Ahasuerus was king over 127 provinces of Persia spanning from India to Ethiopia—headquartered in modern day Iran. The king chose Esther over all the women in the provinces to become his queen and replace Vashti.

After an attempt on the king’s life, the king promoted Haman the Agagite to a position equal to what we refer to as Secretary of State. Haman soon found no satisfaction and no joy in this powerful position. His discontentment was caused by one man refusing to bow down to him or show him reverence.

Haman’s hatred for Mordecai was so blinding that he sought to exterminate all the Jews. He exercised his political muscle and financial wherewithal to get the king to issue a decree to wipe out all the people of Mordecai’s race—the Jews. Neither Naman or the king knew that Esther was a Jewess and subject to the extermination decree.

Esther risked her life by approaching the king uninvited. Amazingly, the king offered for her to become his equal but Esther’s sole focus was the salvation of her people. At the same time, Haman’s wife devised a devious plan to kill Haman’s nemesis. As Esther prepared for the banquet, Haman built the 75’ high gallows to hang Mordecai.

It just so happened that that night the king could not sleep so he had the chronicles read to him where the record had been made that Mordecai saved the king’s life. The good deed had gone unrecognized, so the king asked Haman how the king could reward the man whom the king wanted to honor. Haman thought he was the most worthy of honor. Haman was forced to to lead Mordecai through the streets while he wore the king’s royal apparel, the crown royal, and riding upon the king’s horse.

At the second banquet, Esther pointed to Haman as the enemy seeking to kill her and all her people. Haman ended up being hung upon the same gallows that he prepared to execute Mordecai. Yet, the plot thickens because the king’s decree by law could be overturned or annulled. Another decree was issued that the Jews could escape the consequences of the first law by protecting themselves against all those who attempted to kill them. The fateful day arrived.

The enemies of Israel died by the thousands with over 75,000 dead outside of Sushan.
Esther 9:22 sorrow turned to joy

Our God does not lie or sugarcoat things; all those who live godly will suffer persecution. God speaks only the truth. Yet, the world repeatedly finds itself on the opposite side of truth. God is not going change His word to pacify the atheist or to please a Christian.

• Can you imagine? After Jesus had walked this earth for almost 3 ½ years, He told His apostles that they were getting ready to experience the worst thing they could imagine although the world would cheer. He was leaving them. Yet, joy would follow. (John 16:19 -22)
• Imagine for a moment the drastic changes that will occur the moment we see Jesus. If at death, we will see Him in Heaven. If at the Rapture, we will see Him in the clouds.
• All the heartache and the pain will be forgotten and vanish away as though it never happened.
• It is important to understand that God does never promised us no trouble or sorrow while living in this sinsick world where sinful people rule.
• The promise is that our God will turn the weeping, the lamenting and the sorrow into JOY—a glorious triumphant state.
• Consider Job. Thank God the book of Job did not end in chapter 37.
Job 42:10-12
• Like Job, thank God that David’s life did not end with Saul chasing him throughout the land.
• David understood the importance of patience.
• The Psalms are a great source of comfort for believers. Psalm 30 is no exception as it contrasts the darkness with the light and offers such a positive outlook.
Psalm 30:1-5
Proverbs 19:11
Proverbs 25:23
Ecclesiastes 7:9
Matthew 5:22
Romans 12:19-21
Ephesians 4:26-27
James 1:19
• Like Job and David, thank God Joseph’s life did not end with him still in the dungeon after he had dedicated his whole life to serving the Lord.
• The prime of Joseph’s life was spent serving the Lord and being abused by man, but the story did not end there. God brought that man out of the jailhouse and promoted him to second in the kingdom, restoring him to his daddy and his family. Giving him more than he ever anticipated. That’s God.
• Like Job, David and Joseph thank the Lord that Esther does not end with Naman building the gallows for Mordecai.
• God turns our “sorry to joy” and “mourning into a good day.”
• It does not matter what you go through in life, one day you will understand it all.