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

Discouragement from all sides

[10 ] And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall. [11] And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease. [12] And it came to pass, that when the Jews which dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times, From all places whence ye shall return unto us they will be upon you. [13]Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher places, I even set the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows. [14] And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses. [15] And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work. Nehemiah 4:10-15

Discouragement is heard from all sides. The people of Judah said, “We will not be able to build the wall, there is so much rubbish”. The adversaries (enemy) also had much to say, “They won’t know what hit them, we will get in the middle of them and kill them and the work will stop.” The Jews came ten times and begged them to stop the work because the builders were in danger.

Nehemiah is not just hearing negative comments from the enemies but from the very ones he came to help. It appears he turns a deaf ear and makes plans to continue with the work. He gathers the people and gets them ready with weapons to defend themselves, if necessary.

When done with the preparations to get ready for a conflict, he meets with the leaders. “Don’t be afraid; remember Who is on our side. He will fight for us and our families.” Ever the cheerleader and encourager, Nehemiah speaks comforting words.

The enemy gets word that God is on the side of Nehemiah and the workers. Amazing that the enemies found out that the people knew the plan; this was a day without radio, newspaper or even pony express. They knew because somehow God let it be known. “I will not let you mess with my people.”

I believe Nehemiah was in the center of the will of God. The Lord gave him peace in the midst of opposition.

We serve the same God today; He is with us no matter what we are going through. God is the God of the hills and the valleys. He is with us in the “up” times; He is with us in the “down” times.

We need to be like Nehemiah. Trust in God all the time and He will see you through.

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

Have a blessed day,
Donna