Esther chapter 8 reminds me that being a follower of Christ does not mean we are to be in some way defenseless. Many of the words used to describe Christians have been misunderstood. We are humble when we understand ourselves in relation to the Almighty God. Turning the other cheek does not mean that we allow abuse. We are never instructed to go along with unrighteousness in order to avoid offending someone. As the chapter begins Esther and Mordecai are given honor, but there was still this pesky problem of an edict directing the destruction of the Jewish people. After Haman was hanged, “King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews… The king took off his signet ring, which he had reclaimed from Haman, and presented it to Mordecai“. Now Esther had to intercede on behalf of her kin. “Esther again pleaded with the king… to put an end to the evil plan of Haman… against the Jews“. The king’s law could not be repealed once issued, which meant the calamity was still at hand. “If it pleases the king… let an order be written overruling the dispatches… For how can I bear to see disaster fall on my people?” There have been arenas of battle that believers have avoided because they are so unsavory. As a result, corruption reins. People of faith are ridiculed, God’s standards are intentionally blurred and good people wonder what they can do. Do you feel powerless against the cultural tides? The example of the chapter is to stand united against evil with both words and actions.
King Xerxes instructed Esther and to Mordecai to “Write another decree in the king’s name in 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“. How do you undo a law that cannot be changed? Cleverly, Mordecai reminded the people of God to unite and fight. Even young children know the key to chaos is to divide and conquer. And the enemies of God have used that technique to their advantage from the beginning of time. “The king’s edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate any armed force of any nationality or province that might attack them and their women and children; and to plunder the property of their enemies.” The people had to let minor differences fall away in order to unite in their bigger goal. We must speak out against wrongs when they violate God’s standards. Notice the battle is not for individual rights, but God’s Righteousness. It is important to put action behind our understanding of God’s truth, or how will others know? James 1:22 reminds us to “be doers of the word, and not hearers only“.
The chapter ends with urgently getting the word out to the entire region that the people of God will fight back. “A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued as law in every province and made known to the people of every nationality so that the Jews would be ready on that day to avenge themselves on their enemies“. And notice the excitement when the Jews joined together. “In every province and in every city, wherever the edict of the king went, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating“. Our biggest obstacle is intimidation. Those that resist God’s standards will try to make you feel that you are in the minority and your faith should be kept quiet. But when men and women of faith speak out publicly, others are encouraged. “Mordecai left the king’s presence wearing royal garments… For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor… And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them“. Now is not the time to remain silent. During the time of Roman persecution the apostle Paul publicly declared, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). What about you?