Day 227- Esther #4

• After the pulsating events of yesterday, today’s final passages tie up all the “loose ends” of the story. They’re pretty important loose ends though – the lives of all the Jews are still on the line!
• Firstly, what new job did Mordecai get? Who did he replace?
• Concern then turned to the edict (the king’s command) to kill the Jews from Esther 3, which was still in force. Nobody, not even the king, could overturn it. The king did, however, allow a new edict to be written, in Esther 8:8. What did Mordecai decide to do?
• What was the reaction of the new command for the Jews to defend themselves against those who wanted to attack them? Esther 8:15-17 describe that “the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced”, suggesting that many non-Jews were happy at the new edict. Nobody wanted genocide, after all!
• In Esther 9, the day of the battle comes round. What happened? Did God help to reverse the evil that Haman planned?
• The Jews were victorious against all who chose to attack them. The Bible repeatedly tells us that they “took no plunder”. Why do you think this might be?
• Do you trust that God can reverse things in your life that may be going wrong? Are you willing to have an attitude like Esther, and patience like Mordecai?
• I’ve already mentioned the feast of Purim, and Esther 9 gives more details of this. Why do you think Christians don’t celebrate this, or other Jewish festivals like Passover?
• And finally… a little fun fact for you. Esther 10, at three verses, is the sixth shortest chapter in the bible by word count, if you’re interested! Can you find any of the five that are shorter?

The book of Esther shows that anti-Semitism (hatred of Jews) was very much alive at this time. It still is now. Not only can we look at events such as those of World War II, but it often appears in the news today. Christians, too, face persecution. In fact, this often appears in a similar way as it does in Esther. Governments can often be indifferent, or even hostile, to Christians which can easily lead to persecution. Like in the story we’ve read, we don’t always see God obviously working in a miraculous way in these situations. He is though. This book helps us to live like Christ in this world, acting with courage and integrity, working to the best of our ability, and trusting in God for his protection and provision, however (and whenever) that comes.

As we finish our time in Esther, you might like to pray for God to work powerfully to bring relief to Christians in difficult situations.