Why is Esther part of the group of writings the Jewish people believe to be ‘God Breathed’ also know as ‘Scripture’ / Holy Writing? This story could be a Hollywood movie and yet…Woven through the drama, the life and death intrigue, are principles found in other parts of Scripture, Old Testament and New. If we read this with the illumination of God’s Spirit we will find things that direct us in our walk with the Lord. God uses a great story to teach us some great things, about HIM & US, TODAY He wants to teach us about Himself and ourselves.
God exposed Haman’s plot to commit genocide against all the Jewish people in Persia. Literally wiping out the entire race. Esther and Mordecai trusted God, sought God and and were led by God to be important parts of HIS Story. The agent of the evil is gone, but the tentacles of that evil still need to be severed.
Esther Ch. 8 NIV
1 That same day King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came into the presence of the king, for Esther had told how he was related to her. 2 The king took off his signet ring, which he had reclaimed from Haman, and presented it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed him over Haman’s estate.
- King Xerxes finally acts with conviction and speed, actually doing something
- All of Haman’s relatives, advisors & wife are cut out! Esther gets all his stuff
- Mordecai recognized by Xerxes as his new ‘Prime Minister’ [What Haman was]
- Esther needs nothing so she gives everything of Haman’s to Mordecai
3 Esther again pleaded with the king, falling at his feet and weeping. She begged him to put an end to the evil plan of Haman the Agagite, which he had devised against the Jews. 4 Then the king extended the gold scepter to Esther and she arose and stood before him.
- Esther is emotional, but not entitled…Not demanding
- She is humble before God’s duly authorized authority
- The King, for all his shortcomings, is there because God wants him there
- Esther and Mordecai are safe, but The Job is not finished
- She understands she is there to act on behalf of all God’s People!
- “With great power, there must also come great responsibility.”
When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required. ~ Jesus The Christ @ Luke 12:48b
5 “If it pleases the king,” she said, “and if he regards me with favor and thinks it the right thing to do, and if he is pleased with me, let an order be written overruling the dispatches that Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, devised and wrote to destroy the Jews in all the king’s provinces. 6 For how can I bear to see disaster fall on my people? How can I bear to see the destruction of my family?”
- Esther is super humble and respectful before the King [knowing his flaws]
- Throughout this book we see the principal of respect for God given authority
- She begs Xerxes that he must overrule the previous edict…for Her!
- She makes it personal, her people, her family [care for brothers & sisters]
7 King Xerxes replied to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, “Because Haman attacked the Jews, I have given his estate to Esther, and they have impaled him on the pole he set up. 8 Now write another decree in the king’s name in behalf of the Jews as seems best to you, and seal it with the king’s signet ring—for no document written in the king’s name and sealed with his ring can be revoked.”
- In reply to Esther’s plea the king recounts what has already been done
- Xerxes had taken ‘The Signet Ring’ from Haman and gave it to Mordecai
- Xerxes puts it in Mordecai’s hands to complete justice & protect God’s people
- God moves the rulers of all nation to do HIS will [Ps. 72:11 / Rom. 13:4]
- The previous edict / decree could not be revoked, they need to issue a new one
- She asked to change the rules…she could not see the big picture
- BUT God does see the big picture
- HE made a way within the current authority structure
- God’s people trust God to enact His will, even using flawed leaders & systems
9 At once the royal secretaries were summoned—on the twenty-third day of the third month, the month of Sivan. They wrote out all Mordecai’s orders to the Jews, and to the satraps, governors and nobles of the 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush. These orders were written in the script of each province and the language of each people and also to the Jews in their own script and language.
- Everything is like the previous orders [Deposing Vashti, Eliminating The Jews]
- Everyone would get the new order
10 Mordecai wrote in the name of King Xerxes, sealed the dispatches with the king’s signet ring, and sent them by mounted couriers, who rode fast horses especially bred for the king.
- Mordecai now speaks for the king!
- The sense of urgency is more intense: fastest means possible at that time
11 The king’s edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate the armed men of any nationality or province who might attack them and their women and children, and to plunder the property of their enemies.
- Since they couldn’t revoke the other edict, they counter acted it
- The new decree could give the Jews a chance…authorize their use of force
- They would only kill ‘Armed Men’ who might attack them [self defense]
- The plunder aspect was to make would be attackers have something to lose
- Mordecai is used to craft an edict that will give God maximum glory
12 The day appointed for the Jews to do this in all the provinces of King Xerxes was the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar. 13 A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued as law in every province and made known to the people of every nationality so that the Jews would be ready on that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.
- Same day as the order allowing people to kill all jews and take their stuff
- Everyone would be ready, but no one could attack early… no ‘sneak attack’
- Who were their enemies? Haman was an exiled Almaikite / Agagite
- Perhaps others resented the Jews because they prospered in exile [Jer. 29:7]
14 The couriers, riding the royal horses, went out, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. 15 When Mordecai left the king’s presence, he was wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa held a joyous celebration.
- Soon the rest of the Jews in Persia would be given ‘A Fighting Chance’
- The king has set Mordecai up to be the ‘Prime Minister’ / head of government
- He is a ‘Type’ similar to Joseph and Daniel [honored by GOD for their faith]
- The core of this story is how Mordecai would not bow down to anyone but God
- Some Hebrew translators render Esther 2:5 ‘A unique Jew, Mordecai…’
- Similar to how Shadrach, Meshach, & Abednego. are described in Daniel 3:12
16 For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor. 17 In every province and in every city to which the edict of the king came, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them.
- Party in Susa that day, celebrations would break out as the edict spreads
- This would make a great holiday to remember what God did to save them
- And others converted, seeing the God of the Jews rescue HIS people
- God given maximum glory. God clearly displayed His power for His People
- Like the parting of the Red Sea…
- He allowed for impending doom, and then Boom! Something only God could do
- They didn’t fear the Jews, they feared their God…THE GOD of The Universe!
Biblical Principles & Personal Application:
God can make a way when no way seems possible!
- Build a positive outlook / HOPE by counting your blessings & ‘Ebeneezers’
- Be humble about what you know & what will happen [don’t second guess God]
God gives His people responsibility for others & places them where needed
- Recognize where God has placed you & use your position to help others
- Our example is Christ…be a little Christ / Christian today
God’s people are called to work within the God given authority they are under
- Recognize your rebellion against authority is actually rebellion against HIM
- God always achieves HIS goals, enacts HIS will. Learn to trust HIS way to do it
No matter the situation, do not bow down to anything but Jesus Christ
- You must view every choice you make as a spiritual matter…Because IT IS!
- True integrity is not situational, let your yes be yes & your no be no
- Keeping your commitments no matter the situation = Godly Integrity
When God’s people live trusting in God’s power…other people change sides
- Ask God to grow your faith and dependence on Christ
- Make public life choices that display your allegiance to the Biblical Christ
God’s people celebrate His amazing grace, incredible mercy and unending love
- Spend time repenting, thanking God and receiving HIS presence
- Strengthen your foundational beliefs & anchor your celebration in THE TRUTH