Day 8: Chapter 8
The beginning of chapter 8 is much like that of chapter 3. Instead of the king giving his ring to Haman, he now gives it to Mordecai. The fall of Haman has been balanced by the rise of Mordecai, the one he tried to destroy. God, in his sovereignty, had intervened and justice reigned.
However, the Jewish nation was still at risk. Were Mordecai and Esther at risk? No. Esther and Mordecai had been wise, and had garnered the King’s love and approval through wise and prudent dealings with him. They could have lived on, secure in the power of the king.
But… Esther risks her life and falls before the king weeping, begging him to end the edict against the Jewish Nation. The king does just that, and more. Read verses 11-13. The king gives the Jews many rights, and as a result, “many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them.”
Isn’t that just like God? When the Jews were on the brink of annihilation, God stepped in and not only saved them, but ensured that they prospered and grew in numbers. In what part of your life do you need this to happen?
Also, think of how the Jews felt in chapter 3. There was “great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing. Many lay in sackcloth and ashes.” Now, “there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating.” God is in charge, sovereign over all situations, and can turn our mourning into dancing. Trusting him, as Esther trusted, can bring about joy into the most difficult of circumstances.
Key Verse(s):
“For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor” ~ Esther 8:16
Questions to ponder:
- Is there a cause for which you would risk your life?
- What in your life is diminishing, and you’d like to see it grow? Just like the nation of Israel, they were at risk, and God increased their numbers!
- Where do you need joy to replace mourning in your life?
