The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 142

obedient son who never went astray, and in the same kind of sense in which it is said that " there is joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth more than over ninety and nine just persons which need no repentance," is it true that there ie more joy in lifo rescued from the doom of death than in life just fresh, though it be fresh from tho Creator's hand. Yes, there is more joy therein, both for those who are chiefly con- cerned, and for those who look on. And was it not thus in the best sense that a nation was now "born at once" when darkness, exceeding distress, and the anguish of apparent ~elplessness all dropped off in a moment, and "the _Jews had light, and glad- ness, and Joy, and honour, ... and a feast and a good day m every province and in every city"? Evidently some special stress is laid upon the description of the gladness of the Jews. We cannot for a moment wonder at their gladness, that ie one thing. But the detailed and full announcement of it on an inspired page is another thing, and leads us to expect that there are some facts about it which should invite notice and "V.":ill reward more careful thought. ~-- IT WAS THE GLADNl:85 OF A VAST NUMBER ?F PEOPLE. A great philosopher of Bntish name and reputation has remarked two things, and very truly, on this subject. First, how much less disposed, comparatively speaking, men are to sympathise with the manifestations of joy than with those of genuine sorrow. To the beet of human nature it is easier to weep with those who weep than to laugh with those who laugh. This is a just disce=ent, and gives the balance of goodness to the intrinsic quality of unfallen human nature, where it may get a possibility of betraying its native worth. Secondly, that this is especially true when it is the joy of an individual that is ostentatiously paraded. Here the case is the opposite. The joy is the joy of all and of ea,ch. Gratitude and thankfulness were the spring of it, and there was no need to moderate either itself or its expression, because it was general and universal. There were none (at all events none entitled to consideration) on whom it would jar, or whose finer SllBceptibilities would suffer. On the contrary, the only discordant element would be produced by him who made himself the exception or offered to stand aloof. Note, that such real general joy is a very rare phenomenon on earth. II. IT WAS THE GLADNESS OF EVERY CLASS AND KIND OF THE PEOPLE. Old men "little children and women" (eh. iii. 13), young men and maidens, rich and poor, strong and weak, all these could participate in it. Our human joys are often spoilt, are often much duwnished to the best of persons, by the inevitable memory of those who are without what gladdens us. Think how a victorious army may rejoice, and generals and leaders be glad ; but what of the hundreds of families of every class over the kingdom who have lost husbands, brothers, sons? Or think how the great body of a nation may rejoice because of the victories of its armies ; but at what havoc of untold sorrow and misery of numberless others belonging to conquering or the conquered. Think how rare is the occasion of any national joy which really reaches and touches the heart of all kinds and ages of the people. III. IT WAS A GLADNESS WHICH HAD SEVERAL ELEMENTS IN ITS COMPOSITION. The fourfold analysis of it cannot be condemned for mere surplusage of language as it lies on the page of Scripture. And these are the four elements-" light,"" gladness," deep "joy," "honour." Each of these elements is a good one. The first and last speak for themselves. Let us interpret the second as the gladness of the young hearts and of manifestation, and the third as the deeper-sinking joy of the old, and those who felt and thought more than they showed or spoke. IV. IT WAS THE GLADNESS OF A REACTION. The reaction was just. It would have argued callousness, an insensate heart indeed, if it were not felt, and very powezfully felt. To have great mercies is a common thing, to respond to them far too uncommon. The contrast of "the horrible pit and the miry clay " with the " rock and the established going " of the pilgrim is one which should waken deepest joy. It is light, joy, honour ail in one. V. IT WAS GLADNESS IN ANSWER TO A DELIVERANCE WHICH WAS NOT ONLY VERY GREAT AND VERY UNEXPECTED, BUT WHICH WAS THE RESULT OJI' A lllA.RVELLOUB INTER• POSITION OF PROVIDENCE, wrought by one feeble woman, and prepared for by a most extraordinary series of precisely-adapted events. And all this was "prepared for God's people." Through wuch tribulation, indeed, through darkness, cruel oppres- CH, VIII. 1-17.] THE BOOK OF ESTHER. 149