“In every province and in every city, wherever the edict of the king went, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many people of other nationalities became Jews.”
Esther 8:17
Imagine you are right in the middle of things in Persia in Esther’s day. And you are a Jew. A decree of death upon the Jews has gone out to the nations, but you are absolutely helpless to thwart it. Your only hope is that God would raise up someone with the power and might to reverse that decree. Then one day, another word goes out to the nations—one declaring life for your people and death for your enemies.
You can understand why the hearts of God’s people were filled with joy!
You might feel helpless today in the face of stiff opposition and dramatic changes in society. But there is a deeper magic at work here. Death and destruction cannot touch you, though they seem to surround you. When Jesus bore your decree of death and was raised three days later, a decree of life—the Gospel—was published to the nations. Life for God’s people was not only declared but assured.
The further we are from earthly power, the greater our feelings of helplessness and the greater our joy and gratitude for the Savior of our souls.
You can understand why the hearts of God’s people were filled with joy!
You might feel helpless today in the face of stiff opposition and dramatic changes in society. But there is a deeper magic at work here. Death and destruction cannot touch you, though they seem to surround you. When Jesus bore your decree of death and was raised three days later, a decree of life—the Gospel—was published to the nations. Life for God’s people was not only declared but assured.
The further we are from earthly power, the greater our feelings of helplessness and the greater our joy and gratitude for the Savior of our souls.
Scripture Focus
Esther 8
Insight
Your salvation in Jesus should be more joyous than ever because you comprehend the wonder of eternal life.
Bible In A Year
- 2 Samuel 3-4
- Psalm 137
- Ephesians 5-6
