In the first month, they cast Pur, that is, the lot.
The time of the lot
The drawing of the lot took place in the month Nisan, or about March of our year, and the day fixed by it was the thirteenth day of Adar, or February--a period of nearly twelve months intervening. The patience of Haman would be sadly tried by this result, but his superstitious fears would prevent him from acting contrary to the decision of “Pur.” In tracing the deep lines of providence in the whole narrative, however, we cannot help seeing a higher and more beneficent wisdom than that of chance. Had an earlier day been decided upon, sufficient time might not have been given to Mordecai to use the means which he did to frustrate the conspiracy. If the suspense of the Jews was a trial of their faith, and an incentive to prayer, the interval was also a boon in so far as it gave Mordecai leisure for deliberate action in view of the king’s subsequent decree. No doubt, in this instance, the disposing of the lot was of the Lord--a disposing of it very different from the intention of those who used it. So may the lot become in the hands of those who believe in its decisions the means for the accomplishment of the retributive purposes of God. (T. McEwan.)
The blind method of revenge
Revenge, when it becomes a master passion, is the worst madness.
I. Revenge is blind in its method. This is illustrated in the conduct of Haman. He caused the lot to be cast to find out the favourable day for the accomplishment of his purpose.
1. He was blind to the fact that there is no chance.
2. He was blind to the fact that so-called chance might as easily be against him as for him.
3. He was blind to the fact that “the lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.”
II. Haman persisted in his revengeful purpose. What a glorious revolution would soon take place, if the good were as persistent in the pursuit of merciful purposes as the bad are in revengeful projects. Every bad passion is injurious in its permanence.
III. Revenge is destructive in its patience. Haman was willing to wait twelve months in order that his revenge might be the more signally marked. But his very patience worked his ruin. Time is not on the side of revengeful waiters. (W. Burrows, B. A.)