Esther 8:9–14
9 Then were the king’s scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.
10 And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus’ name, and sealed it with the king’s ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries:
11 Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey,
12 Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar.
13 The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.
14 So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king’s commandment. And the decree was given at Shushan the palace.
The law of the Medes and Persians couldn’t be changed. The law Haman had written had to stay on the books. But because the heart of the king had been softened by the pleas of Esther, he provided a way by which that law might never come into effect—or would at least be neutralized.
The Jews could protect themselves. In fact, they could do more than that. They could take the lives of anyone who might attack them, including women and children, and they had a right to plunder and take ownership of their possessions. So at least it was an even playing field. The Jews now had their own defense, established of all things, by the Persian law. “The couriers, hastened and impelled by the king’s command, went out, riding on the royal steeds; and the decree was given out at the citadel in Susa” (Esther 8:14).
Amazing! And to think these rights provided for all the Jews were granted by the same man who earlier had virtually sealed their doom.
You may have some person after you. You may have some document, something that’s been written that seems irrevocable—some magazine article, some newspaper article, some transcript, some occupational report, some lawsuit, whatever. Because it’s in writing, it looks so intimidating, so unerasable, so legal. And you’re reading these words, thinking, Yeah, but if you only knew who’s behind that. That’s my whole point here! Who is anybody compared to the living Lord? I don’t care who’s behind that document. We serve a sovereign God who has yet to go “Ahh!” when He finds anything on this earth. Nothing frightens Him. Nothing causes Him to do a neck jerk. He’s in charge! We live “in the shelter of the Most High.” We “abide in the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1). Nothing is too hard for Him! Nothing!
We live “in the shelter of the Most High.” Nothing is too hard for Him. Nothing!
— Charles R. Swindoll
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