Esther 8:7-17 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 hanged him on the gallows. 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." 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. 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. The king's edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate any armed force of any nationality or province that might attack them and their women and children; and to plunder the property of their enemies. 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. 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. The couriers, riding the royal horses, raced out, spurred on by the king's command. And the edict was also issued in the citadel of Susa. Mordecai left the king's presence 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. For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor. In every province and in every city, wherever the edict of the king went, 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.
You can't make up stuff this good! The bad guy has been killed, the guy he kept bullying took his job, the romantic interest is still heating up, and a war for the good of the people is about to ensue.
It's been obvious by the way the king has treated Esther that he loves her. He's always glad to see her, he listens to what she has to say - he's offended if another guy hits on her :) But yet, even after knowing this, Esther still approaches the king with honor and respect - again begging him for the lives of her people. So the king gives Mordecai his ring and says - "I can't do anything about people wanting to kill you - but come up with something contradictory"
What a position for Mordecai. I wouldn't have known what to write. But he was led by God so there was no doubt as to the outcome. The jews would defend themselves and had the right, if attacked, to fight to kill and then take the property of the man who attacked. Pretty good.
Now verses 12-14 explain the time frame for us. they used the fastest means available to spread the word to all the land before the allotted time of war - and word got out and people feared the Jews. Many people turned to God because they could see His hand in all this and knew that He was who they needed to follow.
What a testimony for us. It doesn't say Mordecai went into the streets and carried signs saying "Repent or go to Hell", It doesn't say he handed out tracts at every corner on the sidewalk - he simply stood by God, remained in a close relationship with Him, set an example for the Kingdom - and people were saved. God can work through us in our everyday lives if we promise to be faithful to Him. Setting examples such as being kind in public and patient with others is just as strong a witness as handing out tracts. See a dear friends blog on this exact subject.
We are witnesses for Christ if we call ourselves Christians - let's hold true to our title.
Esther 8:1-6 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. 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. 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. Then the king extended the gold scepter to Esther and she arose and stood before him. "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. For how can I bear to see disaster fall on my people? How can I bear to see the destruction of my family?"
This would be the part in the action movie where the mean monster has been shot and he's laying there dead and then the main character walks by and the monster flinches and then grabs the guys leg and he has to kill him again.
Haman is dead, but it's not over yet! The law is still in place for anyone to kill a jew and get all their stuff. This is not unlike today - how many times you see it on the news - a person is found injured and someone else takes their wallet.
The king gives Esther all of Haman's things - his entire estate. But this is not what Esther wants - can't you see her sighing politely. "No honey, the law says I'm still going to be killed - Haman's stuff is not going to help that." Again she begins to beg the king.
So often, that's how we handle our own issues. Someone comes to us with a problem and we are so quick to just slap a bandaid on it and not look at what really needs to be done.
Esther 7:6b-10 Then Haman was terrified before the king and queen. The king got up in a rage, left his wine and went out into the palace garden. But Haman, realizing that the king had already decided his fate, stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life. Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining. The king exclaimed, "Will he even molest the queen while she is with me in the house?" As soon as the word left the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face. Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, "A gallows seventy-five feet high stands by Haman's house. He had it made for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king." The king said, "Hang him on it!" So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king's fury subsided.
Such a series of bad decisions comes to light in these verses. In an instant, Haman realizes that he will be killed. The king leaves, he could've immediately ordered him to be killed, but he doesn't - he leaves. Perhaps he was wanting to think it over - to not do anything rash - to count to ten, if you will. Maybe the king, because of his feelings for Haman, wanted to not be so hasty as he was with Vashti. This may or may not be true, but when he walks back in to the dining room any hope Haman may have had for grace - was dashed because, again, he had made a bad decision.
Haman was begging the queen for his life. How awkward was this for Esther? This man whom she has only had dinner with once before, sitting at her feet. We are not told anything more than that his intentions were to save his neck, but I'm sure that's not what it looked like when the king walks back in and sees Haman all over his queen. If any anger had subsided with the fresh air, this was sure to double it.
The guards then took him away - what I find fascinating here is that - First, the guard who takes Haman away is aware of the gallows that Haman had built only a day before. It's not like there were paparazzi taking pictures and putting them in newspapers every morning - how did THIS guard come by THIS information... Second, how bold was this guard to offer this information to the king - how did he know it would be relevant for this situation. Wasn't the guard at all afraid that to speak to the king, especially during his fury, might be risking his own neck?
So all this irony comes to light at the end of chapter 7, Haman is killed on the gallows he made for Mordecai. The question is, towards the end, all these decisions sort of snowball and the end comes so quickly. Would there have been a moment when Haman could have turned it around? Sometimes we do the same thing - we make a few bad decisions, then all of a sudden our world seems to go spiraling out of control - how do we stop it? Is there a place where we could have made a change before our life got so off track? Absolutely. When Haman when back home after walking Mordecai around town, and got the advice from his wife and friends that he shouldn't be messing with the jews - he could've torn down the gallows - then at the first start of dinner he could've apologized to the king and told the story there. Too much pride. How do we do it in our own lives? Humble ourselves, admit we are wrong, and apologize to the King. Doing the right thing is never easy - but the end results are always amazing.
Esther 7:1-6 So the king and Haman went to dine with Queen Esther, and as they were drinking wine on that second day, the king again asked, "Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted." Then Queen Esther answered, "If I have found favor with you, O king, and if it pleases your majesty, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request. For I and my people have been sold for destruction and slaughter and annihilation. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king. King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, "Who is he? Where is the man who has dared to do such a thing?" Esther said, "The adversary and enemy is this vile Haman."
Bom bom boooooom...
