Esther 9:1-18 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is Esther 9:1-18. Let’s go!
Esther 9:1 (NIV)
1 On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, the edict commanded by the king was to be carried out. On this day the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but now the tables were turned and the Jews got the upper hand over those who hated them.
On verses 1-10: The thirteenth day of the twelfth month was supposed to be a day of great weeping and destruction for the Jews, a day when their enemies had legal authority to annihilate them. But due to a new edict that Mordecai helped put into effect, the legal situation changed, allowing the Jews to assemble, defend themselves and attack their attackers. Due to this change in the law, “the tables were turned” and now the Jews go on the offensive and “attack those who determined to destroy them.” Mordecai himself also grows in prominence, while the ten sons of Haman are killed so as not to eliminate any further threat from Haman’s family.
What can we learn from this?
1. The fact that the Jews here go on the offensive against their enemies reminds me of what Jesus says in Matthew 16:18: “I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it”. It’s a picture of Jesus’ church on the offensive, storming the gates of hell and expanding Jesus’ territory. As His church today, may we not just be looking at ways to defend and protect, but at ways we can be on the offensive and take over territory in our city in Jesus’ name.
2. Just as Mordecai took the edict that stood against the Jews and neutralized its effect with a new edict, Jesus “canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross” (Colossians 2:14). Jesus brought a revolutionary change to our legal standing before God. Before we were doomed to destruction. Now we are destined to be with God for eternity. Before we were enemies of God. Now we are His friends. Before we were accused. Now we are acquitted and declared not guilty. Before we were spiritual orphans. Now we are God’s children, adopted into His family.
On verses 11-19: The Jews have already killed 500 men plus the 10 sons of Haman in the capital city of Susa. King Xerxes asks Queen Esther if there is anything else she would like to see done. Queen Esther requests one more day for the Jews to continue attacking those determined to destroy them. The king grants her wish and for one extra day the Jews continue to defend themselves by attacking their attackers, but not taking any plunder. Jews outside of Susa in the other provinces also defended themselves without taking plunder (v16).
What can we learn from this? Three times in this passage we are told that the Jews did not lay their hands on the plunder (v1,15, and 16), even though they had the right to take plunder from their enemies. This shows that the Jews were not fighting and attacking their enemies for material gain, but for their survival. Likewise, in the kingdom of God, it’s important to know why we fight and work so hard. We fight for people, not for possessions. The reason why we’re in it is to see people saved, not to make a personal fortune.
Heavenly Father, thank You that because of Jesus our legal situation has changed, that now we belong to You and we Your people can go on the offensive against Your enemy. Thank You for reminding me today that we fight not to win prestigious prizes and personal possessions, but we fight to win people’s souls and for salvation. May I never forget why we do what we do. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
