The book of Esther tells us the reaction of the Jews through the Persian empire when Haman's edict was issued (4:3) and when Mordecai's rebuttal was issued (8:16-17). But I wonder about the reaction of those deteactors who lived around Jerusalem. Bishlam. Mithredath, and Tabeel (Ezra 4:7) opposed the rebuilding of Jerusalem. Though we aren't given a time line to compare them if these lived during the time of Mordecai I wonder how they reacted to the two edicts. And how did those Jews in Jerusalem respond. Was the decree a part of Nehemiah's motivation to finish the wall around Jerusalem? It would be interesting to stand on the wall of Jerusalem. When Haman's law was read there might have been cheers on the outside of the wall but inside the holy city there was mourning. When the second decree was read the sounds would have been reversed. Its like God turned the world upside down with the move of his almighty hand.
It took me about 7 minutes to reasd this passage.
Stuart
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Esther 8-10
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment