Est 8:1-17 On that day (the day Haman was hanged) King Ahasuerus gave to Queen Esther the house of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came before the king, for Esther had told what he was to her. And the king took off his signet ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman. Then Esther spoke again to the king. She fell at his feet and wept and pleaded with him to avert the evil plan of Haman the Agagite and the plot that he had devised against the Jews… (7) Then King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, “Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and they have hanged him on the gallows, because he intended to lay hands on the Jews. But you may write as you please with regard to the Jews, in the name of the king, and seal it with the king's ring, for an edict written in the name of the king and sealed with the king's ring cannot be revoked.” The king's scribes were summoned at that time, in the third month, which is the month of Sivan, on the twenty-third day. And an edict was written, according to all that Mordecai commanded concerning the Jews… (11) saying that the king allowed the Jews who were in every city to gather and defend their lives, to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate any armed force of any people or province that might attack them, children and women included, and to plunder their goods… (16)The Jews had light and gladness and joy and honor. And in every province and in every city, wherever the king's command and his edict reached, there was gladness and joy among the Jews, a feast and a holiday. And many from the peoples of the country declared themselves Jews, for fear of the Jews had fallen on them.

Do you feel up against it?

Esther the story of a people whose odds are against them!

Destined for destruction with no hope of escape!

But God arranged their escape!

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.         (1Pe 1:3-5)  

Resulting in a great victory and much celebration.

Unfortunately it involved much death and destruction!

“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 1 Peter 3:9

What do we do with something that is both good and bad?

Reason to celebrate, but also to mourn?

Australia Day!

And what do we do with the violence etc in the Old Testament

“Blessed shall he be who takes your little ones and dashes them against the rock!” (Psa 137:9)

Or Deut.20:16-18

Contrasting with Jesus: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.” – Matthew 5:38-39

1.    Violence, is always to be mixed with and moderated by mercy.

See Esther 8:11 the king allowed the Jews who were in every city to gather and defend their lives, to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate any armed force of any people or province that might attack them, children and women included, and to plunder their goods

compared with Esther 9:10, 15,16 "but they laid no hands on the plunder. "

2. Violence is always a last resort and accompanied by Lament. 

   There is always repentance. Sorrow is always included. 

for I taken no pleasure in the death of anyone... So turn and live.” Ezekiel 18:32

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2Pe 3:9)

3. The violence points to God’s ultimate purpose and judgment.

Accomplished now and fully in Jesus

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. (1Pe 2:24)

One more thing - The whole point of this story!

God brings a complete reversal of fortune for his people.

Chpt.8:15-17Then Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal robes of blue and white, with a great golden crown and a robe of fine linen and purple, and the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced. The Jews had light and gladness and joy and honour. And in every province and in every city, wherever the king's command and his edict reached, there was gladness and joy among the Jews, a feast and a holiday. And many from the peoples of the country declared themselves Jews, for fear of the Jews had fallen on them.

It is a story of what God is on about in all things.

       That all people everywhere will discover how good it is to have God as king!

“on the very day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain the mastery over them, the reverse occurred: the Jews gained mastery over those who hated them.” 9:1 

To be part of God’s people is better than anything else in the world!

AND

 If God can turn things around for Esther and her kin…

   He can turn things around for you - through Jesus   

PRAYER FOR ABORIGINAL SUNDAY 

Holy Father, God of Love,

You are the Creator of this land and of all good things.

We acknowledge the pain and shame of our history

and the suffering of our peoples,

       and we ask your forgiveness.

We thank you for the survival of indigenous cultures.

Our hope is in you because you gave your Son, Jesus

       to reconcile the world to you.

We pray for your strength and grace to forgive,

accept and love one another,

       as you love us and forgive and accept us

          in the sacrifice of your Son.

Give us the courage to accept the realities of our history

so that we may build a better future for our nation.

Teach us to respect all cultures.

   Teach us to care for our land and waters.

       Help us to share justly the resources of this land.

Help us to bring about spiritual and social change

to improve the quality of life for all groups in our communities,

especially the disadvantaged.

Help young people to find true dignity and self-esteem by your Spirit.

May your power and love be the foundations

on which we build our families, our communities and our nation,

       through Jesus Christ our Lord.