Esther chapter 8 - The King's Edict in Behalf of the Jews

Esther chapter 8.

Summary:  Queen Esther pleaded again with King Xerxes for the lives of her people and her family. King Xerxes finally decided to give Esther and Mordecai a "blank check" on what best CounterAction to preserve the lives of the Jews. Mordecai wrote out the edict/decree sealed by the King, authorizing all the Jews the right to organise to arm, defend, and attack their enemies on the same day that their enemies were authorized to kill and destroy them. 

The King's Edict in Behalf of the Jews.

8 That same day King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came into the presence of the king, for Esther had told how he was related to her. 2 The king took off his signet ring, which he had reclaimed from Haman, and presented it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed him over Haman’s estate. (NIV)

The King gave the estate of Haman (house. land, money) to Queen Esther. Although Esther did not ask God for wealth and riches, somehow God had made way for Esther to gain abundance of wealth.

Esther had introduced her guardian and cousin was Mordecai. King also remembered Mordecai as the foreign man who saved his life from assassination plot by his officers. King owed his life to Mordecai. Queen Esther, an orphan, also owed her life to Mordecai, who raised her up. What a coincidence.

Mordecai came into the King's presence.  King Xerxes had a chat with Mordecai. King expressed his gratitude to Mordecai.

Esther had never asked for any of her relatives and friends to be promoted in any government position yet. King felt it was rightful to give a government post to Esther's cousin who also helped save his life.

Subsequently, King Xerxes appointed Mordecai to take over Haman's job.  What a big promotion was given to Mordecai.

God has his plans. His plans for the good of the people. We may not know His plan for us. At times, it seems to be bad. Eventually, things turn out to be better.

The Jews were taken as captives to Babylon and its empire. Then, a Jewish girl became the wife and Queen of the King. At one time, it seemed that the Jews would be annihilated, Esther managed to talk to the King, and the King executed the man responsible for planning to annihilate the Jews. Another Jewish was appointed the most powerful position, second after the King. All these were part of God's greater plan, to show that God loves his people, and would not forsake them.

3 Esther again pleaded with the king, falling at his feet and weeping. She begged him to put an end to the evil plan of Haman the Agagite, which he had devised against the Jews. 4 Then the king extended the gold scepter to Esther and she arose and stood before him.

5 “If it pleases the king,” she said, “and if he regards me with favor and thinks it the right thing to do, and if he is pleased with me, let an order be written overruling the dispatches that Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, devised and wrote to destroy the Jews in all the king’s provinces. 6 For how can I bear to see disaster fall on my people? How can I bear to see the destruction of my family?”  (NIV)

3 Then Esther spoke again to the king; she fell at his feet and besought him with tears to avert the evil design of Haman the Ag′agite and the plot which he had devised against the Jews. 4 And the king held out the golden scepter to Esther, 5 and Esther rose and stood before the king. And she said, “If it please the king, and if I have found favor in his sight, and if the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let an order be written to revoke the letters devised by Haman the Ag′agite, the son of Hammeda′tha, which he wrote to destroy the Jews who are in all the provinces of the king. 6 For how can I endure to see the calamity that is coming to my people? Or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?”  (KJV)


Esther's first was petition for her own life. Esther's second was request for the lives of her people, the Jews. King Xerxes had granted her first petition, and had executed Haman, the person who plotted to kill the Jews. King had given the estate of Haman to Esther.

However, Esther continue to plead in full humility (falling at the King's feet and weeping with tears). Esther pleaded for the retraction of the edict/decree to destroy the Jews in all the King's provinces.  She pleaded using soft approach, in full humility: “If it please the king, and if I have found favor in his sight, and if the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, ..."

Application: Ladies have a very powerful method to appeal to their men: tears. Many men, even those who are strong-minded and hard-headed, will their heart softened when their wives/girlfriends asked with tears.

Again here, Esther gave her 2 justification for her plea:
1) She could not bear to see the destruction of her people.
2) She could not bear to see the destruction of her family. Mordecai and Esther might be save inside the palace, but all the Jews outside would be attacked and killed.
She would be filled with sorrow and grief if that fateful day of destruction proceeded as per the edict/decree. Surely, the King would not be pleased with a sorrowful Queen. A sorrowful Queen would not be able to please, entertain and satisfy the King.
Esther played on the emotion of the King.

