Esther 9 Devotional
Pastor Mark Hudson
Chapter 9 starts out in verse one with a phrase that summarizes the entire book, “on the very day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain the mastery over them, the reverse occurred: the Jews gained mastery over those who hated them.” For a time, Haman was close to killing all the Jews and now Haman is dead. For a time, Haman was second only to the King. At the same time period, Mordecai was at the gate. Haman hated Mordecai. Haman bragged about “the splendor of his riches, the number of his sons, all the promotions with which the king had honored him, and how he [the king] had advanced him above all the officials and the servants of the king” (5:11). Now he was no more, his family dead, and Mordecai, who he planned to hang, owned all his property. In fact, Mordecai wrote an edict similar to Haman’s contradicting Haman’s first edict. In 10:3, “Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Ahasuerus. . . .” The reversals in this book are constant and point to God who “is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases” (Ps. 115:3). Although unnamed, for the author’s own purpose, God orchestrates all these events as only He could do.
So, on the day Haman planned for all the Jews to be destroyed, the enemies of the Jews were killed. In fact, thousands of the enemies were killed over two days. All told almost 76,000 enemies of the Jews were killed. This violence was not a cart blanche permission to kill anyone but rather permission to defend themselves. The stress on not taking plunder (vs. 9:10, 15, 16), reminds the reader that this was not people going crazy killing and plundering.
There is also a defense or reasons given for some Jews celebrating Purim one day and some celebrating two days (9:16-19). You have already noticed the now Esther is called Queen Esther and Mordecai is called, ‘Mordecai the Jew.’ Esther since the end of chapter 4 where Esther first ‘ordered’ Mordecai is now the Queen not just of the Jews but everyone. Mordecai the Jew “was great among the Jews . . . because he sought the welfare of his people and spoke peace to all his people” in 10:3. These two are coming into their own. They are protecting their people from genocide. They are leading with ingenuity, courage, and wisdom.
We have the story of Esther not because of their great virtue. In fact, this book challenges us to consider some of the decisions and actions of the characters in this story. The author does not concern himself with those ‘ancillary’ topics. This is a story of how two somewhat ordinary people accomplished a great deed. In a unique setting in Susa, in the service of God, they were used to preserve the Messianic line. How this happened is a great story. Maybe that is why this book is so popular.
One of the reasons, so many people love the Bible is because the Bible is great literature. The authors were fantastic storytellers. This book gets richer, deeper, and better the more you know the story and the closer you follow the author. There are so many twists and turns that relate to other characters and the larger story of the Bible.
The other aspect of this book that draws me in are the number of ambiguities and subtleties that seem to just hang there with no comment. What the king does to the virgins is brutal. What these young women have to endure is shameful. Yet, in the midst of this unseemly story, God preserves life and ensures the continuation of the Messianic line. Maybe we might wonder how God could use Mordecai who told Esther not to tell anyone she was Jewish. Or how God could use Esther who gained the favor of the king in the way she did. But isn’t this true to life? How does God use pastors, missionaries, elders, deacons when those same leaders sin that hurt others? We are not given those answers to those great questions, nor are we given help in understanding this book. So, literature mimics life. Sometimes, we just go on without any resolution.
Yet, every time I read the wonderful story of Joseph; I remind myself that many Christians die in prison. When I read Esther, we know that many Christians are murdered, mutilated, raped, etc. by hostile governments. Just like in Acts 12, James is murdered while Peter is set free. God does not always rescue, prevent death, or exalt his people to positions of honor and authority. We need to remember that God can do what He wants when He wants. But if God chooses not to deliver us, we need to have the confidence of Daniel’s three friends who told the King that God is able to deliver, “But if not (if God does not deliver us), let it be known to you, O King, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you set up” (Dan. 3:18).
Compared to many, many Christians, we live a life of luxury that many Christians may never know. Talk about unfair. It is unfair that you and I live in safety, freedom, and security. I have many others to thank for those precious gifts. But I am responsible for steeling myself, preparing myself, for times that may come. It is on me not to be surprised if those days come. And not to be unprepared or distracted by silly diversions that surround us daily.
Dear heavenly Father of glory, how we love and long for You. You are our greatest joy. We love to linger in Your presence and to bask in Your deep and profound grace. You gave Your perfect, sinless Son, to die in our place so we could be with You forever. Never, never, let us ‘get over’ the cross but instead draw us deeper into the cross. Let us glory in all that You provided in Christ’s person and work. Let us always remember those who suffer and especially those who suffer for Christ. May we strive for humility, reverence, and love. We pray this for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ.