Welcome to Summer Bible Study
The study tonight will be on Esther.
Esther
•The Book of Esther obviously named after a woman.
•The other OT Book named after a woman was Ruth.
Author
•Thought to be written by Mordecai.
•Augustine suggested that Ezra wrote it.
•No one has proposed that Esther herself wrote it.
•Basically authorship is unknown.
Unique Feature
•One thing that has troubled both Jews and Christians about Esther is that God is never mentioned in the Book.
•This is also true for another OT Book, The Song of Songs.
•This need not be a problem because although God is not mentioned His presence in history is obvious.
Why no mention of God?
•Best to see it in terms of the hiddenness (yes, this is a word as listed in the commentary) of God.
•God in a sense is hidden, yet still very real and active in history.
•God is alluded to in Esther’s statements 4.3; 4.14; 4.16; 9.31
No Mention of God
•“The omission of God’s name does not detract from the theological worth of Esther.”
•Theological lessons:
–Grace-Jews did not deserve to be saved
–Providence-God cares for His people
–Vessels-Mordecai and Esther not blameless, yet used by God.
–Love-God’s love given to disobedient people
Purpose of the Book of Esther
•The book gives an account for the origin of the Feast of Purim.
•The Feast of Purim was not given in the Mosaic laws.
•The Feast of Purim is very popular among Jews today.
Feast of Purim
•A favorite celebration of the Jews.
•Recalls days of persecution.
•Recalls how God turned the tables on those who wanted to destroy them.
Purim Celebrated Today
•Celebrated with:
–Masquerade parties
–Noisemaking
–Revelry
–Hissing at Haman
–Cheering for Mordecai
Book of Esther
•“The Book of Esther is a profound statement about the heroic resistance necessary for survival in the face of violent anti-Semitism that continues to the present day.” Commentary Esther. By F.B. Huey
More Thoughts on the Purpose of the Book of Esther
•The purpose of the book might be to teach God’s providential care of His people.
•Bible scholar E.J. Young writes: “The Book of Esther, then, serves the purpose of showing how Divine
•As cited in Commentary Esther. By F.B. Huey p. 780
Read Text
•Read Esther 1.1-12
The Big Party: Hosted
by a Big Shot
•Xerxes, the Greek form of the Hebrew name or the Hebrew “Ahasuerus”: A Persian (current day
•Xerxes ruled
•Xerxes’ father was Durius I (inherited the empire from his father)
•Grandson of Cyrus the Great
Archeology
•Some inscriptions have been found in which Xerxes boasts of being “the King of Kings.”
•Xerxes was very powerful. But as Christians, we know who deserves the title “King of Kings.”
Party for What Reason?
•Obviously from the inscription found, it is clear that Xerxes liked to show off and display his power, wealth, and riches for all to see. (see 1.4)
How long did the party last?
•180 days or ½ a year.
•Some find difficulty with a party going on for 180 days. So, the idea is presented by the OT scholar, Keil, that the 180 was just a time of display and the party was only for 7 days following the end of the display period.
•The first is called a “banquet,” and the second “a drinking party.” Two different Greek words are used in the Greek translation of the Hebrew OT (LXX).
The Location for the Party
•“The enclosed garden of the king’s palace.”
•What was there?
–Linen hangings
–Marble pillars
–Couches of gold and silver
–Precious stones
Archeology
•“Archeologists have found the remains of Xerxes palace and have verified the accuracy of the opulence described in this verse.” Esther. By F.B. Huey p. 799
Wine Served
•Wine was served in special golden goblets. No two of the goblets were alike.
•The Targum is an Aramaic interpretation of words from OT.
•The Targum says they were the vessels taken by Nebuchadnezzar from the temple in
No Restrictions on the Wine
•The wine flowed freely.
•The stewards were instructed to give out as much as the guest wanted.
High Spirits of the King
•The seventh day mentioned here is not the Sabbath. It is the seventh day of the feast.
•The king was in high spirits. Or should we say the spirits got him high.
Display the Queen?
•The king was displaying everything for all to see.
–Wealth
–Land
–Status
–Power
Display the Queen?
•Now the king wants to make his wife a public display.
•Verse 11 is interpreted by some commentators to mean that the queen was to come out wearing ONLY HER CROWN AND NOTHING ELSE.
•Not all agree with this interpretation.
What is the problem here?
•So, why does the queen refuse?
•Modesty: If the request was for her to appear naked, she will not embarrass herself or her position.
