The Jews had begun their
defense all over the Persian empire against enemies whose purpose was
to destroy them. With the sword, slaughter and destruction, Jews were
doing anything they desired with those who hated them. In chapter
nine and verse six, we see the Jews domination even in the palace
located in Shushan where we read:
And in Shushan the
palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men.
Our
verse begins, “And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and
destroyed...” Let's imagine this scene for a moment. The
thirteenth day of the twelfth month Adar arrived, and all over the
Persian kingdom Jews were defending themselves against attackers. One
of those attack spots was within the palace of Shushan? Shushan?
Where Queen Esther and Mordecai lived? The month of Adar corresponded
to the modern day March-April, and we remember that the palace at
Shushan was used for the winter months by the Persian kings, but this
seems to indicate that there were enemies of the Jews even within the
very palace of the King himself.
The
verse goes on to say, “...and destroyed five hundred men.”
There were not just a few who opposed the Jews within the palace, but
“five hundred” of them. This word “palace” can
be translated “citadel” and might mean there were five
hundred men against them who were located in the proximity of the
palace, but nonetheless, five hundred of them were defended against
and killed during the Jews retaliation. The overwhelming idea is to
help us understand that the Jewish resistance against those who hated
them was widespread and complete.
When we
consider the attack by the enemy of the Jews in their own homes, we
may be reminded that the enemy of our soul will attack us in the
places we live as well. Opposition to our walk with the Lord Jesus
will be encountered everyday, and the example of the Jews defeating
their enemies is an inspiration for having victory over ours. Maybe
the next time a battle seems to be brewing within our “palace” we
too will call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and destroy any
mayhem our enemy may desire to cause in our homes.
Next
time we will look at the first three of ten cities within which the
Jews were victorious, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation” and the new marriage book “So, You Want
to Be Married” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ;
www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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