Ester 8
David Guzik · Citado em PreceptAustin
Ester 8
Guzik quipped that "One might say that he (Haman) had climbed the ladder of success, but it was leaning against the wrong building." For - A term of explanation. What is the author explaining? He is explaining why Mordecai came before the king. To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1KJV The time had come to tell the king about her relationship to Mordecai. Is this not another subtle marker of the providential working of God? Too soon could have been detrimental and too late might have been of no great import as Alexander Raleigh explains below. to do a thing, a good thing, at the wrong time, is sometimes worse that not doing it at all. If it is done too soon--the evil powers have warning, opposing currents set in, and head winds blow in the face of the good purpose, and effort is in vain. If it is done too late, then--although perhaps there are no contrary winds, no strong currents to be stemmed, the silent tide of time and circumstance has turned, and the vessel of your purpose must go with it. If Esther had declared the secret sooner, Haman would have known it, and might have found some diabolical means of destroying even the queen herself and all the Jews. If she had declared it later, some one else, meantime, might have got the right of office instead of Mordecai, for, as we have already said, his relationship to the queen certainly seems to have been one reason for his appointment, and was probably even the deciding one. Yes, "to everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heavens:" a time to keep silence and a time to speak. One says that "He that would be able to speak when and as he ought, must first learn silence as the Pythagoreans did of old." St. Jerome saith, "Let us first learn not to speak, that afterwards we may open our mouths to speak wisely." Some one gives this as a rule: "Either keep silence or give that which is better than silence."...But oh! How all-important is it in the great matters of life to speak in the right time as did Esther! And how all-important that we should speak to the great King asking His grace while yet it is the day of grace. Blessed by His name, this is heaven's "time" and "season" for all men. "Now!" Now is the accepted time. "Now"-- the tide is full, but still flowing: turn your vessel and glide over the bar while you may. "Now"--the gale is blowing gently and favorably; spread the sail of your purpose, and catch its favorable breath and haste away from breaker and sandbank over the quiet seas to the realms of sunshine (Ed: Son-shine). "Now"--the drawbridge is down--enter the castle of safety."Now"--the door is open. Come in--for in no long time a voice from within will say to those who come knocking, "The door is shut!" (Esther 8:1-7 Esther Going in to the King to Make Request) Esther had disclosed what he was to her - Esther had told the king that her mother and father had died and that her older cousin Mordecai the Jew had taken her in as her guardian and treated her as his own daughter (Esther 2:7). It is as if the king says "A friend of my dear Esther, is a friend of mine, for not only have you saved her life, but you have saved my life!" The king's action in Esther 8:2 is therefore not surprising to the reader. Chuck Swindoll sees the events of Esther as something "Theologians call...sovereignty. I call it God’s surprising sovereignty! I can remember a time early on in my ministerial training, when the sovereignty of God was frightening to me. Not understanding its implications as fully as I do now some thirty-five years later, I felt it would make me passive and virtually irresponsible. Furthermore, I feared what it would do to my theology of evangelism. If I really threw myself into this doctrine, God could become a distant deity, sort of a celestial brute, pushing and maneuvering His way through nameless humanity, as He did what He pleased to get what He wanted. I could see my zeal waning and my passion for souls drained to the point of indifference. Through a series of events far too numerous and complicated to describe, I’ve come to realize that, rather than being frightened by God’s sovereignty, I’m comforted in it. Since He alone is God, and since He, being God, “does all things well” and in doing them has only “good” as His goal, how could I do anything but embrace it? Does that mean I can explain it? No, only rarely, when hindsight yields insight. Does that mean I always anticipate it? No, like you, I occasionally rush to judgment or respond in panic, wondering why He is so silent, allowing wrong to run its course so long. But looking back in more reasonable moments, with my emotions under better control (His control!), I can see what He was about. I can even see why He delayed, or