•Degrade herself: Keep in mind that even if the king wanted her to come in with her robes and clothing on, she was coming before a bunch of drunken men.
Vashti
•My personal view is that we often over look Vasti when reading this story.
•She had the courage to stand up to the man who called himself “King of Kings.”
•As a wife she was asked to submit to something that violated her morality. And she refused.
•Vashti is removed from her position.
What happened to Vashti?
•The author of the Book of Esther does not reveal the fate of Vashti.
•A rabbinic tradition says she was executed.
•What do you think might have happened to her?
Read
•Read 2.1-4
The King’s New Actions
•His wrath or anger had to subside first.
•His thoughts turn toward remarriage.
•Why?
•One commentator mentions that during the period of the divorce to the time of marriage to Esther the king was going through rough times.
King’s Military and Political Life
•The rough times referred to are:
–Naval defeat at
–Humiliation in rout at
The idea is that the king would find solace and comfort in a new marriage in the midst of some disgracing times for him as a military and political leader.
The Beauty Contest
•The king orders a beauty contest. (Well, not exactly, but it was kind of like one.)
•Keep in mind the king had a harem.
•Once found the beautiful virgins were to be placed in the harem for beauty treatments (like makeovers).
•Simple: the one the king likes the most wins and becomes queen.
Read
•Read 2.5-10
Esther Wins Local Pageant
•Hebrew name of Esther: Hadassah, which means “myrtle”
•Persian name: Esther, which means “star
•Mordecai is her uncle. He is raising her because her parents died. He is like her father.
No Mention of Her Nationality
•Mordecai tells Esther not to mention her Jewish origins.
•Some have suggested that this was so she stood a better chance of winning the king’s approval. The idea is that the king will favor Persian women.
•Keep in mind Esther 4.4- God is at work in all events in the story.
Read
•Read 2.15-18
Esther Wins!
•Four years after the deposing of Vashti, Esther is crowned queen.
Read
•Read 2.19-23
Assassination Plot
•Mordecai overhears a plot to kill the king.
•He reports it to Esther who then tells the king.
•The only thing that happens is that Mordecai’s name is recorded in the annals. This will be important much later in the story.
Assassination Plot
•“Plots against Persian monarchs were not uncommon. Xerxes was in fact assassinated in his bedroom in a similar situation in 465 B.C. in a conspiracy led by his chiliarch Artabanus.”
•Esther by F.B. Huey p. 810
Read
•Read 3.1-6
The Holocaust Before WW II
•Haman is honored and Mordecai refuses to pay Haman homage.
•As a Jew, Mordecai is not going to bow to anyone except the true God.
•This enrages Haman, and he plots to annihilate the Jews.
Haman
•Haman is the son of an Agagite.
•The Agagites were descendants of the Amalekite King, Agag.
•Agag was an enemy of
Ancient Feud
•The Amalekites were enemies of
•Saul failed to destroy the Amalekites as God instructed him to do so. Consequently, the kingdom was taken from Saul.
Ancient Feud Continues
•“The writer may be informing the reader subtly that the ancient feud between the Amalekites and the Israelites has been inherited by Haman, a descendant of Agag, and Mordecai, a descendant of Saul.” Esther. F.B. Huey p. 811
The Terrible Day Set
•3.7 cast pur (the lot) to determine the day for the slaughter of the Jews.
•Even
•The exact nature and manner of casting lots is unknown.
Haman Persuades the King
•Haman convinces the king to annihilate the Jews.
•The king signs the order five years after Esther becomes queen.
•(Note: The Holocaust during the reign of Hitler is very similar to the story of Haman and the king.)
Read
•Read 4.1-17
Reaction to the Order
•Mordecai’s reaction:
–Tore his clothing
–Put on sackcloth
–Put on ashes
–Wailed loudly
“Mordecai expressed grief and humiliation in typical Oriental fashion.”
Reaction to the Order
•The Jews in all the provinces reacted by:
–Great mourning
–Fasting
–Weeping
–Wailing
–Sackcloth
–Ashes
Esther’s Reaction
•4.4 “great distress” or literally “writhed in pain.”
•She offers clothing for Mordecai.
•Mordecai refuses the clothing.
•“No reason is given for Mordecai’s refusal to take the clothing. It may have indicated to Esther that his actions were not caused by personal sorrow but by a public calamity.” Huey p. 816
A Copy of the Terrible Order
•The Queen gets a copy of the edit from Hathach who got it from Mordecai.
•Hathach also relays that Esther should go to the king to beg for mercy and plead to the king for “her people.”
