Saturday, December 14, 2013

Letters Sealed and Sent Esther 8:10 - Equipped for Battle

The irreversible law of the Persians was written, and because of the inspiration of wicked Haman, the Jews were scheduled to be exterminated. What was the king to do when his wife Queen Esther revealed that she and her cousin Mordecai who saved the king's life were also Jews? The appeal from Esther was that he save she and her people, so the king allowed for Mordecai to devise a new law that would allow for a defense for the Jews. In chapter eight and verse ten we see what Mordecai did with the law through the king's scribes and how they spread it throughout the land. We read:

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:

The verse begins, “And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus' name, and sealed it with the king's ring,...” With absolute authority Mordecai made sure the new law was written to allow for the Jews to defend themselves. We remember that the king elevated Mordecai to the position of number two in the kingdom after Esther told him he was her cousin, and now he is taking full advantage of his position. He also used the king's seal of approval which was provided to him as proof that the king himself authorized the new law. When others saw the king's name and the king's seal, they would know that the king himself approved of the new command.

The verse goes on to say, “and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries:” If the king's name and seal were all that done, there would have been no notice of the new law spread throughout the kingdom. Mordecai was wise enough to be sure that postmen on horsebacks, riders on mules, camels, and young mares were sent as agents to spread the news. Mordecai desired that this new law be known throughout all the one hundred and twenty-seven provinces so that no one would be unaware of the edict to defend.

As we consider Mordecai's actions, we note that it “just so happened” that he was in the position to have all these things done. Let's think about it for a few moments. First, Esther is selected as queen. Then there is an edict to rid the kingdom of the Jews. Mordecai challenges Esther to use her position for “such a time as this”, and she held two banquets in which the latter was used to indict Haman. Haman was hung on his own gallows which was built for Mordecai, and after revealing that Mordecai was her cousin, the king promoted him to second in command. Is there anything about all these “coincidences” that seem just a little conspired? Let us not forget that while things looked bleak for both Esther and Mordecai at one point in this story, God knew all along what he was going to do. The Almighty was behind the scenes as far as observation from their standpoint is concerned, but He was very active in the hindermost. Could it be that when we wonder if the Lord Jesus is seeing our situations that He is working behind the scenes for us as well? Let us trust Him dear ones. He has a plan for us too.

Next time we will see the king's answer to the edict to destroy the Jews, 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



No comments:

Post a Comment