Kept Throughout Every Generation

One of the themes of the book of Esther is the importance of the written word. Mordecai helped stop a plot against the king towards the beginning of the book, and what he did “was written in the book of the chronicles before the king” (Esther 2:23). Later one night the king couldn’t sleep and “he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus” (Esther 6:1-2). With this reminder, the king realized that he had not honored or rewarded Mordecai for his good action, and he ironically caused Haman give the royal apparel to Mordecai. If the event had not been recorded then Mordecai would have been forgotten, and perhaps the whole story would have turned out differently. This highlights the need for us to keep records in our own families of the people who have helped us and the blessings the Lord has given us. It is not enough to say that we shall remember—we must write them down if we want the events to persists in the memory of others.

                The three decrees of the king in this story also highlight the powerful nature of the written word. In the first chapter a decree was written, inspired by the actions of Vashti, which could not be altered and was sent “provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language” (Esther 1:19, 22). They made sure that this written word was given to all people and was thus binding on them all. Later in the story Haman convinced the king to “let it be written that they may be destroyed” and so “there was written according to all that Haman had commanded” (Esther 3:9, 12). Letters were sent to all the provinces with this announcement. When Esther showed to the king the wickedness of Haman, she pled with him “to reverse the letters” which had been written against the Jews, he indicated that “the writing which is written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s ring, may no man reverse.” So the first decree could not be changed, and this is why he had to issue a second decree which instead of revoking the first simply allowed the Jews “to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them.” This was again “published unto all people” (Esther 8:5,8,11,13). So the first edict stood, but the second allowed for a way to save the Jews without changing the first. Even the king could not go against the letters that had been formally published, and it is clear that for this people the written word was powerful and of great consequence.

                Lastly, after the Jews were spared, they instituted Purim as a way to remember their deliverance every year. We read, “The Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to their writing, and according to their appointed time every year; And that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city.” Letters were sent “unto all the Jews” on how this day of Purim was to be celebrated and “the decree of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the book” (Esther 9:27-28,32). And this writing has in part come down to us this day, about 2500 years later, so that the Jews still celebrate and remember the deliverance of their ancestors. So too for us should the written word be central to our lives as we remember the works and words of God in times past, both scripturally and in our families. And we must also keep a record of His goodness and blessings and deliverance so that a knowledge of His hand in our own lives will be “kept throughout every generation” that comes after us.