Let’s take our Bibles together and turn to the Book of Esther. Today we bring this Biblical story to its climactic resolution. 

Throughout the book of Esther, there have been a number of ups and downs. More “downs” than “ups” in fact, if you add them all up. But at the end of Chapter 8, things were looking especially promising for Esther and Mordecai and the Jews in the nation of Persia. And it didn’t feel that way for most of this book. 

When I was in High School, I remember reading the famous short story by Ambrose Bierce called “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge.” I remember vividly being riveted by the story all the way to the end. The story is set in the Civil War. And it involved a man named Peyton Farquhar who is about to be hanged. And Peyton’s thoughts right before hanging were of his beautiful wife and children who were unaware of Peyton’s plight. 

Well, as soon as Peyton was hanged, something unexpected happened. His noose broke. He fell into the creek. And he began swimming frantically for his life. And he began dodging bullets and cannon fire in the water. And all he could think of was getting home to his beautiful wife. Eventually he emerged on dry ground and he ran through the forested regions near his home, desperately hoping to make it. 

And eventually he did make it. He saw his home. He saw his wife. But after coming up to his porch and after being relieved to finally reach his wife, his vision started to blur. His pain intensified and his thinking became scrambled. And for whatever reason he couldn’t quite make it to his wife. And he just stops. 

And then, as the story concludes, the author describes Peyton dying helplessly attached to that hangman’s noose. There he was, where it all began. He had never actually escaped. The noose was never broken. He had hallucinated the entire thing. 

That is what you would call a great, unexpected reversal in literature. A cruel irony even! But thankfully the book of Esther moves a different direction. Yes, there is irony. And yes, there is a great reversal. But it doesn’t move from positive to negative; instead it moves from negative to positive. And it ends where you might expect—God protecting his people from those who would destroy them. 

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We’re going to see three movements today, church. Go ahead and write these down in your notes, and let’s finish up this great book of the Bible together. Here’s the first movement. 

1) A Great Reversal (9:1–10)

Let’s look at Esther 9:1 together.

1 Now in the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king’s command and edict were about to be carried out, on the very day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain the mastery over them, the reverse occurred: the Jews gained mastery over those who hated them.  

Now this is eleven months after Haman had cast his lots (Esth 3:7). And this is the climactic day of the king’s first edict—the one that Haman manipulated him to order. And yet when things finally come to their dramatic conclusion on the thirteenth day of Adar, “the reverse occurred.” Haman, the genocidal enemy of the Jews, is dead. He tried to leverage the king of Persian to annihilate the Jews. But all of that backfired on him. And because of the bravery of Mordecai and Esther, these two flawed but faithful Israelites, the Jews were saved.  

And behind the scenes, we see God moving the levers of power to protect his people. Yes, God is not mentioned by name in the book of Esther. But God is still working incognito. God is the unmoved mover, the invisible mover, who delivers his people from the threat of annihilation.

And in verse 2, 

2 The Jews gathered in their cities throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus to lay hands on those who sought their harm. And no one could stand against them, for the fear of them had fallen on all peoples. 

We’re going to see in a moment that not all the Persians laid off from attacking the Jews. But the smart ones did. The smart ones, the lucky ones, were so compelled by fear of the Jews… probably because word had spread that the queen was Jewish along with the second in command, Mordecai … that they backed off. That’s a smart move. We see all throughout the OT that God is repeatedly blessing those who bless his people and cursing those who curse them. It’s almost as if God actually meant it when he told Abraham that he would bless those who bless him and curse those who curse him (Gen 12:3)!

Look at verse 3.

3 All the officials of the provinces and the satraps and the governors and the royal agents also helped the Jews, for the fear of Mordecai had fallen on them. 4 For Mordecai was great in the king’s house, and his fame spread throughout all the provinces, for the man Mordecai grew more and more powerful. 

