Esther 9:1-10 – The Tables Have Turned

I’ll admit it: this isn’t an easy passage to stomach. It seems nasty, vindictive, and bloody. We’ll think more about the violence next time, but for now, try not to let it bother you. If you fixate on the bloodshed, you’ll miss an absolute gem.

Notice the second half of v1: “On the very day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain the mastery over them, the reverse occurred.” I like the vividness of the NIV’s wording here: “the tables were turned”.

Doesn’t that sum up the Book of Esther in a nutshell? The victims became the victors (v1). The hunters became the hunted (v2). The frightened were suddenly feared (v3). For most of the book, the man who controls the levers of power is a spiteful, genocidal madman. By the close of the book, it’s the champion of God’s people who’s pulling the strings.

How could this be? We know the answer by now! Not once, not even in the darkest hour, did God cease to be in control. He was never taken by surprise and his plan was never under threat. This radical reversal was accomplished by his sovereign will.

Many centuries may have passed and God is still on the throne. His people still face the catastrophes of furious opposition, malicious propaganda, and terminal weakness. Yet God is still the one who turns tables.

One woman who knew this was Mary, the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:51-52). What prompted her to say what she did? The coming of the Messiah of course! She knew Jesus would be the one to reverse the course of human history: he would bring Satan to his knees, and he would restore his people to what they were made to be.

Christ’s work has been decisive, but he is not finished yet. His enemies have not yet met their ultimate fate, his people have not yet been fully exalted. That will happen though: Christ is coming back and he’s going to turn the tables once and for all.

Questions
1. How should we feel about the day when Jesus comes back to turn the tables?
2. What will happen to YOU when Christ returns?

Prayer Points
1. Pray that God would help you to always remember that Jesus Christ is coming back.
2. Use prayer points from your congregation.
3. Pray for family matters.