04/08/Th – Inheriting the Land

OT: “That same day King Ahasuerus awarded Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. Mordecai entered the king’s presence because Esther had revealed her relationship to Mordecai. The king removed his signet ring he had recovered from Haman and gave it to Mordecai, and Esther put him in charge of Haman’s estate… Mordecai went from the king’s presence clothed in royal blue and white, with a great gold crown and a purple robe of fine linen. The city of Susa shouted and rejoiced, and the Jews celebrated with gladness, joy, and honor… On the day when the Jews’ enemies had hoped to overpower them, just the opposite happened. The Jews overpowered those who hated them… All the officials of the provinces, the satraps, the governors, and the royal civil administrators aided the Jews because they feared Mordecai. For Mordecai exercised great power in the palace, and his fame spread throughout the provinces as he became more and more powerful.” (‭‭Esther‬ ‭8:1-2, 15-16; ‭9:1b, 3-4‬ ‭CSB)

Haman’s plan to annihilate the Jews, born out of his disdain and hatred for Mordecai, came back on his own head. Mordecai, instead of fretting and taking matters into his own hands, trusted God to vindicate him and deliver his people – and that is exactly what God did. Through a divinely ordered series of events, Haman was hung on the very gallows he had built to hang Mordecai on. Once Haman’s life was ended, the entire estate of Haman was given to Queen Esther. Mordecai was given the position formally held by Haman, and Mordecai was given charge over Haman’s entire estate. Basically, Mordecai plundered Haman’s title and possessions and inherited all his land. The man that spent his days sitting at the gate became the second-highest ranking official in the empire. Instead of being annihilated, the Jews that were disbursed across the Persian empire were given the opportunity to defend themselves and annihilate their enemies. What the enemy meant for evil, God used to save His people and glorify His name… all because Mordecai and Esther humbled themselves and trusted the Lord.

Psalms: “Be silent before the Lord and wait expectantly for him; do not be agitated by one who prospers in his way, by the person who carries out evil plans. Refrain from anger and give up your rage; do not be agitated — it can only bring harm. For evildoers will be destroyed, but those who put their hope in the Lord will inherit the land. A little while, and the wicked person will be no more; though you look for him, he will not be there. But the humble will inherit the land and will enjoy abundant prosperity.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭37:7-11‬ ‭CSB)

This section of Psalm 37 describes how Esther and Mordecai reacted to their situation with Haman, and the results of their trust in the Lord. I wonder if the words of this psalm encouraged Mordecai and Esther during those days of fasting and prayer that lead up to their deliverance and subsequent prosperity. As David wrote, and Esther and Mordecai later exemplified, we don’t need to fret over the wicked and the enemy that seeks to destroy us. We simply need to be still before the Lord, trust Him expectantly and hope in Him. God will resist the proud and give grace to the humble – and eventually, the meek and humble will inherit the earth.

Prayer: Lord, the world is full of people who prosper unjustly and get ahead by stepping on the backs of others. As infuriating as that can be, Your word tells me to not fret and get agitated over those things – but to trust in and wait expectantly for You. Help me to not lash out in indignation, but to humble myself and trust You to bring about Your justice. By remaining humble and trusting in You, may You be glorified and may I inherit all that You desire to give me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.