Lessons from Esther: The letters are “in the mail”

14 So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king's commandment. And the decree was given at Shushan the palace. 15 And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad. 16 The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour. 17 And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them. Esther 8:14-17

The letters are sent and the decree given, the Jews will have the right to fight their oppressors. It almost seems like a collective sigh goes out from all the Jews.

Mordecai goes out in royal apparel with the crown and fine garments that the king has given him. There is rejoicing and the people are beside themselves with happiness.

They were happy because now they would have a “fighting chance”. A feast was held and “many people of the land became Jews…” The tables have been turned, instead of cursing and putting down the Jews perhaps the people could “see the hand of God” in the turning of events.

How about you? Can you rejoice and be glad of the “events” in your life? Can you see God working?  Here are a few verses of encouragement.

Be glad:

You are a Christian

Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart. Psalm 32:11

I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities; Psalm 31:7

You can trust in God:

The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory. Psalm 64:10

But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. Psalm 5:11

The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence. II Samuel 22:3

He is your strength

... God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

... for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

You are alive

This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

You are redeemed:

Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away. Isaiah 51:11

Jesus is coming again

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:3

 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

Another Letter

[5] Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand; [6] Wherein was written, It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel: for which cause thou buildest the wall, that thou mayest be their king, according to these words. [7] And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together. [8] Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart. [9] For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands. Nehemiah 6:5-9

The letters did not stop after number four. Sanballat sent one more, to try and “break him”. This letter was different from the rest, it was “an open letter”. It was not folded to keep the contents secret, but open so anyone could read and possibly put fear in the readers.

Letter number five was full of accusing remarks. “It’s been reported among the neighboring nations that the Jews are going to rebel and make you, Nehemiah, the king. This is the reason for building up the walls. You have also appointed prophets to preach at Jerusalem, saying there is a king in Judah. You need to be careful for it will get back to the king. Come and meet with me to discuss this.”

Nehemiah was not going to take these accusations lying down. He immediately answered, “No such thing is happening here, you are making up lies.”

All of this was done to make Nehemiah and the Jews afraid. If the enemy can tear them down with words and accusations, the work will stop. Strength to endure was badly needed.

As was his custom Nehemiah prayed, “O God strengthen my hands.”

What do you do when the enemy comes along with discouraging words? Do you fret and moan and groan? Do you turn to the One who can help?

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. Psalm 42:5

Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield. Psalm 33:20

Oh Lord, help us to be like Nehemiah. Give us strength to endure the evil one. We thank you for the promise that you will never leave or forsake us.

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Letters

[7] Moreover I said unto the king, If it please the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the river, that they may convey me over till I come into Judah; [8] And a letter unto Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the palace which appertained to the house, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall enter into. And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me. [9] Then I came to the governors beyond the river, and gave them the king's letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me. Nehemiah 2:7-9

Nehemiah is not done speaking to the king. He asks the king to write letters for him, so he could travel through the other countries without incidents.

He also asked for a letter to be sent to Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest so he could get lumber to make beams and gates for the palace and for the wall of the city. The king granted him everything he asked for – WHY? Nehemiah writes the “good hand of my God upon me”, God’s ultimate protection and provision. Here we see the wisdom of Nehemiah, when the king asked what he needed he wasn’t shy (remember he prayed to God and God gave him wisdom).

Nehemiah starts his travels with letters and an army that the king sent with him. Nehemiah was a trustworthy and loyal employee of the king. The king was sending protection, probably so his loyal employee would return unharmed.

What a testimony Nehemiah must have been to his employer. Remember Nehemiah was a Jew and the king was not, but the king respected Nehemiah and what he stood for.

Am I a testimony to my employer? Only I can answer, how about you?

Have a blessed day,
Donna