Esther 7-10

“On the very day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain the mastery over them, the reverse occurred …” (9:1).  Esther’s story is the “the great reversal” full of surprising twists. Haman begins with power but ends up on the gallows; Mordecai is a “nobody” who ends up exalted; Esther the Jewish orphan ends up Queen; and, finally, the persecuted Jews end up vanquishing their enemies.  The point is clear: no matter what it looks like to us, God is involved in the story and His justice will prevail.   

“The Jews had … joy and honor” (8:16).  The greatest reversal – Jesus’ victory over death - means that our own defeats and struggles will also be redeemed by joy.