June 8th
Esther,
1
A
The Characters take their place
1v1-22
Vashti defies Ahasuerus
1: Now it came to pass in the days of
Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia,
over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:) 2: That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne
of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace, 3: In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his
princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes
of the provinces, being before him: 4:
When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his
excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days. 5: And when these days were expired,
the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the
palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of
the king's palace; 6: Where
were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and
purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver,
upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble. 7: And they gave them drink in
vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine
in abundance, according to the state of the king. 8: And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel:
for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they
should do according to every man's pleasure. 9: Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal
house which belonged to king Ahasuerus. 10:
On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he
commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas,
the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, 11: To bring Vashti the queen before
the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty:
for she was fair to look on. 12:
But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by his
chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him. 13: Then the king said to the wise
men, which knew the times, (for so was the king's manner toward all that knew
law and judgment: 14: And the
next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and
Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, and
which sat the first in the kingdom;) 15:
What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not
performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains? 16: And Memucan answered before the
king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only,
but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the
provinces of the king Ahasuerus. 17:
For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall
despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king
Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came
not. 18: Likewise shall the
ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king's princes, which have
heard of the deed of the queen. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and
wrath. 19: If it please the
king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among
the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti
come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto
another that is better than she. 20:
And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout
all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands
honour, both to great and small. 21:
And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to
the word of Memucan: 22: For he
sent letters into all the king's provinces, into every province according to
the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man
should bear rule in his own house, and that it should be published according to
the language of every people.
Esther, 2
1v1-18
Esther is made Queen
1: After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was
appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed
against her. 2: Then said the
king's servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins
sought for the king: 3: And let
the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may
gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the
house of the women unto the custody of Hege the king's chamberlain, keeper of
the women; and let their things for purification be given them: 4: And let the maiden which pleaseth
the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did
so. 5: Now in Shushan the
palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the
son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite; 6: Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity
which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar
the king of Babylon had carried away. 7:
And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had
neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai,
when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter. 8: So it came to pass, when the
king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were
gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther
was brought also unto the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the
women. 9: And the maiden
pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her
things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven
maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king's house: and he
preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women. 10: Esther had not shewed her people
nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it. 11: And Mordecai walked every day
before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther did, and what should
become of her. 12: Now when
every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been
twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of
their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six
months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women;)
13: Then thus came every maiden
unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the
house of the women unto the king's house. 14: In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into
the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's
chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more,
except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name. 15: Now when the turn of Esther, the
daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter,
was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's
chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in
the sight of all them that looked upon her. 16: So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal
in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his
reign. 17: And the king loved
Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more
than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made
her queen instead of Vashti. 18:
Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even
Esther's feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts,
according to the state of the king.
2v19-23
Mordecai saves Ahasuerus’ life
19: And when the virgins were gathered together the second
time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate. 20: Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people; as
Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as
when she was brought up with him. 21:
In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, two of the king's
chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and
sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. 22: And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther
the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai's name. 23: And when inquisition was made of
the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it
was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.
Esther, 3
B
The Characters make their moves
3v1-15
Haman makes his plot
1: After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the
son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the
princes that were with him. 2:
And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed, and
reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai
bowed not, nor did him reverence. 3:
Then the king's servants, which were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai,
Why transgressest thou the king's commandment? 4: Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he
hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's
matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew. 5: And when Haman saw that Mordecai
bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. 6: And he thought scorn to lay hands
on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore
Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of
Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai. 7:
In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king
Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and
from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar. 8: And Haman said unto king
Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the
people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all
people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's
profit to suffer them. 9: If it
please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay
ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of
the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries. 10: And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto
Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy. 11: And the king said unto Haman, The
silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to
thee. 12: Then were the king's
scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written
according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to
the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people
of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after
their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with
the king's ring. 13: And the
letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill,
and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and
women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is
the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey. 14: The copy of the writing for a
commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that
they should be ready against that day. 15:
The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree
was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but
the city Shushan was perplexed.
Esther, 4
4v1-17
Mordecai asks Esther for help
1: When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent
his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of
the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry; 2: And came even before the king's gate: for none might enter
into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth. 3: And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment
and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and
weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. 4: So Esther's maids and her
chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and
she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him:
but he received it not. 5: Then
called Esther for Hatach, one of the king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed
to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it
was, and why it was. 6: So
Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which was before the
king's gate. 7: And Mordecai
told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that
Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy
them. 8: Also he gave him the
copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to
shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she
should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request
before him for her people. 9:
And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai. 10: Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment
unto Mordecai; 11: All the
king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that
whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court,
who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to
whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have
not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days. 12: And they told to Mordecai Esther's
words. 13: Then Mordecai
commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in
the king's house, more than all the Jews. 14: For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then
shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place;
but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether
thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? 15: Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, 16: Go, gather together all the Jews
that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink
three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will
I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I
perish. 17: So Mordecai went
his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.
Today we begin the daily Bible readings in
the book of Esther. The message of this book could best be described as the
phrase ‘God is in control’. This little book of only 9 chapters has the longest
verse in the Bible. (Ch 8v9) The book describes a period between 483-471 BC.
Esther and her friends are captive in a hostile land. Held by a king who is a
total despot. An evil man Haman is out to kill her and her people. How will God
help her? The book is like a great game of chess in which God places his pieces
and the battle commences. God moves us today into positions were we can fulfil
his plans, but we need to have the insight and courage to live up to it. This
is one of just two books named after a woman. Ruth is the other book. While
Ruth tells of a Gentile who married a Jew, Esther tells of a Jew who married a
Gentile. The writer is unknown. The Name of God is not specifically mentioned
in the Book, except where it is hidden, five times, in the form of acrostics.
