God of Great Reversals (Esther 8) Great Reversals for Esther (8:1,3-6) • Esther is granted Haman’s estate (8:1). • Esther and Mordecai are reunited as a Jewish family (8:1). • Esther is granted favor with the king to legislate a new law to save the Jews (8:8). Great Reversals for Mordecai (8:2,15a) • Mordecai is promoted to Prime Minister of Persia (8:2). • Mordecai is appointed administer of Esther’s estate (8:2b). • Mordecai is decorated with royal robes and a great crown of gold (8:15). Great Reversals Decreed (8:9-14) • Haman’s decree gave the order to destroy and plunder all the Jews on the 13th day of the 12th month (3:12-15). • Mordecai’s counter-decree gave the Jews authority to defend their lives and property (8:11-12). • Mordecai’s decree was 70 days after Haman's (8:10). Great Reversals for the Jewish People (8:15b-17) • The Jewish people celebrated (8:15). • The Jewish people were happy, glad, and honored (8:16). • The Jewish people are feared (8:17). • Many people became religious Jews (8:17). Great Reversals in Esther King Xerxes’ Feasts to Jewish Feasts Esther’s Day as Queen to Esther’s Day to Avenge Xerxes Saved to the Jews Saved Haman’s Decree of Death to Mordecai’s Decree of Defense Mordecai Mourns to Mordecai Favored, Robed, Crowned Esther’s 1st Feast with Haman and Esther’s 2nd Feast to expose Haman. The central episode and turning point of Esther is the night that God providentially gave the king insomnia so he would providentially discover he had not honored Mordecai! The Great Gospel Reversal For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal like through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23 NIV