SEALED WITH THE KING’S RING… Set in Persia around 479 B.C. during the reign of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes), the book of Esther is a dramatic narrative with profoundly deep spiritual insights. Several calendar dates in Esther provide timeless wisdom and encouragement for those who seek the eternal value of God’s Word. Today’s lesson revolves around a letter issued by the King, sealed with His signet ring, and delivered to God's chosen people.

The story of Esther and her older cousin and guardian, Mordecai, is set in the biblical town of Susa, known today as Shush, often referred to as the birthplace of the nation of Iran. It is part of a growing spiritual revival in a country that is thought to house the fastest growing Christian church in the entire world—despite having no buildings dedicated as “churches”. This definitely sounds like the “hand of God” at work.  Indeed, as our lesson unfolds, we will witness His hand working in a book of the Bible where there is no specific mention of God or recorded national worship of Him.

Though the exiled remnant of Israel, known as Judah, were allowed to return to their homeland, some chose to remain in Persia where they had lived for over 50 years. They kept their nationality a secret, and even used Persian names.  Even so, a lot was cast by the Persian Prime Minister, Haman, to select the date for the annihilation of every single person of Judah who remained in Persia.

In response, Esther, a beautiful young woman of Judah, chosen to marry the Persian King Xerxes, was encouraged by Mordecai to go to the King and intervene on behalf of her people. Mordecai sent her a letter penned with the unforgettable words: "And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

Born with the name Hadassah, which represents righteousness, Esther certainly lived out her name when she went to the King without being summoned, an offense punishable by death. Fearlessly, she revealed her hidden heritage, and begged for mercy for herself and her people.

She successfully interceded and secured the lives of the remnant nation of Judah. She also set a trap for Prime Minister Haman which not only resulted in his execution, but transferred all his worldly assets, as well as his national authority, to Esther and Mordecai.

“Then King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther and Mordecai… “Indeed, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and they have hanged him on the gallows... You yourselves write a decree… as you please, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s signet ring; for whatever is written in the king’s name and sealed with the king’s signet ring no one can revoke.”

“So the king’s scribes were called at that time, in the third month, which is the month of Sivan, on the twenty-third day; and it was written, according to all that Mordecai commanded, to the people of Judah, the satraps, the governors, and the princes of the provinces from India to Ethiopia, one hundred and twenty-seven provinces in all, to every province in its own script, to every people in their own language, and to the Jews in their own script and language. And he wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus, sealed it with the king’s signet ring, and sent letters by couriers on horseback, riding on royal horses bred from swift steeds.” (Esther 8:7-10)

"WHATEVER IS WRITTEN IN THE KING'S NAME AND SEALED WITH THE KING'S RING, NO ONE CAN REVOKE." The edict by King Xerxes that had previously doomed the remaining people of Judah to death, was neutralized by this second letter authorized by Mordecai on behalf of the King, which gave them the royal right to defend themselves and to pay their enemies back.

This segment of the story is our focus today, as the date recorded above, the twenty-third day of the third month of Sivan on God’s calendar, is June 12 on our 2023 Gregorian calendar. It appears this date marks a point in time when justice for God's people was meted out by the King.

We should note that God's calendar appointments are always perfect. Less than 9 months following the King's announcement of the scheduled assault, the targeted people routed their enemy when they attacked. Chapter 9 of Esther tells the story and this one sentence stands out. "...No one could stand against them, because the people of all other nationalities were afraid of them." 

God intervened in the affairs of mankind, bringing his chosen servant, Esther, to the place where she would exalt Him by trusting Him with her life. As a result, the remnant of Israel defeated their enemies in only 2 days. Esther became Queen of Persia, the largest empire on the earth during her lifetime. Mordecai was appointed second in ruling rank to King Xerxes himself. And full justice was dealt to Haman.

Truly, we can see many faces of our Messiah in this ancient accounting of national deliverance from their enemies. Jesus is our Intercessor, our Esther. He is our Encourager, our Mordecai. He is our Merciful King, our Xerxes.

Last, but definitely not least, we should see ourselves in Haman: the prideful, manipulative schemer with his own national agenda to fulfill. Because the truth is that we all desperately need to be saved from ourselves and our destructive tendencies. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23.

The deliverance of God's people in the manner He chooses, continues to leave us mesmerized and dumbfounded. His plan not only includes overcoming obstacles among those claiming to align themselves with His own heart, but also reaching out and moving in the hearts of hardened pagan nations and leaders if He so desires. He is always looking for the heart that will follow His leading…

SEALED WITH THE KING’S RING...