May 20. 2025-Meditation, Esther 8:1–17 The Decree that Saves Lives

 Haman, who plotted to kill Mordecai—a man who seemed not to be loyal to him—and sought to destroy the Jews, Mordecai’s people, ended up being hanged on the very gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. The king’s signet ring, once held by Haman, was given to Mordecai. The king also placed Haman’s entire estate under Mordecai’s management, effectively transferring all of Haman’s possessions to Mordecai.

The one who devised evil plans fell into the very trap he had set and lost everything—even his life. We might call this a “reversal.” But the One who accomplished this reversal is God. It was God who overturned Haman’s wicked schemes.

Such a turnaround cannot be planned or carried out by human means. Once the king’s decree was sealed with his signet ring, it was irrevocable, and Haman was the second most powerful man in the kingdom. How could anyone overturn this situation? But God did it. Though the circumstances seemed impossible, with God, all things are possible.

Another important point is that no matter how secretive or well-devised an evil plan may seem—like a perfect crime—God sees it all. God judges all things, distinguishing between good and evil.

Now, the day originally set to annihilate all the Jews became the day when those aligned with Haman and his followers—those who intended to kill the Jews—were themselves destroyed.

Reversal does not come by our doing. It is God who brings about reversal. What we can do is to remain upright before God—to entrust everything to Him and not lose our holiness of faith. This is what we call “the patience of faith.” We must not fight evil with evil. To oppose evil with rage or violence is not God’s way. Rather, even in the midst of unjust and difficult situations, we must hold fast to the purity of our faith and remain steadfast. When we entrust everything to God, He will act in His own way and reveal His justice.

There may be times when we face unfairness or unrighteousness and feel like we are losing out. In such moments, we may feel the urge to act on our own. But let us not forget where God is in those situations. God is not blind, nor is He deaf. He sees and hears everything, and He will surely reveal His justice.

In today’s passage, verse 17 says:

“In each and every province and in each and every city, wherever the king’s command and his decree arrived, there was joy and gladness for the Jews, a feast and a holiday. And many among the peoples of the land became Jews, for the dread of the Jews had fallen on them.” (Esther 8:17, NASB)

It says the people of the land “feared the Jews.” The Hebrew word used here for “fear” is pachad (פַּחַד), which means fear or terror, and is commonly used to describe the fear of God. The fear that fell upon the people regarding the Jews was not merely a human fear—it reflected a fear of God. As a result, many among the Gentiles “became Jews.” To “become a Jew” here means to become a person who believes in God.

In the same way, today, the lives we live influence whether the people around us will become Christians or not. What kind of life would make someone want to become a Christian after watching us? It is a life that holds onto holiness, patience, and gentleness—even in the face of loss, injustice, or hardship. It is a life that does not lose kindness and meekness, no matter the circumstances.

May we be people who hold firmly to such faith. And through our lives, may we not only preserve our own spiritual purity, but also become an influence that draws others to want to become Christians.