"Suppose a man lends money to two persons; one of these is his friend,
the other his enemy. He will allow his friend to repay him in
installments, that the discharge of the debt may not prove onerous; but
from his enemy he will require the amount in full. The verse you quote
will apply in the same manner, 'I love you, therefore will I visit upon
you your iniquities;' meaning, 'I will punish you for them as they
occur, little by little, by which means you may have quittance and
happiness in the world to come.'"
The action of the king in delivering his signet ring to Haman had more
effect upon the Jews than the precepts and warnings of forty-eight
prophets who lectured to them early and late. They clothed themselves in
sackcloth, and repented truly with tears and fasting, and God had
compassion upon them and destroyed Haman.
Although the reading of the Book of Esther (_Megilah_) on Purim is not a
precept of the Pentateuch, 'tis nevertheless binding upon us and our
descendants. Therefore the day is appointed as one of feasting and
gladness, and interchange of presents, and also of gifts to the poor,
that they too may rejoice. As in the decree of Haman, no distinction was
made between rich and poor, as all alike were doomed to destruction, it
is proper that all should have equal cause to feel joyful, and therefore
in all generations the poor should be liberally remembered on this day.