“Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.” (Esther 10:3, NIV)
The book of Esther is written in a “chiastic” framework with a climactic center that points us toward the main thing about this book. The center point of the book of Esther is chapter 6, which describes Mordecai’s reversal.
Mordecai had gone unrecognized after saving the king’s life, and Haman, plotting to kill the Jews, was nonetheless honored and esteemed. And then, in an ironic and sweet reversal, the two found themselves in this situation:
“So Haman got the robe and the horse. He robed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!’” (Esther 6:11, NIV)
Let’s consider five major reversals that take place in this book:
1. Haman’s standing was reversed. In the beginning of his story, Haman was elevated by Xerxes and given a position higher than all the other nobles (3:1). His story ended with the king’s direction to impale him on a pole (7:9–10).
2. Mordecai’s sentence was reversed. A meeting with the king that Haman expected to end with Mordecai’s death ended with Haman leading him through the city on horseback and shouting his acclaim.
“A meeting with the king that Haman expected to end with Mordecai’s death ended with Haman leading him through the city on horseback and shouting his acclaim.”
3. Xerxes’ edict was reversed. The decree to destroy the Jews turned into a decree giving them the right to assemble and defend themselves against attackers as well as to plunder the property of their enemies (8:11).
4. King Saul’s failure to obey God was reversed. More than 500 years earlier in Israel’s history, we read the account of God’s command to King Saul to totally destroy the Amalekites and everything that belonged to them. Yet Saul spared the Amalekite king, Agag, and kept the best of the Amalekites’ animals (see 1 Samuel 15). Notice that Haman was an Agagite (3:1), a descendent of King Agag. Saul’s failure to obey God almost resulted in the destruction of the Jewish people. Now the Jews did the exact opposite of Saul. Not only were the Agagite and his ten sons killed, but the Jews defended themselves and actually killed multiple thousands of their enemies (9:16).
5. The Jews’ fasting turned to feasting. Following King Xerxes’ edict, “There was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing” (Esther 4:3, NIV). After the new decree was issued, “In every province and in every city to which the edict of the king came, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating” (Esther 8:17, NIV).
“In every province and in every city to which the edict of the king came, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating.”
This death-to-life reversal is an incredible picture of the gospel. Jesus was condemned to death on a cross, but then elevated to the right hand of the Father.
“For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2b, NIV)
Satan, who stood before God as our accuser has been cast down.
“The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray.” (Revelation 12:9a, NIV)
The news of death and condemnation has been replaced by promise of forgiveness and restoration.
“You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.” (Acts 10:36, NIV)
“But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:20b–21, NIV)
This is our great reversal accomplished by Christ our King!
Excerpted from Tina Wilson’s 365-day chronological Bible study Step into Scripture: A Daily Journey to Understanding Your Bible