Esther 8
17 verses
Esther, emboldened by Mordecai's elevation, appeals to the king to reverse Haman's decree of Jewish destruction, and though the king cannot legally revoke his previous edict, he grants Mordecai authority to write a new decree protecting the Jews. The new decree permits Jews to assemble and defend themselves against any attack, transforming them from passive victims marked for death into active agents of self-preservation authorized by imperial law. The joy of the Jewish community contrasts sharply with their previous despair, and many Persians convert to Judaism out of fear and respect for the Jewish people's newfound position of favor. The reversal of fortunes is so complete that the Jews are now positioned not as a vulnerable minority to be destroyed but as a threat sufficiently powerful to deter aggression. This chapter emphasizes that salvation often involves not the elimination of opposition but the transformation of one's legal and social position to enable self-defense and community flourishing. The Jews' vindication serves as a sign that God does not abandon His covenant people, even when they are dispersed and living under foreign sovereignty.
VERSES IN THIS CHAPTER
1
On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews’ enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her.
0 0Open verse page →
God is faithful in every circumstance.. The early church would have heard this very differently than we do today. Faith ...
2
And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.
1 0Open verse page →
3
And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews.
0 0Open verse page →
Following God is costly, but the reward is eternal.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. What a reminder that God's ...
4
Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king,
1 0Open verse page →
God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. Reading the Psalms alongside this gives ...
5
And said, If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the king’s provinces:
1 0Open verse page →
6
For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?
0 1Open verse page →
7
Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews.
0 1Open verse page →
8
Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s ring: for the writing which is written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s ring, may no man reverse.
0 0Open verse page →
9
Then were the king’s scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.
0 1Open verse page →
God is faithful in every circumstance.. The promise here is not conditional on our strength but on His character.. God i...
10
And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus’ name, and sealed it with the king’s ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries:
1 0Open verse page →
11
Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey,
0 0Open verse page →
12
Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar.
0 1Open verse page →
13
The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.
0 0Open verse page →
14
So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king’s commandment. And the decree was given at Shushan the palace.
0 0Open verse page →
15
And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.
0 0Open verse page →
16
The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.
0 0Open verse page →
17
And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.
0 0Open verse page →
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
No notes on this chapter yet. Be the first to write one!