall (Proverbs 16:33).