Justice and the Prophets
God Promises a Just Kingdom
Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5)
Injustice Will Be Punished
Esther 8:3-8 The Message
3-6 Then Esther again spoke to the king, falling at his feet, begging with tears to counter the evil of Haman the Agagite and revoke the plan that he had plotted against the Jews. The king extended his gold scepter to Esther. She got to her feet and stood before the king. She said, “If it please the king and he regards me with favor and thinks this is right, and if he has any affection for me at all, let an order be written that cancels the bulletins authorizing the plan of Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite to annihilate the Jews in all the king’s provinces. How can I stand to see this catastrophe wipe out my people? How can I bear to stand by and watch the massacre of my own relatives?”
7-8 King Xerxes said to Queen Esther and Mordecai the Jew: “I’ve given Haman’s estate to Esther and he’s been hanged on the gallows because he attacked the Jews. So go ahead now and write whatever you decide on behalf of the Jews; then seal it with the signet ring.” (An order written in the king’s name and sealed with his signet ring is irrevocable.)
For Reflection
Perhaps the king was moved by Queen Esther's plea, not for herself but her people. Perhaps, the king's eyes were opened by recognizing Haman's unreasonable and excessive scapegoating. Maybe the king thought that if Haman dared to circumvent the king, he could also turn on the king. The king may have had his own reasons for saving the Jews. But, if it were not for the courage of Esther's defense of her people, Haman's treachery would have been completed.
Pray
Pray prayers of praise and thanksgiving for the courage to correct unjust actions. Pray and find the passion and courage to stand against unjust action.
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