Queen Esther has humbly
pleaded to King Ahasuerus that her people the Jews be allowed one
further day to defend themselves against anyone who would come
against them. She also desired that the ten sons of Haman be hung on
gallows. In chapter nine and verse fourteen we see the king's
response to her request. We read:
And the king commanded
it so to be done: and the decree was given at Shushan; and they
hanged Haman's ten sons.
The
verse begins, “And the king commanded it so to be done; and the
decree was given at Shushan;” Let us note first that “the
king commanded...” In other words, another Persian law was put
into effect. Though the king was limited in his power to change or
alter a law once it was written, he did have the power to make new
laws to counteract previous ones. Secondly, let's notice that it was
important to the writer that the location of the decree be told - “at
Shushan”. We read previously where five hundred men were slain
within the palace a Shushan. This must have been a great loss for the
king in some measure, and yet this decree in answer to Esther's
request is made there. No doubt by doing this the king established
for certain to all who would take knowledge that he was on the side
of the Jews.
The
verse goes on to say, “and they hanged Haman's ten sons.”
To demonstrate he was in full agreement with Esther once again, King
Ahasuerus orders the hanging of the ten sons of Haman. Once again
this was a public demonstration that would show everyone that they
should never come against the Jewish people in the manner of Haman
again. No doubt the king and Esther's message was clearly seen.
What
would we desire of God if we could have anything we asked? Would it
be riches? Fame? Notoriety? Wealth? Would it be health, social status
or educational advancement? When we consider the request of Esther,
we might discover that she was not thinking only of herself. No,
rather, Esther had her people the Jews in mind. She could have
indulged herself with her own personal desires and we might suppose
that the king would have granted her wishes, but she chose to
understand that God Almighty put her “in such a time as this”
that she might be used to save His people. As we ponder this verse
perhaps we too will have others in mind, or possibly our current
situations will rise to the top of our thoughts, and we may wonder,
“Does God have me with these people and “in such a time as
this” that I too might intercede to Him on their behalf?”
Next
time we will look at more of the Jews' acts of 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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