The celebration of the Jews
began because the edict to destroy them could be defended against in
the kingdom of Persia. Although people from everywhere in the one
hundred and twenty-seven provinces were commanded to destroy the Jews
by a first law inspired by wicked deceased Haman, the subsequent law
inspired by Mordecai and Queen Esther would allow the Jews to take up
arms against anyone who attempted their demise. The Jews had light,
gladness, joy and honor, and in chapter eight verse seventeen we see
more of their celebration and how it affected others around them. We
read:
And in every province,
and in every city, wherever the king's commandment and his decree
came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many
of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell
upon them.
The
verse begins, “And in every province, and in every city,
wherever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy
and gladness, a feast and a good day.” As a repetition to the
exuberance stated within verse sixteen, we read of the expanse of the
celebration - “in every province.” We can almost imagine
the Jews when they heard the news of the couriers of the new law. As
these posts rode into their towns and villages on mules and camels
and read the new decree from the king, the Jews “had joy and
gladness”, and they held “feasts” and declared it a
“good day”.
The
verse goes on to say, “And many of the people of the land became
Jews;” The effect of the Jews was so demonstrative that others
around them became Jews because of it. Those who thought themselves
once to benefit by destroying Jews, because they could ransack their
wares should they defeat them, actually became Jews themselves. This
was a testimony to the effect that the Jews' joy and gladness had
upon their neighbors. Their lives were lived before others in such a
manner that they were proselyted into their religion. In other words
they left their idolatry, held to the Jewish beliefs, and served the
one and true living God.
Finally
the verse says, “for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.” The
reason stated for the Jews' neighbors alignment with them was “for
fear of the Jews”. Perhaps as they heard of the fate of Haman
a fear went throughout the land, and when those around them
considered the Jews, they saw them as a formidable foe. We can
imagine the thoughts of the Persians when they heard how the tables
turned upon Haman, and now that the queen and the second man in
charge were known to be Jews, there was a definite threat for
opposing them. Nonetheless, the effect throughout the kingdom was
conversion of many to the Jewish religion.
How do
others see our lives lived before them? Do we demonstrate the
salvation of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in such a manner that
others are attracted to Him? Do we have joy and gladness in our lives
because we too have been delivered from our enemy Satan who would
have us to be destroyed? Are others looking upon us with a fearful
reverence because we are so connected to the King of Kings? Perhaps
as we ponder this verse today we will think about the effect that we
are having upon our neighbors? If they look at our lives and the ways
we conduct ourselves, are they willing to leave their idols to serve
the true and living God? May the Lord help us to examine ourselves to
see if we are in the faith and living in a godly manner for others to
see.
Next
time we shall begin a new chapter and see the beginning of the Jews
defense, 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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