Victorious In A Foreign Land (Part 1) Series

Victorious in a Foreign Land (Part 1)

Esther 9: 1-19

The emotional roller coaster for Esther, Mordecai, and the Jews within the kingdom of Persian continues. They have experienced a series of highs and lows. It seems as if they really didn’t have time to enjoy a victory before being confronted with another struggle. Things are clearly improving for the Jews, but their fight isn’t over. Haman has been executed, removing the greatest source of resistance for the Jews, but there are others who share his sentiment. The counter decree had been signed, but the Jews are well aware of the adversity they will soon face. Although the stormy winds have softened somewhat, there is still a battle to come. As the Jews face this final battle, the Lord will provide complete victory.

While most of us cannot identify with the extreme conditions Esther and the other Jews faced, this book reveals the ebb and flow of life for all people. Regardless of who we are, or where we live, we all face seasons of comfort and ease countered by seasons of trials and difficulty. Often these struggles come without warning or provocation. We cannot get complacent while enjoying our victories, because soon enough we will be faced with another struggle. There is one constant in life regardless of the season we must face – the presence and help of the Lord.

I want to examine the aspects of this defining moment in Esther’s life as we begin to consider: Victorious in a Foreign Land.

I. The Timing of the Victory (1) – Here we discover the timing involved in the great victory of the Jews in Persia. Consider:

A. The Date (1a) – Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them. Having moved through the book of Esther, verse by verse, this date is significant. Just less than a year prior, Haman had influenced the king to sign the decree that called for the eradication of every Jew within Persia. The date had been set, and it had finally arrived. The Jews would now face the greatest challenge of their entire experience in Persia. At this early moment, they could not have been absolutely certain of victory, but this would prove to be a date long remembered and celebrated.

As I considered the significance of this date for the Jews, I was reminded of the day I experienced complete victory in Christ. The battle was strong and fierce. The Holy Spirit was dealing with my heart regarding salvation and the enemy did everything he could to hinder me from responding in repentance and faith. That is a day that has been long remembered and celebrated in my life!

B. The Decree (1a) – Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them. Bear in mind that Haman’s original decree had not been dissolved; it still stood as law within the land. The decree called for every Jew within the kingdom to be killed. A counter decree had been signed by the king, allowing the Jews to defend themselves against attack, but they knew they must fight in order to survive.

Jesus completely and eternally secured victory on the cross, providing atonement and redemption for the sin of mankind. We are not called to fight in order to obtain or keep our salvation. Jesus secured that for us. However, we all face intense spiritual battles in the Christian life. Although Satan was defeated at Calvary, he still continues to attack and seek the defeat of believers. We must stand as the Jews did in order to maintain victory in this life.

C. The Dominance (1b) – Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them, (though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;) We will discuss this in greater detail later, but the Lord had worked sovereignly behind the scenes. At this moment in time, two decrees stood legal and permissible. The Persians had legal authority to destroy the Jews, but the Jews also had legal authority to defend themselves. The battle lines were drawn, and only one could be victorious, but the Jews had a decided advantage. The Lord had given the Jews rule over those that hated them.