The story of Esther ep. 5 - God saves the Jews

Your Majesty, if I found favor with you, then spare my life and the life of my people too. Then Queen Esther went on, for I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed, and annihilated. If we were sold to be male and female slaves, I wouldn't complain, but we'll all be killed. My family, my whole nation and I, we will disappear. The king was astonished and angry at the same time. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. He knew that the Jewish people would be destroyed, but it did not occur to him that Esther was also a Jew. Welcome to the last journey through Esther's life. Can you believe it? In the last episode, we saw that while the Jewish people had fasted and prayed, God had turned things around. Haman, who thought he would finally see his plan to kill Mordecai fulfilled, instead came to parade him through the city of Susa, urging the people to bow down before Mordecai and honor him. Yes, God did great things while the people prayed, but it didn't end there. Now Haman went to attend Esther's second banquet together with the king. King Ahasuerus, curious about the reason of the banquet, asked Queen Esther again. Queen Esther, what is your request? It will be fulfilled. What is your wish? the king insisted. Even if you ask me to give you half the kingdom, I will give it to you, the king continued. Then Queen Esther poured out her soul before the king and said, your majesty, if I found favor with you, then spare my life and spare the life of my people too. Then Queen Esther went on, for I and my people have been sold to be destroyed and killed and annihilated. If we were sold to be male and female slaves, I wouldn't complain, but we'll all be killed. My family, my whole nation and I, we will all disappear. The king was astonished and angry at the same time. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. He knew that the Jewish people would be destroyed, but it did not occur to him that Esther was also a Jew. Who and where is the one who dared do such a thing? King Ahasuerus asked Queen Esther, rage in his voice. The one who arranged my death and that of my people is Haman himself, Queen Esther reviled. Haman froze. He couldn't believe his ears. Haman had already had a terrible day, but this surprise was beyond his worst imagination. Furious, King Ahasuerus threw down his golden cup and went out into the garden of the palace. Haman stayed behind, begging Queen Esther to spare his life. When the king returned, he found Haman imploring Queen Esther to forgive him. King Ahasuerus became angry and ordered his servants to hang Haman on the pole, the same pole Haman had set up to kill Mordecai. Then the king's fury subsided. It's interesting how things turn out sometimes, isn't it? On the same day, King Ahasuerus gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. Esther told the king that Mordecai was actually her cousin, and the king gave Mordecai the ring with his seal, the ring that had previously been assigned to Haman. Also, Queen Esther appointed Mordecai over the estate that had once belonged to Haman. Then Queen Esther threw herself at the king's feet again, begging him to stop the plan to kill the Jews. If the king wishes, Queen Esther started. If I found favor with him and if he agrees, let an order be written over ruling Haman's letters, which order the destruction of the Jewish people. For how can I bear to see How can I bear to see the destruction of my family? Then King Ahasuerus answered Queen Esther and Mordecai. We cannot revoke the law that passed, but you can write another decree. Draft a letter for all Jews, as seems best to you and for their benefit. Write in the name of the king and seal it with the king's ring. For no document written in the king's name and sealed with his ring can be revoked. Mordecai drafted a new law and sent letters sealed with the king's ring to all regions over which King Ahasuerus reigned. The king's edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves, to destroy, kill, and annihilate the armed men of any nationalities or providences who might attack them and their women and children and plunder the property of their enemies. The news was received with joy by all Jews. They celebrated with great joy that God had saved them. Thus, on the 13th day of the month of Adar, the day when Haman had ordered the Jewish people to be destroyed, instead of having the Jewish people killed, the exact opposite happened. The Jews gathered together in their cities, in all lands of King Ahasuerus' kingdom, to defend themselves and fight against those who wanted to destroy them. Many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them. Mordecai also became a very powerful man in the king's house and he was famous in the entire kingdom and the rulers feared him as they feared the king. The Jewish people were victorious that day. No one could defeat them because God was the one who gave them the victory. That day, once doomed to destruction, became a day of great celebration for the Jews. These things happened on the 13th and 14th day of the month of Adar, the 12th month. The next day, the 15th day, the Jewish people rested and made it a day of joy and feasting, rejoicing and giving presents to each other. Mordecai sent letters to all Jews, asking them to honor and celebrate the way God had delivered them from their enemies on that day. They called this holiday Purim, from poor, which meant lot because Haman chose the day to destroy the Jews by casting the poor. Thus, the Jews decided to celebrate the feast of Purim every year. The miraculous way in which God saved them on that occasion was to be recalled every year and by every generation to come. King Ahasuerus promoted Mordecai to high rank, gave him authority and made him the second man in the empire. Mordecai was loved and admired by all Jews for the good that he did for his people. This story may seem short for us, but it was certainly an intense experience for Queen Esther, Mordecai and their people. It was an adventure in which they once again saw God's hand at work. God Almighty planned everything in detail long before these things happened. God sent Esther to the palace for a purpose. Thus, through Queen Esther, God has saved the lives of all the Jewish people. But Esther had a choice. She could have disobeyed God and refused to risk her life in going to the king. But Esther chose to obey God and risk her life, pleading to the king for her life and that of her people. Thanks to her obedience, God saved an entire nation. Sometimes it may seem to you that your role is not important wherever God has placed you, whether at school or at home. Maybe it's hard to listen when you want to do something else. But let's learn from Queen Esther and choose to obey God no matter how hard it is. And do not forget, God has put you where you are for a purpose. God's plan with you is far greater than you can imagine. Most likely, it did not even occur to Esther that God had chosen her to be queen for such a time as that in order to save the lives of an entire nation. So remember, be obedient to your parents and the Lord. Obey God and remember that God's plan for you is far greater than you can imagine now. We now come to the end of Esther's impressive story, but not the end of your adventure. Your story with God can begin right now. Produced by David and Goliath Productions, you can re-watch this episode along with the rest of the series on YouTube on the DG Bible Stories channel. 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