Roles Reversed, A Supplication Met, The Righteous Promoted

(Encouraged reading: Esther 8)

v. 1-2 Roles Reversed

     “All the trust he had reposed in Haman, and all the power he had given him, are here transferred to Mordecai; for the ring which he had taken from Haman he gave to Mordecai, and made this trusty humble man as much his favourite, his confidant, and his agent...”* Mordecai was given the honor once bestowed on Haman, except he was a more deserving recipient because Mordecai was an upright and righteous man. As Haman’s wife said at the end of chapter 6, if Mordecai was a Jew, Haman would surely fall.

v. 3-14 A Supplication Met

     Esther petitioned the king to stop the decree that doomed her people. However, customs and laws did not afford even the king such power; he could not eradicate it, but he could write a new one which could protect the Jews. When the decree for Jewish self-defense was written, King Ahasuerus had it sent across his entire kingdom, and declared to all provinces.

v. 15-17 The Righteous Promoted

     Mordecai left the presence of the king in royal robes. The city of Shushan rejoiced in this promotion. Jews across the land were joyous and glad upon hearing the new decree.

Application:

     God sees both the righteous and the wicked. We must be careful of the things we say, think, and do; sin will inevitably catch up to you. Justice will be served one day, whether on this earth or at the judgement seat of Christ. Check your heart and make sure you are right before the Lord, because all our sins will have consequences. Thankfully, God is merciful and gracious, willing to forgive if we humble ourselves before Him.

Prayer:

     Lord, thank you for this passage in scripture. It is both a comfort and a warning to us. Help us to take to heart that you see and love our righteous acts. Also, help us to be aware of the mess our sins can cause in our lives and those around us if we decide to engage in them.