Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Ten Sons Killed and Spoil Left Esther 9:10 - Equipped for Battle

Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha, Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha, Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai, and Vajezatha, were the names of the ten sons of Haman. We learned that their names meant: Given by prayer, dripping, the enticed gathered,fruitfulness or frustration, I shall be drawn up of Jah, the lion of the decree, superior, lion of my banners, the lion is enough, and strong as the wind. In chapter nine and verse ten we discover what the Jews did to these ten sons of their enemy. We read:

The ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, slew they; but on the spoil laid they not their hand.

The verse begins, “The ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, slew they;” We notice first of all that Haman's father is listed among these enemies of the Jews - “Hammedatha” which means “double”. It appears that this was a generational hatred that was passed down by the grandfather of these ten sons. Regardless of the nature of the length of time involved, the Jews were able to defeat these foes by slaying them.

The verse goes on to say, “ but on the spoil laid they not their hand.” It was a normal course of action for the victors to take of the spoils left by their adversaries after defeating them, and it was noted earlier in chapter eight and verse one that Queen Esther was given the house of Haman. Perhaps those who defeated these sons knew that everything within their houses belonged to Queen Esther, and the Jews who destroyed the sons of Haman were contented just to have the victory over them. Knowing that these sons of Haman were no longer a threat was more than likely all the “spoils” they needed.

When we examine the names of the sons of Haman there almost seems to be a message within them. Compiled together we might remember the prayers and fasting of Mordecai and his call for all the Jews to do the same throughout the Persian empire – a dripping so to speak. Enemies were gathered against them, and although they thought they would destroy the Jews, the Jews were drawn up by God because the lion of the decree was superior, a banner, enough and strong as the wind. This may be just a coincidence that the names align in such a manner as this, however there is one thing for sure – the enemies of the Jews were defeated. These ten sons of Haman, grandsons of Hammedatha were slain, and the opposition to God's chosen people was destroyed. The question is, “Do we believe that God works in our lives in such a manner that even within the names of the children of our enemies His mighty plan would be revealed?” Perhaps as we ponder the ten names of the sons of Haman and the meaning of those names, we will be encouraged that God indeed does have a plan well in advance of our knowing anything about it.

Next time we will see a report given to the king of those killed within the palace, 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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