Theme: A glad Light
Text: Esther 8:15-17
Greetings: The Lord is good and his love endures forever.
Introduction:
The name Esther means ‘Star.’ The Persian word “star” refers to the Babylonian love goddess, Ishtar. The Hebrew name “Hadassah” (Esther 2:7) means “myrtle” (John MacArthur). The book Esther belongs to the Hebrew Writings. It’s read during the festival of Purim along with lamentations and Ecclesiastes. The book of Esther is a secular book of Jewish History. The absence of any explicit reference to God, worship, prayer, or sacrifice makes it secular (Encyclopedia of Britannica).
This book belongs to the period of Persian kings. The story is set in Susa, one of the Persian capitals, during the reign of King Ahasuerus, his Greek name was Xerxes I (486–464 B.C.)
The book of Esther explains the origin of the Feast of Purim and ensures that it would be observed by all future generations of the Jewish people (Esther 9:28). The book of Esther reveals Divine providence to save the Jews. It also explains Human responsibility. Also, the absurdity of wickedness. Esther and Mordecai show great initiative and courage amidst wickedness of Leaders and rulers. Human Will can never prevail over the Will of God (ESV).
Today, I would like to share with you the GLAD LIGHT which comes through the saints of every age. The saints go through fasting with ashes, they mourn for the people in small groups but their cries and tears in prayers bring changes among the multitudes.
So, I would like to explain to you how Sackcloth turned to Purple, Mourning turned gladness, and death turned new life through the saving knowledge of Christ.
1. Sackcloth turned Purple (Esther 8:15)
Prayer changes your dress code and brings the light of gladness. Uninterrupted determined prayers bring unspeakable and determined changes in life, motives, actions, and achievements. Esther and Mordecai had a bad life situation, the worst conditions of survival, very pathetic and painful. Bad light and darkness encircled them. They were pushed to the extreme end of life.
Mordecai and Esther were so secular in their lifestyles. Esther does not seem to have a zeal for holiness like Daniel. Mordecai kept his and Esther’s Jewish heritage secretly but Daniel and his friends openly declared it. The law of God was absent, unlike Ezra. They had no heart for Jerusalem like Nehemiah. They were simple Jews. But they proved their zeal for God and his people, they had deeper faith than their contemporaries. Their lifestyle was exemplary life to their generation. So, their Ashes turned into Glory. Their sackcloth became purple.
Esther had a true woman’s courage which is always ready to endure any evil and dared any danger at the bidding of her heart. She took her life in her hand. Her heroic words are ‘If I perish, I perish!’ Esther teaches women to be brave and gentle, to use their influence over men for high purposes of public good, to be the inspirers of their husbands, lovers, and brothers, and for all noble thinking and doing without using all their womanly influence (MacLaren).
A dress of blue and white was held in great estimation among the Persians. Mordecai was given honor and dignity by the King for his service on two occasions (Esther 6:11, 8:15). True honor comes from the Lord. He had robes and crowns, and chains of Gold (Targum record). Mordecai had a magnificent state garment, a festal appearance, and the happiness of his heart. Mordechai obtained the crown and mantle at his installation to his office as chief minister of the 120 states of the Kingdom.
2. Mourning turned Gladness (Esther 8:16)
Please read Esther 8:16: ‘The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour’ (Esther 8:16 -KJV).
This chapter begins with the scene of Esther being in tears (Esther 8:3), and the City was in utter confusion and fear of death (Esther 3:5). The Jews were doomed and they mourned, but now their mourning had been turned into rejoicing. “The fear of impending doom is gone, and the Jews find themselves in “lightness.” The dark cloud which had so long hung over them was dispelled, and again the sunshine of prosperity beamed upon them.” (Precept Austin).
The Trouble: The reason for the sackcloth and Ashes of Mordecai and Esther was Haman. He was the top officer of the Persian king Xerxes. He was second-in-command. There is an interesting story of this evil leader. He was a descendant of Agag, King of the Amalekites, who were ancient enemies of God’s people (Exodus 17:14, Numbers 24:7, 1 Samuel 15:8). He cast the lot, called “pur,” in order to determine the day that the Jews would be exterminated (Esther 3:7–9).
The fight between Mordecai and Haman has a historical route. Mordecai was a Benjamite descendant of Saul (Esther 2:5) and Haman was an Agagite (Esther 3:1, 10; 8:3, 5; 9:24) descendant of Amalek (Exodus 17:8–16) son of Esau (Genesis 36:12). God pronounced His curse on the Amalekites, which resulted in their total elimination as a people (Exodus 17:14, Deuteronomy 25:17–19). Although King Saul disobeyed God and spared king Agag (1 Samuel 15:2-3,7-9), and incurred God’s displeasure (1 Samuel 15:11, 26; 28:18). Samuel finally hacked Agag into pieces (1 Samuel 15:32, 33). Because of his lineage from Agag, Haman carried deep hostility toward the Jews.
God is sovereign even when life doesn’t make sense to us. He is at work. God worked through the dark days of Esther and Mordechai, through their obedient lives, and through prayers. God assured victories at the end. Life can be hard. Difficult times happen, and pain cannot be avoided. When life doesn’t make sense run to God and never run away from him. The book of Esther encourages us that God is always present. (Chuck Swindoll).
3. Death turned New Life (Esther 8:17)
Esther became an orphan but God took her to the harem (Esther 2:1–16). Esther risked her life before the king and God worked to show the mercy of the King (Esther 5:1–3).
“Story of Esther could be compared to a chess game. God and Satan (as invisible players) moved real kings, queens, and nobles. When Satan put Haman into place, it was as if he announced “Check.” God then positioned Esther and Mordecai in order to put Satan into “Checkmate!”. God won the game (John MacArthur).
Haman tried to eradicate the promise of God from the face of the earth, but God eradicated the descendants of Amalak. “Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:4).
Prayer changes the decrees, verdicts, Parliamentary bills, and Government orders in every generation and in every nation. the order of Annihilation became null and void through the prayers of the few saints. Prayer is powerful, fasting prayer is so powerful. The short answer is that God was with the Jews. Ultimately the King of kings was their commander and their strong Warrior! In the final analysis, the Battle was the Lord's.
Church growth was a natural result of the prayers. “When believers have rest and walk in the fear of the Lord, and the comfort of the Holy Ghost, they will be multiplied. And the attempts of Satan to destroy the church, always tend to increase the number of true Christians.” (Matthew Henry). This is the only mention in the Old Testament that Gentiles became Jews. They became religious Jews, not racial Jews. (Dr. Constable).