why He acted when He did. Usually, I freely admit, I think He is awfully slow (I can’t number the times I’ve pleaded, “O, God—please hurry up!”) and I am usually surprised, though I shouldn’t be, at how beautifully things work out. But, the good news is that I’ve come full circle. I find enormous comfort in knowing, in the final analysis, God is God and He will have His way when He pleases and for His glory. What could be better than that? In all the mystery of His waiting and working and in all the wrong of our doing and undoing, He can still be trusted. The big thing is that you and I remain sensitive to those moments when He breaks the silence (which we’re tempted to call absence) and suddenly intervenes on our behalf. Furthermore, I’m more than ever concerned over the lost! But in the final analysis, their salvation rests with Him, not with me. (Esther A Woman of Strength and Dignity) Esther 8:2 The king took off his signet ring which he had taken away from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.: his ring: Esther 3:10 Ge 41:42 Isa 22:19-22 Lk 15:22 Esther set: 2Sa 9:7-10 Ps 37:34 Ec 2:18,19-26 5:13,14 Da 2:48 NET Bible = The king then removed his signet ring (the very one he had taken back from Haman) and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther designated Mordecai to be in charge of Haman's estate. FAME & FORTUNE BESTOWED ON MORDECAI The king took off his signet ring which he had taken away from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai - Apparently before he was hanged, the king had retrieved his signet ring from Haman the enemy of the Jews and, in an amazing (providentially orchestrated) turn of events, gave it to the Mordecai the Jew. The Septuagint translates the Hebrew (abar) "had taken away" with the Greek verb aphaireo which means to take away by force ("cut off" in Lk 22:50). Signet ring (Esther 3:10, 12, 8:8, 8:10) - This would be Mordecai's visible symbol of his high honor and office. Ultimately the king's signet right conveyed authority to the possessor. Practically the king's signet ring was used to seal official documents that carried the king's authority (cp the edict to destroy all Jews in Esther 3:12). We see that as a result of God's paradoxical, providential working behind the scene, the very ring that had been used by Haman to seal the fate of the Jews was now bestowed on a Jew! Swindoll quips that giving the signet ring was like saying “Take my credit card. You sign for me. You pass the edicts.” Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman - Clearly the queen had authority in the Persian kingdom. As noted above the king gave Haman's estate to Esther and she in turn gave the "glory of his (Haman's) riches" (Esther 5:11) to Mordecai. The king bestowed fame and the queen bestowed fortune on Mordecai. This is another evidence of the providential hand of God. The man who sought to king the Jews and plunder their wealth ends up giving his wealth to a Jew! God is the avenger of the evil that Haman had perpetrated against Mordecai and the Jews. Mordecai is exalted (receiving both fame and fortune) reminding us of Peter's words Humble (aorist imperative = command to do this now. Be willing to be humbled.) yourselves, therefore (In light of 1Pe 5:5-note), under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time (kairos - see discussion of this very significant word) (1Pe 5:6-note) Warren
Ester 8
Guzik comments that "This was the request we might have expected to come back at Esther 5:4, where Esther was first invited to make her request to king Ahasuerus. Yet God’s wisdom operating in her life gave her the tact and ability to approach this great request in stages." THE EVIL THAT MEN DO LIVES AFTER THEM! His plot which he had devised against the Jews - Although Haman had been executed, his edict was still "executable" because Persian law could not be repealed (See Esther 1:19, 8:8) Esther was wise and careful not to implicate the king in the plot, but instead giving Haman full ownership. Matthew Henry has some wise words concerning Haman's lingering effect noting that "Many a man's mischief survives him, and the wickedness he devised operates when he is gone. What men project and write may, after their death, be either very profitable or very pernicious. THOUGHT: Corollary = Let us be wise in the actions we project and the words we speak or write in this short life, that they might be wholesome, edifying and give grace to those who hear - Eph 4:29+). Esther 8:4 The king extended the golden scepter to Esther. So Esther arose and stood before the king.: ESTHER AGAIN FAVORED BY KING XERXES Extended the golden scepter (cp Esther 4:11, 5:2) - This statement implies that the Queen came a second time into King Xerxes' presence without being summoned. This is