“보라 네 왕이 네게 임하시나니”(스가랴 9:9)

Esther Series (8)
Esther 8:1–17
"The Edict Was Also Proclaimed in the Citadel of Susa"

Esther chapter 8 begins after Haman’s death, when King Xerxes gives Haman’s house and estate to Esther. Esther then reveals her relationship with Mordecai to the king. Mordecai gains the king’s trust and is granted new authority. Yet Esther once again falls before the king in tears, pleading for the reversal of Haman’s edict that sought to annihilate the Jews. Although a royal edict once issued cannot be revoked, the king allows Mordecai to write a new edict, seal it with the king’s signet ring, and send it throughout the empire—including the citadel of Susa. Mordecai appears in royal garments with a gold crown and fine linen, and the Jews rejoice in victory.

This was not achieved by Esther alone, but is a masterpiece brought about by the community of God’s people together. Haman wrote an edict to destroy the Jews (Esther 3:12–13). Mordecai asked who knows whether Esther had come to her royal position for such a time as this, and Esther called all the people to join her in a three-day fast and prayer. She then approached the king, saying, “If I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:12–17). It was not Esther alone, but the people of God who joined together in prayer. And though the original edict sealed with the king’s ring could not be revoked, a new edict was issued that rendered it powerless and saved the Jewish people.

Our church is a collaborative work brought about by God’s people. Just as Haman tried to annihilate the Jews, the world seeks to attack and destroy the church so that the true kingdom of God cannot be established. In the face of such decrees, churches often give up in advance, claim that the church has no hope, or judge themselves by worldly standards. Instead, we must not be entangled by the world’s decrees, but together proclaim God’s edict of joy over our homes and churches. Jesus, who died on the cross in our place, has torn up the devil’s decree and declared victory.

1.Let us become a beautiful story of God together!

Discussion Questions:
1.What does the devil’s decree written against you say? What new decree of God must you proclaim in its place?

Application:

1.Because Jesus Christ bore our sins and died on the cross, the decree of condemnation written by the devil has already been torn apart. Now let us write a new decree—one of grace and forgiveness, hope and restoration, and true peace—and proclaim it over our families and communities.