Esther 9:29-32

C. Posted

TEXT: Esther 9:29-32

29

Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority to confirm this second letter of Purim.

30

And he sent letters unto all the Jews, to the hundred twenty and seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with words of peace and truth,

31

to confirm these days of Purim in their appointed times, according as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had enjoined them, and as they had ordained for themselves and for their seed, in the matter of the fastings and their cry.

32

And the commandment of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the book.

Today's English Version, Esther 9:29-32

Then Queen Esther, the daughter of Abihail, along with Mordecai, also wrote a letter, putting her full authority behind the letter about Purim, which Mordecai had written earlier. The letter was addressed to all the Jews, and copies were sent to all the 127 provinces of the Persian Empire. It wished the Jews peace and security and directed them and their descendants to observe the days of Purim at the proper time, just as they had adopted rules for observance of fasts and times of mourning. This was commanded by both Mordecai and Queen Esther. Esther's command, confirming the rules for Purim, was written down on a scroll.

COMMENTS

Esther 9:29-32 : Apparently Mordecai's first letter was more in the form of suggestions about commemorating their deliverance with a day of festivities. The suggestions having been approved and adopted by the Jews of the whole Persian empire, both Mordecai and Esther now lead the prestige of their official proclamation to the Feast of Purim.

Included in these official letters from the queen and the prime-minister of all Persia where declarations of peace and pledges of truth. This seems to be a proclamation to the whole Persian empire that the violence is over and there will now be peace (especially for the Jews) based on truth so long as Esther and Mordecai retain their positions of authority and power.

Esther 9:31 suggests that the Jews of the provinces had added to their form of commemorating Purim certain observances with respect to fasting and wailing (probably mourning the Jews killed in the struggle). The letters of Mordecai confirmed their practices as kosher, (acceptable).

Some commentators think the book of Esther 9:32 is the Book of Esther. Others think it means nothing more than it was committed to writing. We think it probably refers to the documentation of this empire-wide Jewish observance in the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia (cf. Esther 2:23; Esther 6:1; Esther 10:2).

We may learn the following lessons from this chapter:

1.

What may be intended as a very spiritual festivity may be turned into mere festivity.

2.

It is probably better not to institute religious observances where the revealed Word of the Lord has not instituted them.

3.

One of the best ways to express gratitude for providential deliverance is to give to the poor.

4.

There is precedent from past historical deliverances by the providence of God that men may expect His providence to be working in the vindication of truth and justice in events throughout history.