Reversal, Relief, and Remembrance

Esther 9:17-28

The completion of a final exam always served as a highlight for me, both in college and in seminary. I wanted to run through the middle of the quad and shout “FREEDOM!” at the top of my lungs. There was nothing like the feeling of relief that came after the flurry of preparation and perspiration. When I completed and defended my dissertation, that feeling was multiplied many times over. I might have even cried. I teared up at my graduation for sure. Relief!

After their battles God’s people had relief from their enemies and rest from striving, both of which came only after resolution to their problem (Smith, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, 284). There is often little rest and relief while a battle rages, though we long for it desperately. Rest typically follows resolution. Suddenly, where they had first expected ruin, there was an opportunity for reflection. The emotional toll of waiting for months to see how everything would turn out, the preparations for defending their children and property, and the fatigue from fighting could all be released. It was time for recovery.

In Christ we too have relief from our enemies and rest from our striving, but what we experience now in part we will know one day in full. What a glorious day it will be when we are forever free from anxiety, fear, and even striving in our sanctification! While we will still have work in heaven, it will be free from toil and exhaustion, and it will always be fruitful and done joyfully. What a glorious day it will be when we no longer have a need for internet filters or must put away good gifts that we have turned into terrible gods. Through Christ we will experience full rest and relief, and we are one day closer to it today than we were yesterday.

Relief and rest are not ends in themselves, though, but means to rejoicing. The Jews’ fasting was important, but now it was time for feasting. As I mentioned earlier, the rejoicing was not in the deaths of the enemies but in deliverance. Wherever they were, the Jews celebrated with a day of good food and joy. Can’t you picture the hugs, the smiles, children being lifted into the air, hands raised in victory, and even dancing that surely filled the streets? Breathing in oxygen and knowing they were alive must have felt so good! In God’s strength and with his provisions, they had fought for one another, for life, for the ones who would come behind them, and they had won. I am sure the celebration had to be similar to the one that occurred on the banks of the Red Sea as the last waves crashed over the charging Egyptian army and the Israelites knew their enemy was vanquished and they were free! It is no wonder a spontaneous worship service erupted on that shore (Exod 15). If I had a tambourine that day, I would have shaken it too (Exod 15:20)!

Every Sunday we gather and celebrate Christ’s victory and the rest and relief he’s granted us from sin and wrath. We celebrate life! We celebrate that one day all our enemies of the flesh, the world, and the devil will be put away forever. But rejoicing is not just for Sundays or holidays. I hope that rejoicing is one of your daily practices. Much as the Jews did after the battle, we can celebrate with certainty. Christ is our Victor. We have won because he has won!

For some reason we are prone to forget God’s goodness to us. We see this tendency throughout the Bible. God does something great for his people. They are glad for a time. Then they forget. Esther and Mordecai did not want those in any generation to forget God’s deliverance. They therefore instituted Purim as a yearly reminder and commanded every generation in perpetuity to observe it. Jews in the modern world, in fact, just observed Purim not long before I sat down to write this chapter.

This feast was not instituted by the Lord but by others as a means to celebrate something that should not be forgotten. In the Old Testament, God’s people were often instructed to raise an ebenezer or a cairn so they would not forget something God had done and could teach future generations about God’s goodness. Every time a child or grandchild would ask why a particular stone of remembering had been placed or why God’s laws were so important, parents and grandparents had an opportunity to share the truth that

We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, but the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a strong hand. Before our eyes the Lord inflicted great and devastating signs and wonders on Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on all his household, but he brought us from there in order to lead us in and give us the land that he swore to our fathers. The Lord commanded us to follow these statutes and to fear the Lord our God for our prosperity always and for our preservation, as it is today. (Deut 6:21-24)

As the psalmist says, “We will not hide them from their children, but will tell a future generation the praiseworthy acts of the Lord, his might, and the wondrous works he has performed” (Ps 78:4).

With regard to Purim, Gregory offers some helpful thoughts:

By naming the festival “Purim,” attention is focused on something deeper. And it is this: the lot, or destiny, of God’s people is not left up to chance and it is not determined by someone like Haman casting lots before his gods. No, only God determines the lot of his people. The name reminds the people that it is God and God alone who determines how things turn out in the world. (Inconspicuous Providence, 166)

Relief for the Jews was not just gained, it was given. With the establishment of a yearly reminder, God’s people were encouraged to always remember the Giver!

Whatever it takes, may we never forget God’s goodness to us through the gospel of Christ. Set reminders. Set alarms on your phone. Leave yourself notes posted where you will see them each day. Keep lists of the daily graces he extends to you. Participate in corporate singing with your faith family and in hearing God’s Word preached. Celebrate each baptism and each time the Lord’s Supper is observed. These are all aids in helping us remember and rejoice in who he is and what he has done for us.

