Prophets and Kings
by Ellen G. White
Chapter 49: In the Days of Queen Esther
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The crisis that Esther faced demanded quick, earnest action; but
both she and Mordecai realized that unless God should work
mightily in their behalf, their own efforts would be unavailing.
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Under the favor shown them by Cyrus, nearly fifty thousand
of the children of the captivity had taken advantage of the decree permitting
their return. These, however, in comparison with the hundreds of thousands
scattered throughout the provinces of Medo-Persia, were but a mere remnant. The
great majority of the Israelites had chosen to remain in the land of their
exile rather than undergo the hardships of the return journey and the
re-establishment of their desolated cities and homes. {PK 598.1}
A score or more of years passed by, when a second decree,
quite as favorable as the first, was issued by Darius Hystaspes, the monarch
then ruling. Thus did God in mercy provide another opportunity for the Jews in
the Medo-Persian realm to return to the land of their fathers. The Lord foresaw
the troublous times that were to follow during the reign of Xerxes,—the
Ahasuerus of the book of Esther,—and He not only wrought a change of
feeling in the hearts of men [599] in authority, but also inspired
Zechariah to plead with the exiles to return. {PK 598.2}
"Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the
north," was the message given the scattered tribes of Israel who had
become settled in many lands far from their former home. "I have spread
you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the Lord. Deliver thyself, O
Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon. For thus saith the Lord of
hosts; After the glory hath He sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for
he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of His eye. For, behold, I will shake
mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall
know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me." Zechariah 2:6-9. {PK 599.1}
It was still the Lord's purpose, as it had been from the
beginning, that His people should be a praise in the earth, to the glory of His
name. During the long years of their exile He had given them many opportunities
to return to their allegiance to Him. Some had chosen to listen and to learn;
some had found salvation in the midst of affliction. Many of these were to be
numbered among the remnant that should return. They were likened by Inspiration
to "the highest branch of the high cedar," which was to be planted
"upon an high mountain and eminent: in the mountain of the height of
Israel." Ezekiel 17:22, 23. {PK 599.2}
It was those "whose spirit God had raised" (Ezra
1:5) who had returned under the decree of Cyrus. But God ceased not to plead
with those who voluntarily remained in the land of their exile, and through
manifold agencies He made [600] it possible for them also to
return. The large number, however, of those who failed to respond to the decree
of Cyrus, remained unimpressible to later influences; and even when Zechariah
warned them to flee from Babylon without further delay, they did not heed the
invitation. {PK 599.3}
Meanwhile conditions in the Medo-Persian realm were rapidly
changing. Darius Hystaspes, under whose reign the Jews had been shown marked
favor, was succeeded by Xerxes the Great. It was during his reign that those of
the Jews who had failed of heeding the message to flee were called upon to face
a terrible crisis. Having refused to take advantage of the way of escape God
had provided, now they were brought face to face with death. {PK 600.1}
Through Haman the Agagite, an unscrupulous man high in
authority in Medo-Persia, Satan worked at this to counterwork the purposes
of God. Haman cherished bitter malice against Mordecai, a Jew. Mordecai had
done Haman no harm, but had simply refused to show him worshipful reverence.
Scorning to "lay hands on Mordecai alone," Haman plotted "to
destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even
the people of Mordecai." Esther 3:6. {PK 600.2}
Misled by the false statements of Haman, Xerxes was induced
to issue a decree providing for the massacre of all the Jews "scattered
abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces" of the
Medo-Persian kingdom. Verse 8. A certain day was appointed on which the Jews
were to be destroyed and their property confiscated. Little did the king
realize the far-reaching results that would have [601]
accompanied the complete carrying out of this decree. Satan himself, the hidden
instigator of the scheme, was trying to rid the earth of those who preserved
the knowledge of the true God. {PK 600.3}
"In every province, whithersoever the king's
commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and
fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes."
