September 24: Esther 6-10

September 24, Esther 6-10

Esther continued…

Esther 6 It was late at night and God gave insomnia to the king - he couldn't sleep. He gave orders to have the memorable deeds, the chronicles, brought in and read to him. He learned about what Mordecai had done for him - by saving his life when there were threats against his life - and he figured out that nothing had been done to honor him or thank him. God’s timing is impeccable… The king is looking for one of his advisors. Who was around? Haman was in the palace (he was waiting like Esther did to enter into his chambers and tell the king his plan on killing Mordecai). The king said to bring Haman in. The king asked Haman what he should do to honor somebody (Haman thought the king was referring to him)? Haman gives an elaborate answer about wearing the kings clothes, a crown and being shown off in the town square as one honored by the king (something he wanted…). The king told him to go grab Mordecai and do just as Haman had said! So, Haman had to walk Mordecai through town shouting that this is what is done to those the king wants to honor - how awesome for Mordecai and humiliating for Haman. 

Haman goes home literally mourning and his wife and his friends got the run down about what just happened. The wife and friends said, “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of the Jewish people, you will not overcome him but will surely fall before him.” Mordecai’s God is too powerful and you can’t beat him. It is obvious that there is power in Mordecai’s God!

Esther 7 It is now time for Esther’s second feast for Haman and the king. After eating, they are kicking back drinking some wine and Esther finally reveals her wish to the king/ “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be granted me for my wish, and my people for my request. For we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated. If we had been sold merely as slaves, men and women, I would have been silent, for our affliction is not to be compared with the loss to the king.” Then King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther, “Who is he, and where is he, who has dared to do this?” And Esther said, “A foe and enemy! This wicked Haman! She was bold, respectful direct, and obedient. Haman was obviously terrified. The king was outraged and left his wine and went for a walk in the garden. Haman was pleading for his life to the king and was falling over her on the couch - and in walks the king to see Haman in a bad position. “Will he even assault the queen in my presence, in my own house?” The rage continued. What did the king do? He had Haman hung on the gallows made for Mordecai outside his own house!

Esther 8 Queen Esther got the house of Haman. The king gave Mordecai the signet ring that was given to Haman and Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.
Esther went in to the king again and he held out the scepter (she was safe) and pleaded the he revoke the letters of Haman to kill all the Jews. The king agreed and let Mordecai write whatever he wanted to all the 127 provinces and seal it with the signet ring. What did the new decree say: “…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…” The harm that was to be done to the Jews was now to be done to the enemies of the Jews. The fear of the Jews was now upon the people.

Esther 9 The enemies were afraid of the Jews now. Mordecai was great in the kings house and famous throughout the land. The Jews were given permission to strike down all their enemies. They ended up killing about 75,000 enemies but didn't end up taking any of their plunder. They hung Haman’s 10 sons. 

The Feast of Purim - to honor the day, Esther and Mordecai issued a decree that the Jews should celebrate annually what was done for them - “as the days on which the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month that had been turned for them from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, days for sending gifts of food to one another and gifts to the poor.” This festival was to be remembered through each generation. 

Esther 10 Mordecai became great and powerful. Second in power to the king in 127 provinces! This actually paved the way for Ezra & Nehemiah to begin the work of rebuilding the Temple

To sum it all up: 

• Do people see how powerful our God is by watching your life?
• God will have His way… Do you see that?
• Often times, hardships are for our growth and God’s Glory. Don’t fight it - embrace where God has you and see it as an opportunity to become more like His Son, Jesus Christ.