Grace Community Bible Church Sermons

Pastor Rob Davis: Esther 9:20-10:3

In Esther 9:20-10:3 (Acts 8 & 9) we are shown three actions that establish the Feast of Purim and an Epilogue.

1. Mordecai sends letters.
1. The date to celebrate (vs. 20-21).
2. The reasons to celebrate (v. 22).
2. The Jews established the feast.
1. The history is recounted (vs. 23-25).
2. The feast is named (v. 26).
3. The feast is for remembering (vs. 27-28).
3. Queen Esther officially confirms the Feast of Purim (vs. 29-32).
4. Epilogue: Mordecai is esteemed (10:1-3).

Pastor Rob Davis: Esther 9:1-19

In Esther 9:1-19 (Act 7) we are shown 2 descriptions of Holy War.

1. Holy War is described in general terms.
1. God granted victory to the Jews.
1. God gave them mastery over their enemies on the proper day (v. 1).
2. God caused their enemies not to be able to stand before them (v. 2).
3. God caused the leaders to side with them instead of against them (v. 3).
4. God gave them victory by the sword (v. 5).
2. God gave Mordecai increasing fame (v. 4).
2. Holy War is described in specific terms.
1. 500 men killed in Susa’s citadel (vs. 6-11).
2. Esther petitions the king.
1. For an extension of the edict (vs. 12-13a).
2. For Haman’s sons to be hanged (vs. 13b-14).
3. 300 more enemies killed in Susa (v. 15).
4. 75, 000 enemies killed kingdom-wide (v. 16)
5. Victory is celebrated with resting, feasting, rejoicing & giving (vs. 17-19).

Pastor Rob Davis: Esther 7-8

In Esther 7:1-8:17 (Act 6) we are shown 6 more stunning reversals as God continues to orchestrate His will.

1. Haman’s status with the king is reversed from friend to foe (7:1-6).
2. The gallows’ victim is reversed from Mordecai to Haman (7:7-10).
3. The status of Esther’s nationality is reversed from secret to known (8:1).
4. The authority of the king is reversed from Haman to Mordecai (8:2-8).
5. The outcome of Haman’s decree is reversed from annihilation to preservation of the Jews (8:9-16).
6. The emotional state of the Jews is reversed from mourning to gladness (8:17).