God’s Plans Prevail

Esther 8:1-8

1 On that same day King Xerxes gave the property of Haman, the enemy of the Jews, to Queen Esther. Then Mordecai was brought before the king, for Esther had told the king how they were related. 2 The king took off his signet ring—which he had taken back from Haman—and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed Mordecai to be in charge of Haman’s property.

3 Then Esther went again before the king, falling down at his feet and begging him with tears to stop the evil plot devised by Haman the Agagite against the Jews. 4 Again the king held out the gold scepter to Esther. So she rose and stood before him.

5 Esther said, “If it please the king, and if I have found favor with him, and if he thinks it is right, and if I am pleasing to him, let there be a decree that reverses the orders of Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, who ordered that Jews throughout all the king’s provinces should be destroyed. 6 For how can I endure to see my people and my family slaughtered and destroyed?”

7 Then King Xerxes said to Queen Esther and Mordecai the Jew, “I have given Esther the property of Haman, and he has been impaled on a pole because he tried to destroy the Jews. 8 Now go ahead and send a message to the Jews in the king’s name, telling them whatever you want, and seal it with the king’s signet ring. But remember that whatever has already been written in the king’s name and sealed with his signet ring can never be revoked.”

So we saw yesterday that Haman's plan lead to his death and Mordecai was saved from being killed by Haman. We didn't see until today what was going to happen with the rest of the Jews. Here we see Esther again going before the king without being summoned first and she again gets favor from the king. This time she seeks the safety of the rest of the Jewish people in the kingdom.

Thankfully the king is receptive to Queen Esther's request. Mordecai had to come up with a way to write a decree that had to allow for the Jews to live and send a message to the others not to harm them. God gave Mordecai the right words to put down and had it sent to every part of the kingdom. Verse 17 in this chapter shows just how the new decree was received by the people:

17 In every province and city, wherever the king’s decree arrived, the Jews rejoiced and had a great celebration and declared a public festival and holiday. And many of the people of the land became Jews themselves, for they feared what the Jews might do to them.

This is what happens when Godly people are in positions of leadership. The Word also shows this here:

Proverbs 29:2

When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice.But when the wicked are in power, they groan.

Again we get an opportunity to see the Word of God will always confirm itself. We don't have to worry about it being in contradiction. God doesn't change Himself and His Word doesn't change itself. In fact, this is what is said about the Word:

Matthew 24:35

Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.

Thank God we know that the Word is true and that it will never disappear. We also know the benefits of obeying the Word.

1 John 2:5

But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him.

It has been said that obedience is the highest form of worship. Esther and Mordecai were obedient to protect the children of God from destruction. Ester didn't have to put her life on the line if she didn't want to. Thank God she knew about being a kinsman redeemer and that if she didn't speak up and risk her life for her people that she would be remembered for it. She did the right thing and Mordecai did the right thing and as we saw in verse 17 the people rejoiced and celebrated. That is the effect of God's Word being followed and implemented. Praise God for His Word!

Published by Erik L. Vakula
Daily Bread From the Word
Copyright © 2009 Erik Vakula, All Rights Reserved