在波斯，蓋過國王戒指的諭旨都不能廢除，雖然哈曼已死，但消滅猶太人的王命依然生效，現在末底改接收哈曼生前的權利地位，於是頒佈另一道完全相反的命令，就是哈曼命令中屠殺猶太人的那一天，猶太人要起來抵抗，保護自己。毀滅之日終於來臨，消滅的是猶太人的仇敵──而不是猶太人！此後猶太人每年都要慶祝普珥節（普珥乃根據哈曼所抽的籤和上帝的帶領而命名），意義是回顧那一段虔敬祈求的日子，以及上帝所賜的令人驚喜的拯救！

        回想聖經歷史書卷中猶太人所遭遇的種種困難，在士師和諸王當政的年日裡，他們飽嘗戰亂、饑荒、政局劇變、家庭破碎及早夭之苦，隨後落在亞述和巴比倫人手中，歷經囚禁、離散和流放之痛！在舊約結束，新約開始的四百年間，猶太人面冷心死，完全拒絕彌賽亞，以致他們再度顛沛流離，散居世界各地，遭遇各類探試，他們全被擊敗摧毀了；然而，當你查看今日中東地圖的時候，會發現那個版圖極小的以色列還傲然挺立於此──這仍舊是上帝一貫計劃中極大的一部份。
        如果上帝無視選民的不信、悖逆和冷漠，而把百姓從持續了幾世紀的混亂中領出來，保守他們不被消滅的話，你想祂對你有什麼帶領──特別在你願意配合祂的情況之下？何妨把以斯帖的故事當成你的故事，你會與祂同工嗎？

        生死關頭
        在以斯帖記八章九節裡有一個特別的事實，你發現了嗎？（暗示：與約翰福音十一章三十五節恰恰相反！）找不著？要放棄了？告訴你吧？這個長達七十七字的經文是聖經中最長的一節經文！

了解上帝的旨意是生命最大的財富，實現上帝的旨意則是生命中最大的喜樂！

English

        A Persian law sealed with the king's ring could never be revoked. Though Haman is dead, the king's decree calling for the extermination of the Jewish race lives on. Mordecai, who now occupies Hainan's former position of power, issues a counter-decree allowing the Jews to defend themselves on the same day as Haman's edict. When the day of destruction arrives, the enemies of the Jews are annihilat¬ed—not the Jews themselves. Future generations will henceforth celebrate the Feast of Purim (so named for the lots that Haman cast and that God directed), recalling the days of earnest appeal to God and the stunning deliverance that He provided.

        Think back over the troubles of the Jews as recorded in the historical books of the Bible. During the years of the judges and kings, they experienced wars, famines, political upheavals, shattered families, and premature death. Later came captivity, dispersion, and exile at the hands of the Assyrians and Babylonians. During the 400 years between the close of the Old Testament and the opening of the New, they would be characterized by cold-hearted indifference, culminating in the outright rejection of the Messiah. They would be dispersed worldwide once again; attempts would be made to liquidate them once and for all. And yet, as you look at your map of the Middle East today, there boldly stands the tiny nation of Israel—still very much a part of God's continuing plan.
        If God can bring His chosen people through centuries of chaotic history and preserve them from extinction in spite of unbelief, disobedience, and indifference, what do you suppose He is capable of doing in your life?

        The Courage of Esther—
        A Blessing to Others Twice Esther risked her life to come before the king's throne to intercede for others. As Christians we can "come boldly unto the throne of grace" (Hebrews 4:16) "in supplication for all the saints" (Ephesians 6:18). What a privilege!

To know God’s will is life’s greatest treasure; to do God’s will is life’s greatest pleasure.