Wicked Haman had potted to exterminate every Jew living in the Persian kingdom. The law was enacted, and the date was approaching. Queen Esther intervened and begged the king for help. The king hanged wicked Haman for his evil plot, but the law was still active. On that day, and the days that followed, we see how God made a joyful turnabout of events.

Transition

God not only answered prayer for Esther and the Jews, He also worked all things together for good, and He can do the same for you and me.

The first evidence of God working things together for good is that …

The King gave Esther Haman’s House (v.1).

  1. On the banquet day.
    1. The king wasted no time.
    2. He hanged Haman.
  2. The king then gave Esther Haman’s house.
    1. The word “house” generally refers to a dwelling, house, or even palace, but it can have a broad meaning, including the household and family.
    2. After Haman’s execution, the king confiscated his entire property. According to commentator, Joseph Benson, this included, “the whole estate belonging to his family, his lands, his goods, his servants, his cattle, with all the money he had treasured up.”
    3. Thus, the palace of Haman and all that it included now became the estate of Queen Esther. Because of the former high position of Haman, this estate was very likely of substantial size.

The second evidence of God working things together for good is that …

The King gave Mordecai a Promotion (v.1-2).

  1. Esther introduced Mordecai to the king.
    1. The king was already aware of Mordecai because of the sleepless night when his servants read about his bravery in saving the king’s life.
    2. Now that the king knew that Esther was a Jew, it was only natural that she would introduce Mordecai to the king. Note that she told the king “what he was unto her.”
      1. She was an orphan.
      2. Mordecai, her older cousin, raised her as his own daughter. He was like her own father.
  2. The king chose to promote Mordecai.
    1. He took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai. Gill states that this gift “with the Persians, was a token of the strongest affection and strictest friendship.” This ring was the king’s signet with which he signed laws and letters. When pressed in wax or clay, it was the king’s signature.
    2. With this ring, the king was promoting Mordecai to the position previously held by Haman as chief prince in the kingdom. He was placing his trust in this man who had reared his queen and who had saved his life.
    3. Haman and Mordecai were opposites. Haman was wicked, self-serving, proud, feared, and disliked. Mordecai was righteous, God-fearing, loyal, humble, and beloved.
    4. Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman that she had just acquired.

The third evidence of God working things together for good is that …

The King gave the Jews Protection (v.3-14).

  1. Esther spoke again to the king.
    1. Her mission was not yet complete. Yes, Haman was dead, but the law that Haman had constructed was still valid. All the Jews in the 127 provinces of Persia would be killed.
    2. Therefore, Esther went in before the king again, without permission, to beg him to put away the evil law (v.3).
    3. God graciously moved the king to hold out his golden sceptre to Esther (v.4). She then rose and stood before the king to make her plea. Read Esther 8:5-6.
  2. The king gave answer to Esther and Mordecai.
    1. Evidently, Mordecai, being the new chief prince, was already in the court with the king, or he was called in. We read of the king’s response in Esther 8:8.
    2. Mordecai wasted no time in drafting the letter, having it translated into every necessary language, sealing it, and hastily sending it throughout the kingdom (v.9-10).
    3. It is important for us to note the details of the Mordecai’s Jewish Protection Order (v.11).
      1. The Jews were to gather together.
      2. They were to stand for their lives.
      3. They had permission to destroy, slay, and cause to perish all who “would assault them.”
    4. Prior to Mordecai’s Protection Order, it is likely that the Jew-haters throughout the kingdom had openly terrified the Jews with their plans. This new law was the king’s approval for the Jews to defend themselves, and to kill all who had been plotting to kill them.
    5. All Jews were ordered to be ready on the 13th day of the 12th month to defend themselves (v.13).
      The fourth evidence of God working things together for good is that …

This gave the Jews Gladness and Honour (v.15-17).

  1. The king honoured Mordecai.
    1. Either the king himself, or Esther the Queen, provided Mordecai a new wardrobe.
    2. He now wore royal clothing of blue and white, and a great crown of gold on his head. His outer robe was of fine purple linen.
    3. Having Mordecai as chief prince brought great joy and gladness to the residence of Shushan. Evidently, Mordecai had an excellent reputation in the city of Shushan as a just and honest man. Remember, he sat at the king’s gate (possibly as a judge).
    4. Years earlier, Solomon wrote, (Proverbs 29:2) “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” That was true then, and it is still true today. Righteous leaders treat others right. This is true whether you are a husband, father, parent, employer, pastor, or politician.
      1. Do you treat your spouse right, even when your spouse mistreats you?
      2. Do you treat your children justly when they are repeatedly doing wrong?
      3. Are you harsh with those working for you, or do you treat them as you would want to be treated?
    5. We all enjoy being treated properly.
  2. Mordecai’s Jewish Protection Order gave Joy.
    1. When this news reached the ears of the Jews throughout the kingdom, it brought great joy to all.
    2. They had joy and gladness, a feast, and a good day.
    3. It is interesting that many people of the land became Jews at this time. When they saw how God had answered prayer on behalf of the Jews, executing wicked Haman, promoting Mordecai, and allowing Mordecai and Esther to write the Jewish Protection Order, they were drawn to God. It is likely, that they renounced idolatry, and became worshippers of the true God. Benson

Conclusion

(Romans 8:28) “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Truly, God worked all things together for good for the Jews at that time.

If you are a true Christian and you love the Lord, you can be confident that God will work all things together for good in your life as well. This is not a promise that you will face no hardships. The remainder of Romans 8 makes this clear. It is a promise that all will work for your good and for God’s glory (even if you don’t yet see it that way). Paul ended Romans 8 with these words, (Romans 8:35-39) “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” We may face hardships, but God’s love, His presence, and His comfort make life good.

God will take care of you!

Song: God will Take Care of You 297
—
A Joyful Turnabout
5 November 2023 AM – Text: Esther 8:1-17 – Topic: Providence – Series: Est23