Day 21- Esther 9:1-19

Day 21 – Esther 9:1-19

Opening Prayer: Father, You are the God of victory. I want to live in the victory You have already secured! Increase my faith as I remember all You have done.

Read: Esther 9:1-19

In your 4R journal:

• Record: After reading this short story, what verse stood out to you?
• Respond: Write a short prayer of praise in response to what God has shown you.

This part of Esther is like the final shootout in a western movie. The action is fast and furious but in the end the Jews overpower their enemies and there is peace.

Mordecai our hero, is a foreshadowing of Jesus. He is faithful, always looking out for the good of Esther and his people, willing to die, and finally elevated to the right hand of the King. In chapter nine of Esther, Mordecai’s fame and power terrified his enemies and the Jews struck all their enemies with the sword. In fact, the first day five-hundred foes were killed in Susa alone.

Then, once again, we hear the familiar phrase from Esther to her king, “If it pleases the king…” Did you notice that Esther is now abiding in the king’s presence and boldly asking him for deliverance? She is confident and unafraid as she asks for another day to assemble and defend themselves.

Also, you may have noticed another refrain after every victory, “They did not lay their hands on the plunder.” One commentator notes that the Jews most likely spared the women and children, leaving their property intact. (This also implies that the Jews were merely defending themselves and not looking to profit from it.)

• Why do you think the phrase “They did not lay their hands on the plunder” is repeated?
• How has God shown you grace recently?

My Verse: Esther 9:19, “Therefore the Jews of the rural areas, who live in the rural towns, make the fourteenth day of the month Adar a holiday for rejoicing and feasting and sending portions of food to one another” (NIV).

My Response: Father, thank you for celebrations and times set apart for remembering Your goodness and power. You are truly amazing!

God loves celebrations! Yes, that’s right, He is pro-party. After victory there is always a celebration or memorial of some kind. Purim is unique because it was established apart from the Levitical feasts. Next, we will investigate the beauty of Purim and why we can always expect God to do the unexpected!

Father, You are abundantly gracious and so good that the word good doesn’t seem adequate. Give me a vision of hope and a heart to celebrate the victories you have already given me.

 The next step:

When the Spirit leads, in the comment section below, chose a response to share:

• Why do you think the phrase “They did not lay their hands on the plunder” is repeated?
• How has God shown you grace recently?

Or

• Share your 4R Response