On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews’ enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her.
And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.
And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews.
Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king,
And said, If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the king’s provinces:
For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?
Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews.
Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s ring: for the writing which is written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s ring, may no man reverse.
Then were the king’s scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.
And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus’ name, and sealed it with the king’s ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries:
Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey,
Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar.
The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.
So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king’s commandment. And the decree was given at Shushan the palace.
And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.
The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.
And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.
Esther 8 marks a pivotal turning point in the book of Esther, showcasing God's providential hand in reversing the seemingly irreversible decree of annihilation against the Jewish people. This chapter is a powerful testament to God's ability to turn despair into joy, and defeat into victory. The key theme of Esther 8 revolves around reversal – financial, political, legal, emotional, and spiritual.
Financial and Political Reversal (Esther 8:1-2)
The Lord is a God of reversals. Following Esther’s courageous intervention, a significant financial reversal occurred. Esther 8:1 recounts how King Ahasuerus awarded Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. Everything Haman possessed suddenly belonged to the woman who bravely exposed his wickedness. This echoes the truth of Proverbs 13:22: “The sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.”
Further solidifying this shift, a political reversal took place. Esther revealed her relationship to Mordecai, and the king, in a dramatic gesture, took Haman’s signet ring and gave it to Mordecai (Esther 8:1-2). The authority once wielded by Haman was now bestowed upon his rival, Mordecai. This act symbolized a complete transfer of power and influence.
The Lord of heaven and earth can cause things to turn on a dime. No matter how powerful the people and circumstances aligned against you may seem, they have nothing unless God grants it to them. And, if he grants it to them, he can take it away.
A New Decree (Esther 8:3-10)
Despite the financial and political shifts, the original decree to annihilate the Jews remained in effect. Esther, driven by her unwavering love for her people, pleaded with the king to revoke Haman's wicked plot. The king, favorably disposed towards Esther, granted her request (Esther 8:3-4). Esther then asked Ahasuerus to issue a new royal edict counteracting the former one (Esther 8:5).
Just as Haman had been granted the authority to write orders in the king’s name and seal them with the royal signet ring (Esther 3:12), Esther and Mordecai were now authorized to do the same (Esther 8:8-10). This represented a significant shift in power dynamics, giving the Jewish people a chance to defend themselves.
Legal Reversal and the Right to Self-Defense (Esther 8:11-14)
A legal reversal was set in motion. The new edict granted the Jews in each and every city the right to assemble and defend themselves, and to destroy, kill, and annihilate everyone hostile to them (Esther 8:11). Sadly, the laws of Persia and Media were irrevocable (Esther 1:19), so Haman’s original decree remained in force. However, the new edict empowered the Jewish people to fight back and avenge themselves against their enemies if anyone sought to harm them (Esther 8:13). This didn't mean the Jewish people had to take it lying down.
Emotional and Spiritual Reversal (Esther 8:15-17)
An emotional reversal swept through the land. The city of Susa, which had been in confusion and distress over the edict against the Jews (Esther 3:15), now rejoiced (Esther 8:15). The mourning of the Jews (Esther 4:3) was transformed into celebration with gladness, joy, and honor (Esther 8:16).
This transformation led to a profound spiritual reversal. Many of the ethnic groups of the land professed themselves to be Jews (Esther 8:17). In other words, many sinners got saved. To profess oneself to be a Jew was to come under the Jewish covenant. To come under the Jewish covenant, one had to accept the Jewish God. Unbelievers had witnessed the deliverance and favor that God had bestowed on his people, and they desired his covenant protection.
Implications for Today
Esther 8 provides profound insights into God's character and his dealings with humanity. It reminds us that:
- God is sovereign: He is in control of all circumstances and can orchestrate events to accomplish his purposes.
- God is a God of reversals: He can turn situations around for the good of those who trust in him.
- Courage and faith are essential: Esther's courage and faith in God were instrumental in saving her people.
- We should stand up for what is right: Like Esther and Mordecai, we should be willing to stand up for justice and righteousness, even in the face of adversity.
The greatest reversal was still to come, however. Several centuries in the future, Satan would think he had destroyed the Son of God. But, the cross on which Christ was condemned became the path to his victory and glory. Three days later, he arose with “all authority” in heaven and on earth given to him (Matthew 28:18). Our God is a God of reversals.
