by Beverly Barnett
Monday, May 6
The King Permits the Jews To Fight
Esther 8:9-14
“The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies,” Esther 8:13.
“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).
King Ahasuerus allowed circumstances to rule his decisions. He had already sent out a decree to kill all the Jews and confiscate their possessions, but when Haman’s evil plan was discovered, Mordecai became the new hero. The king sent out a new decree allowing the Jews to defend themselves. Ahasuerus’ pride caused a civil war in his kingdom between the Jews and Persians. Many people suffered and died in a war they did not ask for nor wanted.
Satan rises up with great fury to destroy God’s people using people such as Haman. Whenever the Hamans rise up, God always has a Mordecai to stand in the gap. We need to learn from Mordecai to trust God in times of great struggle. God will always deliver His people.
REFLECTION: Jesus has told us that we will face persecution in this lifetime, but He also reassures us that He has overcome the world.
May 6, 2019 at 10:20
Wally, thanks for these good lessons from Esther! You’ve given me an idea for a post which ties into the Jewish holiday of Purim, which commemorates the saving of the Jewish people from Haman.
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May 6, 2019 at 13:07
Cool I’ll look forward to that!
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May 6, 2019 at 13:58
Thanks, Wally! I spent a ton of time researching my Polish history and culture back in my prodigal “season” and ended up focusing on the subject of Polish-Jewish relations. Talk about anti-Semitism! 1930s Poland wasn’t as bad as its next-door neighbor, Nazi Germany, but it wasn’t far behind. Anyway, the Esther series reminded me of an annual anti-Semitic “event” in Poland that I’ll get into in the post.
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May 6, 2019 at 18:44
Amen.:)
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