The Unseen Hand of God in Our LivesНамуна

It Isn’t Over Until It’s Over

Many issues have been resolved already. The villainous Haman has met his end. Esther and Mordecai also receive their reward at the beginning of Esther 8, in the shape of Haman's confiscated estate and a promotion for Mordecai. However, Haman's edict to exterminate the Jews had not yet been reversed: it was still hanging over their heads like the proverbial sword of Damocles.

It is interesting to observe what happened when Esther finally spoke out about her ethnicity and her relationship to Mordecai. Far from being disturbed by the revelation that Esther was Jewish, the king's response to the news was to promote Mordecai into Haman's former position as vizier over the empire. This is indeed a working of the unseen hand of God.

In verses 5 and 6, we find Esther asking for a new edict to be issued. It is interesting that she asked this. Did she not know the king's edict could not be revoked?

Could God’s people be preserved when a decree of the king could not be revoked? 

The king’s response in verse 8: “write to the Jews as you see fit” is once again a manifestation of the providential hand of God.

Are you facing situations that seem impossible today? Do you have to meet up with people who seem too difficult to handle? Remember if God can change the heart of an Ahasuerus, He can change any heart.

Verse 9 is the longest verse in the Bible. The edict was written and sent to all the 127 provinces, making sure that not one was left out. Clearly, once again, the providence of God was working to save the Jews from total annihilation!

Haman’s wicked edict was sealed with the signet of the king. God had turned the tables and now Mordecai possessed the signet ring because the king had given it to him.

God’s purpose in all these matters goes farther than the sparing of the Jews from destruction; He also purposed to raise up Mordecai as the prime minister—as a replacement of Haman.

The date of this edict reveals that the Jews’ date with fate was scheduled nine months from that day, affording them ample time to prepare for the threat the first edict still posed to their existence.

After the issuing of Haman's edict, the city of Susa was thrown into confusion (Esth. 3:15), but after Mordecai's edict was published, the city rejoiced (Esth. 8:15).

This joy came before the actual day appointed when the Jews would be attacked, yet be able to defend themselves. Nevertheless, because of the decree of the king, they are assured of victory and rejoice in it ahead of time.

In the same way, our course is not yet run; our salvation is not yet complete, yet we can rejoice, because our confidence is in our king. "Being confident of this very thing that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." Phil 1:6

Remember, God answers our prayers way beyond what we can ask or think.

Are you going through some situations in life that seems immovable? Have you asked God to step in? 1 John 5:14 says, “This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” 

Quotes: “We're important, but not essential; valuable, but not indispensable. We have a part in the play, but we are not the main act. A song to sing, but we are not the featured voice. God is.” - Max Lucado

Prayer:  Lord, help me to see the big picture—that you are in charge. Amen