A few weeks ago, I came across an amazing portion of scripture in the book of Esther chapter 8. The story of Esther is one of great significance and one that I believe will change your life if not begin to alter or change the course of your destiny in the days to come.
In this one, and the next month’s newsletter we will learn that Esther appealed to the King to make a second decree that would reverse a previous decree (the one that was inspired by a man named Hema, the enemy of the Jews who appealed to the King to make a law) that was made to exterminate the Jewish people in her day. Mordecai, a Jewish man himself, who had raised Esther as his daughter and now is serving as a gatekeeper in the King’s palace, had discovered this plot to kill the Jewish people. Mordecai knew that something had to be done to stop it.
This previous decree, once sealed by the King’s signet ring, would become law to be enforced as such and could never be changed! This decree was then translated into all of the languages of the people and sent out into the 127 provinces that went from Ethiopia, to India: the Persian empire at that time. However, when Mordecai discovered that this decree had been made, he mourned for days and laid in the street. He took no food, and refused to comforted. Several days later he was discovered by Queen Esther who asked to find out why he was so distraught. Queen Esther soon learned of the decree to kill the Jews, then Mordecai warned Esther that if she didn’t do something at this time she and her people who die! This is where we find the Scripture “for who knows that you have been brought into the kingdom for such a time as this.” (Esther 4:14c) Esther now knows that this was her time to act. Her appointed time had come! She changed history!
After a three day fast of no food or water (what we call an Esther fast) she goes before the King with her request. She was told the decree that was previously made could never be changed. However, she was told by the King to say whatever she wanted and he would seal it with his ring. And it, too, would become law.
This second decree enabled the Jewish people to protect themselves for what was about to take place. Next month we will learn how this story ends. A second decree made the difference! Stay tuned next month for more! Right here!
~ Dan Ecker
