Although Haman himself had been disgraced and executed, the edict he had established was still in force, setting the date when the people of all the provinces would have the right to attack the Jews and plunder their property (Esther 8:3-6). In an additional plea to the king, Queen Esther obtained for her people the right to defend themselves against “any armed force … that might attack them” (8:7-12).

In the capital city of Susa, this turned out to be about 800 of their enemies who were slain (9:6, 15), including the ten sons of Haman listed by name (9:7-10). Out across the provinces this added up to some 75,000 deaths (9:16). We can perhaps see some gloating in this report – “the Jews struck down all their enemies with the sword, slaughtering and destroying them, and did as they pleased to those who hated them” (9:5). At the very least, we see no lament over this loss of life.

Haman’s original order had given to the Jews’ enemies the additional motivation – beyond hatred – of being permitted to plunder their property once the Jews were dead (3:13). Yet the text emphasizes that in killing their enemies the Jews were only defending their own lives; “they took no plunder” (9:10, 15, 16).

It is a grim story, and yet it is commemorated even to the present day in the Jewish feast of Purim (9:18-23): “a day for gladness and feasting, a holiday on which they send gifts of food to one another” (9:19, 22) – “and presents to the poor” (9:22). By the grace of God – who is still not directly mentioned – their days had been turned from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday (9:22).

* * * * *

In life and in death we belong to you, O Lord. Teach us that you are our defender, whenever we survive in the midst of warfare and enemies; teach us to mourn and not gloat over the death of those who set themselves as our enemies; and turn our suffering and sorrow into gladness once again.

If you find these studies helpful, please Like, Subscribe, Comment, and Share. Thanks!