I think that some studies of the book of Esther wrap things up pretty quickly after Esther reveals her identity to King Xerxes and Haman, resulting in Haman’s execution. We learn that the Jewish people are saved from Haman’s plan to eliminate them from the Persian empire, and there is celebration. And, for a children’s Bible lesson, or a study of Esther’s bravery, that’s OK. In some studies, the rest of this book may need to be skipped (or just summarized) in the interests of time.
However, I’d like to take a few articles to study Esther 8-10. Because of the format of this web site, we have a little more flexibility to take a closer look at chapters in the Bible that other formats might not have the luxury of investigating as thoroughly.
Once Haman’s plan was revealed to affect the queen, the king promoted Mordecai and given him his royal signet ring. (See Esther 8:1-8). Because the king’s earlier ruling (as promoted by Haman – see Esther 3) could not be revoked, there was still an active decree that people in his empire could kill Jewish people on a certain day of the year. This was scheduled to occur about 9 months after Esther asked the king to spare her people.
So, Mordecai wrote a second decree and sent it throughout the empire. This one said that the Jewish people could fight back! Now, this was not an open-ended pass for them to kill whomever they wanted, but it was specific to those who “might attack them…”
The king’s edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate the armed men of any nationality or province who might attack them and their women and children, and to plunder the property of their enemies.
Esther 8:11 NIV
In addition to having this rule translated in the various languages of the empire, Esther 8:9 indicates that it was also written in the language of the Jews. This makes sense, so that those defending themselves could be sure to understand it, even if they didn’t natively speak the local language of every region to which they had been dispersed.
This new decree brought about celebration – and understandably so – for the Jewish people (see Esther 8:15-17), both in the city of Susa (where Esther and Mordecai were) and – as the news was distributed by the king’s courier system – throughout the empire.
And, when the day came – both for Haman’s previous decree that the Jews could be attacked, and for Mordecai’s decree that they could fight back – the result wasn’t some sort of back-and-forth battle, where sometimes the enemies of the Jews won, and other times the Jews prevailed. No, the selected day was one-sided. The Jews routed their enemies, including Haman’s 10 sons. Esther 9:2-3 says that not only were other people groups afraid of them, but various leaders within the provinces helped them out because they feared Mordecai.
However, the king asked Esther what she wanted to happen next in the citadel of Susa, and she asked that the Jews be given a second day to continue this retribution on their enemies, so the decree from Mordecai was extended in the city for one more day (see Esther 9:11-15).
Still, despite an opportunity to defend themselves, Esther 9 mentions three times (within Esther 9:5-16) that the Jewish people did not take the plunder of those who they defeated. Esther 8:11 makes it clear that taking the property of their enemies was permitted, but this act of self-defense and self-preservation seems to have been accompanied by self-restraint.
This might seem like a little lesson that we could miss, but since the book of Esther mentions it three times, I think that it’s worth considering for ourselves. The daily news tells us about those who go overboard when they are reveling in a success, like victory parades after a sports championship that end up with looting or fires from those who get carried away. Similarly, we may hear of accidents from excessive drinking after a success, or injuries resulting from celebratory fireworks.
These are reminders that we should be careful to not turn feelings of joy into actions that will lead to regret. Furthermore, for those whose successes are creditable to the God who loves us, it’s even more important to respect Him in those situations. When God provides for us in amazing ways, rather than us patting ourselves on the back, let’s praise Him for His power, His plan, and His provision. Let’s also respect the lifestyle that He has led us into, even when He helps us to be successful. When God gives us victory over evil forces, let’s remember that He loves the world (per John 3:16), and let’s see other people as fellow souls who we can invite to follow Jesus, rather than writing them off as hopelessly lost.
So, how about you? What has God delivered you from? Where are you full of praise and excitement about His work in your life? I encourage you to take some time to return the credit and glory to Him for His part in that. Then, rather than trying to run other people into the ground (even if they opposed you – and God – in their choices), look for ways that God wants you to show His love to them. Invite them to join the winning side…not so that you can gloat, but so that you can collectively celebrate salvation from our sins with them!
From Sunday School lesson prepared for July 28, 2024
References:
- The Lookout, July 28, 2024, © 2024 Christian Standard Media.
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- The Bible and Archaeology, by J.A. Thompson, © 1962, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., p.166-171.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – Esther & Daniel, by Mark Mangano. © 2001 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 