another evidence of her sincerity when she declared "If I perish, I perish!" (Esther 4:16) Indeed death was a real possibility for Esther even at this second royal encounter. However, the king's gesture is a clear sign of his approval and acceptance, and encouraged Esther to present her specific petition. So Esther arose - Picture her weeping and imploring at his feet. This reminds us of Peter's exhortation alluded to above in reference to Mordecai's exaltation (1Pe 5:6-note) Indeed, Esther's willingness to humble herself, was followed by her arising in due season - the season was the countdown to the extermination of the Jewish race, but God's exaltation of Esther would soon counter the evil countdown! Esther 8:5 Then she said, "If it pleases the king and if I have found favor before him and the matter seems proper to the king and I am pleasing in his sight, let it be written to revoke the letters devised by Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews who are in all the king's provinces.: NET Bible - She said, "If the king is so inclined and if I have met with his approval and if the matter is agreeable to the king and if I am attractive to him, let an edict be written rescinding those recorded intentions of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, which he wrote in order to destroy the Jews who are throughout all the king's provinces. Then she said - It is notable that on the first occasion of the king sparing her life, he immediately followed with a query "What is your request?" (Esther 5:2). On this occasion, she speaks immediately after arising before him. It is possible he gave her some non-audible sign but we cannot speculate where the text does not clearly say. Pleases...found favor...seems proper...pleasing in his sight - Note Esther continues her skillful, yet cautious approach to the king who we have seen has been quick to anger in the past (Esther 1:12, Esther 7:7, 10) Remember also that the king himself had been (albeit unknowingly) party to the plot to kill the Jews, so caution by Esther was the better part of valor. As Raleigh puts it "The fair advocate is full of self-depreciation and self-distrust, and at the same time renders ample reverence and honour to the king and to the law." If it pleases the king - Esther knows that absolutely nothing can be done against the king's good pleasure! If I have found favor before him - The Hebrew word is chen (02580) which is translated "grace" 38x in the KJV and 8x in NAS. The Septuagint translates chen with the Greek noun charis, the NT word which signifies unmerited favor. Charis is used 8x in Esther (Esther 2:9, 2:15, 5:2, 5:8, 6:3, 7:3, 8:5), seven times for "favor" and once for "dignity" (Esther 6:3). The matter seems proper - "if the thing seems right" (ESV). Matthew
Ester 8
Guzik - There was an urgency to get the word out about this important decree of the king. Christians should show a similar urgency when it comes to being heralds of the decree that the justice of God has been satisfied for us in Jesus Christ. Esther 8:15 Then Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal robes of blue and white, with a large crown of gold and a garment of fine linen and purple; and the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced.: royal robes: Esther 5:1 6:8,11 Ge 41:42 Mt 6:29 11:8 Lk 16:19 Then Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal robes of blue and white - Mordecai's royal apparel befitted his new position as second in command even exceeding his first reward for saving the king. Blue and white were the royal colors of the Persian Empire. Guzik - God’s purpose in all these matters goes farther than the sparing of the Jews from destruction; He also purposed to raise up Mordecai as the prime minister - as a replacement of Haman. City of Susa shouted and rejoiced - This is the same city that was thrown into confusion by Haman's decree (Esther 3:15)! Haman was proud. Mordecai was humble. It would seem that few lamented Haman's fall. Indeed Proverbs records that... When the righteous increase, the people rejoice (samach), but when a wicked man rules, people groan. (Pr 29:2) Rejoiced (08055) (samach; Lxx = chairo = rejoice, be glad or delighted) Esther 8:16 For the Jews there was light and gladness and joy and honor.: Jews: Esther 4:1-3,16 Ps 30:5-11 Was light - Esther 9:17 Ps 18:28 97:11 Pr 4:18,19 11:10 Isa 30:29,30 35:10 For the Jews there was light - Notice that came before the day appointed for the Jews to be attacked and yet able to defend themselves. However, because of the decree of the king, they are confident of victory and thus able rejoice ahead of time. The fear of impending doom is gone, and the Jews find themselves in “lightness.” The dark cloud which had so long hung over them was dispelled; and again the