Then he said to them, “Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” - Nehemiah 8:10
Most Christians who have heard the story of Esther are quite familiar with chapters 1-7. However, they may not know what happens in chapters 8-10. There is a prevailing assumption that after Haman is killed the king repeals his murderous law and the Jews are saved because of Esther’s bravery. This, however, isn’t actually how the story ends…
This morning we will resume our study through Esther. We will be in chapter 8. I have titled this message, “Mordecai’s Plan to Save the Jews”.
I. MORDECAI’S PROMOTION (v1-2)
After King Ahasuerus had Haman hanged, he gave the house of Haman to Queen Esther. She told him that Mordecai was her cousin and that he had raised her in place of her parents. The king promoted Mordecai to prime minister and gave him the signet ring which he had taken from Haman. Esther then set Mordecai over the house of Haman.
“The house of Haman” would include everything that the king had given to Haman - his house, his wealth, his property, his attendants, and everything else. All of it was given to Esther who then entrusted its management to Mordecai. Furthermore, Mordecai was named “second in command” and given the king’s signet ring. Mordecai, who had already proven his loyalty to the king, effectively replaced Haman.
II. ESTHER’S PETITION (v3-6)
Esther fell weeping at the king’s feet and implored him to repeal Haman’s evil scheme to destroy her people the Jews. He extended his golden scepter to her and she stood to her feet saying, “If it seems good to the king and I have found favor in his sight, may letters be written and sent to all of the provinces in Persia reversing the plan devised by Haman.” She asked, “How could I endure seeing my kinsmen perish?”
This was actually the 2nd time that Esther made her petition to the king. When she originally asked him during her 2nd feast, the king wanted to know whose wicked plan this was. When Esther told him that it was Haman, he became furious and ordered Haman to be hanged. Now that Haman was gone and the king had calmed down, Esther approached him again in hopes of having this law revoked. Her anguish over the prospect of watching the Jews be killed is reminiscent of Isaiah anguishing over the future destruction of Jerusalem (Isaiah 22:4).
III. THE KING’S CONSENT (v7-8)
The king said to Esther and Mordecai, “I have given the house of Haman to Esther. I have had Haman hanged on the very gallows that he’s commissioned to kill Mordecai. Now I give my consent to write a decree according to what is good in your eyes and seal it with the king’s signet ring. However, a law written in the name of the king and sealed with his signet ring may not be repealed.
Herein lies another complication in the story. Haman’s law calling for the extermination of all the Jews living in the Persian Empire could not be revoked. Therefore, his murderous scheme couldn’t be erased, but rather would have to be addressed in some other way. King Ahasuerus gave Haman permission to write and dispatch letters to all of the Jews scattered about the various Persian provinces, but what would they say?
Before moving on to our next point, let me emphasize that the gifts and promises of God are also irrevocable (Romans 11:29). Why wouldn’t they be, as He is unchanging by nature (Malachi 3:6)? Thus, the requirements of the Old Testament law for the forgiveness of sin were not abolished or ignored, but rather had to be perfectly fulfilled by Christ so that He could become our substitute for salvation (Matthew 5:17).
IV. ANOTHER LAW (v9-14)
Mordecai summoned the scribes on the 23rd day of the 3rd month, about 2 months after Haman had originally begun planning his evil scheme (Esther 3:7-11). Mordecai had a decree written, sealed, and hurriedly sent to all 127 provinces in Persia. It was translated into the appropriate language of each recipient. Seeing that the original law could not be repealed, this new law gave the Jewish people the right to assemble and defend themselves against their adversaries on the 13th day of the 12th month when the Jewish slaughter was scheduled to occur. The letters were carried to the provinces by couriers riding on royal steeds and was also decimated throughout the citadel at Susa.
By the king’s authority, Mordecai empowered the Jews people to stand up for themselves and fight back. They no longer were helpless victims to be led as a sheep to slaughter. They could now defend themselves against their enemies. Although Haman had been killed, there were still plenty of Persians who hated the Jews and intended to destroy them. Mordecai’s law gave the Jews a fighting chance.
In His high priestly prayer, Jesus did not ask the Father to take His disciples out of the world, but rather to protect them from the evil one (John 17:15). Although God could, in His omnipotence, remove all threats against His people, He chooses not to. Rather, we as His children are called to stand up against our enemies and fight for the cause of Christ (1 Timothy 6:12). This isn’t a call to physical violence, but rather a call to spiritual warfare as His soldiers adjourned in the armor of God (Ephesians 6:8-10).
V. THE JEWS CELEBRATE (15-17)
Having completed his decree and dispatching the couriers, Mordecai went out of the king’s presence wearing royal robes of blue and white, a golden crown, and a purple linen cloak. The citizens of Susa saw him and were overjoyed. When the letters arrived and were announced throughout the provinces granting the Jews permission to defend themselves, they celebrated and held joyful feasts. Many Persian people converted to Judaism as the dread of the Jews fell upon them.
Earlier in this story, Mordecai had been clothed in sackcloth and ashes mourning the fate of his people. But now, in a complete reversal of fortune, he is wearing royal attire. His regal robes of blue and white match the colors of the modern Jewish flag. The entire city of Susa rejoiced that he had been chosen to replace Haman. Meanwhile, Jews across Persia celebrated - not because they had been saved, but rather because they had been given the opportunity to defend themselves. Recognizing the favor that God granted to them, many Persians became Jewish and placed their faith in Him.
CONCLUSION
So, as we conclude today’s sermon, Mordecai has been promoted to the office of prime minister in place of Haman. Although he is unable to revoke the king’s law calling for the destruction of the Jews, Mordecai has written another law allowing the Jews to defend themselves from upcoming massacre. Thus, a confrontation between the people of God and their enemies is set. Join us next week as we read about this looming conflict.
