Plan to save the Jews

Introduction

Haman is dead, but the edict he wrote is still in effect. What can they do to protect the Jews?

Anguish of Esther (8:1-6)

King honors Esther and Mordecai (1-2)

Esther 8:1–2 (ESV)

1 On that day King Ahasuerus gave to Queen Esther the house of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came before the king, for Esther had told what he was to her. 2 And the king took off his signet ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.

Esther receives Haman’s house

“Because Haman was executed as a traitor to the throne, his property was confiscated. Herodotus reports an instance where the property of an executed traitor reverted to the king, who could dispose of it at will. In this case because Esther was the person wronged by Haman, the king bestows Haman’s estate on her.” (Jobes, Karen H. Esther. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1999. Print. The NIV Application Commentary.)

Mordecai Honored

Mordecai receives signet ring.

signet ring n., a ring incised to make an impression; used to secure (with wax) or to authenticate documents (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017: n. pag. Print.)

Taken from Haman and given to Mordecai

Mordecai receives royal attire

Esther 8:15 (ESV)

15 Then Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal robes of blue and white, with a great golden crown and a robe of fine linen and purple, and the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced.

This is a customary way of a king honoring someone with a high position.

Genesis 41:41–43 (ESV)

41 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” 42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck. 43 And he made him ride in his second chariot. And they called out before him, “Bow the knee!” Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt.

“Immediately, Esther summons Mordecai into Xerxes’ presence, who gives to Mordecai, the man who had years before saved the king’s life, the signet ring previously worn by Haman. In a great reversal Mordecai is vested with all the power and authority previously wielded by Haman (cf. 3:10). Having received Haman’s estate, Esther in turn appoints Mordecai over all the wealth and property previously owned by Haman. Ironically, Haman’s plot to destroy Mordecai leads to Mordecai’s acquiring both Haman’s position and property.” (Jobes, Karen H. Esther. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1999. Print. The NIV Application Commentary.)

Esther’s grief (3-4)

Esther 8:3–4 (ESV)

3 Then Esther spoke again to the king. She fell at his feet and wept and pleaded with him to avert the evil plan of Haman the Agagite and the plot that he had devised against the Jews. 4 When the king held out the golden scepter to Esther, Esther rose and stood before the king.

Esther wept and pleaded. (3a)

Esther comes before the King and falls down before the King to seek the him to deal with the edict of Haman.

Pleaded - to plead for compassion v. — to earnestly request compassion. (Biblical Sense)

Reason for grief. (3b)

Haman’s plan is still in effect.

Esther knows that the death of Haman does not affect the edict that he established.

King held out the golden scepter welcoming Esther to stand before him. (4)

Esther’s request (5-6)

Esther 8:5–6 (ESV)

5 And she said, “If it please the king, and if I have found favor in his sight, and if the thing seems right before the king, and I am pleasing in his eyes, let an order be written to revoke the letters devised by Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, which he wrote to destroy the Jews who are in all the provinces of the king. 6 For how can I bear to see the calamity that is coming to my people? Or how can I bear to see the destruction of my kindred?”

How do we deal with an edict that can’t be changed or canceled?

“Esther pleads with Xerxes to “put an end to” Haman’s evil death decree that still stands against her people (v. 3); but the king is unable to do so, for the decree of death is irrevocable.” (Jobes, Karen H. Esther. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1999. Print. The NIV Application Commentary.)

Esther 8:8 (ESV)

8 But you may write as you please with regard to the Jews, in the name of the king, and seal it with the king’s ring, for an edict written in the name of the king and sealed with the king’s ring cannot be revoked.”

“Since the king was unable to revoke his own decree (1:19), a new decree was necessary to counter the effects of the first one.” (Barry, John D. et al. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016. Print.)

The Idea of writing a second Edict is the one presented by Esther and acted on by the King.

Actions of the King (8:7-14)

King’s Response (7-8)

Esther 8:7–8 (ESV)

7 Then King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, “Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and they have hanged him on the gallows, because he intended to lay hands on the Jews. 8 But you may write as you please with regard to the Jews, in the name of the king, and seal it with the king’s ring, for an edict written in the name of the king and sealed with the king’s ring cannot be revoked.”

Write another Edict with the King’s authority. (8)

“Now, however, Esther and Mordecai have power and authority equal to Haman’s. The only solution to their dilemma is to write another decree to counteract the first with equal force.” (Jobes, Karen H. Esther. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1999. Print. The NIV Application Commentary.)

