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The fact that the whole of the city rejoiced, with shouts of joy and were exceedingly glad and filled with cheer, gave further evidence of the oppressive rule of Haman. They looked forward to a new beginning. There certainly was cause for this season of joy and rejoicing. Prov. 11:10 The cosmopolitan composition of the kingdom would find people of the various races scattered throughout the nation. The population of the city of Shushan would have had this mixture of peoples. Therefore they rejoiced in having a foreigner as second in command in the palace. Est. 8:15.
No segment of that society had cause to rejoice in the series of the immediate past and current events than the Jews. After all, it was all about them. They had been living under the shadow of the sword and now they were set free from that death sentence which had been imposed on them. Beyond that, they could now arm themselves for self defense and even to attack those who had plotted against them. What a tremendous turn of events. Nothing but the hand of the Lord could have made it possible. The payoff for their fasting, prayer, mourning and wearing sackcloth was manifest in their deliverance. Truly, their mourning had been turned into dancing and their sackcloth into gladness. Ps. 30:11.
Four joyous elements are evident in their transition from death to life. They had light, the long night of oppression had passed. That heavy weight and fear of the future was removed. Now they were basking in the light of freedom. Worry and heaviness were replaced with exceeding great gladness and pleasure. Life became worthwhile for them once again. Joy, the joy of freedom and of the Lord was their portion. Their honor, their dignity, in all actuality their whole life was restored unto them. They were like one who had been resurrected from the dead. Life took on a brand new prospective. It is safe to say that they were more interested and involved in spiritual matters after all of this. Est. 8:16.