Esther 9:1-10 — God's Got You!
READ THIS: Esther 9:1-10
1 On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, the edict commanded by the king was to be carried out. On this day the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but now the tables were turned and the Jews got the upper hand over those who hated them. 2 The Jews assembled in their cities in all the provinces of King Xerxes to attack those determined to destroy them. No one could stand against them, because the people of all the other nationalities were afraid of them. 3 And all the nobles of the provinces, the satraps, the governors and the king’s administrators helped the Jews, because fear of Mordecai had seized them. 4 Mordecai was prominent in the palace; his reputation spread throughout the provinces, and he became more and more powerful.
5 The Jews struck down all their enemies with the sword, killing and destroying them, and they did what they pleased to those who hated them. 6 In the citadel of Susa, the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men. 7 They also killed Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha, 8 Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha, 9 Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai and Vaizatha, 10 the ten sons of Haman son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews. But they did not lay their hands on the plunder.
WHAT’S THIS MEAN, ANYWAY?
If you recall, and edict was made earlier in the book of Esther by Haman and King Xerxes that demanded the death of the entire Jewish population. After some incredible boldness and courage from Esther, King Xerxes changed his mind, but that sadly didn't mean that everyone would actually listen to him! You see, many people were threatened by the Jewish population, mainly because they were a massive group of people! Lots of others were worried that the Jewish people were going to overthrow their own people because they were greater in number, so when the day of the original edict came, many still attempted to kill the Jewish population.
Fortunately for the Jews, the tables had now turned! By rallying together and defending themselves, they were able to not only survive, but completely defeat all of the people who attempted to destroy them. It isn't mentioned here, but we can certainly see that God was protecting and watching over the Jewish people! As if using Esther to change the king's mind and heart wasn't enough, he protected His chosen people from their enemies.
THINK ABOUT IT:
1. Many people throughout the Old Testament felt threatened by the Jewish people, mainly because of their size and the differences they saw in how they lived. Why can it be hard for us to work and live with people who are very different from us? How does Jesus call us to live with people different from us?
2. You may have never been attacked by some random and angry people before, but I am certain that God has protected you time and time again throughout your life! How have you seen God have your back in the midst of hard things?
TRY THIS:
Sometimes, it can be really is to forget that God has your back! Today, take note of every single thing your back touches today (your backpack, your bed/couch, the seats in your car, etc.), and every time you do, remember that the Creator of the universe is on your side and has your back.
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