“You Can Also Be Delivered from Evil”

The order to kill Jews had been sent throughout the empire by the king and could not be reversed. So the king had Mordecai writing another order that the Jews were to defend themselves and to send the notice throughout the worldwide empire (Esther 8:9-12 illustrated below). The new order was effective (9:1-5). Most of the Jews’ enemies were afraid to do anything to hurt them. The local government officials understood that the king’s favor had turned. They supported the Jews instead of carrying out the original order. The Jews themselves took courage and fought against those who still tried to attack them (v 5).

Mordecai established a new holiday to help the people to remember what God had done (v 20-22). The name of the holiday is Purim, named for the Pur, the casting of the lot which Haman had cast to set the day for the destruction of the Jews (v 26-28). The Jews were to celebrate joyfully, to remember the reversal of sorrow to joy and poverty to plenty.

While we are waiting for God’s deliverance, Esther’s story can really inspire us. When we experience God’s deliverance, we too, should celebrate.

All believers must face difficulties, such as money problems, emotional crises or relationship troubles. In these times, we need to remember God’s faithfulness. You can cheer others with the story of Esther, encouraging them to trust in God as deliverer. “The Lord is my light and my salvation: whom should I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom should I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1). “Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice, have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When you said, ‘Seek my face’, my heart said unto you, ‘Your face, Lord, I will seek’. Hide not thy face far from me. Put not your servant away in anger. You have been my help, leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation” (v 7-9). “Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me in a level path, because of my enemies. Deliver me not over unto the will of my enemies, for false witnesses are risen up against me, such as breath out cruelty” (11-12).

Bro Jacob Okoth (Eldoret, Kenya)