The Lost Year - Pt. 3

 

“King Xerxes replied to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, ‘Because Haman attacked the Jews, I have given his estate to Esther, and they have impaled him on the pole he set up. Now write another decree in the king’s name in behalf of the Jews as seems best to you, and seal it with the king’s signet ring—for no document written in the king’s name and sealed with his ring can be revoked.’ …When Mordecai left the king’s presence, he was wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa held a joyous celebration. For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor. In every province and in every city to which the edict of the king came, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating" (Esther 8:7-8, 15-17a).

 

By the time of the events in our reading occurred Haman was dead. His hatred and wickedness toward the Jews was terrifying indeed. Now, however, Mordecai wore the king’s signet ring and managed Haman’s estate. The time of persecution was coming to an end under the rule of Mordecai, though  Esther and the Jewish people still faced the destruction Haman had planned, for all the provinces had received the decree to annihilate the Jews. And a royal decree could not be revoked.

 

King Xerxes exercised his ­power shrewdly. He had decided that although the order to destroy the Jews had to remain, the Jews would now have the right to defend themselves. Mordecai, bearer of the king’s signet ring, signed that decree. Now the people of the empire had to decide. Many became Jews, “because fear of the Jews had seized them.” Which would be better, to be a living member of the Jewish people or a dead Gentile? It was the end to a time of great hardship for the people of God.

 

I find the truth of the Apostle Paul so contemporary at this point. In ever circumstance God will always have a “way out” for His children (cf. 1Corinthians 10:13). In the story of the first couple, God had told Adam in the Garden: “You must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die” (Genesis 2:17). That decree could not be revoked either. All who have sinned will die. But God provided a way out: “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). However difficult this year has been for you, the way out has already been accomplished. Jesus is indeed “the way, the truth, and the light” (John 14:6). Let the power of God’s grace flood into your mind today bringing with it His peace. He did it for Esther and her people. He has done it for us!