Esther - Caput 16

Esther 16.1 rex magnus Artaxerxes ab India usque AEthiopiam, centum viginti septem provinciarum ducibus ac principibus qui nostrae jussioni obediunt salutem dicit Esther 16.2 multi bonitate principum et honore qui in eos collatus est abusi sunt in superbiam Esther 16.3 et non solum subjectos regibus nituntur opprimere sed datam sibi gloriam non ferentes in ipsos qui dederunt moliuntur insidias Esther 16.4 nec contenti sunt gratias non agere beneficiis et humanitatis in se jura violare sed Dei quoque cuncta cernentis arbitrantur se posse fugere sententiam Esther 16.5 et in tantum vesaniae proruperunt ut eos qui credita sibi officia diligenter observant et ita cuncta agunt ut omnium laude digni sint mendaciorum cuniculis conentur subvertere Esther 16.6 dum aures principum simplices et ex sua natura alios aestimantes callida fraude decipiunt Esther 16.7 quae res et ex veteribus probatur historiis et ex his quæ geruntur quotidie quomodo malis quorumdam suggestionibus regum studia depraventur Esther 16.8 unde providendum est paci omnium provinciarum Esther 16.9 nec putare debetis si diversa jubeamus ex animi nostri venire levitate sed pro qualitate et necessitate temporum ut reipublicae poscit utilitas ferre sententiam Esther 16.10 et ut manifestius quod dicimus intelligatis Aman filius Amadathi et animo et gente Macedo alienusque a Persarum sanguine et pietatem nostram sua crudelitate commaculans peregrinus a nobis susceptus est Esther 16.11 et tantam in se expertus humanitatem ut pater noster vocaretur et adoraretur ab omnibus post regem secundus Esther 16.12 qui in tantum arrogantiae tumorem sublatus est ut regno privare nos niteretur et spiritu Esther 16.13 nam Mardochæum cujus fide et beneficiis vivimus et consortem regni nostri Esther cum omni gente sua novis quibusdam atque inauditis machinis expetivit in mortem Esther 16.14 hoc cogitans ut illis interfectis insidiaretur nostrae solitudini et regnum Persarum transferret in Macedonas Esther 16.15 nos autem a pessimo mortalium Judaeos neci destinatos in nulla penitus culpa reperimus sed e contrario justis utentes legibus Esther 16.16 et filios altissimi et maximi semperque viventis Dei cujus beneficio et patribus nostris et nobis regnum est traditum et usque hodie custoditur Esther 16.17 unde eas litteras quas sub nomine nostro ille direxerat sciatis esse irritas Esther 16.18 pro quo scelere ante portas hujus urbis id est Susan et ipse qui machinatus est et omnis cognatio ejus pendet in patibulis non nobis, sed Deo reddente ei quod meruit Esther 16.19 hoc autem edictum quod nunc mittimus in cunctis urbibus proponatur ut liceat Judaeis uti legibus suis Esther 16.20 quibus debetis esse adminiculo ut eos qui se ad necem eorum paraverant possint interficere tertiadecima die mensis duodecimi qui vocatur Adar Esther 16.21 hanc enim diem Deus omnipotens moeroris et luctus eis vertit in gaudium Esther 16.22 unde et vos inter ceteros festos dies hanc habetote diem et celebrate eam cum omni laetitia ut et in posterum cognoscatur Esther 16.23 omnes qui fideliter Persis obediunt dignam pro fide recipere mercedem qui autem insidiantur regno eorum perire pro scelere Esther 16.24 omnis autem provincia et civitas quae noluerit solemnitatis hujus esse particeps gladio et igne pereat et sic deleatur ut non solum hominibus sed etiam bestiis invia sit in sempiternum pro exemplo contemptus et inobedientiae

Esther : Caput 16

Reflection on Esther, Chapter 16

Chapter 16 of the book of Esther concludes with a royal decree marking a radical change in the destiny of the Jewish people. This text reveals the edict of Ahasuerus, which overturns the order established by Haman and elevates the Jews. Through this final chapter, we are invited to meditate on profound themes such as divine justice, the reversal of fortunes, and the public recognition of the truth.

Esther 16 illustrates God's power to transform adverse situations for the good of His people. We invite you to consider with us five biblical passages that resonate with the concluding themes of this resolved chapter.

Proverbs 16:12

"Kings hate the practice of wickedness, but the throne is established by righteousness." This proverb aligns perfectly with the king's decree in Esther 16, where Ahasuerus recognizes the evil planned against the Jews and seeks to establish justice.

Romans 13:3

"For rulers are not to be feared, except those who do wicked things. Do you want to live without fear of authority? Do good and she will praise you." This passage reflects the theme of Esther 16, where the king, by rewarding the Jews' loyalty, demonstrates the importance of doing good.

Psalms 75:7

"But God judges, bringing down one and exalting another." This verse echoes the events of Esther 16, where Haman is humbled and the Jews are exalted by the royal decree, thus illustrating God's sovereignty in history.

Proverbs 29:2

"When the The righteous prosper, the people rejoice; When the wicked reign, the people groan." This passage evokes the joy of the Jewish people following the king's favorable decree in Esther 16, highlighting the impact of righteous decisions on the community. 1 Peter 2:13-14 For the Lord's sake, submit yourselves to every human authority, whether to the king, as supreme, or to the rulers sent by him to punish those who do evil and honor those who do good. This New Testament text resonates deeply with the theme of Esther 16, where the king's authority is used to punish evil and honor good, reminding us of the importance of submitting to authority while respecting the justice.

In short, Esther 16 reminds us that God acts powerfully to defend his people and establish the truth. May we always seek justice and honor those who act with integrity.