Why is it significant that the Jews "did not lay a hand on the plunder"? Setting the Scene • Esther 9 records the climactic day when the Jews, legally empowered by the king’s second decree, stood up to those who sought their destruction. • Three times (Esther 9:10, 15, 16) the narrator repeats, “But they did not lay a hand on the plunder”. The repetition signals importance—God wants us to notice and ponder it. What the Text Says Esther 9:10 – “…But they did not lay a hand on the plunder.” Esther 9:15 – “…But they did not lay a hand on the plunder.” Esther 9:16 – “…But they did not lay a hand on the plunder.” The Hebrew verb indicates purposeful restraint, not mere oversight. After defending their lives, they left enemy possessions untouched. Echoes from Israel’s History • Amalek’s Plunder Forbidden: Saul was once commanded to “devote to destruction all that belongs to them” (1 Samuel 15:3) but he kept the spoil and forfeited his crown (1 Samuel 15:19–23). By refusing plunder, the Jews corrected Saul’s failure against the Amalekite line from which Haman descended (Esther 3:1). • Abraham’s Example: Abram refused the spoils of Sodom—“I will accept nothing…so you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich’” (Genesis 14:23). The posture in Esther echoes that same God-honoring independence. • Jericho’s Ban: Israel’s first victory in Canaan required abstaining from loot (Joshua 6:18–19). Achan’s theft brought judgment (Joshua 7). Esther’s generation remembered the danger of coveting what God had placed under a ban. • Lawful Distinction: Deuteronomy 20:14 allows plunder in ordinary war, yet special bans show that obedience sometimes means forfeiting material gain. The Jews discerned that this moment fell into the “ban” category. Spiritual Significance • Purity of Motive – Their battle was self-defense, not greed. Leaving the goods proved they fought to preserve life, not to enrich themselves (cf. Proverbs 30:8-9). • Obedience Restored – By doing what Saul did not, they honored God’s earlier command concerning Amalek, closing a centuries-long loop of disobedience. • Contrast with Haman – Haman sought to “plunder their possessions” (Esther 3:13). Refusing plunder reversed his plan and shamed his greed. • Dependence on God – They trusted the Lord, not loot, for future security (Matthew 6:33). Victory came from divine providence, so the spoils rightly belonged to Him. • Witness to the Nations – Persian onlookers saw a people disciplined, righteous, and unmotivated by gain. Such integrity magnified God’s name among the Gentiles. Personal Takeaways • God values motives as much as actions; purity trumps profit. • Victory can tempt us to grasp for more—restraint shows faith. • Past failures in our spiritual lineage can be redeemed through present obedience. • Material gain never legitimizes violence or manipulation. • Like the Jews of Esther, believers today can demonstrate that God—not possessions—is our portion and our exceeding great reward (Psalm 16:5). |
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