"12 Then the king’s scribes were called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and a decree was written according to all that Haman commanded—to the king’s satraps, to the governors who were over each province, to the officials of all people, to every province according to its script, and to every people in their language. In the name of King Ahasuerus it was written, and sealed with the king’s signet ring.
13 And the letters were sent by couriers into all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all the Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, and to plunder their possessions.
14 A copy of the document was to be issued as law in every province, being published for all people, that they should be ready for that day."
Her Persian name is Esther but her given name was Hadassah.
(For more about her names, their meanings and significance in this story, follow this link: http://emmausrevelations.blogspot.com/2014/07/hadassah.html)
In the Persia of her day, had the first decree put forth by the king been allowed to proceed, it would have caused the death of all the Jewish people in one day. It was lawfully signed by the King himself and sealed with his signet ring and was not only valid, but binding and irrevocable as well.
The King had been entreated by the wicked Haman who was incensed that Mordecai refused to bow before him. But he wasn't content enough to only to be rid of Mordecai. No; he sought to kill all his people as well!
Sounds familiar, doesn't it? Other evil leaders like him down though history who have sought to destroy God’s covenant people have suffered the same fate as Haman. It never ends well for those who set themselves against those whom God loves!
(Mordechai refuses to bow to Haman)
This genocide was scheduled to occur on the 13th day of the Jewish 12th month of Adar.
The date was determined by the casting of lots, called "pur." In Hebrew, when you want to make a word plural, you add "im" to the end of it, like we add an "s." The plural of the word "pur" is "Purim," hence the name of the feast commemorating Queen Eshter's victory. Refer to the link above for more about how this feast is celebrated in Israel today.
Copies of the decree were sent out to all the provinces. This is recorded in verse 13 of chapter 3. I'd say this would definitely qualify as an evil day, wouldn't you?
The first mention of the phrase, "Evil day" in the Bible is in Ephesians 6 verse 13. This is NO coincidence.
"13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand IN THE EVIL DAY, and having done all, to stand."
This passage shows us what to do to turn around any "EVIL DAY."
"13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand IN THE EVIL DAY, and having done all, to stand."
This passage shows us what to do to turn around any "EVIL DAY."
13 in Bible numerics means "rebellion." Haman's plan: definitely evil and rebellion! How do we know that 13 means "rebellion?" Let the Bible interpret itself. Follow this link for more on this topic:
The first law put forth WITH THE KING'S AUTHORITY (God) that was working for our death was "The Law: The Ten Commandments." Haman's name means "the wrathful; the angry man." It brings to mind what Paul wrote that "the law worketh wrath." (Romans 4:15)
You've heard the phrase, "the devil goes about as a roaring lion, right?" Yep; that's the picture! Haman was angry, just like the devil is angry, going about roaring and raging, always trying to make us think that the King, God, is angry at us when, in fact, He is not.
The second decree put forth by the King and also sealed with his signet ring was no less legally binding. The Jews had FULL, legal and rightful authority to defend themselves against the first decree. They gathered themselves together to do just that.
The second decree put forth by the King and also sealed with his signet ring was no less legally binding. The Jews had FULL, legal and rightful authority to defend themselves against the first decree. They gathered themselves together to do just that.
(The King drafts the 2nd law)
Esther 7:11-12
"The king’s edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate the armed men of any nationality or province who might attack them and their women and children, and to plunder the property of their enemies. 12 The day appointed for the Jews to do this in all the provinces of King Xerxes was the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar."
In those days they fought with swords. We have the same kind of weapon against our enemy, the devil. We have "THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT," in our mouth; the SPOKEN word of God. That's the message of Ephesians 6:17.
You and I have a sword to combat whatever enemy comes against us IN OUR MOUTH: the Word of God. What is your enemy? Cancer, diabetes, heart disease, depression, poverty, debt? Speak His word over any situation. Jesus paid the FULL PRICE for us to have complete Shalom.
Our old adversary, the devil, spews out "water like a flood:" a flood of words that is, to accuse us. He tries to convince us that God doesn't heal today, that He doesn't save or deliver any more. He's an absentee landlord.....and He is angry with you. So we use our "sword," our tongue, and remind him that HE'S DEFEATED! HE HAS NO MORE RIGHTS OF ANY KIND to put poverty, sicknesses, diseases or any such thing on us! His rights were CANCELLED the moment we accepted Jesus as our Savior!
NO MORE FLOODS, DEVIL!!!
The church at large still doesn't realize this.....YET. Most Christians, pastors and theologians, if you asked them, "Was the devil was defeated at the cross," will readily say, "Yes." But ask them if they know that the Law was also nailed nailed to the cross.....uh.....um.....well.....they're not so sure. Some flatly deny it.
(The Law, the "handwriting of requirements," was nailed to the cross.)
Jesus death did so much more than UTTERLY DEFEAT the devil, as AWESOME as that is!!! As a result of His finished work, God has given us a BLANK CHECK! Read what the King said to Esther:
(Haman to be hanged on his own gallows)
Esther 8:7-8
"7 Then King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther and Mordecai the Jew, “Indeed, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and they have hanged him on the gallows because he tried to lay his hand on the Jews. 8 You yourselves write a decree concerning the Jews, AS YOU PLEASE, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s signet ring; for whatever is written in the king’s name and sealed with the king’s signet ring no one can revoke.”
See? AS YOU PLEASE! They could write anything they wanted to and it would be sealed with the Kings ring, making it IRREVOCABLE! He even told her he would give her up to half his kingdom.
Today, as sons and daughters, we don't get just half the kingdom; WE GET THE WHOLE THING!
Matthew 16:19
19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and WHATEVER you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and WHATEVER you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
WOW!!!
Abba has given us a blank check!
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