The Book of Esther takes place in the time of the Jews being taken into captivity by the Persians.  Two of those Jews were Mordecai and his niece, Esther.  Mordecai does not bow to the high government official, Haman.  Haman turns his hate to all Jews and gets the king to decree their destruction.  Mordecai goes to Esther for her help and she must risk her life to save her people culminating in Esther 4:16, “If I perish, I perish”.  Haman’s plot is foiled by Esther’s wisdom from God and Haman is hung on the gallows he prepared for Mordecai.  Mordecai is made a hero and second in command to the King of Persia.  The Feast of Purim is established on the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the twelfth month, Adar (our February and March). Principle:  There is a price to pay for commitment to truth. VF-0095