Esther 8:1-17
8:1-2 King Ahasuerus gave Queen Esther all of Haman's possessions, including his land and home. The king also gave Mordecai his signet ring, which had formerly been given to Haman, and the significance was that it gave Mordecai honor and power within the king's administration. God orchestrated a complete reversal of Haman and Mordecai's situation.
8:3-6 Esther still had to save her people. With the deference required of a subject speaking to the king, she implored Ahasuerus to counteract the decree. God placed Esther in a position to fight for her people and she fulfilled it.
8:7-8 In response, the king granted Esther and Mordecai permission to write the counter-decree themselves! The king gave Esther and Mordecai the opportunity to save their people... such an opportunity was granted first and foremost by the King of kings, God. God arranges the details of our lives to support our righteous agendas.
8:9-10 Therefore Mordecai wrote, with permission and under the king's irrefutable name, a new decree and he had it sent out to all of the provinces.
8:11-14 Notice that Mordecai did not abuse the power; he simply utilized the material and opportunity God provided to restore justice. The children of God who had been sentenced to death were given permission to defend themselves against anyone who would attack them.
8:15-17 Relief flooded the provinces. God exalted the humble Mordecai, Matthew 23:12. Mordecai stepped out of the king's house with royal apparel, no longer did he wear the sackcloth of mourning. To God, the people who are actually royal are those who serve people. Esther and Mordecai dedicated themselves to their people rather than to their own self-preservation (as Haman had).
