Today in the Word we come to the end of our time in the book of Esther. I have titled this sermon “The Rest of the Story,” because there is more to the story of Esther than is often told. Many of the commentators who write on Esther report that the book ends rather anticlimactically. It is true that the climax comes in chapter seven with the demise of Haman and the exposing of his evil plan, but there is so more to the story. In chapters 8-10 we see the completion of the great reversal and learn one of the most valuable lessons of the book, which is that salvation always requires great celebration. We have mentioned the Feast of Purim many times over the past weeks, but never have I mentioned that this feast was the celebration of Israel’s salvation and salvation always requires celebration. What is that you celebrate greatly?