August 5, 2023
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Reading along with us in Esther? Here’s today’s reading:
Esther 8 (NIV)
The King’s Edict in Behalf of the Jews
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.…..Continue Reading
Esther 8. Just saying, king Ahashuerus had some counseling issues of his own in Chapter 3. The destruction of an ethnicity hung on the false testimony of one single man. The king accepted Haman’s testimony and did not even blink an eye. Here in 8, the king had to counter, not reverse, his own command.
Seek sound counsel from many sources before acting.
Esther 7ff. I think Jews read Esther during Pur. I know that when Haman’s name is read, the audience will act-out with noise to drown out his name. Clap, stomp feet, use gragger noise makers, or such. So is their ancient tradition.
At first, I thought it fitting and reasonable, but now, this week, I see this practice differently. I would not recommend it.
Enemies are an unfortunate reality for each of us. As just a man of America, I would indeed pour out discontent and hate against a fallen enemy, but not so as a man of the new creation. This is not of Christ, who encouraged us to forgive 70 x 7.
Scriptures recommend, “Avenge not yourselves, neither give peace unto wrath, for as it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the LORD.’ Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him, if he thirst, give him drink, for in doing do thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head.”
-gy
After the king has hanged Haman and given Haman`s house to her Esther again appeals to the king to reverse the command to destroy the Jewish people. She has fallen down at his feet and is in deep destress crying for her people to be spared. He grants her the request and charges his scribes to write down what Mordecai tells them for he has given Mordecai his ring to seal the command. So on the day that the Jewish people were going to be killed, they instead would be able to kill those who desired to kill them. What a turnabout of events. Now the Jewish people were rejoicing and having a feast instead of being sorrowful and fasting in sackcloth looking toward that day. Many of the people became Jews because of fear that they would be destroyed. In scriptures we are told to pray for them that persecute us and not take vengeance on them. God says that vengeance belongs to Him. Romans 12;19c [ Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.] Also in Romans 12;20, 21 [Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink; for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head, Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.] Jesus wants us to follow Him with sincere hearts showing kindness instead of asking the Lord to strike our enemies dead as the sons of thunder wanted to and the Lord rebuked them. James and John [ sons of thunder ]. John latter becomes known as the Apostle of love. He still keep preaching and teaching but not to strike someone down. But rather to bring others to repentance of their sins and then fully trusting Jesus as Savior. May we all learn how to answer people about Jesus with words of wisdom in Christ.
King Ahasuerus needed to set right the command he had so hastily set into motion over the word of Haman, hopefully this would make him pay better attention to the things in his kingdom in the future. Esther’s bravery continues in making this request and God’s favor on the Jewish people and His servant Mordecai are still so evident. I love that not only did this new decree protect the Jews but actually made people convert to become Jewish thus increasing the number of God’s people.
Esther 8
Esther 8
So nice to see a complete turn around from the evil person and plans of Haman. All that Haman had and was is given over to Mordecai. It is such a beautiful picture of what God can orchestrate and how He can turn the world on its head for the sake of His people any time He wanted. And yet all this wouldn’t matter if Haman’s law was not eradicated as well. And so Esther once again approaches the king and has him completely reverse what Haman has set up. It is neat how the Bible tells how extensively the word went out to protect the Jews. It is no wonder this book is read during Purim to show the Jews the practical power of God to intervene on behalf of His people. How important it was that the Jews did not take the edict too far in the way they conducted themselves. And what rejoicing there must have been when the Jews saw how completely God had turned things around…they went from fearing death to being blessed and prospered. And that is how our great God can do things! May we look for and live in the times that He does the same for us!
Esther 8