There it is! Found it!

Have been reading in Esther for the past few days. Fascinating story, but no mention of God. Mesmerizing plot development, but not a hint of Messiah. But there, in chapter 9, there it is — the gospel as clear as day.

Now in the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king’s command and edict were about to be carried out, 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.

(Esther 9:1 ESV)

The reverse occurred. The opposite occurred (NKJV). Quite the opposite happened (NLT, CSB). It was turned to the contrary (NASB). The tables were turned (NIV, MSG). Read it in whatever translation you want, and there’s the good news. Drop the mic!

Esther a nobody ends up a somebody. Mordecai of the shadows ends up in the spotlight. Haman who lived to exalt himself ends up honoring his enemy, and the gallows built by him end up receiving him. The Jews who were to be eliminated by government edict are rallied and defend themselves by government edict. The reverse occurred.

Tell me that isn’t our story of redemption. A sinner declared a saint. Enemies of God adopted as sons and daughters of God. Those once dead in sin now made alive in Christ. Once without hope, but then, quite the opposite happened.

And the translation that captures it best for me this morning? Young’s Literal Translation.

And in the twelfth month—it is the month of Adar—on the thirteenth day of it, in which the word of the king, even his law, hath come to be done, in the day that the enemies of the Jews had hoped to rule over them, and it is turned that the Jews rule over those hating them—

(Esther 9:1 YLT)

It is turned!

Do you detect a familiar ring in that phrase? I do.

When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished,” and He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.

(John 19:30 ESV)

This morning I can sit here and confidently say, “It is turned!” because Jesus sacrificially hung there and declared, “It is finished.”

It is finished, and thus, it is turned. The lost are found and the dead are made alive. The weak are made strong and the foolish are made wise. And jars of clay convey the glory of God.

Yes, praise God, it is finished — the price once-and-forever paid for all.

Yes, praise God again, it is turned — a poor, bankrupt, debtor to sin has become an heir of eternal riches.

Chew on it. Rejoice in it. Cling to it.

By His grace. For His glory.