The Jews who gained power (9:1-4)
Contents
40. The Jews gained power (9:1-4)
This chapter records what happened on December 13th and the next day, nine months after Mordecai appeared as the nucleus of a new power in Chapter 8.
As a practical ending to the book of Esther, it shows the contrast between the horror and destruction of the Jewish enemies, and the joy and victory of the Jews.
1. The day the king’s illumination was performed (verse 1)
* On the very same day that the Jews were to be slaughtered, on the contrary, the enemies were slain. This proves that those who try to harm God's people will be put to shame.
* “The day on which the king’s illumination was performed” refers to the illumination of the king related to the Jews, which was given by Haman (Esther 3:13) or by Mordecai (Esther 8:11,12). However, the use of the king's illumination in the singular here refers to Mordecai's decree, which will eventually overcome the effect of Haman's decree.
* “Instead of the Jews” This is an expression that emphasizes that the hopes of the enemies of the Jews have turned into despair and the Jews have turned from despair to joy. = It is implied that the Jews were finally victorious.
(Psalm 44:5) “In You, we will crush our enemies, and in Your name we will tread down those who rise up against us.”
(Romans 8:35) “Who will separate us from the love of Christ? tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword.”
2. No one can stop the Jews (v. 2)
* Officials from all over the country were more powerful than other peoples to help the Jews, and all the peoples feared the Jews because they gathered from all over Persia to kill those who wanted to harm them.
* Although the number of Jews was small, their united power was stronger than many of their enemies. = He not only built an active defense of the Jews, but also launched an active offensive for self-defense. / This means that when they experience and feel that God is alive and taking care of them, they can live boldly without fear in the long course of life.
(Philippians 1:27) “But ye live worthy of the gospel of Christ, that even though I go away from you, you stand with one mind and work together for the faith of the gospel with one mind.”
(1 Timothy 4:10) “We toil and exert ourselves, because our hope is in the living God, the Savior of all people, especially those who believe.”
3. Mordecai's fame spread (verses 3-4)
* It was because the new Prime Minister was Mordecai that all the officials of the Persian Empire were helping the Jews in response to the new decree. = Because it was certain that they would face political retaliation if they did not comply (Esther 8:2)/
* Those with God are getting stronger and stronger (2 Samuel 3:1).