sunshine of prosperity beamed upon them. Esther 8:17 In each and every province and in each and every city, wherever the king's commandment and his decree arrived, there was gladness and joy for the Jews, a feast and a holiday. And many among the peoples of the land became Jews, for the dread of the Jews had fallen on them.: a feast: Esther 9:17,19,22 1Sa 25:8 Ne 8:10 many among the people: Ps 18:43 Zec 8:20-23 dread: Esther 9:2 Ge 35:5 Ex 15:16 Dt 2:25 11:2 There was gladness and joy for the Jews - What a contrast this news brought with Haman's edict where "the city of Susa was in confusion." (Esther 3:15) There is another contrast between the beginning of this chapter with Esther in tears (Es 8:3) and the ending in gladness and joy. Notice also that this gladness and joy was probably several months before the day the Jews would be defend and avenge themselves from their enemies. Prior to the second edict, the Jews were doomed and they mourned, but now their mourning had been turned into rejoicing. Feast - This is the 8th feast mentioned so far in Esther. And many among the peoples of the land became Jews - The non-Jews became proselytes, embracing the religion of the Jews. Why did they become Jewish proselytes? The text plainly gives us the reason (for is a term of explanation) explaining that "the dread of the Jews had fallen on them." The key term is "dread" (see Ge 35:5 Ex 15:16 Dt 2:25 Dt11:25) which is discussed in more detail in Esther 9:2 which gives an almost identical explanation for why the enemies of the Jews could not stand before them. The short answer is that God was with the Jews. Yes, they had the royal edict to defend themselves and yes they exuded gladness and joy, but ultimately the King of kings was their commander and their strong Warrior! In the final analysis the Battle was the Lord's, for the enemies of the Jews had invoked the curse of Genesis 12:3, a curse that God had sworn He would fulfill. Proselyte is from the Greek word prosēlytos/proselutos (from proserchomai = to come near in turn derived from pros = near + erchomai = to come [-ēlytos akin to ēlythe = he went]). Proselyte is strictly speaking one who comes from his own people to another. The Greek Septuagint used this word proselutos to describe a stranger or foreigner who came to dwell among the Jews and embraced their religion (Ex 12:48, 49; Ex 20:10; Lev 17:8, 10, 12, 15; Nu 9:14) In short, a proselyte was one who converted from heathenism to Judaism (cp Mt 23:15; Acts 2:10; Acts 6:5; Acts 13:43, cp Jn 12:20) Several passages help us understand what becoming a proselyte entailed... Genesis 17:9-14 - Teaches that a proselyte must be circumcised, which was a sign that the man identified with the covenant promises of Abraham. Exodus 12:43-49 -Teaches that a stranger can celebrate Passover only if he is circumcised. Exodus 20:8-11 - Teaches that the Sabbath was to be kept holy (sanctified, set apart). Ex 20:10 specifically stated "the seventh day is a Sabbath of the LORD your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you." Leviticus 24:13-22 - Teaches that the alien and the native shall both be put to death if they blaspheme the Name of God or if they kill another man. Lev 24:22 says "There shall be one standard for you; it shall be for the stranger as well as the native, for I am the LORD your God." The upshot is that the proselyte came under the same requirements as the native Jew. Numbers 15:14-16NLT "And if any foreigners living among you (~proselytes) want to present an offering by fire, pleasing to the LORD, they must follow the same procedures." 15 Native Israelites and foreigners are the same before the LORD and are subject to the same laws. This is a permanent law for you. 16 The same instructions and regulations will apply both to you and to the foreigners living among you." Ruth is one of the most famous proselytes - In Ru 1:16 she tells Naomi she is wholeheartedly committed to God declaring - "Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God." After marrying the Jewish Boaz, she had a son named Obed, the father of Jesse, the father of David (Ru 4:17) and was named in the line of the Messiah in Mt 1:1, 5-6. For (term of explanation) the dread ("fear" - ESV) of the Jews had fallen on them - I do not like the NET translation which says " Many of the resident peoples pretended to be Jews." In fairness to the NET, they do admit that the Greek Septuagint version favors these as legitimate conversions to Judaism. Thus the NET Note adds that... The LXX apparently understood the conversion described here to be genuine, since it adds the words "they were being circumcised and" before "they became Jews." Brenton's English translation of the Septuagint reads "many of the Gentiles were circumcised, and became Jews, for fear of the Jews." John A Martin comments on that the rise to power of the Jews... caused many Gentiles to become Jewish proselytes. God’s good hand was then becoming obvious to the world at large. No longer were these events being viewed simply as happenstance; now people were beginning to realize that the God of the Jews was protecting them. (Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., et al: The Bible Knowledge Commentary. 