Esther 8:3-17

Bringing the sermon home:

Will the Jews be delivered from the death sentence that hangs heavy over their heads? That’s the cliffhanger on which the prior passage concluded. Sadly, in chapter 8, we discover that the decree of death cannot be revoked, at least according to the king. However, a counter-decree is issued permitting the Jews to defend themselves against anyone who acts on the first decree.

The counter-decree brings such hope for deliverance and joy among the Jews that others decide to become Jews themselves, despite the target that doing so places on their backs. This mirrors what happened in the Exodus when a multitude of Egyptians united themselves to the Israelites during the march into the wilderness (Exod 12:38).

All of this pictures our conversion. The decree of death against us for our sin cannot be revoked, but the counter-decree of the gospel has been issued, calling us to bind ourselves to God and His people despite the target that places on our backs in this world. May the Lord grant our times of thanksgiving for our salvation in Christ even greater witnessing power than the thanksgiving of the Jews in Esther’s time!

Sermon outline:

1. The decree of death cannot be revoked. (vv.3-8)
2. The counter-decree gives hope for deliverance. (vv.9-14)
3. Declare that you belong to God and join in the celebration! (vv.15-17)