Thursday, April 3 – Esther 9, 10

1. By Mordecai’s order King Ahasuerus issued a second decree allowing the Jews to defend themselves. What was the result? (Esther 9:2-5)

2. What did the victorious Jews do on the 14th and 15th of Adar? (Esther 9:17, 18)

3. How did the Jews express their joy and gratitude to God with their neighbors? (Esther 9:20)

4. What name was given to the feast celebrated on those days? (Esther 9:26)

As we have seen in this fascinating story, the Jewish people, especially those in Susa, the capital of the Persian kingdom, found themselves in an extremely dangerous situation and on the brink of extermination. Mordecai reminded his adopted daughter, Esther, that she had “come to the kingdom for such a time as this.” And she understood it! At the risk of her own life, she intervened on behalf of her people.

The book of Esther is unique in the Bible as it does not explicitly mention the name “God” or “The Lord.” However, the presence of the Almighty is evident on every page. Esther serves as a symbol of Christ, who intercedes for His people during a time of trouble, bringing deliverance. The key difference is that while Esther intervened at the risk of her life but did not perish, Christ did lay down His life for all of us. This book reveals Satan’s attempt to annihilate the nation from which the Messiah would be born.

In these final two chapters, we see how the Jews, under Mordecai’s leadership, defeated their enemies and executed the sons of the wicked Haman. At Esther’s request, Ahasuerus granted another day for vengeance, leading to the hanging of Haman’s sons. Finally, two special days were declared for the newly established Feast of Purim. The book concludes by highlighting the greatness of King Ahasuerus and the well-deserved recognition of Mordecai as the king’s second-in-command.

From a Christian perspective, executing Haman’s sons may seem harsh. However, considering the circumstances, there is no doubt that they were also complicit in their father’s evil schemes. Leaving even one of them alive could have posed a future threat to the Jewish nation. God needed to clear the way for His Son to be born at the appointed time and place, as planned from eternity past.

The Persian word “Purim” means “lot,” referring to Haman’s casting lots multiple times against the Jewish people. This may also explain why the feast was celebrated over two days.

“Mordecai was given the position of honor formerly occupied by Haman. He “was next unto King Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren” (Esther 10:3); and he sought to promote the welfare of Israel. Thus did God bring his chosen people once more into favor at the Medo-Persian court, making possible the carrying out of his purpose to restore them to their own land. But it was not until several years later, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes I, the successor of Xerxes the Great, that any considerable number returned to Jerusalem, under Ezra.

The trying experiences that came to God’s people in the days of Esther were not peculiar to that age alone. The revelator, looking down the ages to the close of time, has declared, “The dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Revelation 12:17. Some who today are living on the earth will see these words fulfilled. The same spirit that in ages past led men to persecute the true church, will in the future lead to the pursuance of a similar course toward those who maintain their loyalty to God. Even now preparations are being made for this last great conflict.

The decree that will finally go forth against the remnant people of God will be very similar to that issued by Ahasuerus against the Jews. Today the enemies of the true church see in the little company keeping the Sabbath commandment, a Mordecai at the gate. The reverence of God’s people for his law is a constant rebuke to those who have cast off the fear of the Lord and are trampling on his Sabbath.” (Prophets and Kings, p. 605).

May the Lord grant you the strength to remain steadfast in faith, even if the heavens fall.