Notice that Mordecai is the central figure here. Esther isn’t even mentioned. I don’t even know if the people of Persia ever found out that Esther was Jewish. Whether they did or not, the key thing to notice here is that Mordecai is the central character of this story. He’s the one who wields significant power.

I heard someone say once that the book of Esther is really a misnomer. This book should probably be called the book of Mordecai. I can’t disagree with that. Certainly they are both integral to the plot of this book. But Mordecai is definitely the one who gets the most press at the end. 

Look at verse 5.

5 The Jews struck all their enemies with the sword, killing and destroying them, and did as they pleased to those who hated them. 

So some of the Jew-haters did the smart thing and relented for fear. The not-so-smart ones, probably because they had been waiting for an opportunity like this for a while, rushed right in and attacked the Jews. And the Jews, who were given the authority to defend themselves, killed and destroyed them. It’s as if we are back in Canaan now, and God is giving the Israelites success as they conduct holy war on the Canaanites. 

And the author is going to describe this activity throughout the nation of Persia. But first he zooms in on the capital city and tells us what happened in Susa. Remember now, this is where all the activity has taken place thus far. This is where Ahasuerus was located. This is where Esther was made queen. This is where Mordecai saved the king’s life. This is where Mordecai and Haman went to war against one another. This is where Haman devised his wicked plot. And this is where Esther turned the tables on Haman. 

And so, it says in verse 6, in Susa…

6 In Susa the citadel itself the Jews killed and destroyed 500 men, 7 and also killed Parshandatha and Dalphon and Aspatha 8 and Poratha and Adalia and Aridatha 9 and Parmashta and Arisai and Aridai and Vaizatha, 10 the ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, but they laid no hand on the plunder.

Now two questions here. Why are these men, these ten sons of Haman, mentioned? And why did they take no plunder? Let’s answer those in turn. 

Why are the ten sons of Haman mentioned? Well, if you remember in Esther 5, Haman bragged before his wife that he was favored by the king. He even said ironically, “Even Queen Esther let no one but me come with the king to the feast she prepared. And tomorrow also I am invited by her together with the king” (5:12). He actually threw a party and brought all of his friends over to celebrate. And it was at that party that he bragged about his splendor, and his riches, and his favor before King Ahasuerus and Queen Esther. And he also bragged about his sons. We didn’t know that at the time, but the number and the names of his sons are listed here. 

Now at this “Great Reversal” of chapter 9, not only has Haman’s life been taken from him, but also all of his boasts including his splendor, his position, his riches, and even his sons have been taken from him too. 

You might say, “That’s so sad. That’s so tragic!” Maybe. But that’s what you get when you align yourself against God and against his people. And even Haman said himself, “Queen Esther let no one but me come with the king to the feast she prepared. And tomorrow also I am invited by her together with the king. Yet all this is worth nothing to me, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate” (5:12). 

Haman allied himself against the Jews and thereby against the Lord. The most important thing in his life was the extinction of Mordecai and even God’s people, and therefore everything else in his life was taken from him. It’s a word of warning to those who would repeat Haman’s error. 

By the way the word that is used here for “kill” is the Hebrew הָרַג (hā·rǎḡ). And that’s different from the word for murder in God’s command “Thou shalt not murder” (Exod 20:10). That word, for murder or for homicide, is רָצַח (rā·ṣǎḥ). So this is not an instance of murder or even genocide as some have suggested. This is a kind of “holy war” similar to what we see with the Israelites when they take the Promise Land. And what’s interesting here is that the Israelites have finally reversed the disobedience of Saul with Agag the Amalekite in 1 Samuel 15. The offspring of the Amalekites have finally been punished. 

The other question you might ask here is why did the Jews refrain from taking plunder? Why is that important? Why would the author make a note of that? This is actually the opposite of what the Persians were planning to do when they annihilated the Jews (see Esth 3:13). 

