Esther 9
McGeeCHAPTERS 9 AND 10THEME: Institution of the Feast of PurimThe day of the Jews’ execution is at hand.
Esther 9:1
The Jews prepare themselves for the attack. The king’s new decree is protecting them, so they get everything ready to defend themselves. It is interesting to note that Herodotus, the Greek historian, records that Ahasuerus (Xerxes) returned home after his defeat in the Greek campaign, about 480 B.C., and that his wife, Amestris, was a cold and vindictive queen. That would be Esther, of course; and to an outsider it is understandable that she would appear vindictive and cold. After all, she stepped in and put an end to Haman’s evil activities, and she was also able to save her people from their enemies at that particular time. There are people who feel that it was brutal and cruel for a court of law to sentence many of Hitler’s henchmen to prison, but those henchmen were rascals of the first order. Their treatment of the Jews in concentration camps was absolutely inhuman. To many people on the outside it did not look as though Hitler’s men should be treated with such harshness, but those who knew the inside story knew that they got justice.
Esther 9:3
Now Mordecai, one of their own, is by the side of the king. Haman, who would have put the Jews to death, is gone. The very throne that had once condemned the Jews now protects them. The very throne of God protects us today. The apostle Paul says, “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us” (Rom_8:33-34). Notice how He justifies: (1) Christ died; (2) He is risen again; (3) He is even at the right hand of God; and (4) He also makes intercession for us.
These are the reasons no one can condemn a believer. How wonderful this is! Today there is a Man in the gloryHe knows exactly how you feel, and He knows exactly how I feel. And in that position He is interceding for us. Things have changed for us sinners. “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb_4:14-16). I have a Savior who is despised by the world. A lot of dirty, blasphemous things are being said about Him. But, my friends, He is the Man in glory. He is the King of kings. He is the Lord of lords. He is the Lily of the Valley. He is the One altogether lovely. He is the Chief among ten thousand. And some day He is coming again. We ought to get in practice bending our knees to Him, adoring and praising Him. That is very important. He should become sweeter to us with each passing day. In fact, there is a song entitled “Sweeter As The Years Go By.” That is the way it should be for each one of us. Do you rejoice more as a Christian today then you did one year ago? Or ten years ago? I thank God that I am a happier Christian today than I was ten years ago. Now suppose that some Israelite living during the time of Queen Esther had said, “Well, I don’t believe the new decree that has come from the king. I don’t think the king is that good. I am going to protect myself the best way I can. I am going to make a little Maginot Line and hide in back of it. I will make a fortress and defend myself.” But, my friend, it was death for the Jew who did not believe the king’s decree. Notice that the Jews had to have faith in the king’s message. Like them, we must have faith in God’s message, which is the gospel. The gospel means “good news.” 1Co_15:3-4 gives us God’s message in a nutshell: “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.” God has sent out a decree to a lost world. Men and women are saved by faith and not by the works of the law. Joh_1:12 says of the Lord Jesus, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on this name.” The main thrust of Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost was: through Christ is the remission of sins (see Acts 2). The gospel is what saves men today. The gospel is what Someone has done for us. It is not a request on God’s part for you and me to do something. On the contrary, the gospel is what He has done for us. If we do not place our trust and faith in Christ, there is no hope for us at all. Now, you may break some bad habits, you may forsake evil, you may go to church, you may be baptized, and you may take part in the Lord’s Supper; and you may still be miserable. The only way to have real peace is to take God at His Word and believe His message. When you believe it, there is salvation. The Jews who did not believe the king’s decree had no hope at all. But the Jews who accepted the king’s decree were joyful and glad, we are told. Why? Their faith in the king’s decree brought deliverance.
Esther 9:20
Many people have asked the question, “Who wrote the Book of Esther?” I believe this passage gives us at least a suggestion that Mordecai was the author.
Esther 9:26
In our day the Feast of Purim is commemorated by the orthodox Jews first in their synagogues. It is a celebration of gladness, and it is concluded by the reading of the Book of Esther. As they read it, they spit as the name of Haman is mentioned. I understand that they can use one or two expressions: “Let his name be blotted out,” or “Let him be accursed.” Then the following day they come together for a joyful service because it is a feast that celebrates the fact that God has delivered them (and they include subsequent deliverances such as that from the German atrocities) according to the promise that He made to Abraham. God had said, “…I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee …” (Gen_12:3).
Esther 9:28
The Book of Esther concludes with this interesting sidelight in chapter 10: