THE KING’S EDICT IN BEHALF OF THE JEWS (vs. 1-17)
King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman and Esther told the king that Mordecai was related to her. So the king called Mordecai into his presence and presented to him his signet ring which he reclaimed from Haman. And Esther appointed him over Haman’s estate. Esther again pleaded with the king to write an order to overrule the edict which Haman devised to destroy the Jews in all the king’s provinces. King Xerxes told Mordecai to write another decree in the King’s name as he seemed best in behalf of the Jews and seal it with the king’s signet ring.
So the royal secretaries were summoned and they wrote out all Mordecai’s order to the Jews; and to the straps, governors and nobles of the 12 provinces stretching from India to Cush. It was written in the script of each province and the language of each people and also to the Jews in their own script and language. Mordecai wrote in the name of King Xerxes, sealed the dispatches with the king’s signet ring, and sent them by mounted couriers, who rode fast horses especially bred for the king.
Mordecai left the king’s presence wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa held a joyous celebration. It was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor for the Jews.
THOUGHTS:
Esther exposed the enemy and saved her own life. But the edit that the king issued could not be revoked. So he issued another edict giving the Jews the right to arm and protect themselves and to destroy anyone who was an enemy of the Jews. The king gave a new law not to cancel the old one but to supersede it. And the messengers were dispatched to every corner of the kingdom to be made known. This is also true in Christian life. The law of sin and death has been overcome by the law of the Spirit of life in Christ. But the message of the Gospel must be spread so that the people will not perish.