1
AGAPE LESSON 32
IT IS GOD WHO COMMANDS VICTORIES
Put together by Bongie Kuzwayo
[Psalm44v5—7] Through You we will push down our enemies; through Your name we will trample
those who rise up against us. (6) For I will not trust in my bow, nor shall my sword save me. (7) But
You have saved us from our enemies, and have put to shame those who hated us.
Esther chapter 9v1—17:
Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month of Adar, on the thirteenth day, the time came for the
king’s command and his decree to be executed. On the day that the enemies of the Jews had hoped
to overpower them, the opposite occurred, in that the Jews themselves overpowered those who
hated them. (2) The Jews gathered together in their cities throughout all the provinces of King
Ahasuerus to lay hands on those who sought their harm. And no one could withstand them, because
fear of them fell upon all people. (3) And all the officials of the provinces, the satraps, the governors,
and all those doing the king’s work helped the Jews, because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them. (4)
For Mordecai was great in the king’s palace, and his fame spread throughout all the provinces; for
this man Mordecai became increasingly prominent. (5) Thus, the Jews defeated all their enemies with
the stroke of the sword, with slaughter and destruction, and did what they pleased with those who
hated them. (6) And in Shushan the citadel the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men. (7) Also,
Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha, (8) Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha, (9) Pamashta, Arisai, Aridai, and
Vejezatha–(10) the ten sons of Haman the son of Hamedatha, the enemy of the Jews—they killed;
but they did not lay a hand on the plunder. (11) On that day the number of those who were killed in
Shushan the citadel was brought to the king. (12) And the king said to Queen Esther, “The Jews have
killed and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the citadel, and the ten sons of Haman. What have
they done in the rest of the king’s provinces? Now what is your petition? It shall be granted to you. Or
what is your further request? It shall be done.” (13) Then Esther said, “If it pleases the king, let it be
granted to the Jews who are in Shushan to do again tomorrow according to today’s decree, and let
Haman’s ten sons be hanged on the gallows.” (14) So, the King commanded this to be done; the
decree was issued in Shushan, and they hanged Haman’s ten sons. (15) And the Jews who were in
Shushan gathered together again on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar and killed three
hundred men in Shushan; but they did not lay a hand on the plunder. (16) The remainder of the Jews
in the king’s provinces gathered together and protected their lives, had rest from their enemies, and
killed seventy-five thousand of their enemies; but they did not lay a hand on the plunder. (17) This
was on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar. And on the fourteenth day they rested and made it a
day of feasting and gladness.
Esther (Hadassah – her real Hebrew name).
Esther is a type of a church displaying great faith and will dare to risk [(“If I perish, I perish!”)
(Esther4v16)] allowing God to orchestrate the deliverance of the Jewish nation from the hand of
Haman, the enemy of the Jews. This church is totally submissive (displaying obedience) to the
promptings of the Holy Spirit – in the person of Mordecai as fathering grace and mouthpiece of God
(Esther4v13—14).
Haman (the enemy of the Jews) having cast the horoscope he found the most favourable time to
carry out his designs as the Jews enemy. [Esther3v7] In the first month, which is the month of Nisan,
2
in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus they cast a horoscope (that is, a lot) before Haman to
determine the day and the month, until it fell on the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar.
The horoscope was consulted in the first month, from day to day, and from month to month, to the
twelfth month (v12 – on the thirteenth day of the month, (that is, the thirteenth day from the day
they commenced), the favourable day was found. Then (Esther3v13) the letters were prepared, and
upon one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month” at the end of the seventh year),
the Jews were all to be put to death. Thus, we have three thirteens connected with this gigantic
effort of the great enemy to destroy the lord’s people, and with them, of course, the promised seed.
This is the ultimate objective of the great enemy in all his designs against God’s people.
(Esther 9v1) Now on the twelfth month (Adar), on the thirteenth day.
Thirteen stands for all that has to do with rebellion, apostacy, defection, corruption, revolution.
Thirteen is also mentioned with Ishmael; he was thirteen years old when Abraham circumcised him
and admitted him into a covenant to which he was a stranger in heart, and which ended his rebellion
and rejection (Genesis17v26).
