Now in the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king’s command and edict were about to be carried out, on the very day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain the mastery over them, the reverse occurred: the Jews gained mastery over those who hated them. 2 The Jews gathered in their cities throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus to lay hands on those who sought their harm. And no one could stand against them, for the fear of them had fallen on all peoples. 3 All the officials of the provinces and the satraps and the governors and the royal agents also helped the Jews, for the fear of Mordecai had fallen on them. 4 For Mordecai was great in the king’s house, and his fame spread throughout all the provinces, for the man Mordecai grew more and more powerful. 5 The Jews struck all their enemies with the sword, killing and destroying them, and did as they pleased to those who hated them. 6 In Susa the citadel itself the Jews killed and destroyed 500 men, 7 and also killed Parshandatha and Dalphon and Aspatha 8 and Poratha and Adalia and Aridatha 9 and Parmashta and Arisai and Aridai and Vaizatha, 10 the ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, but they laid no hand on the plunder.
Esther 9:1-10
We want peace but we are actually at war in this world. (Psalms 120:7).
The Jews were not the aggressors, but should they fight back? I am not going to judge them without stepping into their shoes. One thing I think is clear to me is that they did not kill for vengeance, they killed to make sure of their survival. They killed about 500 people. If I have to guess there were more than 500 people who hated the Jews in the vast Persian Empire. These 500 most likely were very aggressive in trying to destroy the Jews. Also, another thing noted here is that the Jews did not plunder anything. They did not kill for vengeance or money. They killed to maintain God’s plan. It is very difficult to be so clear-minded in a war when very often minds are drunk with emotions.
In this world, we face difficult decisions all the time. Let’s pray, learn from past examples, see the guidance, and use the wisdom God has given us to
Make the right decision and do the right thing.
Raisins & Apples Bible Devotional & more 