Lessons from Esther: The sons of Haman

And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men. :7 And Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha, 8 And Poratha, and Adalia, and Aridatha, 9 And Parmashta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Vajezatha, 10 The ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, slew they; but on the spoil laid they not their hand. 11 On that day the number of those that were slain in Shushan the palace was brought before the king. 12 And the king said unto Esther the queen, The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the palace, and the ten sons of Haman; what have they done in the rest of the king's provinces? now what is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: or what is thy request further? and it shall be done.  13 Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews which are in Shushan to do to morrow also according unto this day's decree, and let Haman's ten sons be hanged upon the gallows. 14 And the king commanded it so to be done: and the decree was given at Shushan; and they hanged Haman's ten sons. 15 For the Jews that were in Shushan gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and slew three hundred men at Shushan; but on the prey they laid not their hand. Esther 9:6-15

The fighting continues, Jews everywhere are “fighting for their life”. Enemies of the Jews are falling rapidly. All of Haman’s sons are killed with many more of their countrymen.

Each of Haman’s sons is named in this portion of scripture. The death toll is getting higher. The king receives the number of deaths (500)and tells Esther. He also asks if she has any petitions, which he will grant.

Esther asks for the sons of Haman to be hanged on the gallows. She also asks for another day for her countrymen to fight. A total of eight hundred men were killed in Shushan, the city where the palace was located.

In all this, the Jews did not take any spoil, even though they were entitled to it according to the king’s decree.

The words of Psalm 118, though written by King David, fit in this section of Esther’s story.

5 I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. 6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? 7 The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me. 8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. 9 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes. 10 All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them. Psalm 118:5-10

Esther continued to trust God with every being of her life. We need to trust God with the details of our life.

And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. Psalm 9:10

... Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust. Psalm 16:1

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. Psalm 37:5

Join me next week as I finish Esther’s story.

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Lessons from Esther: The king’s permission

8 Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse. 9 Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language. 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. 13 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 8:8-13

The king has not finished his proposal. He now explains the rest of his plan. The first thing that needs to be done is to start the “writing campaign”. Letters need to be written and delivered to all 127 provinces.

This was not a job for Mordecai but the king’s scribes were called in to do the job. Remember there were no computers, iPads, word processors or even typewriters. Each word needed to be written by hand. Each letter was written separately, over and over the words were written in 127 letters. The letters were written in the various languages of the provinces, this was a very labor intensive project. Each letter was sealed by the king’s special seal; the letters could not be reversed. As always what the king said would stand.

When the writing was done, the letters were packed and sent by horse, mules, camels and even dromedaries. This was serious business the news had to get out and get out fast.

This letter was to counteract the letter sent by Haman. The letter sent by Haman stated:

13 And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey. 14 The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day. Esther 3:13-14

The letter that Mordecai sent said the Jews could fight back and defend themselves against “all the power of the people…that would assault them” (Esther 8:11-12). Now the Jews could prepare to fight, they could get together and make plans on how to defend themselves.

Throughout the book we do not see the name of God, but Mordecai and Esther certainly trusted the Lord. He would see them and their people through this horrible time.

As Christians, we need to trust God. He knows the end of the story and He will be with us, as He was with Mordecai and Esther, in all troubles and tribulations.

The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. Psalm 18:2

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:7

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. Psalm 37:5

What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. Psalm 56:3

Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah. Psalm 62:8

It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. Psalm 118:8

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Moments

Happy Moments,

Praise God.

And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long. Psalm 35:28

Difficult Moments,

Seek God.

Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually. I Chronicles 16:11

Quiet Moments,

Worship God.

Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. Psalm 29:2

Painful Moments,

Trust God.

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. Psalm 37:5

Every Moment,

Thank God.

Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.  I Chronicles 29:13

Be thankful,
Donna

Gospel gems –Be not afraid, trust God

14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: 15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. Luke 21:14-15

This portion of scripture is speaking about the end times. Jesus tells the disciples not to fret and worry about what they will say if questioned or arrested (my take) by the “authorities”. God will put words in their mouths so the adversaries (from the Greek to lie opposite, be adverse) will not be able to gainsay (from the Greek to refute or deny) nor resist (from the Greek to stand against).

It is no different today; we are closer to the end times than the disciples. Now more than ever we need to put our trust in God and not be afraid of men. God will protect and guide us in everything, even the words we speak.

We need to trust God and “be not afraid”. … because greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. I John 4:4

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Battles

Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: 8 With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
II Chronicles 32:7-8

In II Chronicles chapter 32, we we have an account of Senacherib king of Assyria entering Jerusalem to take it over. When Hezekiah king of Judah saw him coming he immediately started to strategize. He was not going to let the city go without a fight. He gathers his men and starts to immediately prepare. They stop the water supply so the Assyria army will not have water. They repair the wall, build towers and make sure they have plenty of ammunition. They are ready for the battle.

Hezekiah speaks to his men and gives them a pep talk. He reminds them to be strong and courageous. He also reminds them WHO is with them in their battles. They are not fighting the battle alone but with the Lord.

As I read this I thought of Christians today. Have times changed? Does God still fight the battles of his followers? He will not physically come and fight our battles, but He will show us how to fight our battles through His word.

What are the personal battles we have today? They may range from depression, marital problems, financial troubles, trusting. The list goes on and on. No one is exempt from troubles and problems. How we handle them is where the victory lies. Don’t handle your problems with the “arm of flesh” but with the Lord. God is there to help us and fight our battles. Trust Him.

Have a blessed day,
Donna