Esther 7 concluded with the execution of Haman. Though Haman purposed in his heart to have God’s people annihilated, God purposed in his heart to save them. And so, as we continue in Eshter 8, God’s plan for the Jews is revealed. Esther 8:1 says that on the same day Haman was killed, King Xerxes gave Haman’s estate to Queen Esther. Esther then finally introduced the king to Mordecai and revealed their relation to one another. The king then gave Mordecai Haman’s signet ring and Esther appointed Mordecai in charge of Haman’s estate.
This turn of events magnifies the power and authority of God. To the Jews, it may have looked as if all hope was lost. The most powerful authoritative leaders in their provinces legalized their execution. The death of God’s people meant nothing to King Xerxes or to Haman. They drank wine with one another after they agreed to destroy them, and they had no intention of reversing the execution of the Jews. But God did—God intended to save his people.
So, we know that it does not matter what people’s plans or intentions are. If people intend to do us harm, we know that God intends to do us good. If people plan to destroy us, we know that God intends to save us. No matter what our enemies have planned, it will not prevail if we our God’s people. Take heart in knowing that despite the enemy’s evil intentions, God’s good intentions is what will ultimately prevail.
Yet, it should be noted that although Haman was killed in the previous chapter, his plan to end the Jews was still in play. In Esther 3, the decree to destroy the Jews was written in the king’s name and sealed with his signet ring. Any document written in the king’s name and sealed with his ring could not be revoked. Therefore, Haman being destroyed was not the end of the Jew’s battle. The active decree to annihilate God’s people was still a major threat. Thus, Queen Esther wept at King Xerxes’s feet for a resolution.
“If it pleases the king,” Esther said in Esther 8:5, “and if he regards me with favor and thinks it the right thing to do, and if he is pleased with me, let an order be written overruling the dispatches that Haman devised.” I am sure Esther was aware that any decree written by the king could not be revoked. Nevertheless, she pleaded with the king to overrule the decree.
Sometimes, we are faced with devastating news or situations and those situations may be deemed permanent. Those things may be ruled as irreversible or unchangeable. But if we move in faith like Esther, maybe we can witness the move of the unmovable.
First and foremost, we should, like Esther, ask ourselves and ask God, “Does this request please the king? Does this prayer please God?” Sometimes, we don’t pray what we ought to pray, so we should ask ourselves if our petition pleases God. We should also wonder if God is pleased with us. These questions will put our petitions in the right perspective. And of course, if God is not pleased with our petitions or our ways, he will lovingly steer us in the right direction.
Esther asked these questions and placed her request before the king. In Esther 8:8, King Xerxes responded, “Write another decree in the king’s name on behalf of the Jews as seems best to you, and seal it with the king’s signet ring—for no document written in the king’s name and sealed with his ring can be revoked.”
And just like that, there was a solution to the irreversible. Another decree was written that granted the Jews the right to assemble and protect themselves against the first decree written to destroy them. This decree, like the first one, was sent to all 127 provinces under King Xerxes’ reign. Therefore, everyone was aware of how the tide had turned in favor of the Jews.
At the conclusion of the chapter, Mordecai left the king’s presence decked out in royal garments. He sported blue and white garments, a purple linen robe, and a large golden crown. It is also written that the Jews were overcome with joy and celebrated with feasting in every province under the king’s reign. The stark contrast between Esther 4 and Esther 8 is astonishing.
The Jews went from weeping and wailing in Esther 4 to celebrating and feasting in Esther 8. Mordecai went from wearing sackcloth and ashes in Esther 4 to royal robes and a crown in Esther 8. The power that God possesses to turn our sorrow into joy and our sadness into gladness is mind-blowing. I am so very glad that we are given access to the same God today through his Son, Jesus Christ.
What God did for the Jews then can be done for us now. No matter how devastating something may be, God can turn it around. Don’t allow something that is deemed irreversible stop you from petitioning your King. Although King Xerxes’s first decree was not banished, the second decree overruled it. God can overrule any permanent condition we may encounter, but it is up to us to first believe that he can overrule it, and then to ask that he will.
Another applicable lesson for us is just as Haman, the enemy of God’s people, was defeated then, our enemy, Satan, is defeated now. However, Satan’s plan to destroy us still remains. His plans to annihilate us is active today just as Haman’s plan was still active for the Jews then. But Haman’s plan was overruled because Esther asked that it would be.
Therefore, ask God to overrule every lie and attack that the enemy has devised for you, your family, and your loved ones. The king’s second decree gave the Jews the right to fight against their enemy. That decree equipped them to stand against anyone who opposed them.
Thank God that the same is done for us. Ephesians 6:11 tells us to put on the full armor of God, so that we can stand against the devil’s schemes. Therefore, regardless of the enemy’s plans or anyone else’s negative tactics towards us, we are equipped if we put on the full armor of God.
Esther 8 teaches us many things. It teaches us that God can turn our sadness to gladness. It teaches us that we should pray for solutions to irreversible situations. And it teaches us that even if things aren’t completely reversed, God equips us to overcome whatever we may face.
So, this chapter should encourage you. This chapter shows you that God is good and so is his plan. This chapter shows you that technically, nothing is irreversible if God chooses to intervene. And this chapter shows you that through the grace of God, you are equipped.
Quin Arrington is a wife, mother, and author. Her books ( Good Success, A Spacious Place (nonfiction) and According to the Power (fiction) are now available for purchase. Click here if interested:
Thank you for your time. God bless!
Comments