The Unseen Hand of God in Our LivesSample

God Specializes in Reversals

This theme of reversal becomes explicit in the very first verse of Esther 9. Finally, the day of decision for the Jewish community in the Persian Empire had dawned on the thirteenth of Adar. The conflicting edicts of Haman and Mordecai against and in favor of God's people were now put into play, raising the question of which edict would win the day. The writer doesn't leave us in suspense for long. On the contrary, he tells us at the very outset how the day turned out: the tables were turned

The Hebrew verb used here means ‘to overturn’ and is very emphatic. It implies a complete turnaround of fortunes such as when a curse becomes a blessing,

The appointed day is characterized by bold Jewish action (assembling for battle against their attackers, (cf. 8:11) and a paralysing fear among other people (cf. 8:17).

In verses 6-11, we read about the extent of the victory. In the citadel of Susa, the Jews killed and destroyed 500 men including the 10 sons of Haman

Warren Wiersbe notes that, “In the text of the Hebrew Scriptures, the ten names are arranged on the page to look like a gallows. On the Feast of Purim, the synagogue reader reads these ten names all in one breath because the sons of Haman all died together.”

Yet another interesting fact is that each of the ten names in the Persian language contains the word “self.” This reveals that Haman was stuck on himself. He named his ten sons after aspects of himself.

All of these were put to death. All of these “selves” were put to death. Isn’t that interesting? Self must die before victory is accomplished. Pride comes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. Haman’s downfall is nearly complete. Not only is he dead, not only has his plan to annihilate the Jewish people failed miserable, but now all of his sons are dead also, whom he arrogantly named after aspects of himself. Haman’s pride has led to his great downfall.

Years before the Lord had told Saul in 1 Sam 15:2-3 to utterly kill the Amalekites. But Saul had disobeyed and had not killed King Agag. Then when Samuel came to meet him, Samuel had him brought out and killed.

Remember that Haman was an Agagite. When God asks you to have nothing to do with the flesh and reckon it as dead, you must be willing to crucify the self in order to have victory in your spiritual life. Be willing to kill Agag and experience total victory in your life.

"They slew their enemies, but laid no hand on the plunder." That is, they did not enrich themselves by this; there was no attempt to gain self-advancement.

This is always an unmistakable mark of genuine spiritual victory. 

Do you want to be set free from certain driving passions in your life simply because it will mean a better chance for advancement in employment, or it would solve a difficult problem in your home?

The mark of genuine victory is that you don't care what happens to you. You don't care whether you are advanced by this at all. You want victory simply because this is God's desire for you. 

If this is your attitudue, then be assured that the Holy Spirit has genuinely done a work of grace in you and soon you will see a reversal.

Quote: “God took the crucifixion of Friday and turned it into the celebration of Sunday. Can he not do a reversal for you?” – Max Lucado

Prayer: Lord, help me to be totally obedient to you and be willing to crucify the flesh and see total victory in my life. Amen