But that’s not the reason this is mentioned here. The reason this is mentioned here is because this is a reenactment of what takes place in other instances of Holy War in the OT, what the Hebrew referred to as חֵרֶם (ḥē·rěm). Abraham took no plunder from his enemies in Genesis 14. The Israelites weren’t allowed to take plunder in Canaan when they sacked the cities of Jericho and Ai and others. And Saul likewise was told not to take plunder from the Amalekites when he battled them, which he disobeyed. 

The Jews in Persia are following the same course of action here. This is holy war. This is God protecting his people. This isn’t about self-aggrandizement. This is about self-preservation. And this is about showing the world that the God who led and protected his people when they left Egypt and entered the Promised Land is still doing the same thing centuries later in distant Persia.  

Last summer, I was in Germany with Alastair. And we went with my friend Richard to the Concentration Camp called Dachau right outside of Munich. That was a sobering experience. And while I was there, I saw this piece of art that had human skeletons in the shape of the Nazi swastika. It was a pretty ghoulish but appropriate artistic rendering of the Nazi experience in Europe. 

And my experience last summer was a stark reminder of how common and how bloody antisemitism can be. Just as a reminder, approximately six million Jews were killed (2/3 of all the Jews in Europe were killed during the Holocaust). And for the record, I believe that God still has a purpose for his chosen people. And I believe also that there are still Haman-like figures out there in this world who are actively trying to eradicate the Jewish people. And that’s one of the reminders that we should take away from the book of Esther.

I read this last week that the book of Esther was actually a favorite amongst the Jews in the concentration camps of Nazi Germany. That book would circulate so much that the Nazis would punish any Jew who was reading it. So the Jews started to memorize the book of Esther and recite it to one another. Why would they love this book so much? What was encouraging here for them to remember? 

Well this book was a great encouragement to them that God would ultimately vindicate them. And it may seem strange to us that God would allow so many Jews to suffer and die at the hands of evildoers. I know that’s seemed strange even to Jews who survived the Holocaust. Why did God allow that to happen?

I don’t have quick or clever answers to that question. But I will note that if it wasn’t for the tragedy of the Holocaust, I doubt that we would be looking at a modern state of Israel today. God used that tragedy to reintroduce his people to their ancient homeland. I don’t always understand the way that God works. And the secret things of the Lord belong to the Lord. But one of the great events that took place in the twentieth century is the establishment of the nation of Israel. And I believe that God authored that.

And also, it’s not an accident that antisemitism continues throughout our world today. That’s as old as the OT. That’s as old as the book of Esther. 

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Write this down as a second movement in the text. Not only do we have “A Great Reversal.” We also have “A Great Commemoration” of that reversal. A Great Commemoration called “Purim.”

2) A Great Commemoration (9:11–32)

Look at verse 11 with me. 

11 That very day the number of those killed in Susa the citadel was reported to the king. 

That “day” is the thirteenth day of the month of Adar. Keep that in mind, because that’ll be key for what happens next. 500 people were killed in Susa on the 13th of Adar, and this was reported to the king. 

12 And the king said to Queen Esther, “In Susa the citadel the Jews have killed and destroyed 500 men and also the ten sons of Haman. What then have they done in the rest of the king’s provinces! 

The reality is that the king doesn’t know yet what has happened throughout the provinces. But still he asks Esther…

Now what is your wish? It shall be granted you. And what further is your request? It shall be fulfilled.” 

This is, just so you know, an amazing statement by the king. I don’t think it’s an overstatement to say that the most powerful man in the world is right here putty in this Jewish queen’s hand. That’s amazing. Not only was Ahasuerus powerful and esteemed. He was a warrior king who had fought and battled throughout the ancient world. And besides all that, the book of Esther opens up with him humiliating and deposing his previous queen, Vashti. 

But now, with his new queen in place, she can ask of him anything! He says, “Whatever you want, I’ll give it to you.” And she doesn’t waste this opportunity. Look what she says. 

