A Decree helps the Jews

The Book of Esther Chapter 8

On the same day that Haman was hanged, the King gave the estate of Haman to Queen Esther. Then Mordecai was brought before the king, for Esther had told the king how they were related. The king took off his signet ring - which he had taken back from Haman- and gave it to Mordecai and Esther appointed Mordecai to be in charge of Haman's property.

Once more Esther fell down before the king and begged him with tears to stop Haman's evil plot against the Jews. Again the king held out the gold scepter to her and she rose and stood before him. She told the king if he was pleased with her and thought it right, to sent out a decree reversing Haman's orders to destroy the Jews throughout the provinces of the king.

The king said to Esther and Mordecai that he had given Esther Haman's estate and hung him on the gallows because he tried to destroy the Jews. He told them to go ahead and send a message to the Jews in the king's name, telling them whatever necessary, and seal it with the king's ring. But, he warned, that whatever is written in the king's name and sealed with his ring can never be revoked.

On June 25th the king's secretaries were summoned and Mordecai dictated and they wrote a decree to the Jews and all officials in the provinces and sealed the message with the king's signet ring and sent out swift messengers.

The message gave the Jews in every city authority to unite to defend their lives and to kill, slaughter and annihilate anyone of any nationality who might attack them or their wives and children, and to take the property of their enemies. Then Mordecai put on the royal robe and a crown of gold and the people of Susa celebrated the new decree. The jews were filled with joy and gladness and were honored everywhere. And many of the people became Jews themselves, for they feared what the Jews might do to them.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: It was an interesting thing to have a new decree that in a sense did not cancel out the old decree of Haman's. Because the old message had also been sealed with the king's signet and could not be reversed, even by the king. You shall see how this works in the next chapter.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? While we should not expect earthly rewards for being faithful to God, they often come. Like Esther and Mordecai who risked their lives to save others and were willing to give up everything, God rewarded them for their commitment. He can do the same for you today. But few of us are willing to pay the price like Mordecai. The price of long-term commitment. Think about it, are you willing? If so, God can bring you sweet contentment and sometimes praise, honor and wealth.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH:
Update on my niece Suzanne, she is healing but her leg was crushed and will take many months of doctoring. She is in a nursing home for rehab care. Pray for her healing. Also Gabe, Wanda, Pray for Janice Long’s parents, especially her mother whose cancer has returned and her father with Alzheimer’s and now her mother in law also with Alzheimer’s. Their family is feeling the strain both emotionally and financially. Pray for them. Update on this family: Her mother-in-law is being taken to Oklahoma to live with an aunt who will care for her.
Pray for Arlene’s nephew David and for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life.
Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer.
Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS.
Pray for Cyndi Sullivan who made it six years with cancer but may now go home with hospice in her final days.
Pray for my cousin Diane who had total mastectomy surgery for breast cancer.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has her speech back and is home , but continues to have a problem with one arm and hand. Thanks to your prayers, she is able to hobble without a cane and has been granted disability. She still has surgery scheduled on her hand, but I saw her recently and her attitude is fantastic.
Pray for Robert Sargent who is quite ill with lung cancer.
Pray for Judy’s husband who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Pray for her too, that she can deal with the side effects of his illness.
Pray too for Charly’s husband Robert who is undergoing chemo for his prostate cancer.
Pray for John’s recovery from a heart attack and for the doctors who have difficulty diagnosing his other symptoms.
Pray for James’s sister Cynthia whose chemo has lost its effect as the cancer grows powerful.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake, survivors of the devastating tornadoes in our southernmost states and Joplin, Missouri. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.