Peter Misselbrook's Blog
Dec 13 2019 - Esther 8 – The king's decree

Haman has gone. His estates were taken from him and given to Queen Esther. Esther told the king of Mordecai's relationship to her and he was presented in court. The king's signet ring which he had taken back from Haman was now presented to Mordecai; he occupies a place of influence in the kingdom and now has power to act in the king's name. Esther appointed Mordecai as her agent to manage Haman's estate – or, more properly, her estate. All this is wonderful, but the threat to the Jewish people remained in place.

Esther again pleaded with the king that the edict Haman had propagated in the king's name be withdrawn. You may remember from the book of Daniel that the laws of the Medes and Persians, once enacted, could not be repealed (Daniel 6:8, 12, 15) – hence the phrase has become proverbial for something that is immutable or for intransigent behaviour by governments or other authorities. Mordecai was given full authority by King Xerxes to, "write another decree in the king’s name on behalf of the Jews as seems best to you, and seal it with the king’s signet ring" but he adds, "no document written in the king’s name and sealed with his ring can be revoked" (v. 8). For all his newly gained power, Mordecai cannot simply repeal the former decree.

So, with the help of the royal secretaries, Mordecai sends out a new decree, written in the language and script of all the ethnic groups within the empire. This edict, "granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate the armed men of any nationality or province who might attack them and their women and children, and to plunder the property of their enemies" (v. 11). In other words, the Jews were given the right to defend themselves from any attack. This second decree, like the first, gave permission for action on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month. The Jews were not given the right to attack indiscriminately any whom they did not like, or even those they viewed as enemies. But they did have the right to strike down any who came to attack them and who sought to implement Haman's evil decree.

Mordecai left the king's presence "wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen" (v. 15). He must have been splendid to behold. And we read, "the city of Susa held a joyous celebration." It would seem that these celebrations were not confined to the Jews of the city. The people of the city had been bewildered by Haman's edict, now they were glad to hear of the new law. They seem to have been glad to be rid of the evil Haman and to welcome Mordecai in his new clothes, welcoming a man of integrity and humility who had been raised up to a position of power. At the same time, Jews in every city of the empire rejoiced at the new decree, hoping, no doubt, that this decree would be sufficient to dissuade any from seeking to enact that of Haman.

We also should rejoice whenever men or women of integrity and humility, men and women whose lives speak of a concern for others rather than a hunger for self-promotion, are elevated to positions of influence and power. These are the kinds of leaders the world needs but all too rarely gets. These are the kinds of leaders that should be found amongst the people of God.

And this is the character seen supremely in our Lord Jesus Christ. He was not concerned to keep a tight hold on his place in glory. He humbled himself, identified himself with us in all our misery and need and went to the cross for us, paying the penalty for our wrongdoing in our place. He is now risen and is our exalted king in the heavens. He has laid upon us the splendid robes of his own kingly righteousness and has placed a ring of authority on our finger (see Luke 15:22). He has called us to share in his reign and to be agents of his gracious kingdom of righteousness and peace. What are you going to do today in the name and authority of your King?

Father God, we thank you for Jesus and that through his humbling of himself we have been raised up to sit with him in a place of gracious authority. Teach us by your Spirit how to follow him and act for him in everything we say and do. May all the world rejoice in him.

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Dec 13 2020 - Revelation 4:1-11 – Lord of creation

The book of Revelation is full of wonderful and mysterious images. It is not the easiest book to understand, nevertheless its basic message is quite clear.

These visions are given to John against the background of persecution. The might of the Roman Empire seems to be intent upon crushing the church. But John is allowed to take a view behind the scenes, through a door opened into heaven. Here he sees a glorious throne and one sitting upon the throne "who was and is and is to come" (Revelation 4:8). This is the "Lord God Almighty" whose sovereign power and reign has neither beginning nor end. The kingdoms of this world may rise and fall, but his kingdom is unshakable and will endure for all eternity. All the might of Rome pales into insignificance before the almighty power of God.

John sees 24 elders seated on thrones surrounding the throne of God. These, it would seem, represent God's people spanning both Old Testament and the New. They are crowned with gold; they will reign with God; their future is not uncertain. What an encouragement this picture must have been to the beleaguered churches of Asia Minor.

John sees also “four living creatures … covered with eyes, in front and behind. The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle” (4:6-7). These would seem to be representative of all that lives upon the earth – wild animals, domesticated animals, mankind and birds. These are pictured like the seraphim of Isaiah 6, each having six wings and never ceasing to cry out “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty.” All creation is pictured as worshiping its creator.

As John watches, the 24 elders add their praise to that of all creation. They "fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They cast their golden crowns before the throne and say:

'You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honour and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being'." (4:10-11)

The Lord God Almighty is the creator of all things. All things owe their existence to him and are sustained in being by him. He has the first word – by his word all things were created, and he will have the last word. He is worthy of worship, adoration and praise. He can be trusted with the government of his creation.

God's word enables us still to look behind the scenes of the world in which we live to see the one who has created it all and who remains Lord over all. He is the one who has revealed himself to us in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of our life; our very breath is in his hands. He is sovereign over every circumstance of our lives and nothing escapes his notice or concern. He can be trusted; he can always be trusted.

He is the living God who is worthy of our worship – not just the praise of our lips but the devotion and service of our entire lives. We are called to live before him and to live for him. This is our privilege and joy as the people who know our God.

Thank you, heavenly Father, that your word enables us to look behind the scenes of the world in which we live to see the one who has created it all and who remains Lord over all. You are the source of our life; our very breath is in your hands. May you always receive from us the glad worship that is your due, not just from our lips but from every part of our lives.

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Peter Misselbrook