Esther Saves the Jews

 

8:1-2                The state took possession of any properties of those condemned as criminals.  Mordecai became “Prime Minister” of the kingdom with full authority as Haman had and he was given the property of his enemy.  Haman’s wealth, power, and title now belonged to his enemy, Mordecai.

8:3-4                Esther falls prostrate before the king to plead for her people, the Jews.  She proves she is not self-serving by asking for mercy for her people after she is already safe.

8:5-6                Esther reminds the king that Haman’s plan extended to all provinces of the kingdom.  She requests an overruling decree, and is careful to show that this was all Haman’s doing and not the king’s.

8:7-8                Xerxes gives Esther and Mordecai permission to write a neutralizing decree since the original one could not be revoked even by the king himself.  They could choose the wording and seal it with the king’s signet ring.

8:9-10              Two months and ten days after Haman’s decree, Mordecai has another decree drawn up.  It is written in every language known and sealed as the king.  It is brought with haste to all the provinces.

8:11-14            The new edict was almost an image of Haman’s original decree against the Jews.  Even the wording mimicked the original.  The appointed day for this to occur is the same day as Haman’s decree, and gave the Jews time to prepare.  Xerxes’ indifference to human life is seen here as he allows his own subjects to be killed by the Jews and was already willing to allow all Jews to be murdered.  This was the only way he could counteract the original decree.  This new edict was made known everywhere so all knew that the Jews would be ready to fight back.  The new decree was also declared within the citadel of Susa.

8:15-17            Mordecai was given all the outward articles that Haman wanted, which shows the power of his position and authority.  There was great joy and celebrating in all the provinces.  Fear of the Jews and the complete turn-around of circumstances because of the Jews, caused many to become Jews or join allegiance to them.  This shows the emptiness of whatever they believed in before too.

 

The Jews Destroy Their Enemies

 

9:1-4                The day arrived!  Nothing is mentioned of the nine months of preparation from chapter 8.  Mordecai has obviously remained in his position and all the leaders know him and are afraid so they all side with the Jews.   The foreigners side with the Jews also.  Only the remaining enemies are going to attack but the Jews surely have the upper hand.  The Jews were ready and were given full approval from the king.  They not only defended, but they attacked their enemies.

9:5-10              The Jews showed no mercy but aggressively attacked and pursued their enemies.  They also launched this attack inside the citadel of Susa where all the important officials dwelled.  They killed the 10 sons of Haman who were in official positions, along with 500 men in the citadel.  However, they did not take any plunder as allowed by the edict.  Their motive was NOT for personal gain.

9:11-17            The king is made aware of the deaths in the citadel and wonders what the status is in all the provinces.  This was an impressive event to him.  He asks the queen what else she might want.  He wanted to please her above anything.  She asks and it is decreed that the 10 sons of Haman are hung on a gallows and the attack by the Jews is allowed to continue only within the citadel of Susa, where 300 more men are killed the next day.  In the provinces, 75,000 were killed the thirteenth day of the twelfth month.  They rested the next day while the attack was continuing in the citadel.  Note that no plunder was taken by any of the Jews on either day.

 

The Feast of Purim Inaugurated

 

9:18-22            The Jews in the provinces celebrated the victory on the 14^th day in Susa, the Jews were attacking their enemies and they celebrated on the 15^th.  Mordecai recorded all this and then wrote a decree for an annual celebration (Purim) to be conducted on both the 14^th and the 15^th of the month Adar, with feasting and joy and giving of presents to each other for the deliverance that the Jews received on these days.

9:23-28            The feast of Purim is described and instituted by the Jews.  There is no mention of God instituting this feast as most others were.  It shall be a perpetual celebration for all generations.

9:29-32            Esther together with Mordecai write a letter to the 127 provinces establishing everything to do with celebrating Purim.  This letter confirmed and made official everything in Mordecai’s first letter or decree.

 

The Greatness of Mordecai

 

10:1-3  The king documents everything for the records and describes the power given to Mordecai the Jew.