On the day when Haman’s genocidal decree was to be executed, we see in this episode the effects of Mordecai’s counter-decree, which empowered the Jews across the provinces to assemble, defend themselves, and strike down their attackers. The Jews killed 75,000 enemies empire-wide, including Haman’s ten sons, who were publicly impaled, at Queen Esther’s request, to serve as a warning. Over the next two days, the Jews rested and celebrated, turning sorrow into joy. It was at this time that Mordecai established the annual Feast of Purim as a remembrance of how God sovereignly reversed their doom, while Mordecai himself rose to second-in-command, seeking the welfare of his people.