One additional note about Purim. Gregory points out,

In the Jewish calendar, the year begins and ends around March. It begins with a celebration of the Passover and ends with a celebration of Purim. That is, it begins with a celebration of how God delivered his people from the oppression of Pharaoh in a foreign land, and it ends with a celebration of how God delivered his people from the oppression of Haman in a foreign land. (Ibid., 169)

Even when the Jews were far from home, God was not far from them. This should be a great comfort to us, who are also “strangers and exiles” (1 Pet 2:11).

Nothing helps us remember and rejoice more than things we record. No doubt realizing this, Mordecai wanted things written down so that there would be a physical reminder of what occurred. How grateful we should be for the written Word of God, and how passionate we should be to see that all peoples have it in their languages! Consider these thoughts from David Strain:

In many ways, the application of the whole book of Esther is right here in this section of Esther chapter 9. The answer to the question, “What is the book of Esther intended to do in the hearts of its readers?” is here. Here is the “So what?” question answered regarding Esther. The whole thing is designed to explain why the Jews observe Purim, that is, why do we rejoice and celebrate? Here’s what you do with the truths of the book of Esther—you remember grace and you rejoice. The Jews did it at Purim; it’s what we do every Lord’s Day. . . . Part of our task, as we seek to remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy, is to do what the Jews do here at Purim, to remember to rehearse again the “old, old story of Jesus and his Cross,” that we might reignite the flames of rejoicing in our hearts. A Sunday that is morbid and dark is not a godly Sabbath. Today is the day when life and immortality were brought to light, the day in which light was created, when the Light of the world broke through the darkness of death for us and our salvation. Today, brothers and sisters, of all days, we have reason for joy. Jesus Christ lives and reigns and has won a victory for us. (“Holy War”)

Aren’t you grateful the gospel has not just been proclaimed to you but preserved for you to read again and again in God’s Word? Read, remember, rejoice, and then repeat.

In considering all that Mordecai recorded and the letters he and Esther sent, there is a bit of irony concerning where the book of Esther begins and ends. Remember when Ahasuerus’s counselors had him send out a decree so that women would be kept in their place in their homes (1:22)? “At the end of the book of Esther, a letter goes out to the entire empire, with the king’s own wife issuing the final command” (Gregory, Inconspicuous Providence, 167).

Esther 9:29–10:3

At the beginning of this book, we did not even know Mordecai and Esther existed. Once we did, we were introduced to them and to their compromises and their initial lack of public identification with God’s people. But as the story progressed, so did Esther’s and Mordecai’s understanding of what was entrusted to them, not just for their sake but for the sake of God’s people scattered throughout the empire. Both displayed great courage and, above all, good stewardship of the positions of influence the Lord gave them. Recorded in the closing verses of the book is their power, influence, and making the most of their lives not just for Ahasuerus’s kingdom but for the Lord’s.

God accomplishes his perfect plan through imperfect people. This is good news for those who often have to admit, “I am conscious of my rebellion, and my sin is always before me” (Ps 51:3). Though we will still have moments of disobedience until glorification, God can and will still use us for his name’s sake. Our plea is Christ’s perfection and not ours. As Esther and Mordecai progressed in their understanding and usefulness, may we as well.

As we have noted, God is no less in charge of our when, where, and what than he was for Esther and Mordecai. Nothing is accidental or arbitrary about our skills, circumstances, or opportunities. For such a time as this, you and I have been entrusted to make disciples as we go to the nations and to our neighbors.

I often stress to high school and college students that we are not living a trial run. Life is not like a video game in which you can just go back to the last saved checkpoint and start over after a mess up. Your freshman year in high school or in college could not be more real. And while you may repeat a grade, you will never repeat a year.

As I write, Senator John McCain is serving his last term in the United States Senate. He was diagnosed with brain cancer in July 2017. Now that he does not have to run for reelection, he feels more freedom than ever to vote his conscience. In considering his time winding down both in political service and life in general, McCain referenced a line from For Whom the Bell Tolls: “The world is a fine place and worth the fighting for and I hate very much to leave it.” McCain wrote: “I hate to leave it. But I don’t have a complaint. Not one. It’s been quite a ride. I’ve known great passions, seen amazing wonders, fought in a war, and helped make a peace. I made a small place for myself in the story of America and the history of my times.” (Cooney, “I Hate to Leave”)

Two phrases from McCain’s response struck me. The first one was “I hate to leave it,” and the second one was “the history of my times.” If we would only consider both of these phrases more often, perhaps we would be gripped with gospel urgency. The days the Lord gives us are the history of our times. They are our only days. And soon we will no longer be in the positions in which we serve or even on this planet.

Even if you’ve worked for years with the same company and make many sacrifices, do not be surprised if the day after you retire they give your office to the next person to serve in your old position. The author of Ecclesiastes reminds us, “A generation goes and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever,” and “There is no remembrance of those who came before; and of those who will come after there will also be no remembrance by those who follow them” (Eccl 1:4, 11). Do you know the names of your great-great grandparents? Without looking at records, I do not. Since those who came before us did not know us and those who come behind us will not remember us, we should maximize our striving to reach those who are with us here and now. These are the only days of our lives.

