Esther 8
-On the day that Haman, the enemy of the Jews, was hanged on the gallows he had vindictively built for Mordecai, King Ahasuerus gave the entire house of Haman to his Queen Esther. Plus, Mordecai came before the king for now Esther had fully disclosed their relationship as cousins and the man who had properly raised her after she had been orphaned. The king took the signet ring off, which he had taken away from Haman, and gave it now to Mordecai as a token of respect and honor (Esther 3:10 is when Haman received the signet ring). Esther quickly set Mordecai over the house of Haman, which meant that he had full charge over his servants and attendants and such. Then, in submission, Esther spoke to the king once more on behalf of her people. She fell at his feet, wept, and implored him to avert the evil scheme Haman had concocted against her people that was an irrevocable law of the Medes and Persians. The king gracious extended his golden scepter to his wife and queen, giving Esther the opportunity to rise and stand before him for her petition. She spoke thus, “If it pleases the king and if I have found favor before him and the matter seems proper to the king and I am pleasing in his sight, let it be written to revoke the letters devised by Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews who are in all the king’s provinces.” She pleaded because she would not be able to endure to see such calamity and destruction befall her people, her kindred. Moved, King Ahasuerus remarked, “Behold, I have given the house of Haman to Esther, and him they have hanged on the gallows because he had stretched out his hands against the Jews. Now you write to the Jews as you see fit, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s signet ring; for a decree which is written in the name of the king and sealed with the king’s signet ring may not be revoked (Esther 8:1-8).”
-Therefore, the king’s scribes were called together in the third month of Sivan (May/June in our calendar), on the 23rd day, and they wrote everything that Mordecai commanded them. This was for all the Jews, satraps, governors, and princes of the provinces which extend from India all the way to Ethiopia. There were 127 provinces all together, and this message was written in the script and language of all involved. Mordecai wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed it with the king’s own signet ring making it irrevocable. These letters were to be sent out by couriers on the royal steeds sired by the royal stud. These must have been some magnificent looking horses with world-class strength and power for the day. In the letters, the king granted the Jews who were in each and every city the right to assemble and defend their lives. They could destroy, kill, and annihilate the entire army of any people or province which might be emboldened to attack them, including women and children, and they could take as plunder their spoil. This was specifically for the 13th day of the 12th month of Adar (February/March in our calendar), the day assigned for the destruction of the Jews by Haman previously (Esther 3:13). A copy of this edict to be issued as law in each and every province was published to all the peoples for the purpose of readiness by the Jews so that they could defend themselves from any of their enemies. These couriers, hastened and impelled by the king’s command, ventured out on their beautiful horses, and the decree was made public starting at the citadel of Susa (Esther 8:9-14).
-Mordecai, now a national hero and man of great distinction, proceeded out from the presence of the king in royal robes of blue and white with a large crown of gold and a garment of fine linen and purple. Upon seeing this and with all that was going on, the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced. Mordecai was a very popular figure by this time. A lighthearted spirit prevailed. “For the Jews there was light and gladness and joy and honor.” Everywhere that the edict went forth produced the same kind of gladness and joy for the Jews. There were feasts and holidays with celebration in all places of the kingdom. In fact, many among the peoples of the land actually became converted Jews, “for the dread of the Jews had fallen on them (Esther 8:15-17).”
*Application* Awakenings and revivals occur at the strangest of times and in the most bizarre of ways. Who could’ve seen this coming? When all seemed so dark and disparaging, God sent His light through some courageous people and some unusual circumstances. He certainly works in mysterious ways, that sometimes, if we are receptive, leave us amazed, baffled, honored, rejoicing, jubilant, and in sublime ecstasy. This should absolutely get us fired up for the wondering-working culmination of God’s great and mighty works among men. He still produces miracles today! Are we ready, willing, and able to see a few?
Verse to Memorize:
Esther 8:16
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