7 King Xerxes replied to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, “Because Haman attacked the Jews, I have given his estate to Esther, and they have impaled him on the pole he set up. 8 Now write another decree in the king’s name in behalf of the Jews as seems best to you, and seal it with the king’s signet ring—for no document written in the king’s name and sealed with his ring can be revoked.”  (NIV)

7 Then King Ahasu-e′rus said to Queen Esther and to Mor′decai the Jew, “Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and they have hanged him on the gallows, because he would lay hands on the Jews.8 And you may write as you please with regard to the Jews, in the name of the king, and seal it with the king’s ring; for an edict written in the name of the king and sealed with the king’s ring cannot be revoked.  (RSV)

Earlier, we read about Queen Esther pleading to the King, Now here, we read about the King's decision given to Esther and Mordecai. After Queen Esther pleaded with King Xerxes with tears and in full humility, the King's heart was moved. King summoned Mordecai. Mordecai, Esther and the King probably discussed about this matter at length. What we read in verses 7 and 8 were more like the Judge giving the final verdict, at the end of the hearing.

For the final verdict, King had his introduction statement that as Haman had plotted to kill the Queen's people, Haman had been punished by hanging to death at gallows, and Haman's assets were confiscated and given to Esther as compensation. King Xerxes then delivered the verdict that he would sign and seal another edict/decree. As for the content of the edict/decree, it would be as per the wish of Esther and Mordecai. The King had given the free hand for Esther and Mordecai to decide what was best for the Jews. King explained that any edict/decree issued by the King could not be revoke.

Fantastic!  This was the best verdict for the Jews. Esther and Mordecai were given a "blank check" to write "whatever", and the King promised to sign and seal it.

As children of God, we are given "free hand" to decide how we want to run our lives. God had given us his Word through the bible. It is up to us to decide how much do we want to obey and follow his word.  Let us remember our kind and gracious God. Let us strive to walk close with God. Let us remember God in everything we plan, in everything we do, big or small. For our God is a caring and loving God.

9 At once the royal secretaries were summoned—on the twenty-third day of the third month, the month of Sivan. They wrote out all Mordecai’s orders to the Jews, and to the satraps, governors and nobles of the 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush. These orders were written in the script of each province and the language of each people and also to the Jews in their own script and language. 10 Mordecai wrote in the name of King Xerxes, sealed the dispatches with the king’s signet ring, and sent them by mounted couriers, who rode fast horses especially bred for the king.  (NIV)

Haman had an edict/decree sealed by King which was sent to all provinces, to destroy the Jews. Mordecai the Jew had another edict/decree seal by King, sent out to all provinces, to counter the earlier edict/decree.

11 The king’s edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate the armed men of any nationality or province who might attack them and their women and children, and to plunder the property of their enemies. 12 The day appointed for the Jews to do this in all the provinces of King Xerxes was the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar. 13 A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued as law in every province and made known to the people of every nationality so that the Jews would be ready on that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.

14 The couriers, riding the royal horses, went out, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa.  (NIV)

10 The writing was in the name of King Ahasu-e′rus and sealed with the king’s ring, and letters were sent by mounted couriers riding on swift horses that were used in the king’s service, bred from the royal stud. 11 By these the king allowed the Jews who were in every city to gather and defend their lives, to destroy, to slay, and to annihilate any armed force of any people or province that might attack them, with their children and women, and to plunder their goods, 12 upon one day throughout all the provinces of King Ahasu-e′rus, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar.  (RSV)

10 And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus' name, and sealed it with the king's ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries:

11 Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey,

12 Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar.  (KJV)

Mordecai and Esther were wise in devising the counteraction plan. Mordecai was most likely a learned, intelligent and wise man. Mordecai thought of giving the Jews the right for an organised defensive plan which was also inclusive of preemptive attack.  The right to plan, organise, defend, and attach potential attackers, and plunder assets of attachers/potential attackers was great.

This edict/decree would give sufficient time for the Jews to organise, plan. strategize, train, arm themselves for the day of battle.  In battles, planning, strategies, organising and training the fighting force would be very important for success.  With Esther the Jew as the Queen and Mordecai the Jew as the Prime Minister, the non-Jews were starting to see the Jews as powerful and influential. With this new edict/decree, all the Jews in all 127 provinces throughout the kingdom/empire were organizing and arming themselves into fighting force. These caused fear among the other races. Imagine hundred of thousands of Jews, men and women, holding arms, marching and training, all these happening in every city. What a show of force! These fighting force are influenced by the Prim Minister Mordecai, the second in command, second after the King.

With good planning, half the Success is assured.
Unity is a huge force. With unity, the enemy will be fearful. With unity, we have better probability of success.

Wisdom is important. King Xerxes had given Queen Esther and Mordecai a blank check, a blank edict/decree to be filled up.  It was up to the wisdom and intelligence of Esther and Mordecai to plan and strategize what was the best Counter Action by the Jews which was fair and reasonable.