13 And Esther said, “If it please the king, let the Jews who are in Susa be allowed tomorrow also to do according to this day’s edict. And let the ten sons of Haman be hanged on the gallows.” 

Yikes! That is not your typical request by a queen. Esther isn’t asking for better beauty treatments or a fancier tiara. She has been thoroughly shaken to her core by the treatment of her people. And so she says, “Let my people defend themselves a little longer. And let the sons of that great enemy of the Jews be hanged on the gallows.” 

Why? Why would she want that? Well that is a shot across the bows. That is a signal to the entire city. If you mess with the bull, you will get the horns. If you mess with God’s people like the enemy of the Jews, Haman, did, this is what will happen to you and your family. 

This might sound a little cruel and crude to our modern-day sensibilities. But this is how war was fought in the ancient world. And this is how you kept wicked people in check in a place like Persia.  

14 So the king commanded this to be done. A decree was issued in Susa, and the ten sons of Haman were hanged. 15 The Jews who were in Susa gathered also on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar and they killed 300 men in Susa, but they laid no hands on the plunder. 

So rinse and repeat. What happened on the 13th of Adar was repeated on the 14th of Adar. And no plunder was taken. 

You might ask, “Well what happened in the rest of the Persian Empire? What happened in all the other provinces?” Well it would take a while to receive word of what happened. But eventually a report made it back to Susa. And verse 16 says…

16 Now the rest of the Jews who were in the king’s provinces also gathered to defend their lives, and got relief from their enemies and killed 75,000 of those who hated them, but they laid no hands on the plunder. 17 This was on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, and on the fourteenth day they rested and made that a day of feasting and gladness. 

In the provinces there was no need for fighting again on the 13th of Adar. The war was over in one day. So they used the 14th of Adar for a feast. 

Look at verse 18.

18 But the Jews who were in Susa gathered on the thirteenth day and on the fourteenth, and rested on the fifteenth day, making that a day of feasting and gladness. 

Remember they had to fight, and were given permission to fight two days. And now they are feasting and celebrating on the 15th of Adar. 

Why are we going into so much detail about this? What does it matter? Well, stay tuned. This is very important. Because you have this thing called “Purim” and people need to know where it came from.

Look at verse 19.

19 Therefore the Jews of the villages, who live in the rural towns, hold the fourteenth day of the month of Adar as a day for gladness and feasting, as a holiday, and as a day on which they send gifts of food to one another. 20 And Mordecai recorded these things and sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far, 21 obliging them to keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar and also the fifteenth day of the same, year by year, 22 as the days on which the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month that had been turned for them from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, days for sending gifts of food to one another and gifts to the poor.

So quick summary here. The Jews outside of Susa celebrated on the 14th of Adar. The Jews inside of Susa celebrated on the 15th of Adar. Mordechai says essentially why make it one day or the other. Let’s celebrate both days. And let’s make this a permanent time of celebration for the Jews. Which they did. 

So look at verse 23.

 23 So the Jews accepted what they had started to do, and what Mordecai had written to them. 24 For Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur (that is, cast lots), to crush and to destroy them. 25 But when it came before the king, he gave orders in writing that his evil plan that he had devised against the Jews should return on his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows. 26 Therefore they called these days Purim, after the term Pur. 

If you remember, Haman cast lots in Esther 3. And they used by Haman to establish the time to exterminate the Jews! And in that way these lots, “the Pur,” had a strategic purpose for killing the Jews. 

And in a little bit of what you might call “gallows humor,” Mordecai decides to use the term “Pur” to celebrate the deliverance of the Jews. In other words, Mordecai decides, “Let’s use the device that Haman used to secure our demise as a symbol of our time of celebration.” That’s more than just irony… that’s a delicious irony.

