“Now you (Mordecai) write to the Jews as you see fit, in the king’s name, and seal it with
the king’s signet ring; for a decree which is written in the name of the king
and sealed with the king’s signet ring may not be revoked.” (v.8)
After the
events in chapter 7, the “death decree” issued by king Ahasuerus against the
Jews was still in effect. Here in chapter 8, we see that king Ahsauerus had given
Mordicai Haman’s ring of authority, and suggested Mordecai write “a new decree”
in the name of the king and sealed it with the king’s signet ring, so it could
not be revoked (v.8).
So the
king’s scribes were called and it was written just as Mordecai dictated, “to
grant the Jews who were in each and every city the right to assemble and to defend their lives, to destroy, to
kill and to annihilate the entire army of any people or province which might
attack them, including children and women, and to plunder their spoil, on one
day in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month (vv.11-12). This “new
decree” empowered the Jews to fight for their lives against all comers, and inspired
others to become Jews, in order to join them rather than be vanquished by them
(v.17).
Today,
God offers us a new decree as well - His gospel of grace. This pardon for sin
comes with the seal of the Holy Spirit, so no one can snatch you out of His
hand, and has inspired many to become a part of His family. During
this time of year when we celebrate this gift of God to man, I encourage you to
become a part of His family. You’ll be glad you did!
The
Truth
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our
Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