On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews’ enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her.
And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.
And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews.
Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king,
And said, If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the king’s provinces:
For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?
Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews.
Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s ring: for the writing which is written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s ring, may no man reverse.
Then were the king’s scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.
And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus’ name, and sealed it with the king’s ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries:
Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey,
Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar.
The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.
So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king’s commandment. And the decree was given at Shushan the palace.
And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.
The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.
And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.
Esther 8 marks a pivotal turning point in the book of Esther, showcasing God's providential hand in reversing the seemingly irreversible decree of annihilation against the Jewish people. This chapter is a powerful testament to God's ability to turn despair into joy, and defeat into victory. The key theme of Esther 8 revolves around reversal – financial, political, legal, emotional, and spiritual.
Financial and Political Reversal (Esther 8:1-2)
The Lord is a God of reversals. Following Esther’s courageous intervention, a significant financial reversal occurred. Esther 8:1 recounts how King Ahasuerus awarded Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. Everything Haman possessed suddenly belonged to the woman who bravely exposed his wickedness. This echoes the truth of Proverbs 13:22: “The sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.”
Further solidifying this shift, a political reversal took place. Esther revealed her relationship to Mordecai, and the king, in a dramatic gesture, took Haman’s signet ring and gave it to Mordecai (Esther 8:1-2). The authority once wielded by Haman was now bestowed upon his rival, Mordecai. This act symbolized a complete transfer of power and influence.
The Lord of heaven and earth can cause things to turn on a dime. No matter how powerful the people and circumstances aligned against you may seem, they have nothing unless God grants it to them. And, if he grants it to them, he can take it away.
A New Decree (Esther 8:3-10)
Despite the financial and political shifts, the original decree to annihilate the Jews remained in effect. Esther, driven by her unwavering love for her people, pleaded with the king to revoke Haman's wicked plot. The king, favorably disposed towards Esther, granted her request (Esther 8:3-4). Esther then asked Ahasuerus to issue a new royal edict counteracting the former one (Esther 8:5).
Just as Haman had been granted the authority to write orders in the king’s name and seal them with the royal signet ring (Esther 3:12), Esther and Mordecai were now authorized to do the same (Esther 8:8-10). This represented a significant shift in power dynamics, giving the Jewish people a chance to defend themselves.
Legal Reversal and the Right to Self-Defense (Esther 8:11-14)
A legal reversal was set in motion. The new edict granted the Jews in each and every city the right to assemble and defend themselves, and to destroy, kill, and annihilate everyone hostile to them (Esther 8:11). Sadly, the laws of Persia and Media were irrevocable (Esther 1:19), so Haman’s original decree remained in force. However, the new edict empowered the Jewish people to fight back and avenge themselves against their enemies if anyone sought to harm them (Esther 8:13). This didn't mean the Jewish people had to take it lying down.
Emotional and Spiritual Reversal (Esther 8:15-17)
An emotional reversal swept through the land. The city of Susa, which had been in confusion and distress over the edict against the Jews (Esther 3:15), now rejoiced (Esther 8:15). The mourning of the Jews (Esther 4:3) was transformed into celebration with gladness, joy, and honor (Esther 8:16).
This transformation led to a profound spiritual reversal. Many of the ethnic groups of the land professed themselves to be Jews (Esther 8:17). In other words, many sinners got saved. To profess oneself to be a Jew was to come under the Jewish covenant. To come under the Jewish covenant, one had to accept the Jewish God. Unbelievers had witnessed the deliverance and favor that God had bestowed on his people, and they desired his covenant protection.
Implications for Today
Esther 8 provides profound insights into God's character and his dealings with humanity. It reminds us that:
- God is sovereign: He is in control of all circumstances and can orchestrate events to accomplish his purposes.
- God is a God of reversals: He can turn situations around for the good of those who trust in him.
- Courage and faith are essential: Esther's courage and faith in God were instrumental in saving her people.
- We should stand up for what is right: Like Esther and Mordecai, we should be willing to stand up for justice and righteousness, even in the face of adversity.
The greatest reversal was still to come, however. Several centuries in the future, Satan would think he had destroyed the Son of God. But, the cross on which Christ was condemned became the path to his victory and glory. Three days later, he arose with “all authority” in heaven and on earth given to him (Matthew 28:18). Our God is a God of reversals.