The Triumph of the Jews

15 When Mordecai left the king’s presence, he was wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa held a joyous celebration.16 For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor. 17 In every province and in every city to which the edict of the king came, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them.  (NIV)

Mordecai was highly esteemed and greatly honoired.  He was wearing royal garment, purple robe, a golden crown. His status was very high. Purple color was the royal color, just as in the oriental nations, yellow is the royal color. Golden crown is also another royal symbol.

With this new edict/decree, all the Jews saw salvation and deliverance, hence, there was joy and happiness. The Jews were now thinking and feeling positive, that they have a fighting chance against their enemies and attackers. The Jews were also positive because the Prime Minister is a Jew, and the Queen is also a Jew. The Jews saw that God did not forget them, God had a plan of deliverance and salvation for them.

Fear of the Jews grew, and some non-Jews pretended to be Jews. The Jews suddenly found more allies than ever. Probably, some enemies also decided to make peace with the Jews, at that time.

7 “The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before you; they shall come out against you one way, and flee before you seven ways.  (Deuteronomy 28:7) (KJV)

7 The Lord will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven.  (Deuteronomy 28:7) (NIV)

7 A thousand may fall at your side,
    ten thousand at your right hand;
    but it will not come near you.
8 You will only look with your eyes
    and see the recompense of the wicked.

9 Because you have made the Lord your refuge,
    the Most High your habitation,
10 no evil shall befall you,
    no scourge come near your tent.  (Psalms 91:7-10) (RSV)

God loves His people. God does not forsake His people. God will protect His people from their enemies.

Tuesday, Dec 31, 2013.
Michael Yeap.

NIV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=esther%208&version=NIV

RSV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=esther%208&version=RSV

KJV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=esther%208&version=KJV

Commentaries:
1)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Esth.8.1-Esth.8.2
2)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Esth.8.3-Esth.8.14
3)  http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Esth.8.15-Esth.8.17

Esther chapter 4 - Mordecai persuades Esther to help

Esther chapter 4.

Mordecai Persuades Esther to Help

4 When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly.2 But he went only as far as the king’s gate, because no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter it.3 In every province to which the edict and order of the king came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing. Many lay in sackcloth and ashes.  (NIV)

4 When Mor′decai learned all that had been done, Mor′decai rent his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, wailing with a loud and bitter cry;2 he went up to the entrance of the king’s gate, for no one might enter the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth. 3 And in every province, wherever the king’s command and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting and weeping and lamenting, and most of them lay in sackcloth and ashes.  (RSV)

4 When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry;

2 And came even before the king's gate: for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.

3 And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.  (KJV)

When the edict was publicized, Mordecai was very sorrowful and filled with repentance. He tore his clothes and put sackcloth and lay in ashes. Sackcloth and ashes is a symbol of morning and repentance in the Old Testament.
In every provinces throughout the kingdom/empire, there was great morning and repentance among the Jews. Fasting, weeping, wailing and laying in sackcloth and ashes. All the Jews were grieved and sorrowful because they know they will be killed and annihilated on that fateful day (as announced in the King's edict), and their assets/properties will be plundered by their attackers.

Question: Why did Mordecai go out into the city centre to show his sorrow and repentance?
Possible Reasons:
1)  To publicly show the sorrow and repentance to all, including Jews and non-Jews.
2)  To encourage the Jews to do the same, to repent and pray for deliverance from God.
3)  To publicly acknowledge that he is a Jew. By such sorrowful reaction to the  King's edict to destroy and annihilate the Jews, everyone who saw his weeping and wailing would know he is a Jew. Other Jews, when they do the same, are also revealing their ethnicity. Resulting in some form of unified action and unified thinking.

Unity is important if the Jews are to defend themselves against their enemies and attackers. Unity enables coordinated and organised defense.  

4 When Esther’s eunuchs and female attendants came and told her about Mordecai, she was in great distress. She sent clothes for him to put on instead of his sackcloth, but he would not accept them.5 Then Esther summoned Hathak, one of the king’s eunuchs assigned to attend her, and ordered him to find out what was troubling Mordecai and why.  (NIV)

4 When Esther’s maids and her eunuchs came and told her, the queen was deeply distressed; she sent garments to clothe Mor′decai, so that he might take off his sackcloth, but he would not accept them.  (RSV)

4 So Esther's maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it not.  (KJV)

When Queen Esther heard about Mordecai and Jews' weeping, wailing, laying in sackcloth and ashes, she also shared the sorrow despite not knowing what has happened or what was to happen.  
Esther sent proper clothes to Mordecai to change, but Mordecai refused to stop the mourning. Removal of the sackcloth was like the ending of the mourning. The Jews were already in terrible fate, having become captives and brought from their homeland to Babylon and Babylonian provinces. Now, the Jews will suffer a greater fate, this time total destruction and annihilation of their race.  So, how could Mordecai stop mourning?  Mordecai was rightful to continue mourning...until a solution of deliverance is known and decided.