1985. Victor or Logos or Wordsearch) Esther 9 Esther 9:1 Now in the twelfth month (that is, the month Adar), o n the thirteenth day when the king's command and edict were about to be executed, on the day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain the mastery over them, it was turned to the contrary so that the Jews themselves gained the mastery over those who hated them.: THE TWO EDICTS EFFECTED (Es 9:1-10) CSB The king's command and law went into effect on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month Adar. On the day when the Jews' enemies had hoped to overpower them, just the opposite happened. The Jews overpowered those who hated them. NET In the twelfth month (that is, the month of Adar), on its thirteenth day, the edict of the king and his law were to be executed. It was on this day that the enemies of the Jews had supposed that they would gain power over them. But contrary to expectations, the Jews gained power over their enemies. GWN On the thirteenth day of Adar, the twelfth month, the king's command and decree were to be carried out. On that very day, when the enemies of the Jews expected to overpower them, the exact opposite happened: The Jews overpowered those who hated them. SUMMARY OF THE MAJOR PROVIDENCES OF GOD BEHIND THE SCENE ("SEEN") Here is a review of some (not all) of the "coincidences" that reveal the providential workings of the "hidden" God, Who although behind the scene (the "seen"), is nevertheless, in control of the scenes He is behind! (1) Fall of Queen Vashti which brings Esther to the attention of King Ahasuerus and to the position of Queen of Persia (Es 1:10-12; Es 2:1-14) (2) Mordecai's revelation of a plot to assassinate King Xerxes, a deed with is recorded in the king's chronicles but which coincidentally is not rewarded at that time (Es 2:21-23); (3) King's sleepless night resulting in his discovery of Mordecai's unrewarded service, precisely while Haman is on duty in the palace and can be tapped to name and extend the reward to Mordecai (Es 6:1-5) (4) Haman's jealousy of Mordecai, which results in his preparing a gallows for Mordecai—from which Haman himself is hung (Es 5:14; 7:9-10) (5) Esther's disclosure to the king of Haman's plot to destroy all Jews, herself among them, the king leaves the room in a rage, but returns just as Haman further compromises himself in the eyes of the king by flinging himself upon the queen to beg for mercy. (6) Last-minute reversal edict with an order to slay those who want to kill Jews (Es 9:1-17). THOUGHT - The king of Persia may think he is in control of matters, but the Book of Esther demonstrates beyond a shadow of a doubt that it is the King of kings Who is in full control. Yes, we do need eyes of faith to see God behind the "seen", but oh how encouraging is this Spirit given illumination to our hearts when we see His Hand of providence at work. Indeed, He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow (Heb 13:8), and is actively involved in each of our lives behind the "seen!" And so the Book of Esther serves to increase our faith (Ro 10:17), so that we can trust God as being actively involved in every ("seen") detail of our lives even though we cannot see Him! Lord, we believe; help our unbelief! (Mk 9:24). Amen. Hallelujah! Now in the twelfth month (that is, the month Adar), on the thirteenth day - The thirteenth day of the twelfth month, Adar, arrived for the carrying out of both edicts (cf. Esther 3:7, 13; 8:12). The nine months that elapsed since the second decree was signed are passed over in silence (cf. Esther 8:9). Adar (means glorious, high, large) - The name Adar was first used after the Babylonian Captivity and was in fact the Babylonian name for the twelfth month of the year. Adar was the sixth month of the civil and the twelfth of the ecclesiastical year of the Jews (Esther 3:7, 13; 8:12; 9:1, 15, 17, 19, 21, only other use Ezra 6:15). Adar includes the days extending from the new moon of our March to the new moon of April. Another indication of the sovereign providence of God. The Jews carry out the edict of Mordecai eight months and 20 days later. It was turned to the contrary (literally "it was turned over") - The 13th day of Adar had originally been set aside for evil but God turned it out for good! (cp Ge 50:20) Now because of Queen Esther's intercession and Mordecai's