“Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king’s name, and sealed 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…..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.”  Esther 8:8,11

Haman was no longer a threat to Esther, Mordecai, or the Jewish people.  King Ahasuerus gave Haman’s property to Esther, and she told the king that Mordecai was her cousin.  The king took off his ring that he had previously given to Haman and gave it to Mordecai.  Esther then gave Haman’s property to Mordecai.  However, there was still the problem with the original decree to destroy all Jews.  Once the king issued a decree, sealed it with his signet ring, and put his name to it, it could not be rescinded.  That seems rather harsh, but, I suppose, for the king to issue an order and then completely reverse it would make him look weak and/or like he couldn’t stand behind his own laws.  In the wisdom of our founding fathers, our own Declaration of Independence states that when any form of government becomes destructive and removed from the people, then the people have the right to abolish it and create a new government that will govern the people and protect their safety and rights.  Judging by the direction our nation is going, it seems like this might not be such a bad idea.  However, I don’t see that happening.  We are on a downward spiral, and only a miracle from God can help us.

Since the original couldn’t be rescinded or reversed, the king could write a new declaration for which he called in his scribes at the direction of Mordecai to write a new document.  He couldn’t stop the enemies of the Jews from attacking them, but he gave permission for the Jews to do whatever necessary to defend themselves even if it meant killing those who attacked them.  He also gave permission for the Jews to confiscate any valuables left behind by those whom they killed.  Thus, the Jews could form militias, gather weapons, and be prepared to defend themselves.  This new decree was delivered by what we might call, “pony express”, which was used in the early days of America to deliver mail.  However, these ancient riders did not ride horses, but rather mules and camels.  The Persian Empire was a vast territory, and it likely took some time for this new order to reach the most remote locations, but there were still several months before the enemy was allowed to attack the Jews.

Mordecai, now in a very prestigious position in the palace, donned royal apparel and a crown of gold and went out among the people of Shushan who cheered and rejoiced.  Imagine today how people would react if the leader of Iran, which is modern-day Persia, gave the leader of Israel royal apparel and a crown to wear.  Like that would ever happen!  The people of Iran wouldn’t rejoice; they would protest.  There is so much hatred toward the Jews by not only Muslims, but people in our country, particularly college students, who have no clue as to the danger they are putting themselves in by cursing and threatening the Jewish people.  It is sickening to watch their protests on television.  It makes me think of when Jesus, hanging on the cross, looking down at the people who were cheering His crucifixion, and saying, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

One other positive outcome of God’s rescue of His people was that many Gentiles became Jews because they saw how God prospered and cared for His people.  They also saw what happens to those who fight against God and His chosen people.  Zechariah 8:23 tells us that there would be others who would join with the Jews because they heard that God was with them.  The Living Bible has a different take on this.  It says that many pretended to be Jews because they feared being killed.  I suppose both interpretations are correct.  There would have been genuine Gentile believers in God, and there would have been those who pretended out of fear.

It is strange that both the Jews and their enemies had backing of the king.  Both could show an official document that gave them the right to attack or the right to defend themselves and confiscate possessions.  It was now Adar the 13th, the day when the enemies could attack the Jews.  I suppose that they likely assumed it would be a “piece of cake”, but when they saw such a formidable group of people who were not afraid, the attackers were so threatened by the Jews that they lost the will to fight.  Even the military officers and leaders joined on the side of the Jews.  They actually feared Mordecai because they knew that he had risen to great power and authority.  They also must have known that Haman had planned to kill Mordecai, but the tables were turned, and Haman was the one who was hanged.  Better to submit to Mordecai than die!

Esther requested that Haman’s ten sons be hanged on the gallows even thought they had already been slain.  She desired to send a message out to all of Israel’s enemies that attacks against her people would not be tolerated.  Many of the enemies were killed on the 13th and the 14th of Adar, but the Jews did not take any of the possessions of the ones that they killed.  Mordecai set up the 14th and 15th of Adar as a time of celebration named Purim, and Esther seconded his decree by writing her own letter confirming the days for Purim.

In the account of Esther, Mordecai, Ahasuerus, and Haman we have seen how God protected and preserved His people from utter destruction by evil men who hated Israel and the Jews and desired to annihilate them from off the face of the earth.  In the present situation with Israel and Hamas, we can’t help but wonder:  what will God do to preserve His chosen nation in this day of evil?  While those leading America at this time seem to be wavering in support of Israel, if this wavering continues and our nation’s support of Israel diminishes, we will likely see God’s judgment continue perhaps growing greater and more consequential as each day passes.  God was serious when He said that those who bless His people will be blessed, and those who curse His people will be cursed.  God also said that we reap what we sow.  Maybe sooner than later.