READ: Esther 8
This
portion of the story reveals the destiny of the Jews after Esther’s brave
request. Esther is not finished with the role she has been called to; clearly
by the king’s response, she is safe
from slaughter, but the edict against the Jews remains an irreversible proclamation.
Esther’s love for her people is revealed as she weeps at the king’s feet,
pleading for something to be done for the cause of the Jews. Unlike King
Hezekiah who, when he was told of the calamity that would come to his family
after his death said, “The word of the Lord is good; at least this won’t happen
in my lifetime!” (see 2 Kings
20:16-19), Esther’s own salvation was not good enough for her. She fought for
the welfare of her people, begging the king to provide some sort of protection
for them.
Though
his initial decree cannot be revoked, Xerxes puts forth a second command – that
all Jews have full permission to fight back on the 13th day of the
12th month if anyone should try to attack them. The end of the
chapter describes the joy that spread throughout the Jews in the land – a far
cry from the mourning that overtook them with the king’s original edict. With
the king and queen on their side, fear of the Jews spreads across the land!
This is another evidence of God’s sovereign hand guiding the events of the
story, and gives us a glimpse of what it means to have a fear of the Lord: when
we see people and circumstances change in miraculous ways, our eyes are opened
to the incomprehensible power of God, who is sovereign over all things and all people. This should cause us to fall on our knees before Him –
if we don’t do it now, we certainly will someday (see Phil 2:10-11).
JOURNALING AND PRAYER
1. Esther
had a true love for her people. Esther’s “people” were the Jews; in comparison,
our “people” is the church. Unfortunately some of the biggest hurts happen
within the church; but we are called to love each other, and if we can’t love
our brothers and sisters in Christ, who can
we love? Do you love the people in the church?
a. Ask
God to show you how you are doing at walking out the commandment to “love your
neighbour as yourself”. Let Him encourage you in the good things you are doing
and convict you where you need to step it up.
b. Ask God
for an active step in loving someone from the church today.
2. Think
back over the story of Esther that you have read so far – how do see God’s all-powerful,
sovereign nature throughout the story? Our God is ALL powerful, ALL knowing,
ALL wise! What does this mean for you today? Think of a specific struggle you
are dealing with: how does God want to use this truth to encourage you?