Even the use of the word “Purim” is ironic, because that’s not even originally a Hebrew word. The Hebrew word for “lot” is גּוֹרָל (gô·rāl). That word is used repeatedly throughout the OT. But “Purim” is only found in Esther. As far as we can tell, it was originally a Babylonian word. And this is the word that the Jews used to identify one of their sacred holidays. 

26 Therefore they called these days Purim, after the term Pur. Therefore, because of all that was written in this letter, and of what they had faced in this matter, and of what had happened to them, 27 the Jews firmly obligated themselves and their offspring and all who joined them,

“All who joined them!” What’s that a reference to? Well, that’s probably a reference to Gentile converts to Judaism in the nation of Persia. We saw evidence of that at the end of chapter 8: “And many from the peoples of the country declared themselves Jews” (8:17). Some of the pagan Gentiles in Persia wanted to join the winning team. No shame in that! 

27 the Jews firmly obligated themselves and their offspring and all who joined them, that without fail they would keep these two days according to what was written and at the time appointed every year, 28 that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, in every clan, province, and city, and that these days of Purim should never fall into disuse among the Jews, nor should the commemoration of these days cease among their descendants. 

By the way, Jews still celebrate Purim today. It takes place typically in February or March. And it’s not uncommon for Jews to give money to the poor at this time. They exchange presents with each other. 

A well-known pastry that is used at this time is what are called “hamantaschen” or “Haman’s pockets.” In Hebrew, these are called הָמָן אָזְנֵ֥י (Ozney Haman) which literally translated is “Haman’s ears.” 

Also Jews will celebrate Purim with these noisemakers called “graggers” (Hebrew: רַעֲשָׁן [ra’ashan]). They make kind of a ratchet sound, and from what I understand, Jewish kids drive their parents crazy with these graggers. And historically, you would use these graggers whenever the name “Haman” is said out loud. 

In fact, “The book of Esther in its entirety is read in the synagogue on Purim. During that reading, noisemakers are used; people cheer at Mordecai’s name and boo and hiss at Haman’s.” That’s a little reminder to Jews that God protected them ultimately from those who were committed to their extinction. It’s a little reminder of God’s promise in Genesis 12:3, “I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Look at verse 29.

29 Then Queen Esther, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew gave full written authority, confirming this second letter about Purim. 30 Letters were sent to all the Jews, to the 127 provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, in words of peace and truth, 31 that these days of Purim should be observed at their appointed seasons, as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther obligated them, and as they had obligated themselves and their offspring, with regard to their fasts and their lamenting. 32 The command of Esther confirmed these practices of Purim, and it was recorded in writing. 

That statement about “fasting and lamenting” is interesting. This is an homage to what Esther and Mordecai did in chapter 4, when their backs were up against the wall. They lamented and they fasted, and the Lord heard them and helped them.

And that’s appropriate for holidays. Holidays are not just a time of celebration. They are also a time of fasting, lamenting, and prayer. We celebrate Easter, but that’s because Good Friday preceded it. We celebrate Christmas, but we remember that the boy born in Bethlehem was born to die in Jerusalem.

And by the way, speaking of a great reversal. I hope it’s not lost on you that Haman’s sons were hung on a gallows as the enactment of a curse against God’s enemies. In the most amazing reversal of human history, God the Father actually poured out his wrath on his innocent son. His son was actually cursed. In fact he became a curse, in order to save us from our cursed state. Paul says it this way in Galatians 3:13, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.” That’s more than just irony. That’s an act of sheer grace. God the Son received what we deserved, in order that we might receive what we don’t deserve.  

Paul says it this way in another section of Scripture, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor 5:21).

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Finally, write this down as #3. Let’s finish up this great book of the Bible. In a few short verses in chapter 10 of this chapter, we also see A Great Reminder. 

3) A Great Reminder (10:1–3) 

Here’s what I mean by that. The author says in chapter 10, verse 1, 

1 King Ahasuerus imposed tax on the land and on the coastlands of the sea.

That’s an interesting statement to make at the end of a book. Why not just end with Purim? Why not just end by saying, “And the Jews lived happily ever after?” 