Esther 4:3. The decree of the Medes and Persians could not be revoked; apparently
there was no hope; all the Israelites were doomed to destruction. {PK 601.1}
But the plots of the enemy were defeated by a Power that
reigns among the children of men. In the providence of God, Esther, a Jewess
who feared the Most High, had been made queen of the Medo-Persian kingdom.
Mordecai was a near relative of hers. In their extremity they decided to appeal
to Xerxes in behalf of their people. Esther was to venture into his presence as
an intercessor. "Who knoweth," said Mordecai, "whether thou art
come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" Verse 14. {PK 601.2}
The crisis that Esther faced demanded quick, earnest action;
but both she and Mordecai realized that unless God should work mightily in
their behalf, their own efforts would be unavailing. So Esther took time for
communion with God, the source of her strength. "Go," she directed
Mordecai, "gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and
fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and
my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not
according to the law: and if I perish, I perish." Verse 16. [602]
{PK 601.3}
The events that followed in rapid succession,—the
appearance of Esther before the king, the marked favor shown her, the banquets
of the king and queen with Haman as the only guest, the troubled sleep of the
king, the public honor shown Mordecai, and the humiliation and fall of Haman
upon the discovery of his wicked plot,—all these are parts of a
familiar story. God wrought marvelously for His penitent people; and a counter
decree issued by the king, allowing them to fight for their lives, was rapidly
communicated to every part of the realm by mounted couriers, who were
"hastened and pressed on by the king's commandment." "And in
every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his
decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of
the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them."
Esther 8:14, 17. {PK
602.1}
On the day appointed for their destruction, "the Jews
gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of
the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt: and no man could
withstand them; for the fear of them fell upon all people." Angels that
excel in strength had been commissioned by God to protect His people while they
"stood for their lives." Esther 9:2, 16. {PK 602.2}
Mordecai was given the position of honor formerly occupied
by Haman. He "was next unto King Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and
accepted of the multitude of his brethren" (Esther 10:3); and he sought to
promote the welfare of Israel. Thus did God bring His chosen people once more
into favor at the Medo-Persian court, [605] making
possible the carrying out of His purpose to restore them to their own land. But
it was not until several years later, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes I, the
successor of Xerxes the Great, that any considerable number returned to
Jerusalem, under Ezra. {PK
602.3}
The trying experiences that came to God's people in the days
of Esther were not peculiar to that age alone. The revelator, looking down the
ages to the close of time, has declared, "The dragon was wroth with the
woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the
commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." Revelation
12:17. Some who today are living on the earth will see these words fulfilled.
The same spirit that in ages past led men to persecute the true church, will in
the future lead to the pursuance of a similar course toward those who maintain
their loyalty to God. Even now preparations are being made for this last great
conflict. {PK 605.1}
The decree that will finally go forth against the remnant
people of God will be very similar to that issued by Ahasuerus against the
Jews. Today the enemies of the true church see in the little company keeping
the Sabbath commandment, a Mordecai at the gate. The reverence of God's people
for His law is a constant rebuke to those who have cast off the fear of the
Lord and are trampling on His Sabbath. {PK 605.2}
Satan will arouse indignation against the minority who
refuse to accept popular customs and traditions. Men of position and reputation
will join with the lawless and the vile to take counsel against the people of
God. Wealth, genius, education, will combine to cover them with contempt. [606]
Persecuting rulers, ministers, and church members will conspire against them.
With voice and pen, by boasts, threats, and ridicule, they will seek to
overthrow their faith. By false representations and angry appeals, men will
stir up the passions of the people. Not having a "Thus saith the
Scriptures" to bring against the advocates of the Bible Sabbath, they will
resort to oppressive enactments to supply the lack. To secure popularity and
patronage, legislators will yield to the demand for Sunday laws. But those who
fear God, cannot accept an institution that violates a precept of the
Decalogue. On this battlefield will be fought the last great conflict in the
controversy between truth and error. And we are not left in doubt as to the
issue. Today, as in the days of Esther and Mordecai, the Lord will vindicate
His truth and His people. {PK
605.3}
Click here to read the next chapter:
"Ezra, the Priest and Scribe"
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