intervention and "counter" edict, the outcome "was turned to the contrary." As we would say today, "the tables were turned"! The "shoe is now on the other foot!" Yes a woman and man are recorded as the instruments, but the Master artist in this great drama is our Great God of Providence! Gained mastery (literally gained power) - The Jews now had "the upper hand" over those who hated them. Esther 9 assumes a universal hatred of the Jews (i.e., all the provinces were implicated! = Esther 9:2, 16) a truth we had not seen expressed previously in this book. Indeed, worldwide Anti-Semitism is increasing in these last of the last days and will climax when the Anti-Christ makes a seven year covenant of "peace" with Israel and then proceeds to break it at the midpoint (3.5 years), which marks the beginning of Jacob's distress (Jer 30:7), a time of distress (Da 12:1), the time Jesus referred to as the Great Tribulation. (Mt 24:15, 21, See Da 9:27) Those who hated them - Who are those who hated them? This refers to peoples in all 127 provinces. In other words, in Esther 3:6 only Haman expressed hatred of the Jews, but now in Esther 9 it is clear that there is widespread (127 provinces) Anti-Semitism (Read Esther 9:2, 5, 16) How apropos is this truth to our present day when we find that worldwide Anti-Semitism is on the rise. There is little doubt that Israel is the most hated nation in the history of the world. Theologically this is reasonable because Satan is "the god of this world" (2Corinthians 4:4) and “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (1Jn 5:19). Satan's hatred of Israel is implacable not only because she preserved God's Scriptures, the Word of Truth and Life, but also because it was Israel that gave us Jesus the Messiah, a Jew Who "is indeed the Savior of the world" (John 4:42) and Who also defeated the devil (Heb 2:14, 15). HAMAN-LIKE HATRED FOR THE JEWS CONTINUES What is in the Jew's and modern Israel's future? According to an article in the Jerusalem Post of June 17, 2011, Israel is at a "do-or-die moment." (See A do-or-die moment - Jerusalem Post) "As was the case in May, 1967, when the combined Arab armies gathered with the express purpose of wiping the Jewish state off the map – today again, Israel is alone in its hour of greatest peril." John Weldon writes that... The United Nations has had more resolutions against the tiny nation of Israel than against all member nations combined, about 200 to 20 in one sampling. Consider a few comments by the Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations: "The Human Rights Council has, in fact, passed more resolutions against Israel than all other countries –– combined." "… between the Arab Group (22 countries), the Organization of the Islamic Conference (56 countries) and the Non-Aligned Movement (118 members) –– all of whom vote consistently against Israel irrespective of the facts on the ground –– Israel’s condemnatory treatment in the halls of the United Nations is virtually assured."..."In only one of countless examples [of UN Palestinian committee bias], during the 2005 United Nations Annual Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, the main ceremony featured a map of the region in which all of modern Israel was labeled 'Palestine.'” In Europe, anti-Semitism is relatively commonplace. For example, in Hungary, the new openly anti-Semitic Jobbik party, apparently Nazi-sympathetic, with hundreds of thousands of members, has arisen to become the third-largest political party in the nation.68 Within the 1.5 billion member Muslim community, anti-Semitism is also commonplace. Just type in "anti-Semitism" on Google to see more illustrations.... "Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has actively promoted Holocaust denial; Iran’s Jewish population faces official discrimination, and the official media outlets regularly produce anti-Semitic propaganda. The Syrian government routinely demonizes Jews through public statements and official propaganda. In Belarus, state enterprises freely produce and distribute anti-Semitic material. And in Venezuela, President Hugo Chavez has publicly demonized Israel and utilized stereotypes about Jewish financial influence and control, while Venezuela’s government-sponsored mass media have become vehicles for anti-Semitic discourse, as have government news media in Saudi Arabia and Egypt." (If you are interested in an excellent summary of Israel, it's past and it's certain future, then I strongly recommend you read this 119 page book by John Weldon - God's Heart for Israel (and Us) on Kindle) Esther 9:2 The Jews assembled in their cities throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus to lay hands on those who sought their harm; and no one could stand before them, for the dread of them had fallen