Winning the peace

Reprieve – Rejoicing - Retaliation

Esther ch.8 – Ch.9 v.19

v.1 King Xerxes gave Queen Esther

the estate of Haman, the enemy of

the Jews. And Mordecai came into

the presence of the king, for Esther

had told how he was related to her.

v.2 The king took off his signet ring,

which he had reclaimed from Haman

and presented it to Mordecai. And

Esther appointed him over Haman’s

estate.

Est.3 v.13 - - - with the order to destroy,

kill and annihilate all the Jews –

young and old, women and little

children – on a single day, the

thirteenth day of the twelfth month,

the month of Adar, and to plunder

their goods.

Est.8 v.8b No document written in the

king’s name and sealed with his ring

can be revoked.

v.3 Esther again pleaded with the

king, falling at his feet and weeping.

She begged him to put an end to the

evil plan of Haman the Agagite, which

he had devised against the Jews.

v.4 Then the king extended the gold

sceptre to Esther and she arose and

stood before him.

v.5 – 6 Esther pleads for her people

v.7 – 8 The king orders another edict

to be written overruling the edict of

Haman.

v.10 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’s edict

v.11 The king’s edict granted the Jews

in every city the right to assemble and

protect themselves; to destroy, kill and

annihilate any armed force of any

nationality or province that might

attack them and their women and

children; and to plunder the property

of their enemies.

v.15 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,

v.16 For the Jews it was a time of

happiness and joy, gladness and

honour.

Est.8 v.11 The king’s edict granted

the Jews in every city the right:

Est.3 v.13 Dispatches were sent by

couriers to all the king’s provinces

with the order:

to assemble and protect themselves;

to destroy, kill and annihilate

to destroy, kill and annihilate all the

Jews – young and old, women and

little children – on a single day,

to plunder their goods

to destroy, kill and annihilate any

armed force of any nationality or

province that might attack them and

their women and children;

to plunder the property of their

enemies.

Est.9 v.3 All the nobles of the

provinces, the satraps, the

governors and king’s administrators

helped the Jews, because fear of

Mordecai had seized them.

v.4 Mordecai was prominent in the

palace; his reputation spread

throughout the provinces, and he

became more and more powerful.

v.5 The Jews struck down all their

enemies with the sword, killing and

destroying them, and they did what

they pleased to those who hated

them.

Nearly 80,000of their enemies

recorded as killed

v.10, v.15 & v.16 “They did not lay

their hands on the plunder.”

Prov.12 v.20 There is deceit in the

hearts of those who plot evil, but joy

for those who promote peace.

Winning the peace

Matt. 5 v.44/45 I tell you: Love your

enemies and pray for those who

persecute you, that you may be sons

of your Father in heaven.

Ouistreham - D- Day landing

Sword beach

Always Forgive

Never Forget

Always forgive – Never forget

Heb.8 v.12 “For I will forgive their

wickedness and will remember their

sins no more.”

Heb.10 v.17 “Their sins and lawless

acts I will remember no more.” –

Is.38 v.17 – In his prayer Hezekiah

says – “In your love you kept me

from the pit of destruction; you have

put all my sins behind your back.”

Rom.12 v.17 to 21 Do not repay

anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do

what is right in the eyes of everybody.

v.18 If it is possible, as far as it

depends on you, live at peace with

everyone.

v.19 Do not take revenge, my friends,

but leave room for God’s wrath, for it

is written: “It is mine to avenge, I will

repay,” says the Lord.

v.20 On the contrary: “If your enemy

is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty,

give him something to drink. In

doing this, you will heap burning

coals on his head.”

v.21 Do not be overcome by evil, but

overcome evil with good.

Matt. 5 v.44/45 I tell you: Love

your enemies and pray for those

who persecute you, that you may

be sons of your Father in heaven.

Heb.8 v.12 “For I will forgive their

wickedness and will remember their

sins no more.”

“They did not lay their hands on the

plunder.”