大約在末底改頒佈第二道法令的九個月之後，幸運之日來臨了。現在猶太人大發熱心，受了鼓勵，而且組織起來；這樣，他們可以保護自己，對付那些依照哈曼所頒的第一道法令，想屠殺他們、搶走他們財產的仇敵。所有的各省領袖調轉過來，支持猶太人，因為他們敬畏末底改，上帝舉拔他，成為大有權勢的人；他們也知道王真正的意圖，是要恩待猶太人。在此時刻，王后是猶太人，也成了公開的秘密。不過，通國各省，還有許多歧視猶太人的人，在哈曼曾經掣籤所定的日子起來對他們不利。是主不只控制著籤（箴16：33），也控制著事情的結果。既然上主已與祂的子民同在，就「沒有人能抵擋他們」（9：2）

        主為了祂子民的好處，改變了周圍整個的境況。撒但邪惡的計謀想毀滅上帝子民，未能推展；因為猶太人已轉回，他們的上帝也救了他們。在這一個大勝利中，上帝在全世界都得了榮耀。大衛的後裔得到保全，未被除滅；這樣，應許的彌賽亞才會按照上帝的計畫真正來臨。

        傷心已經轉為極大的快樂，膽怯成為勇敢，悲痛成為喜慶，混亂轉為和平。上帝是祂子民生命中真正的主宰。今天信徒們經驗到的喜樂，也是由於上帝的解救──藉著祂的兒子，主耶穌，將我們從罪中救出（約15：1；17：13）。

        有兩處記載，猶太人並未施行搶奪；儘管法令許可他們這樣做（8：11；9：10，15）。他們表現出的行動全是防禦性的；同時，因未施掠奪，這些財富便轉歸國王，使國王增加富有。這樣做，也向王表示救了性命的感激。

        在首都書珊，猶太人殺了五百個人；因那些人起來和猶太人作對。這其中，也包括了哈曼的十個兒子，想為死去的父親報仇。那天將盡，亞哈隨魯王見到猶太人的勝利，十分高興；但他似乎仍然關心他們日後的安全，所以問以斯帖，是否還有其他的要求，他必定答應。她可能已經聽到，書珊那裡仍然有許多猶太人的仇敵，雖已逃走，卻可能計畫另一次的攻擊。所以，她要求在次日，猶太人仍可毀滅他們的仇敵。王答應了她的要求，包括公開吊死哈曼的十個兒子。使他的家人因而蒙羞，並作為一個警告：誰要想毀滅上帝的子民，就有可怕的結局。

        末底改和以斯帖制定了一個法令，許可全地的猶太人，歡樂地慶祝第十二月的十四和十五日。那兩天是上帝給他子民脫離仇敵，享受安息的日子。末底改稱這一慶祝為「Purim」，是Pur的複數，意思是「掣籤」。因為靠著籤，哈曼選擇了第十二月的十三日，為毀滅猶太人的日子（3：7），但是如末底改所知，籤抽到那一個，是完全由上帝決定的（箴16：33）。在慶祝的過程中，他們會回想哈曼的惡毒計畫，以斯帖對她同胞的勇氣和愛心，還有上帝的慈愛。祂聽了他們的祈禱，看見了他們的禁食，並且賜給他們解救。他們藉著彼此送禮，表達心中的歡樂，尤其是在施捨中記念窮人（來13：16）。

        這一節日，直到今日，猶太人還在慶祝。整本的以斯帖記都要宣讀，作為慶祝的一部分；而無論何時，「哈曼」二字一挑出，猶太人便發出噓聲表示輕蔑。但當讀到「末底改」這名字時，人們便歡樂鼓掌。那是一個兒童特別喜歡的場合，參加的人常常穿著絲質的服裝──這是對哈曼譏嘲的一種表示。

        本卷書結束，顯出哈曼和末底改的巨大對比。它述說末底改的偉大，也論到他對自己同胞猶太人的愛與關懷。他為同胞的福祉和平安而奮鬥。甚至外邦國王亞哈隨魯也享受到極大的繁榮與權力，這顯然是上帝的祝福。末底改被昇為王國中的二號人物時，他以實際行動證明了自己是一位能幹的領袖。他的美名廣被，他的權力和影響也不斷增加。約瑟和但以理，因為他們的誠信和不拜邪惡、決不妥協的立場，也同樣地在一外邦之處，蒙主賜福。

