The scene was set, and the
time had come. It was the thirteenth day of the twelfth month Adar,
and enemies of the Jews were ready to attack them according to the
first edict sent out by King Ahasuerus and inspired by Haman. If they
killed the Jews, they would be entitled to confiscate their
belongings, and although many of their foes were in fear, still some
who hated the Jews were going to attack them anyway. In chapter nine
and verse five see see the results of these vicious attacks. We read:
Thus the Jews smote all
their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and
destruction, and did what they would unto those that hated them.
The
verse begins, “Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with
the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction,...”
Because there was such a fear
upon the enemies of the Jews, when they did attack, the Jews “smote
all their enemies”. Let us
notice that it wasn't just a few of them, but “all”
of them, and the way they did it was active – “with the
stroke of the sword”; complete
– with “slaughter”
which means a slaying or killing; and with “destruction”
which comes from a root word
which means perish, vanish, go astray, or be destroyed. None
of the Jews' enemies could withstand their defense.
The
verse goes on to say, “and did what they would unto those that
hated them.” Not only did the Jews use their swords, slaughter
and destruction upon all their enemies, but they also did whatever
they wanted to those who hated them. It was as if there was no
resistance to the Jews retaliation at all. This was a thorough defeat
everywhere in the Persian empire, and if anyone, anywhere attempted
to come against them, the Jews were more than able to defend. This
victory was comprehensive and complete.
When we
are in alignment with the Almighty God and His Son Jesus Christ, we
have the greatest defense available to us. As He was with the Jews,
so with us shall He be. Our enemies may be physical or spiritual such
as these who hated and opposed the Jews, but in whatever state they
come we can be reminded of what Isaiah the prophet said in chapter
fifty four and verse seventeen:
No weapon that is
formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that
shall rise against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is
the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is
of me, says the LORD.
Our part
in the battles within life is to rely upon, trust in, and cling to
the Lord Jesus while He equips us to defeat the foes who are against
us. Let us be inspired by the complete destruction of the enemies of
the Jews so that we will boldly defend against those who hate us. May
our victory be as complete as the Jews who depended upon the Almighty
God for their defense.
Next
time we shall examine what the Jews did to those who were in the
palace in Shushan, 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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