How do you approach a king?
•Esther reminds Mordecai through Hathach that it is not that simple.
•To approach the king a royal summons is needed. If you don’t have one, it could mean death.
•Esther even as the king’s wife had to obey this rule.
Nothing to do with Esther
•When W.C. Fields was on his death bed, he was found reading the Bible.
•Someone asked him about reading the Bible and why he was doing it now. He had never bothered to read it before.
•Know what W.C. Fields said?
W.C. Fields
•W.C. Fields replied: “Looking for loopholes. Looking for loopholes.”
The Only Loophole
•The one exception to the royal summons rule was the use of the “golden scepter.” 4.11
•If you entered the king’s presence unannounced, the king might or might not offer you the golden scepter.
•If he did extend it, then the unannounced visitor was permitted to speak and safe.
Fear
•The queen is afraid to try this because she had not seen the king for 30 days.
•It appears the king was used to seeing Esther. The 30 day period is not usual for the king. Hence, Esther is fearful that her relationship with the king is not good.
•Another thing she probably fears is that the request going to made is near impossible. The edits of a king were irrevocable.
Fear and Our Lives
•Are there times that like Esther we are fearful of what God wants us to do?
Mordecai’s Persuading Words
•4.12-14
•The edit means all Jews-even those in the king’s palace. No escaping the edit.
•If she does not act, Mordecai is certain that “relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place.”
The Key to the Book
•“And who knows that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”
•Her exaltation to the position of queen may have been an act of God so that she could obtain favor for God’s people and stop the edit to annihilate the Jews.
Question
•Does God place us in certain places for His purposes?
Esther’s Reply
•Esther wants the Jews in
•Fasting was an acceptable way of getting help in times of:
–Sorrow
–Anxiety
–Fear
–Repentance
Fasting and Prayer
•Fasting is done along with prayer.
•The author does not mention prayer.
•It is safe to assume that prayers were also made along with the fasting
If I perish, I perish
•Not the words of despair.
•The words of resignation.
•The words of submission to God’s plan.
Read
•Read Esther 5.1-8
How Esther Approaches the King
•Gets in her royal robes.
•She enters the inner court.
•She waits to see what the king will do.
The King’s Response
•“he was pleased with her”
•The Hebrew is “she lifted up favor in his eyes.”
•The king extends the golden scepter.
The King’s Generous Offer
•“up to half the kingdom”
•“The offer of half the kingdom was probably an example of Oriental courtesy that was not intended to be taken too literally.” Esther. By F.B. Huey p. 819
Why is Haman Included?
•Various proposed ideas:
–To make the king suspicious of Haman
–To avoid being alone with Xerxes
–To lull Haman into a false
Timing
•Esther does not feel the time is right to give her petition to the king.
•So, she invites him and Haman to another banquet.
Read
•Read 5.9-14
Haman’s Plot Thickens
•Haman leaves the banquet in “high spirits.”
•Hebrew is “good of heart”
•He was honored to be included by the queen and asked to come to this banquet.
Haman’s Heart
•Haman did not like it that Mordecai did not show him honor at the gate.
•Haman’s heart was filled with “rage.”
Haman’s Boasting
•He boasts to his wife and friends about:
–Wealth
–Sons
–Ways king honored him
–His elevated position
–The invitation to the queen’s private banquet
Question
•Is it wise to boast?
Proverbs and Boasting
•“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16.18
Advice Given to Haman
•His wife and friends advise him to build a gallows.
•The gallows is to be 75 ft. high.
•Ask permission of the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows.
The Height of the Gallows
•“The height of the gallows was exorbitant and is not taken seriously by some commentators, but it is consistent with what we know of Haman’s vanity and obsessive desire for revenge.” Huey p. 821
Read
•Read 6.1-5
A Sleepless Night for the King
•“king could not sleep”
•Hebrew “the sleep of the king fled”
•“It would be futile to speculate on the cause of the king’s sleeplessness, but we can be sure that God was behind it.”
What is the best way to get to sleep when you are restless?
•What is your answer?
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The Book of the Chronicles
•The king ordered that The Book of Chronicles be brought to him.
•“The Book of Memorable Deeds”
•“The Chronicle of Daily Events”
•“The annals contained written records of facts and events that were important to the kingdom.” Huey p. 821
The Records of the Kingdom
•The records were to be read to the king.
•Why?
–Maybe he thought he should get caught up on some royal work.
–Maybe he thought the records were boring and would put him to sleep.