        謝謝您，我主！是您轉憂為喜，轉悲為樂。我們為今天的猶太人禱告。希望他們發現了他們的彌賽亞和救主之後，大得喜樂。奉耶穌基督的名禱告，阿們。

English

        Almost nine months after Mordecai issued the second decree, the fateful day arrived. Now, however, the Jews were zealous, encouraged, and organized, so they might protect themselves against their enemies who would attempt to kill them and take their possessions in accordance with the first decree of Haman. All the leaders of the provinces, however, gave support to the Jews, for they feared and respected Mordecai whom the king had raised to great power, and they knew that the true intent of the king's heart was in favour of the Jews. By this time, it was also public knowledge that the queen was a Jewess. Nonetheless, throughout all the provinces, a great number who despised the Jews rose up against them on that day which Haman had "cast Pur" (the lot), but the Lord was not only in control of the lot (Proverbsl6:33), but He was in control of the outcome. Since God was with His people, "no one could withstand them" (9:2).

        The Lord changed the whole situation around for the good of His people. Satan's evil scheme of the destruction of God's people could not prevail, because they had turned to their God to deliver them. In this great victory, God was glorified throughout the whole world. The seed of David was preserved from extinction, so that the promised Messiah would indeed come according to God's plan.

        The sadness was turned into great rejoicing, the fear into boldness, the mourning into feasting, the turmoil into peace. God is truly sovereign in the lives of His people. The joy that believers experience today is also because of God's deliverance — the deliverance from sin through His Son, the Lord Jesus (John 15:11; 17:13).

        It is noted twice that the Jews did not take the plunder, although the decree had stated they could (8:11; 9:10, 15). In such a way, they showed to all that their actions were purely defensive; also, by not taking the plunder, it would be turned over to the king, so they enriched the king, and in so doing showed him their appreciation for his part in saving their lives.

        In the capital city of Shushan, the Jews killed five hundred men who rose up against them, including the ten sons of Haman who would have desired to avenge the death of their father. At the end of the day, king Ahasuerus was happy to see the victory of the Jews, but he was likely still concerned about their continued safety, so he asked Esther if there was any other request he might grant her. She may have heard that there were still more enemies of the Jews in Shushan that had escaped and may have been planning another attack. Therefore, she requested that on the next day the Jews might again destroy their enemies. The king granted her request, along with the public hanging of Haman's ten sons, that his family might be put to shame and serve as an example of the terrible fate that awaits those who try to destroy God's people.

        Mordecai and Esther made a decree for all the Jews throughout the land to joyously celebrate both the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the twelfth month, when God gave them rest from their enemies. Mordecai called the feast "Purim", the plural form of Pur, meaning "lot", for by lot Haman came to choose the thirteenth day of the twelfth month as the day for the destruction of the Jews (3:7), but as Mordecai knew, lots are ultimately decided upon by God (Proverbs 16:33). In the course of the feast, they were to remember Haman's evil plan, Esther's courage and love for her people, and the mercy of God who heard their prayers, saw their fasting, and gave them deliverance. The joy was to be expressed by the giving of gifts to one another, especially remembering the poor in their giving (Hebrews 13:16).

        The feast is still celebrated by Jews today. As part of the celebration, the whole book of Esther is read, and whenever the name "Haman" comes up, everyone boos and hisses; but when the name "Mordecai" is read, the people cheer and clap. It is an occasion especially enjoyed by the children and often accompanied by the wearing of silly costumes — something that began as a mockery of Haman.

        The close of the book shows the great contrast between Haman and Mordecai. It tells of Mordecai's greatness, but also his love and concern for his people, the Jews. He worked for their good and sought their peace. Even the heathen king Ahasuerus enjoyed great prosperity and power, which is considered a blessing from God. When Mordecai was elevated to the second man in the kingdom, he proved himself an able and talented leader. His fame spread and his power and influence increased. Joseph and Daniel were similarly blessed by the Lord in a foreign land because of their faithfulness and uncompromising positions in refusing to bow to evil.

        Thank You, Lord, that You turn sorrow to joy and mourning to a celebration. We pray for the Jews of today. May their joy be great in the discovery of their Messiah and Saviour.