Esther 8:9-14

Esther 8:9-14

[9] Then were the king's  scribes  called  at that time  in the third  month,  Sivan,  on the three  and twentieth  day thereof; and it was written  according to all that Mordecai  commanded  unto the Jews,  and to the lieutenants,  and the deputies  and rulers  of the provinces  which are from India  unto Ethiopia,  an hundred  twenty  and seven  provinces,  thereof, and unto every people  after their language,  and to the Jews  and according to their language.  [10] And he wrote  in the king  Ahasuerus'  name,  and sealed  it with the king's  ring,  and sent  letters  by  posts  on horseback,  and riders  on mules,  camels,  and young  dromedaries:  [11] Wherein the king  granted  the Jews  which were in every city  to gather themselves together,  and to stand  for their life,  to destroy,  to slay,  and to cause to perish,  of the people  and province  that would assault  them, both little ones  and women,  and to take the spoil  of them for a prey,  [12] Upon one  day  in all the provinces  of king  Ahasuerus,  namely, upon the thirteenth  day of the twelfth  month,  Adar.  [13] The copy  of the writing  for a commandment  to be given  in every province  was published  unto all people,  and that the Jews  against that day  to avenge  themselves on their enemies.  [14] So the posts  that rode  upon mules  and camels  went out,  being hastened  and pressed on  by the king's  commandment.  And the decree  was given  at Shushan  the palace. 

What does Esther 8:9-14 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

The first decree, to destroy the Jews, had gone out on April17 , 474 B.C. ( Esther 3:12). [1] Ahasuerus published this second one, allowing the Jews to defend themselves, on June25 , 474 B.C. The Jews had over eight months to prepare for the day their enemies might attack them, which was March7 , 473 B.C.
The king gave the Jews permission even to take the lives of the enemy "which might attack them, ... [2] children and women" ( Esther 8:11). The children and women in view seem to be those of the Jews (cf. Esther 3:13), not the enemies of the Jews. [3] This extreme measure enabled the Jews to defend themselves completely. It neutralized the enemy"s former advantage (cf. Esther 3:13).
"It has often been observed that this [4] provides a remarkably cogent illustration of missionary work today. God"s death sentence hangs over a sinful humanity, but He has also commanded us to hasten the message of salvation to every land (cf. Proverbs 24:11). Only by a knowledge of, and a response to, the second decree of saving grace through the Lord Jesus Christ can the terrible effects of the first decree of universal condemnation for sin be averted." [5]
"If a group of pagan scribes and messengers, without modern means of transportation and communication, could take Mordecai"s decree to an entire empire, how much more should Christian workers be able to take Christ"s Gospel to a lost world!" [6]