Esther 8:15 - Meaning and Application

It had been only a few days earlier that Mordecai was in sackcloth and all the Jews were in sorrow. Now the scene is completely changed, Mordecai is in purple, and all the Jews are in joy. See (Psalm 30:5), (Psalm 30:11), and (Psalm 30:12).

Mordecai is now in purple in Esther 8:15. After he had secured an order to protect all the Jews, he was at peace, so he put off his mourning clothes and put on royal clothing. These garments either belonged to his office or were given to him by the king as a sign of favor. His robes were rich, blue and white, made of fine linen and purple, and his crown was of gold. These details matter not because the clothing itself was important, but because it showed the king’s favor, and even more, God’s favor toward his people. It is a good sign when marks of honor are used to adorn true godliness.

The city of Susa, called Shushan here, could see the benefit of Mordecai’s rise, so it rejoiced and was glad. People were not only pleased in a general way that virtue had been advanced, but they also hoped for better days now that such a good man had authority. Haman was hanged, and when the wicked die, there is shouting (Proverbs 11:10). Mordecai was promoted, and when the righteous rule, the people rejoice.

The Jews, who had been under a dark cloud, discouraged and disgraced, now had light and gladness, joy and honor, a feast and a good day. If they had not first been threatened and brought low, they would not have had such reason for this special joy. In that way, God’s people are sometimes made to sow in tears so that they may reap with much greater joy. The sudden and surprising turn in their favor made their joy even greater. They were like people who are dreaming, and then their mouths were filled with laughter (Psalm 126:1-2).

One good result of this rescue was that many people in the land, thoughtful and well disposed, became Jews. They were brought into the Jewish faith, gave up idolatry, and worshiped the true God only. Haman had tried to destroy the Jews, but in the end their number grew, and many were added to the church. Notice this, when the Jews had joy and gladness, many people in the land became Jews. The cheerful spirit of those who profess religion is a great beauty to their faith, and it can draw others toward it.

The reason so many joined them at this time was that fear of the Jews fell on them. When they saw how wonderfully God had supported and rescued the Jews at such a critical time, they came to two conclusions. First, they saw the Jews as a great people and thought those were happy who were with them, so they joined them, as was foretold in (Zechariah 8:23). “We will go with you, for we have heard, we have seen, that God is with you,” the shield of your help and the sword of your excellence (Deuteronomy 33:29). When the church prospers and is favored, many will come into it who would keep away when it is in trouble.

Second, they saw the Jews as a people to be feared, and they judged those to be foolish who opposed them. They could plainly see from Haman’s fate that anyone who harmed the Jews did so at great risk. So, for their own safety, they joined themselves to the Jews. It is foolish to imagine that anyone can stand against the God of Israel, and it is wise to submit to him.