June 8th Esther
1
A. The Characters take their place
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 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.
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 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 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…
- How does Esther come to her position in the kingdom?
- What does Mordecai do to save the king?
- What was Haman trying to do?
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