Twelve – a perfect number signifying perfection of government. It is found as a multiple of all that
has to do with rule. The sun which rules the day, and the moon and the stars which govern the night,
do so by their passage through the twelve signs of the Zodiac which complete the great circle of the
heavens 360 degrees or divisions, and thus govern the year. Twelve is a multiple of three and four.
Three, the perfectly Divine heavenly number, and four – the earthly and number of what is material
and organic.
Fourteen being a multiple of seven, partakes of its significance; and, being double that number,
implies a double measure of spiritual perfection. The number two with which it is combined, may
however bring its own significance into its meaning, as in Matthew chapter one, where the
genealogy of Jesus is divided up and given in sets of 14 (2×7) generations; two being the number
associated with incarnation.
Fifteen – being the multiple of five partakes of the significance of that number; also, of the number
three with which it is combined (5×3). Fifteen therefore, specially refers to acts wrought by the
energy of Divine grace.
Esther9v10, v15 and v16), all end with the expression: “but they did not lay a hand on the plunder.”
This implies that it is God who brought about their deliverance – hence the final deliverance was on
the fifteenth, which was the third day of the struggle. Three – stands for that which is complete,
solid, substantial and entire.
God fought for Israel to crumble the walls of Jericho and destroyed the city. Hence, all that could go
through the fire and be purified were taken for the house of the Lord.
[Joshua6v18—19] And you, by all means, abstain from the accursed things, lest you be accursed
when you take of the accursed things, and make the camp of Israel cursed, and trouble it. (19) But all
the silver and the gold, and vessels of bronze and iron, are consecrated to the Lord, they shall come
to the treasury of the Lord.
The sons of Haman were hanged on the gallows. Remember, the size of the gallows built by Haman
were fifty cubits high (Esther7v9). Fifty is a number which signifies deliverance. The Ark of
deliverance built by Noah was fifty cubits wide (Genesis6v15). Fifty also signifies anointing.
[Acts2v1—4] When the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
3
(2) And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the
whole house where they were sitting. (3) Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire,
and set upon each of them. (4) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with
other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
The twist came about in (Esther5) when on the third day Esther appeared before the king, and the
king was prepared to do anything to please Queen Esther. She found favour in the eyes of the king
because of her obedience. [Psalm37v4] Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the
desires of your heart.
Esther here was taking a risk, she went to the inner court of the king (not called) knowing it could be
a death sentence for her (Esther 4v11)
There can never be any migration/progress/victory without taking a risk like Blind Bartimaeus.
Cringing and fear will hinder your breakthrough. Scrutinizingly look at your walk with God and see
the areas where you fear to take a risk. This is the very thing that puts a dead stop to your
progress/migration. Adjust just that area, and you are going to see growth and fruit. Obedience does
turn the tables. Know that at your darkest hour, the Lord will be working behind scenes to deliver
you. [Genesis22v13] Yours is to respond promptly to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Entertaining
your fear gives you false security that you are able to deliver yourself. You can craft your own destiny.
The result is stagnation and the situation gets worse. Our fears ultimately show how we are relying
on our efforts and not trusting in our Saviour. The truth is, we are always inadequate, never enough,
weak. God’s power is perfect in our weakness (1Corinthians12v9). Your greatest fear may point you
to your best chance at making a difference. The pathway to your greatest potential is often through
your greatest fear. Faith will propel you forward. God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity,
but of power, love and self-discipline (2Timothy1v7) NLT.
[Hebrews10v35—39] Therefore, do mot cast away your confidence which has great reward. (36) For
you have need for endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the
promise. (37) For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry. (38) Now, the
just shall live by faith. But, if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him. (39) But we are not
of those who draw back to perdition, but those who believe to the saving of the soul.
[Esther9v19—32) Mordecai and Esther were now calling the shots – the celebration Purim was
ordained for the 14th and 15th of the month of Adar. Letters were distributed to all the 127 provinces
of King Ahasuerus. This is a yearly event to this day.
AGAPE LESSON 32