Most Christians who have heard the story of Esther are quite familiar with chapters 1-7. However, they may not know what happens in chapters 8-10. There is a prevailing assumption that after Haman is killed the king repeals his murderous law and the Jews are saved because of Esther’s bravery. This, however, isn’t actually how the story ends…
This morning we will resume our study through Esther. We will be in chapter 8. I have titled this message, “Mordecai’s Plan to Save the Jews”.
I. MORDECAI’S PROMOTION (v1-2)
After King Ahasuerus had Haman hanged, he gave the house of Haman to Queen Esther. She told him that Mordecai was her cousin and that he had raised her in place of her parents. The king promoted Mordecai to prime minister and gave him the signet ring which he had taken from Haman. Esther then set Mordecai over the house of Haman.
“The house of Haman” would include everything that the king had given to Haman - his house, his wealth, his property, his attendants, and everything else. All of it was given to Esther who then entrusted its management to Mordecai. Furthermore, Mordecai was named “second in command” and given the king’s signet ring. Mordecai, who had already proven his loyalty to the king, effectively replaced Haman.
II. ESTHER’S PETITION (v3-6)
Esther fell weeping at the king’s feet and implored him to repeal Haman’s evil scheme to destroy her people the Jews. He extended his golden scepter to her and she stood to her feet saying, “If it seems good to the king and I have found favor in his sight, may letters be written and sent to all of the provinces in Persia reversing the plan devised by Haman.” She asked, “How could I endure seeing my kinsmen perish?”
This was actually the 2nd time that Esther made her petition to the king. When she originally asked him during her 2nd feast, the king wanted to know whose wicked plan this was. When Esther told him that it was Haman, he became furious and ordered Haman to be hanged. Now that Haman was gone and the king had calmed down, Esther approached him again in hopes of having this law revoked. Her anguish over the prospect of watching the Jews be killed is reminiscent of Isaiah anguishing over the future destruction of Jerusalem (Isaiah 22:4).
III. THE KING’S CONSENT (v7-8)
The king said to Esther and Mordecai, “I have given the house of Haman to Esther. I have had Haman hanged on the very gallows that he’s commissioned to kill Mordecai. Now I give my consent to write a decree according to what is good in your eyes and seal it with the king’s signet ring. However, a law written in the name of the king and sealed with his signet ring may not be repealed.
Herein lies another complication in the story. Haman’s law calling for the extermination of all the Jews living in the Persian Empire could not be revoked. Therefore, his murderous scheme couldn’t be erased, but rather would have to be addressed in some other way. King Ahasuerus gave Haman permission to write and dispatch letters to all of the Jews scattered about the various Persian provinces, but what would they say?
Before moving on to our next point, let me emphasize that the gifts and promises of God are also irrevocable (Romans 11:29). Why wouldn’t they be, as He is unchanging by nature (Malachi 3:6)? Thus, the requirements of the Old Testament law for the forgiveness of sin were not abolished or ignored, but rather had to be perfectly fulfilled by Christ so that He could become our substitute for salvation (Matthew 5:17).
IV. ANOTHER LAW (v9-14)
Mordecai summoned the scribes on the 23rd day of the 3rd month, about 2 months after Haman had originally begun planning his evil scheme (Esther 3:7-11). Mordecai had a decree written, sealed, and hurriedly sent to all 127 provinces in Persia. It was translated into the appropriate language of each recipient. Seeing that the original law could not be repealed, this new law gave the Jewish people the right to assemble and defend themselves against their adversaries on the 13th day of the 12th month when the Jewish slaughter was scheduled to occur. The letters were carried to the provinces by couriers riding on royal steeds and was also decimated throughout the citadel at Susa.
By the king’s authority, Mordecai empowered the Jews people to stand up for themselves and fight back. They no longer were helpless victims to be led as a sheep to slaughter. They could now defend themselves against their enemies. Although Haman had been killed, there were still plenty of Persians who hated the Jews and intended to destroy them. Mordecai’s law gave the Jews a fighting chance.
In His high priestly prayer, Jesus did not ask the Father to take His disciples out of the world, but rather to protect them from the evil one (John 17:15). Although God could, in His omnipotence, remove all threats against His people, He chooses not to. Rather, we as His children are called to stand up against our enemies and fight for the cause of Christ (1 Timothy 6:12). This isn’t a call to physical violence, but rather a call to spiritual warfare as His soldiers adjourned in the armor of God (Ephesians 6:8-10).
V. THE JEWS CELEBRATE (15-17)
Having completed his decree and dispatching the couriers, Mordecai went out of the king’s presence wearing royal robes of blue and white, a golden crown, and a purple linen cloak. The citizens of Susa saw him and were overjoyed. When the letters arrived and were announced throughout the provinces granting the Jews permission to defend themselves, they celebrated and held joyful feasts. Many Persian people converted to Judaism as the dread of the Jews fell upon them.
Earlier in this story, Mordecai had been clothed in sackcloth and ashes mourning the fate of his people. But now, in a complete reversal of fortune, he is wearing royal attire. His regal robes of blue and white match the colors of the modern Jewish flag. The entire city of Susa rejoiced that he had been chosen to replace Haman. Meanwhile, Jews across Persia celebrated - not because they had been saved, but rather because they had been given the opportunity to defend themselves. Recognizing the favor that God granted to them, many Persians became Jewish and placed their faith in Him.
CONCLUSION
So, as we conclude today’s sermon, Mordecai has been promoted to the office of prime minister in place of Haman. Although he is unable to revoke the king’s law calling for the destruction of the Jews, Mordecai has written another law allowing the Jews to defend themselves from upcoming massacre. Thus, a confrontation between the people of God and their enemies is set. Join us next week as we read about this looming conflict.