Why is this Book important? Why did the Jewish people consider it ‘Scripture’? Why do we consider it ‘God Breathed’? Since it was written, God’s people have recognized important messages contained in this ‘Short Story’,
IMPORTANT MESSAGES OF ESTHER:
The reality of an on going ‘Cosmic Drama’ the battle between Good & Evil.
The tenacity of God’s people to cry out to him and to trust him through awful times.
The divine providence God has for His people, He is faithful to protect them eternally
SO FAR:
We have seen a capricious king, wallowing in sin and debauchery, depose his queen
We have seen a lovely jewish girl, guided by God, ascend to the throne
WHERE IS ALL OF THIS LEADING? Where is God in this story? STAY TUNED!
Esther 2:19—3:15 NIV
19 When the virgins were assembled a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate. 20 But Esther had kept secret her family background and nationality just as Mordecai had told her to do, for she continued to follow Mordecai’s instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up.
- The story about to be told, took place at a certain time [2nd gathering of virgins]
- Virgins assembled 2nd time: Did Xerxes want more young girls? Or still 1st time?
- Mordecai has ascended to a position of stature: Sitting at the gate [Supervisor]
- Esther is still not known to be a Jew
- [Later we learn] Esther was queen when this story happens…[V22]
- Middle Eastern Narrative Form: Important info 1st; then chronology of events
- This story will play a BIG role in the events later on [God is setting things up]
21 During the time Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, became angry and conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. 22 But Mordecai found out about the plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai. 23 And when the report was investigated and found to be true, the two officials were impaled on poles. All this was recorded in the book of the annals in the presence of the king.
- Two Guys who were part of the next level of security ‘became angry’
- Clumsily they plotted to kill the king…Mordecai found out told Esther, QUEEN
- She reported it to the king! How did she go and talk to the king?
- The guards were busted and executed [impaled not hanged] Persian Practice
Chapter 3
1 After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him and giving him a seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles. 2 All the royal officials at the king’s gate knelt down and paid honor to Haman, for the king had commanded this concerning him. But Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor.
- After the king found out he had bad palace staff he most likely cleaned house!
- The guy who gets promoted to the top of the food chain is named Haman
- Officials ‘The Gate’ are commanded by the king to kneel & pay honor to Haman
- But Mordecai would not kneel, bow or do like everyone else, why?
3 Then the royal officials at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why do you disobey the king’s command?” 4 Day after day they spoke to him but he refused to comply. Therefore they told Haman about it to see whether Mordecai’s behavior would be tolerated, for he had told them he was a Jew.
- Mordecai would not say why he refused to comply
- What we do know is that at this point Mordecai has identified himself as a jew
- He probably refused for 2 reasons: Haman was an Amalekite & Exodus. 20
5 When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor, he was enraged. 6 Yet having learned who Mordecai’s people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes.
- Here we begin to see who Haman really is: an egomaniac!
- He believes he is being so disrespected he decides Mordecai life is not enough
- The Amalekites were historical enemies of the Jews & enemies of God
- This moves quickly from revenge for a slight to full out Genocide
7 In the twelfth year of King Xerxes, in the first month, the month of Nisan, the pur (that is, the lot) was cast in the presence of Haman to select a day and month. And the lot fell on the twelfth month, the month of Adar.
- Why does Haman cast lots to see when his plan should be carried out?
- God allows Haman to place his faith in the ‘Pur’ and then manipulates the result
8 Then Haman said to King Xerxes, “There is a certain people dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom who keep themselves separate. Their customs are different from those of all other people, and they do not obey the king’s laws; it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them. 9 If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will give ten thousand talents of silver to the king’s administrators for the royal treasury.”
- Haman doesn’t mention the personal slight, or even the guy who did it
- Haman accuses the Jews of ‘Separatism’ & ‘Non-Assimilation & ‘Law Breaking’
- Satan goes after God’s people because they are ‘set apart’ [it’s going on now]
- He persuades the king that it is in HIS best interest to be rid of these people
- He give the king a ‘final solution’ to this problem: A decree to destroy them!
- AND Haman offers to pay for the admin cost of this whole plan
10 So the king took his signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. 11 “Keep the money,” the king said to Haman, “and do with the people as you please.”
- The king seems to ask no questions, he seems to trust Haman explicitly
- He gives Haman free reign to do with ‘the people’ as he pleases
- AND the king says, no need to pay anything, we will cover it.
- Haman is here in the text called ‘The enemy of the Jews’
12 Then on the thirteenth day of the first month the royal secretaries were summoned. They wrote out in the script of each province and in the language of each people all Haman’s orders to the king’s satraps, the governors of the various provinces and the nobles of the various peoples. These were written in the name of King Xerxes himself and sealed with his own ring.
- The casting of lots and the decree happen the 13th of the 1st month of the year
- The order was sent to particular people [Satrap= Gov] throughout the empire
- Haman was able to use the kings full authority, it looks like the king’s decision
13 Dispatches were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces with the order to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and children—on a single day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, and to plunder their goods.
- Decree: The text was explicit as to what was to be done to ALL Jews
- Decree: This Genocide is contained to ONE day! Persian Army enforced
- Decree: Every local government was responsible to carry it out [organized evil]
- Decree: When you kill them, you get all of their stuff!
- BUT…It will not happen for a whole year / 12 Months [organized Grace]
14 A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued as law in every province and made known to the people of every nationality so they would be ready for that day. 15 The couriers went out, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. The king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was bewildered.
- The decree was translated & sent [same system as the Queen being deposed]
- Hundreds of riders thunder away to deliver the order of the king [control freak?]
- And as they post the decree in Susa, word spreads and with it confusion
- The king & his boy are going to have a feast…a banquet
- The king needs no reason to drink, Haman is celebrating HIS victory
Don’t forget who Haman is really working for: Satan! At this point, Satan thought he had won, he would destroy the people of God! Just like Satan thought He had Jesus defeated when they crucified Him…
THE COSMIC DRAMA IS NOW IN FULL FORCE! But God has HIS PEOPLE exactly where He needs them. He placed Mordecai at the gate to the palace. He placed Esther in the palace as Queen. But what if they find out she is related to Mordecai? Stay Tuned!
Principals 4 Your Life:
Do the right thing whether it benefits you or not. [God is keeping track]
Seek to honor God regardless of short term consequences. [Eternal Focus]
Live as though all superstitions [Like the Pur] are all controlled by GOD!
Live based on the reality that people exist who are owned by & work for Satan.
Live like God is in charge of everything, because you believe HE IS!