Esther 8:1-17

Holy War

Introduction:

We have all heard the great baseball player-philosopher, Yogi Berra who came up with the memorable slogan, “It ain’t over till it’s over.” Anything can happen in baseball even up to the last pitch.

In the Kingdom of God it may appear from our blurred vision that at times it looks like “it’s over.” The book of Esther has it’s twists and turns and it’s enormous irony, from sackcloth and ashes to rejoicing and feasting, from an irrevocable destructive edict to a new countering edict of deliverance. This is a reoccurring theme in the history of redemption.


  1. Esther’s Second Request before the King

    1. Completely out of the closet – Prov. 29:25

      1. Handing out gospel tracts

      2. The Holy Spirit empowering us – Acts 1:8

    2. Carefully chosen words v.4-6

      1. What is acceptable to the King

      2. What is acceptable to the Queen

    3. Ahasuerus’ response – v. 7-8

      1. You have the money

      2. You can write another edict

      3. Mordecai wastes no time – 9-14

    4. The content of the edict

      1. Retaliation and Self defense

      2. “Avenge” Heb. Naqam – “retribution to a prior wrong” Gen. 12:3

    5. Another Irony v.17


  1. Mordecai’s Holy War

    1. Collateral damage

      1. An age old enemy – Amalekites – 8:3, 5, I Sam. 15 cf. Exo. 17:14-16

      2. Mordecai’s plan to finish the job that Saul failed to do

    2. Holy War distinctive marks

      1. God’s judgment upon a specific wicked

people

      1. The spoils were not to be taken – v.11; cf. 9:15-16

      2. God may carry out His judgment without using human instruments – Exo. 34:6-7; I Pet. 3:20; II Pet. 2:5

      3. God’s judgment is generational – Ex0. 34:6-7

      4. God’s Holy War is not just executed against non-Israelites – Josh. 7:22-26

      5. Not a universal practice – Turn To: Luke 9:51-56

      6. Holy War is not our Christian calling – II Cor. 10:4; Eph. 6:17

    1. What has changed?

      1. The edict of death still stands against rebellious sinners – Rev. 19:11-16

      2. Finally: You need to escape God’s judgment – II Thess. 2:7-9




Pastor Nick Iamaio Reformed Presbyterian Church

207 First Street, Fulton, NY 13069

Web Site fultonrpc.org

5/3/2009