7 Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him, including the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews. 8 He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict for their annihilation, which had been published in Susa, to show to Esther and explain it to her, and he told him to instruct her to go into the king’s presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people.  (NIV)

7 and Mor′decai told him all that had happened to him, and the exact sum of money that Haman had promised to pay into the king’s treasuries for the destruction of the Jews. 8 Mor′decai also gave him a copy of the written decree issued in Susa for their destruction, that he might show it to Esther and explain it to her and charge her to go to the king to make supplication to him and entreat him for her people. 9 And Hathach went and told Esther what Mor′decai had said.  (RSV)

Mordecai explained everything that happened to the messenger, which the messenger would inform Esther. Mordecai mentioned every detail, including the promise of monies contribution for destruction of Jews.
For additional proof, Mordecai handed a copy of the King's edict/decree to the messenger, to be forwarded to Esther.
Mordecai requested Esther to appeal to the King, for the lives of the Jews.

Communication concept:
1. Tell all the important facts, not leaving any small but important details.
2. Show the documented evidence to support the facts.
3. If communicating through an intermediary, documented evidence plays a vital role.

9 Hathak went back and reported to Esther what Mordecai had said. 10 Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai, 11 “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.”  (NIV)

Although King Xerxes was in love with Esther, she did not get to see him every day or sleep with him every night. The King had hundreds of concubines, so he sleeps with a different woman every night.
Seeing the King without being summoned would anger the King. The King most likely did not want to be bothered by any one of his hundreds of women. The King most likely did not want to be bothered by walk-in guests, including his generals, governors, princes, officials.
Seeing the King without an appointment (without being summoned) is a No-No.  It is like....impossible to meet an important CEO without prior appointment.

12 When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai,13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”  (NIV)

14 For if you keep silence at such a time as this, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another quarter, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”  (RSV)

14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?  (KJV)

Mordecai appealed for Esther's the second time. Mordecai persuaded by emphasizing on 4 facts:
1)  Esther will be safe and alive even if she doesn't appeal to the King on behalf of the Jews.
2)  The Jews might be able to organize and defend themselves, especially in the outer provinces. There will be survivors among the Jews. Probably, NOT all the Jews will die.
3)  Esther's relative, particularly Mordecai himself, and other relatives living in Susa city will die.
4)  There is a purpose by God..... Esther becoming Queen. Probably Esther would be God's answer for the deliverance of the Jews from their enemies.

The last fact was the most important.
Management concept: Sometimes, the last point is THE MOST IMPORTANT point.
The last point was probably the most convincing statement for Esther to take the risk of losing her life to go into the King's presence without being summoned.

15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”  (NIV)

15 Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer,

16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.  (KJV)

When Mordecai first requested her to appeal to the King, Esther was fearful and afraid to see the King without being summoned, afraid to lose her life. When Mordecai requested her the second time, deliberating the 4 facts including God's purpose for Esther to become the Queen, she had become daring, and ready to pay the price of death for going to see the King without being summoned. Noted that she was still fearful although willing and ready to die. (Following the law was important in Susa. Queen Vashti was divorced/demoted because she refused to follow the King's instruction. Furthermore, Queen Esther seemed to be a submissive and obedient person. She would follow the law, hence, fearful to see the King without being summoned, because such was the rule.)

Queen Esther wanted a great fasting (3 days, 3 nights, no eating nor drinking). She wanted the Jews seriously cry out to God for His hand, for God to help Esther in effectively appealing to the King to cancel the edict/decree for the one-day destruction of Jews throughout the entire kingdom/empire.

Application: Pray and fast. If we need God's hand in certain crucial situation, we should pray and fast.
God will give us the wisdom to plan and decide on the wise course of actions in the crucial situation.

17 So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions.  (NIV)

17 Mor′decai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him. (RSV)

17 So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.  (KJV)

Mordecai carried out the actions according to Esther's instruction/order/command. Mordecai, although the guardian or foster father, listened and obeyed Esther's instruction.

Any wise instruction should be obeyed. Any wise advice should be considered and accepted.
God can work in wondrous ways, in surprising manner. God could work through anybody.
Do NOT think that God can only use pious and seemingly spiritual believers. God also can make use of ordinary people. God can also make use of "bad" people. Depending on the task, God could be making use of anybody to serve His purpose.

Sat, Dec 28, 2013.
Michael Yeap

NIV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=esther%204&version=NIV

RSV:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=esther%204&version=RSV

KJV: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=esther4&version=KJV