King’s Scribes (9-10)

Esther 8:9–10 (ESV)

9 The king’s scribes were summoned at that time, in the third month, which is the month of Sivan, on the twenty-third day. And an edict was written, according to all that Mordecai commanded concerning the Jews, to the satraps and the governors and the officials of the provinces from India to Ethiopia, 127 provinces, to each province in its own script and to each people in its own language, and also to the Jews in their script and their language. 10 And he wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed it with the king’s signet ring. Then he sent the letters by mounted couriers riding on swift horses that were used in the king’s service, bred from the royal stud,

History

Haman writes the 1st Edict - 13th day of 1st Month (Esther 3:12)

Edict goes into effect - 13th day of 12th Month (Esther 3:13)

2nd Edict written by Mordecai - 23rd day of 3rd Month (Esther 8:9)

Edict is written

Mordecai commanded the edict - “And an edict was written, according to all that Mordecai commanded concerning the Jews”

Sent to every Province of Persia - “to the satraps and the governors and the officials of the provinces from India to Ethiopia, 127 provinces, to each province in its own script and to each people in its own language, and also to the Jews in their script and their language.”

King’s Authority - “And he wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed it with the king’s signet ring.”

Edict is sent out by Horseback throughout the providences of Persia.

King’s Edict (11-14)

Esther 8:11–14 (ESV)

11 saying that the king allowed the Jews who were in every city to gather and defend their lives, to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate any armed force of any people or province that might attack them, children and women included, and to plunder their goods, 12 on one day throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar. 13 A copy of what was written was to be issued as a decree in every province, being publicly displayed to all peoples, and the Jews were to be ready on that day to take vengeance on their enemies. 14 So the couriers, mounted on their swift horses that were used in the king’s service, rode out hurriedly, urged by the king’s command. And the decree was issued in Susa the citadel.

The instructions for the Jews in the Edict.

Defend themselves (11a)

Defend - to take a stand v., to take a defensive fighting position. (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017: n. pag. Print.)

To destroy, to Kill, and to Annihilate… (11b)

Same words used in Haman’s edict.

The Jews are commanded to defend themselves by going after and killing their enemies.

Plunder their goods. (11c)

This is also from Haman’s Edict.

Not only are the Jews to kill their enemies, but to plunder their goods.

On 13th day of 12th month. (12a)

"In order to counteract Haman’s decree, in other words, Mordecai has just effected a legalized war between the Jews of the Persian empire and any people of any nationality who might set themselves against the Jews. Just as Haman’s edict had been posted publicly in Susa, Mordecai’s edict was also to be posted in Susa (8:14; cf. 3:15). Civil war would be authorized even in the citadel of the king.” (Jobes, Karen H. Esther. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1999. Print. The NIV Application Commentary.)

“As has already been pointed out, the decree of Haman in 3:13 is reflected in that of Mordecai, and some of its wording is repeated in the later decree; but the differences also need to be taken into account. In 3:13 there is no doubt about the meaning. The object of the verb annihilate follows immediately: ‘all Jews, young and old, women and children’. In 8:11, on the other hand, the object of the verb is ‘any armed force … that might attack’, while ‘them, with their children and women’ is the object of the verb ‘attack’.” (Baldwin, Joyce G. Esther: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 12. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1984. Print. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries.)

Esther 3:13 (ESV)

13 Letters were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces with instruction to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all Jews, young and old, women and children, in one day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, and to plunder their goods.

Esther 8:11 (ESV)

11 saying that the king allowed the Jews who were in every city to gather and defend their lives, to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate any armed force of any people or province that might attack them, children and women included, and to plunder their goods,

Celebration of the Jews (8:15-17)

Jew’s Celebration (16-17)

Esther 8:16–17 (ESV)

16 The Jews had light and gladness and joy and honor. 17 And in every province and in every city, wherever the king’s command and his edict reached, there was gladness and joy among the Jews, a feast and a holiday. And many from the peoples of the country declared themselves Jews, for fear of the Jews had fallen on them.

Celebration of the Jews

When the new edict came to the area, the Jews rejoiced that they are able to reverse the edict from Haman.

Gladness/Joy - joy (emotion) n., the emotion of great happiness and pleasure (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017: n. pag. Print.

Feast - feast (meal) n. — a meal that is well prepared and greatly enjoyed.

Reversal of Mordecai and Haman. The Jews celebrate the honor and promotion of Mordecai and the edict.

“The author of Esther has constructed a contrast of reversals in chiastic order (see chart in comments on ch. 6). Haman’s original edict had caused “great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing. Many lay in sackcloth and ashes” (4:3). After that decree had gone out, Mordecai had clothed himself in sackcloth and ashes and went through the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. In such a state he could not enter the king’s gate, much less the king’s presence (see comments on 4:1). Now, as the counter-decree goes out, the reverse occurs. Mordecai comes from the very presence of the king “wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen,” and he goes throughout the city in joyous procession (8:15; cf. 4:1–2). Mordecai, the Jew condemned to death, has risen from sackcloth and ashes to take the royal position of the one who had condemned him. His decree also brought “joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating” (8:17).” (Jobes, Karen H. Esther. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1999. Print. The NIV Application Commentary.)