on all the peoples.: Assembled: Esther 9:10,16 Esther 8:11 sought: Dt 2:30 Jos 11:20 Ps 71:13,24 Isa 8:9 dread: Esther 8:17 Ge 35:5 Ex 23:27 Jos 2:9) VICTIMS BECOME THE VICTORS! Those who sought their harm - There was a strong Anti-Semitic sentiment in all 127 provinces, so strong that it motivated the haters to seek the death of the Jews. For the dread (fear) of them had fallen on all the peoples - For is a term of explanation and in this context explains why no one could stand before them. Earlier we read that many among the peoples of the land became Jews, for the dread of the Jews had fallen on them. (Esther 8:17) The teaching that those who try to destroy the Jews will be destroyed appears repeatedly in the Scriptures. Those who plunder you will be plundered; all who make spoil of you I will despoil (Jer 30:16). As an aside, believers though persecuted and killed and despised and hated today, will like the hated Jews of Persian, one day no longer be the victims but the victors, for the unrepealable royal edict has been issued stating that we are More than conquerors Through Him Who loved us. (Ro 8:37-note) We see a similar providential protection by God of His people in Genesis after Simeon and Levi had killed the males in Shechem (avenging Shechem's rape of Dinah - Ge 34:2) which incited the Canaanites against Jacob (cp Ge 34:30)... As they journeyed, there was a great (Hebrew = elohim) terror (Better translated > "a terror from God" = ESV, CSB, "afraid of God" = NET) upon the cities which were around them, and they did not pursue the sons of Jacob. (Ge 35:5) Comment: The NAS mistranslates the Hebrew word Elohim as "great" instead of as "God" and in so doing "hides" (or at least obscures) the fact that the fear or terror on the Gentile cities was not from Jacob but was from God. God providentially sent or caused fear and this fear in turn restrained the Canaanites from taking revenge on Jacob. This may seem like a "small matter" but it is almost certain that the Gentiles would have avenged the killing of "every male" (cp Ge 34:25) and thus would have annihilated Jacob's line which in effect would have annihilated the Jews and thus destroyed the line of the Messiah! In another parallel passage God tells Moses... "I will send My terror ahead of you, and throw into confusion all the people among whom you come, and I will make all your enemies turn their backs to you. (Ex 23:27, cp Dt 2:25, 11:25) Finally we should note that Rahab the harlot (in the line of Messiah = Mt 1:5) understood the fear of God when she declared to the two Hebrew spies that had entered Jericho... I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you. For (term of explanation - you will always do well [and be rewarded] if you stop to interrogate "for" when it is used to explain something!) we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. And when we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you; for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. (Joshua 2:9-11) Esther 9:3 Even all the princes of the provinces, the satraps, the governors and those who were doing the king's business assisted the Jews, because the dread of Mordecai had fallen on them.: princes: Esther 3:12 8:9 Ezr 8:36 Da 3:2 6:1,2 Dread: Esther 3:2-6 8:5 Neighbours records another interesting historical deliverance... Jerusalem was captured by God and not by guns. When General Allenby had learned that the Germans and Turks had mined all the sacred places in Jerusalem and the order had gone forth that just as soon as the British made entry every sacred place was to be blown into atoms that the British might get the blame and the shame, Allenby called together his military staff. Not a word was said about military affairs. The staff was summoned to pray, and they spent one hour and a half on their knees, asking the God of Jerusalem to give them the city without the destruction of the sacred places. After prayer Allenby ordered one division down the right, another down the left, his airplanes took the air. The enemies got frightened, ran and left their fortifications, and Allenby and his staff walked safely through the open gates (Ed: Another "divine coincidence!").—From an intimate friend of Allenby's, through Dr. A. C. Dixon. (Wells of Living Water - Wells of Living Water – Volume 4) Esther 9:4 Indeed, Mordecai was great in the king's house, and his fame spread throughout all the provinces; for the man Mordecai became greater and greater.: great: Ps 18:43 his fame: Jos 6:27 1Sa 2:30 1Ch 14:17 Zep 3:19 Mt 4:24 became greater: 2Sa 3:1 1Ch 11:9 Ps 1:3 Pr 4:18 Isa 9:7 Esther 9:5 Thus the Jews struck all their enemies with the sword, killing and destroying; and they did what they pleased to those who hated them: Ps 18:34-40,47,48 20:7,8 149:6-9 2Th 1:6 sword: Jer 18:21 This verse gives a summary overview of all the fighting that took place in Persian on this monumental day. While the Jews carried out the task of defending themselves and killing their enemies, we must remember that behind the scenes is the God Who alone is the Avenger. Through a series of coincidences He had orchestrated this final lethal blow at Haman's evil plan of extermination. And yet we must always remember Paul's words of warning and not seek revenge for wrongs committed against us... Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave (aorist imperative) room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord. (Ro 12:19-note) God is the Avenger and unless extraordinary circumstances occur in our lives as did in the Book of Esther, we are to leave it to God to extract the appropriate retribution at the perfect time. We can rest assured He will. In the meantime we must pray (present imperative) for those who persecute us (Mt 5:44-note). As an aside don't try to obey this command from Jesus in your own strength. You cannot do it! Only as you submit to the Spirit, will you be given the desire and the power to pray for those who persecute you! Breneman writes that "The expression “they did what they pleased,” however, should not be understood as a reference to cruelty but to the reversal of Haman’s plans. The king had given him authority to “do with the people as you please” (3:11). That royal authorization, however, had been overturned by a higher authority. (The New American Commentary). Barry Davis adds that "the clause “did what they pleased” does not imply that the Jews act sadistically toward those who hate them, rather that the Jews have no difficulty in dispatching quickly their enemies. (Ruth & Esther: God behind the Seen: Focus on the Bible Commentary) Esther 9:6 At the citadel in Susa the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men,: Kill (02026)(charag/harag) is first used in Ge 4:8 (Cain killing Abel) implies violent killing and means to murder (Ex 21:14, Jezebel's killing of the prophets = 1Ki 18:13), as well as to carry out judicial execution or to kill animals (butchering cattle - Isa 22:13). Esther 9 is a "bloody chapter" for the word Kill is a "key word" being used six times (Es 9:6 Es 9:10 Es 9:11 Es 9:12 Es 9:15 Es 9:16, also in Es 3:13 Es 7:4 Es 8:11) In Amos 4:10 has God as the subject carrying out the act of slaying. Esther 9:7 and Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha And - Now the writer lists 10 specific names, the names of the sons of Haman. Remember Mordecai's edict allowed the Jews to assemble and defend. It follows that the 10 sons of Haman must have attacked the Jews and for this reason were killed.
Ester 8
Guzik comments that "Many have criticized Esther for this (E.g. Charles Ryrie writes "Perhaps she was simply being vindictive, or perhaps she had learned of further attacks being planned against the Jews."), saying it showed a lack of love towards her enemies. Yet she displays the same principle found so often in Joshua - she would not settle for less than total victory. Let Haman's ten sons be hanged on the gallows - Why? The sons had already been killed. Hanging in addition at first glance seems excessive, even vindictive on Esther's part, but was it? Herodotus tells us that this was a common practice in the Persian period, especially for those who were convicted of insurrection (Herodotus 3:125). Hanging a criminal's corpse from a tree or post attached a further humiliation to capital punishment. Clearly the display of the hanging corpses of Haman's sons would serve as a powerful deterrent to any who might contemplate further attacks against the Jews. Swindoll comments on the display of the dead bodies of Haman's sons... What was the point of this, since they were already dead? It was a way of saying publicly, “What these men and their father stood for will never be allowed again!” There’s a needed message of fear eloquently communicated in capital punishment. Moses alluded to hanging in Deuteronomy... And if a man has committed a sin worthy of death, and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, 23 his corpse shall not hang all night on the tree, but you shall surely bury him on the same day (for he who is hanged is accursed of God), so that you do not defile your land which the LORD your God gives you as an inheritance. (Dt 21:22–23)
Ester 8
Guzik writes that "Haman and his sons were descendants of the ancient Amalekites (comparing Es 3:1 and 1Sa 15:8-33). God commanded Saul, the son of Kish, to execute the full extend of God’s judgment against the Amalekites (1Sa 15:2-3). Samuel failed; but this later descendant of the tribe of Benjamin and a son of Kish named Mordecai (Es 2:5-6) completed God’s judgment against the Amalekites."