Esther 8-10 (Feb.25)
Esther 8-10
Celebrating God's Blessings & Deliverance
(February 25, 2007)
“Mordecai recorded these events,
and he sent letters to all the Jews throughout the provinces of King Xerxes, near and far,
to have them celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar
as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies,
and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration. He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy
and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor.”
Esther 9:20-22 (NIV)
Narrative (concluding the story):
Haman has been executed, and Ahasuerus has given Haman's estate to Esther
(possibly out of guilt for having put her in danger, but definitely out of love for her).
Esther then places Mordecai in charge of Haman's estate.The king's edict (according to Persian custom/law) could not be revoked,
so the death sentence for the Jews was still in effect.Ahasuerus gives Esther and Mordecai the ability to issue a new edict
(one that will, hopefully, counteract the effects of his own edict).Esther and Mordecai issue their edict, giving the Jews in every city in the Persian Empire
the ability “to assemble and defend themselves, to destroy, kill, and annihilate
every ethnic and provincial army hostile to them, including women and children,
and to take their possessions as spoils of war.” (Esther 8:11)The Jews do defend themselves successfully (actually requiring one extra day,
for which a special provision is required).Mordecai, who has now taken Haman's role in the kingdom,
inaugurates the feast of Purim to be celebrated annually
(e.g., this year Purim is celebrated on Mar.3-4, next Friday evening and Saturday).
How has God blessed us this past year?
How has He delivered us from trials?
What should we be celebrating, even today, that God has done?
What kinds of victory can we look for?
Victory over circumstances
Victory over adversaries
Victory over our selves
Victory over Circumstances
Ref: Esther 8:14-17 (AMP)
“'So the couriers, who were mounted on swift beasts that were used in the king's service, went out, being hurried and urged on by the king's command;
and the decree was released in Shushan, the capital.
And Mordecai went forth from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, with a great crown of gold and with a robe of fine linen and purple;
and the city of Shushan shouted and rejoiced.
The Jews had light [a dawn of new hope] and gladness and joy and honor.
And in every province and in every city, wherever the king's command and his decree came, the Jews had gladness and joy, a feast and a holiday.
And many from among the peoples of the land [submitted themselves to Jewish rite and] became Jews, for the fear of the Jews had fallen upon them.”
The Jews were delivered from their circumstances
(given the ability to defend themselves and defeat their attackers by the power of God).Esther was delivered from having to live a “double life” (living in secret as a Jew)
Mordecai was delivered from his friction with Haman
Ahasuerus appears to have been delivered
from the manipulative internal strife within his own court
God's victory is perfect and complete.
Ref: 2 Chronicles 16:9a (ESV)
“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth,
to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.”
Victory over Adversaries
Who are my adversaries?
It's very easy to look at this story and color Haman as the enemy of Mordecai and the Jews
It's very easy to look at this story and characterize those that were “hostile to them [the Jews]” as enemies
Why would the struggle between the Agagites (a.k.a, the Amalekites) and the Jews
last for over a thousand years?
How do struggles between you and others seem to supernaturally persist?
Ref: Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,
but against the rulers,
against the authorities,
against the powers of this dark world
and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
This makes Jesus's standard of “turning the other cheek” achievable and understandable.
Matthew 5:43-48 (ESV)
“You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.
For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good,
and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have?
Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others?
Do not even the Gentiles do the same?
You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Victory over Our Selves
Ref: Esther 10:3 (ESV)
“For Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Ahasuerus,
and he was great among the Jews and popular with the multitude of his brothers,
for he sought the welfare of his people and spoke peace to all his people.”
The Jews begin to experience a period of relative peace
that will last until the Roman Empire begins its persecution of the Jews
(culminating in the Battle of Masada in 73 A.D.)
They are delivered from the effects of their own rebellion and sin
(the Babylonian captivity).
How many times have you been ushered into a period of trial and refinement
following a season of personal rebellion and selfishness?
Ref: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit,
who is in you, whom you have received from God?
You are not your own; you were bought at a price.
Therefore honor God with your body.”
Ref: Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
“'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD,
'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' ”
Conclusion-
What kind of victory do you have to celebrate today?
Victory over Circumstances
Victory over Adversaries
Victory over Our Selves
