King Xerxes replied to Queen
Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, “Because Haman attacked the Jews, I have given
his estate to Esther, and they have impaled him on the pole he set up. Now write another decree in
the king’s name in behalf of the Jews as seems best to you, and seal it with
the king’s signet ring—for no document written in the king’s name and sealed
with his ring can be revoked.” Esther
8:7-8
If a king revoked
a law he established, then he’s saying he was wrong. King Xerxes, in Esther, wrote a law allowing
the Jews to be killed. The information
he received was scandalous and his judgement clouded. But if Xerxes revoked the law, his reputation
would be scarred.
Instead, Xerxes
signed a companion edict that allowed the Jews to defend themselves and collect
the enemies’ estate. Both edicts were
established but the second made the first one risky and unappealing for many. When the Jews successfully defended
themselves, the Persian people feared the Jews.
Kings were
treated like gods. But God has never revoked
a law or been wrong. But only he can
claim that title, while earthly leaders scramble to cover up their mistakes.