March 23 Holy War

Esther 9:5-15 The Jews struck all their enemies with the sword, killing and destroying them, and did as they pleased to those who hated them. 6 In Susa the citadel itself the Jews killed and destroyed 500 men, 7 and also killed Parshandatha and Dalphon and Aspatha 8 and Poratha and Adalia and Aridatha 9 and Parmashta and Arisai and Aridai and Vaizatha, 10 the ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, but they laid no hand on the plunder. 11 That very day the number of those killed in Susa the citadel was reported to the king. 12 And the king said to Queen Esther, “In Susa the citadel the Jews have killed and destroyed 500 men and also the ten sons of Haman. What then have they done in the rest of the king's provinces! Now what is your wish? It shall be granted you. And what further is your request? It shall be fulfilled.” 13 And Esther said, “If it please the king, let the Jews who are in Susa be allowed tomorrow also to do according to this day's edict. And let the ten sons of Haman be hanged on the gallows.” 14 So the king commanded this to be done. A decree was issued in Susa, and the ten sons of Haman were hanged. 15 The Jews who were in Susa gathered also on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar and they killed 300 men in Susa, but they laid no hands on the plunder.
 
A few weeks ago, I summarized the Bible’s teaching on submission to government with this: “In short, yes we are to submit to government’s authority. And we are to work peaceably to affect change.” How then, are the Jews justified to kill those who seek to destroy them? Remember, Persia’s king first decreed the Jews’ destruction!
    First, as Jesus’ words, “But I say to you, do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Matthew 5:39) may sound as if we are to be nonresistant against all assault. But this is not a command to allow governments nor anyone to abuse and kill you. Through God’s servants Esther and Mordecai, the Jews were also under Persia’s permission to defend themselves. This was God’s hand of protection over his people.
    Second, Scripture reveals God’s call to his people to defend themselves and to destroy those who would destroy them. God’s calls to war are under his purpose to destroy idolatrous nations whose horrid religions brought death to children and the Jews’ relationship with God.
    There is, then, a time for a holy war. This must be only at God’s decree and not for self-gain. Notice here the Jews did not act to possess their enemies’ plunder but only to be delivered from evil.
    Submission is the Bible’s teaching to help us know God is sovereign over all things. Submission teaches us we are to be humble and obedient to God and one another. And yet, there are occasions we are even called to submit to war. This, too, is God’s providential care over our lives.
 
Prayer: Help us to know, Father, when it is “a time for war and a time for peace. a time for war, and a time for peace.” (Ecclesiastes 3:8) that we may truly submit to your Holy Word. In Jesus’ name, amen.