Conversion of others (17b)

to become a Jew v. — to become a member of the Jewish faith and society. (Biblical Sense)

“posing as Jews The Hebrew text here could indicate that non-Jewish people chose to become Jewish—meaning they made a decision to convert to Judaism; 9:27 could hint at this.” (Barry, John D. et al. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016. Print.)

Esther 9:27 (ESV)

27 the Jews firmly obligated themselves and their offspring and all who joined them, that without fail they would keep these two days according to what was written and at the time appointed every year,

“because the fear of the Jews had fallen on them These non-Jewish people seem to fear impending violence, which means that their concern probably stems out of the Jewish people having the backing of the king (Esther 8:9–10; compare 9:2–3). The fear of the God of the Jewish people could also have come upon them, although Yahweh has not been mentioned in the narrative thus far (2 Chr 17:10; 20:29).” (Barry, John D. et al. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016. Print.)

Fear of the Jews and Mordecai - Esther 9:2-3 “The Jews gathered in their cities throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus to lay hands on those who sought their harm. And no one could stand against them, for the fear of them had fallen on all peoples. 3 All the officials of the provinces and the satraps and the governors and the royal agents also helped the Jews, for the fear of Mordecai had fallen on them.”

Fear of God - 2 Chr 20:29-30 “29 And the fear of God came on all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard that the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. 30 So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around.”

Lessons

God’s battle against Sin and Evil.

Haman is addressed numerous times as being evil. His edict is for the complete annihilation of the Jews.

God has a plan of redemption and he has made it known that the messiah will come from the Jewish people. Enemies of God (Human and Spiritual) are continually after the Jews.

God’s battle against Evil/Sin

God has always made known to Humans what is right/wrong and what the consequences are for sin.

God always gives people a chance to repent.

If people repent, God is gracious and Merciful.

If people don’t repent, God will be patient then bring judgment.

This is very consistent with God’s nature throughout the Bible (OT and NT)

God fights against the evil/sinful actions of others against His people.

Destroy the Amalekites, Fight against the enemies of the Jews in the edict.

Esther 8:17 “And in every province and in every city, wherever the king’s command and his edict reached, there was gladness and joy among the Jews, a feast and a holiday. And many from the peoples of the country declared themselves Jews, for fear of the Jews had fallen on them.”

God also fright against the evil/sinful actions of His people.

Deuteronomy 8:18–20 (ESV)

18 You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day. 19 And if you forget the Lord your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish. 20 Like the nations that the Lord makes to perish before you, so shall you perish, because you would not obey the voice of the Lord your God.

Hebrews 12:7–11 (ESV)

7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

“From the beginning of time God’s war has been against sin and evil. It is easy to think wrongly of sin and evil as being abstractions apart from people. We seem to want God to destroy sin and evil but leave people alone. However, sin and evil do not exist apart from beings who sin and beings who do evil, whether angelic or human. Sin entered the world when Adam and Eve aligned themselves against God (Gen. 3). Because of their separation from God, he pronounced his irrevocable decree of death against them and all their descendants. The nature of sin (singular) is opposition to God, expressed as disobedience to his revealed will, i.e., various sins (plural). Because we are all sinners and evildoers, we all have God’s irrevocable decree of death against us. God could have justly destroyed the earth and everyone on it, for none of us is “good” by God’s high standards. Instead, he chose to issue a counter-decree to redeem a people out of sin and evil and into righteousness, removing them from the realm of his destruction to the realm of deliverance.” (Jobes, Karen H. Esther. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1999. Print. The NIV Application Commentary.)

God’s law/punishment for sin is irrevocable.

The King made it known that an edict authorized and sealed with his signet ring is irrevocable. The only way to deal with Haman’s edict was to write another edict with the authority of the king and sealed with his signet ring. Both edicts of death and life come from the authority of the same king.

The sentence of death through sin is irrevocable from God. God had to write another edict for life found only in Jesus.

“Even if the author is using poetic license by introducing this element of irrevocability, perhaps he is making a theological point about human destiny. Just as Xerxes king of Persia could not simply rescind the first decree of death, God, King of the universe, cannot simply rescind the decree of death pronounced in the Garden of Eden against humanity. Instead, he issues a counter-decree of life, the gospel of Jesus Christ. Because God did not simply rescind the curse of death on humanity, his counter-decree of redemption necessarily resulted in the incarnation of his Son and in that Son’s death on the cross.” (Jobes, Karen H. Esther. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1999. Print. The NIV Application Commentary.)

Romans 3:23–26 (ESV)

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.