Well, the Jews don’t live happily ever after. Not yet anyway. Their day is coming. But what the author is indicating here is that things went back to normal in the land of Persia. When Ahasuerus first married Esther in chapter 2, he actually suspended taxes on the nation (see 2:18). He was so in love with Esther, and he was so pleased after the debacle of Queen Vashti, that he granted a remission of taxes. 

But now, in Chapter 10, the taxes are back! It’s business as usual in the Persian Empire. The King is back to his oppressive kingly ways. 

By the way, the original readers of this book would have probably been aware of this. Ahasuerus was assassinated in his bed by some of his own servants. So, yes Ahasuerus was a powerful and imposing king. He was a great warrior-king who invaded and defeated even the mighty Spartans at the Battle of Thermopylae. 

But Ahasuerus died like a dog in his bed. And his kingdom has been long abandoned. And Persia is no longer a great kingdom. It’s only great in the history books. Persia is on a list of many great kingdoms that have fallen by the wayside: Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, England, etc. Does any king truly establish a lasting kingdom? Does any kingdom truly last forever? Yes! And we’re still waiting for it.

Look at verse 2.

 2 And all the acts of his power and might, and the full account of the high honor of Mordecai, to which the king advanced him, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia? 3 For Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Ahasuerus, and he was great among the Jews and popular with the multitude of his brothers, for he sought the welfare of his people and spoke peace to all his people. 

THE END! Can I just reiterate that a second time?—THE END! I emphasize this point, because this is the end of Esther in the Hebrew Bible. The Septuagint and the Vulgate and thus the Catholic Bible have additional chapters for this book that are part of what we call the Apocrypha. You are welcome to read those if you like, but they are not θεόπνευστος. They are not “God-breathed” Scripture (2 Tim 3:16–17). The God-breathed Scripture of the book of Esther ends right here in chapter 10, verse 3. 

And if you would, please read this as the original readers of this book would have 2,400 years ago. Yes, it’s business as usual in the Persian Empire again. Taxes are due. But here’s a reminder that one Jewish man who was faithful to the people of Israel was able to do great good, even when surrounded by hostile enemies. He sought peace and pursued it. And God granted that peace to him. 

And this is written as a reminder to future generations how one man and one woman too can change the course of history. And even though this world is full of challenges and evil empires and evil kings and blatant antisemitism, God is still working behind the scenes, through faithful people, to accomplish his ultimate goals. 

And even as I read these last few verses, let me ask you to consider what a true and greater Mordecai might look like. Consider another Jew born in a hostile nation. Consider another Jew, like Mordecai, who came to seek the peace and welfare of his people… not physical peace and welfare for the nation of Israel, not yet… but the spiritual peace and welfare of their souls. Consider another Jew, like Mordecai and like Esther, who interceded for their people. He bravely risked his life on behalf of his people, and he even gave his life to save his people from their sins. 

And here’s what makes that Jew in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago even better than the Jew in Persia 2,400 years ago. Yes, Jesus was a man of sinless perfection. Mordecai was far from that. But the other difference between these two saviors is the scope of their saving work. Because Jesus died and saved not just Jews who put their faith in him, but pagan Gentiles like you and me who have more in common with Ahasuerus and Haman, then we do with Esther or Mordecai. 

Just wrap your minds around this for a moment. God brought his Son to earth as a Jew. And that Jew saved the souls of wicked Gentiles throughout the world. Wicked Jews and Gentiles both to be more specific! God did that. And we celebrate him for that. 

And what’s interesting is that the Jews celebrated their salvation with the symbol of lots—the Purim. Those lots that were used to seal their fate! What do we use as a symbol of our salvation? A cross. A cross? Why do we celebrate a cross? That’s a symbol of death and brutality. Yes, it is. And that’s the symbol of the salvation that was purchased for us.