The Resolution (Esther Chapters 8-10)
The rest of the book of Esther is often skipped by many. One assumes perhaps that the story is over once Haman is defeated. Esther gets his property and Mordecai gets his position. All is well, right?
All is not well. There is still the problem of the planned genocide against the Jews. Esther appears to once again take her life in her hands to ask the King her request. She had asked it at the banquet, but the Haman situation seems to have distracted the King from the Jewish problem. And it is indeed a problem! It seems that the Kings edict cannot be overturned. However, the King empowers Mordecai to issue a new edict. If the extermination cannot be cancelled, then the Jews will be allowed to defend themselves and no one can interfere.
Sometimes life sends us problems that we can’t avert. Sometimes we face problems that must be overcome.
The Jews successfully defend themselves against all of the antisemites, and a feast is instituted to commemorate their deliverance. Earlier in the book the King and Haman celebrated their edict with a feast, but Esther and the Jews do not celebrate their edict until the outcome is known and disaster averted. Then, however, it is appropriate to celebrate and commemorate the things that God has done for His people.
All is not well. There is still the problem of the planned genocide against the Jews. Esther appears to once again take her life in her hands to ask the King her request. She had asked it at the banquet, but the Haman situation seems to have distracted the King from the Jewish problem. And it is indeed a problem! It seems that the Kings edict cannot be overturned. However, the King empowers Mordecai to issue a new edict. If the extermination cannot be cancelled, then the Jews will be allowed to defend themselves and no one can interfere.
Sometimes life sends us problems that we can’t avert. Sometimes we face problems that must be overcome.
The Jews successfully defend themselves against all of the antisemites, and a feast is instituted to commemorate their deliverance. Earlier in the book the King and Haman celebrated their edict with a feast, but Esther and the Jews do not celebrate their edict until the outcome is known and disaster averted. Then, however, it is appropriate to celebrate and commemorate the things that God has done for His people.
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