08 Dec Recap | Esther | The Great Reversal
This weekend brought to a conclusion our series on Esther, an orphaned Jewish castaway whose improbable rise to Queen of the Persian Empire became an instrumental piece in the preservation of the Jewish people. As we examine the last two chapters, an initial decree from King Xerxes had left the Jewish people on the brink of extermination until a second edict allowed them to take up arms against their enemies. Chapter 9 opens on the day upon which both laws went into effect.
The first 19 verses recount the Jewish victory over their would-be destroyers. In yet another giant reversal, the Jews were able to defend themselves and were even given a second day to eliminate all of Haman’s vengeful family. The passage states pointedly that the Jews “took no plunder,” emphasizing that this was not killing for conquest but for survival. This illustrates the reality that judgment always has two sides: salvation and condemnation. This is a transcendent idea for us, appearing in both the Old and New Testaments. This will continue until the final judgment, as Jesus revealed in Matthew 5, where the work of the cross will be the only accepted currency to reach salvation rather than condemnation.
What’s ironic is how often we experience God reversing something and how quickly we forget it, often looking back and rationalizing the situation as if there weren’t really a sovereign God acting on our behalf.
Beginning in verse 20 an annual festival is established to remember this landmark event in Israel’s history. This was a calling for them to live and be shaped in the future by this past salvation. Like most Jewish festivals, a feast is enjoyed, but this festival in particular is an opportunity for the people to give a portion of their food and wealth to others, particularly the poor. Verses 23-26 tell us how the name of the celebration was coined. Purim, meaning dice or lots, came from the fact that Haman had cast lots to determine the date of the Jewish genocide. The random outcome of this dice roll became their lots, or portion.
The big idea here is that evil men who throw dice do not determine your portion. A benevolent, all-knowing God gives it to you. They celebrate Purim by giving a portion because God first gave them a portion.
Our belief in this is tested and tried every time something doesn’t go our way. After all, who do we really think is throwing the dice? Our anxiety, stress, and panic are indicative of who we really think is running the universe. We are quick to let time water down the reversals God orchestrates in our lives. For this very reason the festival was further solidified at the end of the chapter, preserving the memory of God’s intercession for His people.
The story ends much the way it began, with a decree of authority. Mordecai became Prime Minister, second in command only to King Xerxes himself. He was faithful in his duties to the Jews and was rewarded and lifted up for it. King Xerxes remained the king, but we as readers no longer view him as we did upon his introduction. Xerxes may have retained his title, but there is little doubt in any reader’s mind that someone else is clearly running the show. An unnamed power is sovereignly at work in our story, and no earthly kingdom, decree, or enemy can contend with the true Author.
For non-Christians, this idea should prompt an honest consideration of the reversal nature of our world. Nothing is as it seems to be. We could not imagine a world beyond our own if this were all life had to offer. Eternity is embedded in us. Our hearts are inclined towards kingship and freedom, yet the outworking of those yearnings in our present world leaves us in the bondage of sin.
For the Christian, the story of Esther should bring comfort that God stands between our present opposition and in time will deliver us. For now we hold to the truth of 2 Corinthians 5:21 which tells us that Jesus has already brought justice to your sin and rest to your soul.
-Nate Emery
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Worship Songs from the Weekend
- A Day of Glory: Isaiah 60, Luke 1:51-52, 2 Corinthians 4:17
- The First Noel: Luke 2:8-20
- Great and Mighty King: salm 47:6-8, Revelation 5:11-14, Isaiah 6:1-3
- God With Us: Joshua 1:9, John 1:14, Psalm 68:19-20
- Stronger: Philippians 2:9-11, Romans 6:9-10