Esther 8-10
Turning the Tables
As we finish our study of the book of Esther we can see that the events that are taking place in these chapters are parallel to the events that will take place at the end of the Great Tribulation.
Although Cyrus allowed the exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple very few of the Israelites returned. The majority of Israel that was scattered throughout the Assyrian and Babylonian empires had settled in and chose to remain. Years later, at the time of Xerxes, King of the Persian Empire there are Jews living in every providence the Persians controlled.. It is clear in this book that although the Jews have retained their identity as Jews, they are more attached to the world than they are to God. There is no mention of God in this book or the newly rebuilt temple. The closest they get is the call for a fast when they realize that Haman is planning to kill all of the Jews.
Haman’s rise and fall foreshadows the rise and fall of the antichrist. His ten sons and their fate also foreshadow the ten nation confederacy of the antichrist. In the beginning of his rise to power he will appear to be a friend of Israel and the temple will be rebuilt. However, three and a half years into his rule, he will turn against the Jews and seek to destroy them. It will be during the latter three and half years of the tribulation that the Jews will turn to the Lord for help much like they did with the call to fast in Esther 4.
The Apostle Paul writes in 2 Timothy 2:11-13, “It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him; If we endure, we shall also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us; if we are faithless, He remains faithful; for He cannot deny Himself.” NASB
God’s love for Israel, His promises and the covenant for His people will not change. God is faithful, and His word and plan will be accomplished. The ultimate fulfilment of His faithfulness will be accomplished at the end of the Great Tribulation when the Lord returns and Israel completes her task bringing in the Most Holy spoken of in Daniel 9:24.
No longer will Israel be exiled to the wilderness trying to escape the anti- Semitism and hatred of the Jews by the antichrist and his followers. Instead, they will be like streams in the wilderness when they return to Jerusalem with the Lord where He will rule for a thousand years. The mourning and fasting will be turned into a feast and celebration as we read in Esther 4:16&17, 9:26-28 and is prophesied in Zechariah 7&8. God turned the tables on Haman and He will do it again on the antichrist when our Lord returns. Will we be found faithful?
May the promise of our Lord’s return inspire our faith and walk with Him! Hebrews 11:1-6
Pastor Dave