Today in God's Word—May 2023
East Tallassee Church of Christ
May 9, Esther 9
Now in the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king’s command and edict were about to be carried out, on the very day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain the mastery over them, the reverse occurred: the Jews gained mastery over those who hated them. - Esther 9:1
Almost all civilizations throughout history with a codified rule of law have recognized the right of self defense. Ahasuerus gave Mordecai and Esther the power to write another decree from the king to counteract the threat that Haman's decree presented to the Jews. Some scholars think that Ahasuerus arranged the conflict to be amused by the bloody spectacle. But I hope the king loved Esther too much to have done such a thing.
Doesn't it make sense to see the second decree from the king as an instrument of self-defense? The irreversible one day permit for anyone in the provinces to kill Jews could only be neutralized by a decree that allowed the Jews to defend themselves and take vengeance on their enemies.
The Jews had popular support and even military power to assist them as the appointed day drew near. Mordecai had become recognized throughout the kingdom as a powerful leader and close associate of Ahasuerus. That in itself should have made people think twice before raising a sword against Mordecai and the Jews.
When the day specified by the decrees arrived, the Jews acted to defend themselves from their attackers. The Jews killed 500 people in the capital city of Susa that day. Esther went back to the king, who received her and renewed his offer to do whatever she wanted. She asked for another day, because the threat had not been eliminated in a single violent day. Ahasuerus granted the request, and an additional 300 enemies of the Jews died the second day.
Haman's sons who had been killed the first day were hanged the second day, a public spectacle warning would-be attackers. The gruesome display was also a demonstration of vengeance against the house of Haman. In all, 75,000 people were killed across the empire in two days.
After the killing stopped, the Jews celebrated with a feast that became an annual tradition. It was called Purim, the plural form of the word for "lot." (Remember Haman had cast lots to determine the date for his plan to slaughter the Jews.) The annual feast was a celebration of sorrow turned to joy, of mourning replaced by dancing, of doomed people who triumphed over their murder-minded adversaries. Jews around the world still celebrate the rescue that Esther and Haman authored for their people.
Why is this story in the Bible? Do you think it is possible that there is a pre-echo of the gospel in these events? Consider that God intervened to save us from doom we faced because of our sin. Our archenemy Satan was determined to destroy us. But God overcame our adversary and saved us by the sacrifice of his Son on the cross for our sins.
We ought to be joyful people who celebrate our victory. Yes, sin brought all the suffering and sorrow the world has ever known into our lives. But celebration can follow our sorrow over sin when we hear the good news of the gospel and turn to Christ. Because Jesus bore our sins at the cross, we have forgiveness and with it renewed joy and hope. We have relief from the oppressive weight of our sins, and freedom to live new lives, dedicated to serving our Savior.
The law found us guilty and sentenced us to death, but the gospel offered us forgiveness and new life. Surely we should learn and sing David's song about his experience: "You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give
thanks to you forever" (Psalm 30:11). The gospel is our invitation to leave the company of the doomed and join the chorus of the redeemed. It's an eternal victory worthy of our eternal praise.
Copyright © 2023 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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