The King’s Discovery
•While the records are read to him, the king discovers that Mordecai stopped a plot to kill the king.
•The king also discovers that no reward was given to Mordecai.
The Usual Practice of Persian Kings
•“Herodotus (historian) indicated that it was a point of honor with Persian kings to reward promptly and generously those who had benefited them.” Huey p. 822
Haman’s Presence in the Court
•The king wants to set the matter right and reward Mordecai.
•Haman “happens” to be in the court.
•Remember it is late at night. Haman is there.
•Maybe Haman knew that sometimes the king had restless nights.
God at Work to Carry Out His Plan
•“The Book of Esther is filled with fortuitous coincidences.” Huey p. 822
•(fortuitous: characterized by coincidences)
•The old saying is that with God there are no coincidences.
•Do you agree or disagree?
Read
•Read 6.6-11
Irony
•Irony: ill-timed arrival of an event or circumstance that is in itself desirable.
•The irony here is that Haman, the one who hates Mordecai and the Jews, will select the way Mordecai is to be honored.
Honor to be Given
•Haman suggests the following:
–A royal robe be given
–A royal horse be given
–A royal crest be placed on the head of the horse
–A prince is to lead the way for the honoree
–The prince is to make proclamation as he leads
Haman’s Thoughts
•“Haman must have been ecstatic in anticipation of the high honor he thought was about to be accorded him before all the people of
The Start of the Turning of History
•The king is now prepared to honor Mordecai, a Jew.
•Remember, the edit of the destruction of all Jews was signed by the king.
Questions
•Imagine you are Haman. You are a servant of the king, and you must carry out his orders.
•How do you feel as you robe Mordecai and get the royal horse ready?
•What are your thoughts as you parade Mordecai in the streets and issue the proclamation?
Haman’s Wife
•Haman’s wife and Haman’s friends predict Haman’s downfall.
•“Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started is of Jewish origin, you can not stand against him- you will surely come to ruin.” Esther 6.13
How did Zeresh and Haman’s Friends know?
•“The revival of the Jewish people since the times of Cyrus was sufficient to induce, in the minds of heathen who were attentive to the signs of the times, the persuasion that this nation enjoyed divine protection.’ Esther. Vol. 3 Commentary on the OT. Keil-Delitzch p. 362
Read
•Read 7.1-10
Wine
•Wine is customarily served after the meal in Persian banquets.
•The queen presents her request during the drinking of wine.
Esther’s Request
•First she asks for the king to spare her life.
•This is the first time Esther revealed she was a Jew.
•Next, she requests that the king spare all the Jews.
How did the King React?
•“The king must have looked at her in stunned silence when she asked for her life and also for the lives of her people. It probably took him some time to grasp the fact that she also was a Jew.” Huey p. 825
The King’s Reaction
•Immediate
•Wrathful
•The plot to kill the Jews now includes his wife. (personal affront)
•Maybe at this point the king felt as though he had been duped into agreeing to the destruction of the Jews.
What to do with Haman?
•The king needs some time to contemplate the fate of Haman.
•The king leaves and went into the palace garden.
Haman Alone with Esther
•Haman begs Esther for mercy.
•Haman “was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining.”
•Keil-Delitszch “falling as a suppliant at her feet.” (no seduction in the action)
King Sees Haman
•The king interprets Haman falling down as trying to seduce his wife, Esther, or hurt her with violence.
•The king sentences Haman to death.
•Haman is hanged on the gallows he prepared for Mordecai.
Read
•Read 8.1-14
Esther’s Reward
•Esther gets the estate of Haman.
•“Persian law gave the state the power to confiscate the property of those who had been condemned as criminals.”
Mordecai’s Reward
•The king gives Mordecai his signet ring.
•This act made Mordecai the prime minister with power to act in the king’s name.
The Reversal of Haman’s Edit
•The king instructs the new prime minister, Mordecai, to write a new edit.
•After it was sealed with the signet ring, fast horses were used to deliver it throughout the empire.
The New Edit
•Jews were given the right to assemble.
•Jews were given the right to protect themselves.
•Jews were given the right to avenge those who attacked them.
•Jews were given the right to plunder.
Read
•Read 9.1-10
“The Tables Were Turned”
•This chapter shows that the hatred of the Jews was widespread.
•The Jews were feared.
•The Jews were helped by nobles and other political leaders.
The New Feast-Purim
•The origin of the name Purim is in the Hebrew word for lot.
•The singular is pur and the plural is purim.
•Esther 9.26
The Woman who Saved a Nation