Journal Through the Bible: Week 101 Wednesday

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Esther 7:1-8:8:17

Does God issue any commands?

• God does not speak.

Does God make any promises?

• God does not speak.

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• The petition of Esther to King Ahasuerus was that she be granted her life. Jesus made a similar request in the garden prior to His crucifixion. (It wasn't so much that He feared physical death -something all mankind experiences - but Jesus did ask that the cup of death pass from Him if it be the Father's will. In Jesus' case, it was not the Father's will.) Each person thereafter who comes to the Father through the Son asks of God the same thing that Esther asked Ahasuerus, "If I have found favor in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition. . ." It is not God's will that any should perish (II Peter 3:9)
• Just as the scripture foreshadowed when Mordecai was paraded through the city on the king's own mount, Mordecai was later elevated to a position beside the king when Ahasuerus gave Mordecai his signet ring and royal apparel. We are told in Romans 8:34 that Jesus is now seated at the right hand of the Father in Heaven.
• Esther and Mordecai had been spared but Esther made intercession for her people. This is just what Jesus does! Romans 8:34 tells us that He makes intercession for us. John 17:20-26 records the prayer that Jesus prayed for all of His people asking God that they be given glory like the Father had given Jesus.
• The word of King Ahasuerus spread quickly throughout the Persian Empire telling God's people to be ready. This is the responsibility that Jesus left with His disciples. They were commissioned to quickly tell everyone the word of King Jesus so that all would be ready for when the day comes.

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

• The enemy of our King is always seeking our destruction but one day he will be the one destroyed. The plan he set in motion will be his own undoing.
• When Mordecai was second in command the whole country rejoiced, especially the people who had once been marked for destruction. Christians are nothing more than sinners who were once on their way to destruction but who have now been pardoned. When the Second in Command rules they will rejoice and have rest!