Esther 9:1-10:3

Holy War Part II

Introduction:

The book of Esther is a capsule view of war. Some historians have said, “Throughout the history of mankind there have only been 300 years of peace.” Rush Limbaugh defines war as, “breaking things and killing people.” Some people believe peace is the absence of war, but the Jews believed you cannot have peace without war. The American Heritage Dictionary defines war as, “a prolonged conflict carried on between nations, states, or parties.”

Besides physical war throughout Biblical history there are spiritual wars. (Eph. 6:12; II Cor. 10:3-5)

  1. A Reversal Declared

    1. The Jews had Mastery over their enemies

      1. Varsity Wrestling team – (learning the reversal)

      2. The Jews who had been powerless became completely dominant

    2. Outline:

      1. Esther 9:2-16 – Describes the reversal in detail

      2. Esther 9:17-32 – Describes the reversal is to be celebrated

      3. Esther 10:1-3 – Describes the reversal’s ultimate impact


    1. Reversal Described – v.2-16

      1. Bodies hung on trees – Josh. 8:29; 10:26

      2. Mordecai’s edict was brutal – 8:11

      3. 75,000 killed – (Robert E. Lee quote Sept. 17, 1862)


    1. Reversal Celebrated – v.17-32

      1. “It all over but the shouting”

      2. Singing songs of victory – Turn to: Exodus 15:1-13

      3. The victories at Jericho – Josh. 8:30-35; Psalm 100:1-4; 147:7

      4. The Festival of Purim – v.22 Psalm 113:5-7


    1. Reversal’s Ultimate Impact – 10:1-3

      1. The burden of taxes

      2. Our rest is not here – Heb. 11:10; Turn To: Psalm 72:1-17


  1. The Greatest Reversal

    1. Esther foreshadows our ultimate deliverance at the Second Advent of Christ

      1. The wicked have no peace – Isa. 57:20-21

      2. Peace can only become a reality through the gospel of Christ – Eph. 2:17


    1. God the Father declared Holy War on His crucified Son – II Cor. 5:21

      1. Christ died a Cursed death – Deut. 21:23

      2. Do we have peace with God? Have your sins been canceled out by Christ? Rom. 5:1

      3. Every religion of the world says, “Do” Only Christianity says, “Done”!

      4. Luther’s argument with his bishop – Rom. 1:17

      5. Finally the day is coming when our King Jesus will return to claim His throne and the days of all evil empires will end – Rev. 11:5


Pastor Nick Iamaio

Reformed Presbyterian Church

207 First Street, Fulton, NY 13069

Web Site fultonrpc.org

5/10/2009