And there we have it. Now while we can see these passages as the "closer" to Haman's villainous treachery - there's actually something completely different I'd like to look at:
Esther has been told by the king - once again - to tell him what she wants. It could be anything, up to half the kingdom, and she could have it. I don't know about you, but I might've been tempted to stutter-step here a bit. Maybe a new room with a nice king-size bed and a dishwasher that actually works and a refrigerator whose door closes all the way. A personal trainer for this insidious cottage cheese that keeps appearing on my thighs - oh the list goes on. But not Esther, she did not falter, she did not stumble, she kept true to her mission.
How about the way she convinced her husband - hmmm? First she says "If I have found favor with you, O king" - In other words - 'Honey, I really do hope that I make you happy because I love you so much'. Then she basically states that because someone is trying to kill her, it will take away his happiness that she is wanting him to have - how sly is that?? Then as an afterthought - oh, and my people too. She goes on to tell him that if it was just something else that would cause her alone pain, that would be fine because he was too important to be bothered with that. Can't you see how this way of wording might work with a spouse? First - let him know how important he is and that you want him to be happy because you respect him. That you want to be the reason for his happiness. Second, let him feel that he is the one making the decision- less stress on us anyway - right?
How angry the king got - who was this man who was trying to hurt his queen (and in essence, him)? God has given us such wonderful guidelines to follow - through people and direct rules. What a wonderful story to know that all things work for the glory of God, if we just trust Him.
Esther 6:10-14"Go at once," the king commanded Haman. "Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king's gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended." So Haman got the robe and the horse. He robed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, "This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!" Afterward Mordecai returned to the king's gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief, and told Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, "Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him—you will surely come to ruin!" While they were still talking with him, the king's eunuchs arrived and hurried Haman away to the banquet Esther had prepared.
Talk about a lesson in humility! Pride comes before the fall and all those other cliches that mean 'you just got punked'. Haman is forced to use his own suggestions and prance Mordecai through the city in the king's robes proclaiming that he is one who the king delights in!
As with many of us, whether it's our own doing or by happenstance, when we are left running home with our "tail between our legs" we seek out the comfort of our loved ones. Oops, bad idea this time.
Sometimes the truth is hard to hear - especially when it's not what you want to hear. What his loved ones had realized that he had not yet grasped is something we see in Romans 8:31. If God is for us, who can be against us? God was for the Jews! Before Haman had a chance to think about what that meant - he was whisked away to the feast that the queen had prepared.
The problem is: is it too late for Haman? We'll see in the next chapter whether it is or not, but for us, as long as we are breathing, it's never too late. We may fall, we may stumble, we will make bad decisions - but it is never too late to ask God to forgive us and to use us for His glory - the question is, will we?
Esther 6:4-9 The king said, "Who is in the court?" Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to speak to the king about hanging Mordecai on the gallows he had erected for him. His attendants answered, "Haman is standing in the court.""Bring him in," the king ordered. When Haman entered, the king asked him, "What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?"
Now Haman thought to himself, "Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?" So he answered the king, "For the man the king delights to honor, have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king's most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, 'This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!' "
Now morning had come - and the king had not slept well at all and had gotten up early because he wanted to take care of rewarding Mordecai. The flip side to this is that Haman could not sleep well either - he wanted to get rid of Mordecai. All this lost sleep over one man. Haman had gone in as early as possible to see the king before the king got distracted with the business of the day - he was going to make his request to have Mordecai hung. OH THE IRONY.
The king gets up and wants to know if there is anyone here yet. The picture in my mind is an office with empty cubicles all over the place, the boss comes out of his office and looks around because he got there at 7:00 a.m. and he needs something done - so he looks at the receptionist, who's always there, right? and says - has anyone come in to work yet? The reply is, 'yes, Haman just walked in'.
Now the king didn't bother to take the time to ask why Haman got there so early that morning, he had things to do. He asks Haman for his advice: What do I do to honor someone? Haman goes into this long list of things to do to praise someone - of course thinking it was he who would get the honor. Now the question is - what should Haman have done?
Actually, Haman did the right thing this time, unbeknownst to him. If someone is asking for our advice, we need to look at it through God's eyes, not our own. Someone who saved the life of the king should've been rewarded in this manner - regardless of who it was. Haman's answer was to reward himself, but it was the right answer in how you reward someone who honors his king. His jealousy will get the better of him - and we all know the pitfalls of jealousy - see my daughters blog.
Is not the same true of our King? If we accept Christ as our King then we ho
nor Him - and He will reward us in heaven? Mordecai didn't get his reward right away - and didn't ask for it. God does not promise us that life will be easy as Christians - but because we live our life for Him, we will be rewarded! And it's going to be so much better than a horseride - which is pretty good though. . .
Esther 6:1-3 That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes."What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?" the king asked."Nothing has been done for him," his attendants answered.
The king had just had a nice feast, everyone had gone and he went to lie down. In the quiet of the night, when there was nothing pressing to be handled - he found himself restless and unable to fall asleep.
Don't we do the same in our busy hectic lifestyles? We finally get the opportunity to stop and get some rest and we can't fall asleep. The king, like many of us, decides to read - or course, since he's the king, decides to have someone read to him. He asked for "The Book of the Chronicles" - which is basically his journal of his years of king.
Now here's the thing - he didn't tell his servants what page to turn to or what year of his reign to read, they just happened to pick the page about Mordecai. So then the king asked - "What did we do to reward Mordecai for this?" The answer was nothing - which also goes to Mordecai's character. He had revealed the plot against the king, but had asked for nothing in return - he had simply done it because it was the right thing to do.
So what can we get out of these three verses? In the quiet of night, in the moments where there is nothing pressing and no urgent matters to be taken care of, when you find yourself alone and unable to rest easy - let God grab your attention and listen to the plans He's laying out for you.
