Title: God’s Watchful Providence D-Day in Persia. March 7th, 473 B.C. The 13th day of the 12th month (Adar) Esther 9:1 (NLT), So on March 7 the two decrees of the king were put into effect. On that day, the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but quite the opposite happened. It was the Jews who overpowered their enemies. 2 The Jews gathered in their cities throughout all the king’s provinces to attack anyone who tried to harm them. But no one could make a stand against them, for everyone was afraid of them. 3 And all the nobles of the provinces, the highest officers, the governors, and the royal officials helped the Jews for fear of Mordecai. 4 For Mordecai had been promoted in the king’s palace, and his fame spread throughout all the provinces as he became more and more powerful. Esther 9:5 (NLT), “So the Jews went ahead on the appointed day and struck down their enemies with the sword.” • 500 men in Susa (v. 6) • 10 sons of Haman (v. 10) • 300 more men in Susa on day two (v. 15) • 75,000 throughout the provinces from India-Ethiopia (v. 16) • “But they did not take any plunder.” (3x) Esther 9:11 (NLT), That very day, when the king was informed of the number of people killed in the fortress of Susa, 12 he called for Queen Esther. He said, “The Jews have killed 500 men in the fortress of Susa alone, as well as Haman’s ten sons. If they have done that here, what has happened in the rest of the provinces? But now, what more do you want? It will be granted to you; tell me and I will do it.” 13 Esther responded, “If it please the king, give the Jews in Susa permission to do again tomorrow as they have done today, and let the bodies of Haman’s ten sons be impaled on a pole.” 14 So the king agreed, and the decree was announced in Susa. CONCLUSION: The Book of Esther God’s providence does not negate human responsibility. • Philippians 2:12-13, “...Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” • “All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do nothing.” ― Edmund Burke • “God is in control, but He doesn’t expect you to lean on a shovel and pray for a hole.” When God’s people are exiled in a godless land, the path forward is to pray, work, and bless the city. • Jeremiah 29:7 (NLT), “… work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.” Now is not the time to remain silent. • Esther 3:14 (NIV), “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” • “What if you, like Esther, have an opportunity to act in a way that will bless more people than you could imagine?” - Max Lucado God is still on the Throne. • “The subtle point of the whole satirical episode is that ultimately Ahasuerus [Xerxes] is not really the king of the world after all – God is. God is the one who truly sits on the throne. - Bryan R. Gregory • Proverbs 16:33 (NLT), “We may throw the dice [purim], but the Lord determines how they fall.”