Ezra and Nehemiah describe the return of Israel to Canaan. Esther tells the
story of those who stayed behind. When the feast of Purim was celebrated, the
listeners traditionally, would ‘cheer’ when Esther’s name was mentioned and
‘boo’ at the mention of Haman. Perhaps the key verse is… Esther 4v14 ‘For if thou altogether holdest thy
peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the
Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed:
and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?’
And so the players are set first the characters of the story must take their
place. Vashti the queen defies the command Ahasuerus her husband and king. Then
we see that the king divorces her and seeks a new young wife and Esther is
chosen. Then we have another interesting key event. Mordecai saves the kings
life and so he is honoured by the king. Then we see the first few moves – the
opening gambit. First Haman (Booooo) makes his move to plan a plot to kill all
the Jews. But Mordecai (Hurray) asks Esther (Hurray) to help. Now lets look at
these passages more closely. The story opens up with the King of the
Medo-Persian Empire Ahasuerus, who is king of the whole world of his day, from
India to Ethiopia – 127 countries. The king wants to make a feast for all his
princes and servants, to display all the riches of his empire. The feast was to
last for 180 days ! Then when the feast
was ended the King made another peast for all the people who lived at Shushan.
There were white, green, blue curtains fastened by cords of fine linen and
purple and silver rings. The place had pillars of marble and the beds were made
of gold and silver. Every thing was on a pavement of coloured marble, red,
blue, black. (Blue was very very rare in those days.) They drank from cups of
gold (every single cup was different from another.) There was a huge quantity
of wine available. People were free to drink as they wished. The Queen also
made a feast for the women in the royal house. On the last day of the feast the
king sent a message asking for the queen to join him. He wanted everyone to see
how beautiful she was. But she refused to attend. So the king was in a
difficult position – What if every woman in his kingdom copied her example? He
called for all his wise men to ask for their advice. They advised him to banish
her from his presence and to look for a queen better than her. So he sent a
message into all of his empire saying that husbands should give honour to their
wives. When the king had settled down from his anger the thought again about
what had happened and what he had decided. And he dicided that he wanted a new
wife. So he started a beauty contest. This contest would bring together all the
most beautiful women in the whole of his empire. In the palace of the King God
had placed a Jew called Mordecai. (Hurray!!) He had been taken captive from
Judah at the same time as Daniel and he had a young neice called Hadassah (or
was we know her Esther – Hurray!) He was an orphan and she was very beautiful.
Mordicai (Hurray) Looked after her as if she were his own daughter. She was
brought under the supervision of Hegai. He preferred her to the other girls and
he proved everything for her needs to be presented to the king. Esther (Hurray)
had not revealed her national origins because Mordicai (Hurray) told her to
keep it secret. Mordicai came every day to the place where Esther (Hurray) was
to see how things were going with her. Esther had 6 months of anointing with
oil of Myrrh and another 6 months with sweet perfumes. Esther (Hurry) behaved
impeccably and so in time she was introduced to the King. When the King met
Esther (Hurray) he fell in love with her more than all other girls, she was
more beautiful than anyone he had ever met. He dicided to put the royal crown
on her head and he married her making her queen instead of Vashti. Then the
king made a feast for Esther (Hurray) and he gave gifts to every country. So
Esther is in place now the lord will move another chacter onto the world stage.
Mordicai was a judge of the people and Esther (Hurray) had not yet had an
opportunity to bless her people. Mordicai heard of a plot by two of the kings
men to assassinate the king. Mordicai told Esther and she told the King and the
men were executed being hung on a tree. The next character to enter the stage
is Haman (BOOO). The king promoted him making him head of the princes. All the
kings servants bowed down to Haman (BOOO). However Mordicai refused to bow!!
Nor did he give him reverence. Haman (BOOO) when he found out that he refused
to bow to him was full of anger and wanted to kill Mordicai. Haman (BOOO)
wanted to destroy Mordicai (Hurray) and all his people the Jews. Haman (BOOO)
spoke to the King telling him that the jews refused to bow down to the King and
that there should be a purge to get rid of them. Ahasuerus gave his permission
to the plan. And so secret orders were sent out to every land ordering the
capture and execution of the Jews on the 13th day of the 12th
month – Adar. All their goods could be kept but the executioners. The letters
went out and in haste because it was the kings commandment. Haman (BOOO) sat
down with the king but the people of Shushan were confused because they knew
that this was wrong. When Mordicai (Hurray) heard of the evil plan he rent his
clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes on his head and went out of the city and
cried to the LORD bitterly. In every country there was great mourning because
of the Kings Commandment. The Jews fasted and wept and wailed before the Lord.
When Esther (Hurray) heard that Mordecai was clothed in sackcloth, she was very
greatly moved in sadness and sent clothes to Mordecai but he refused to put
them on. Then a message was brought to Esther explaining to her all the wicked
plans. Then Mordecai told Esther that she could easily be in danger herself and
that maybe the Lord has brought her to this place at this time for this
emergency. So Esther (Hurray) told Mordecai to gether all the Jews and to fast
day and night, (and she would fast too) And she said l will go in to see the
king and if he destroys me for going in then l will die. Mordecai went away and
did exactly as Esther had said. Tommorow we will read where this cliff hanger
has left us. Same time, same channel…
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