I have made this point many times over in this book, so I will not belabor it here. All God expects from us, he provides for us in Jesus. He does not expect us to be strong in our strength but in his. He does not expect us to persevere in our power but in his. He does not expect us to contend for the gospel so that he will keep us; rather, we contend for the gospel because we are kept. We seek to know what he wants and do it in his power because we have been delivered, redeemed, and forgiven. The resources and the reasons for what we do arise from the gospel. May we who have put our hope in Christ “bring praise to his glory” (Eph 1:12).

Esther 9:29–10:3

As powerful as Mordecai became, he was not in command of the empire. His was definitely a significant position (ask Joseph), but he still served under a pagan king. And even though it might have been all the world they knew, Persia was not all the world there was, and certainly not all the planets in our galaxy or every star in existence belonged to it. As great as the deliverance was for the Jews, they were still in Persia, and they were still under Ahasuerus’s reign. Neither Esther nor Mordecai was ultimate liberator of God’s people. He was still to come! And he is “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” (Rev 19:16).

In the book of Esther, a significant issue was resolved for God’s people, but it wasn’t the ultimate issue. Even though they were granted victory over the edict of doom, the Jews were still under the domain of darkness with sin and death. They did not die on the day they battled, but eventually death came for them all and the children they fought for as well as the grandchildren they never met. A greater victory was needed.

The recording of their renown is also a reminder that we can be faithful and God can bless that faithfulness, but history does not revolve around us. Twice in high school my first name was misspelled on our baseball team’s calendars and once on an award I received for football. I learned early on, then, that only one name matters. Be faithful. Be a good steward. But remember that any good that comes through us is a work of God’s grace; therefore, he should receive the glory.

First, in the battle for our deliverance, Christ alone has achieved victory. Unlike the Jews who worked together, no one gathered to help Jesus be our substitute. His closest friends abandoned him, and some blatantly betrayed him. Unlike the Jews who had every Persian official standing with them, Jesus had no political person intervening on his behalf. Pilate washed his hands of the issue, and he and Herod bonded in their opposition. Christ alone stood against our enemies and defeated them with his death.

Second, as Haman’s sons’ bodies were hanged in shame, so was Christ’s. He was hung on the tree because in our place he was cursed. He received the full punishment of divine wrath, but he also experienced the full brunt of our shame. Haman’s sons’ bodies hung in defeat, and they deserved it. They are an example of what happens to all who come against the Lord. And the shame and defeat they experienced should be what we experience. But look! There is Christ, crucified in our place.

Third, Christ brings eternal and true liberation. The Jews in Esther’s and Mordecai’s day experienced rest and relief from their enemies in a particular instance, but Christ provides rest and relief from our enemies forever. An example of the temporary nature of the Jews’ relief can be seen in Ahasuerus’s taxation on the land (10:1). Nothing dispels relief and rest like getting a letter from the IRS in your mailbox! Whom the Son has set free, however, will be free forever! No more taxation and no more trouble.

Though few of us observe Purim, we have been given a celebration feast as well. The Lord’s Supper is a reminder of God’s greatest reversal and his greatest goodness to us. The Jews celebrated Purim with rejoicing in relief, but how much more should the resurrection fuel our praise? At Purim they gave gifts to the poor, but at the Lord’s Supper we celebrate what Jesus gave to the poorest. He says to us, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs” (Matt 5:3).

At Purim they would look backward and remember, which we do with the Lord’s Supper. However, we also look forward. We know Christ is coming again, and we will drink the cup together with him. The Lord’s Supper provides us a time to remember the cost paid for us to be able to participate in a future Table. All the feasts combined in the book of Esther cannot compare with the feast we will experience one day. As John was told to write, “‘Blessed are those invited to the marriage feast of the Lamb!’” (Rev 19:9). John Frame notes, “We eat only little bits of bread and drink little cups of wine, for we know that our fellowship with Christ in this life cannot begin to compare with the glory that awaits us in him” (Systematic Theology, 1069).

Through his providence and in keeping with his promises, God placed Esther and Mordecai in positions of power to preserve his people and punish his enemies. Somewhere in the empire were those who would one day be recorded in the messianic genealogies listed in the Gospels. We do not know where they were, but God did. He kept them alive so that “when the time came to completion, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons” (Gal 4:4-5). God kept them alive so that through them his Son might be sent. And through his death, we are granted life. As Paul declares, “He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. In him we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Col 1:13-14). The decree of death has been destroyed!

In the book of Esther, God does not have to be named for us to notice his work. But it certainly was his work, so let us join the psalmist in declaring, “Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory because of your faithful love, because of your truth” (Ps 115:1).