Chapter 11: Esther (Great Leaders of the Book)

IN THIS CHAPTER, you will discover: 

How God providentially gave His servant royal influence. 

A woman's courage on behalf of her people. 

AS A RESULT, you will be able to: 

See God's hand in the circumstances of your life.

Act courageously on behalf of those in need.

Reading: Esther 1:1-10:3

Scripture References

Esther 1:1-21 Xerxes deposed Vashti as queen.
2:1-18 Esther crowned queen of Persia.
2:19-23 Assassination plot uncovered by Mordecai.
3 Plot revealed for Jews? destruction.
4 Esther?s plan set in motion.
5 Haman?s presence requested at banquet.
6 Mordecai honored by king.
7 Haman?s treachery revealed.
8 Law overridden by new edict.
9:1-17 Enemies overcome by Jews.
9:18-32 Celebration of Purim initiated.
10 Mordecai exalted.

 

Focus

Persian court life

Threat to Jews

Triumph of Jews

Divisions

Favored positions

Formulation of plots

Feast of Purim

Topics

Vashti removed

Esther renowned

Mordecai reviewed

Haman?s plot

Mordecai?s plan

Esther?s ploy

Festivities annually

Fourteenth day of Adar

Feasting and fun

Place

Persian capital

Persian capital

Persian Empire

Approximate dates

483-473 B.C.



Biographical Observations
Illustration of God's Providence
God used pagan king Gyrus to show favor to the Jewish people. Gyrus issued a royal decree permitting Jews to return to their homeland. Nearly fifty thousand took advantage of the offer and left Persia. This remnant was only a small portion of the countless Jews scattered throughout the Medo-Persian Empire. The majority chose to remain in exile since they had already established homes, families, and occupations. Those who returned faced hardships, not only on the journey, but also in the rebuilding of their homes and cities, which had been destroyed.
Twenty years later, the new king Darius Hystaspes gave the Jews a second chance to go home. The prophet Zechariah pled with them, but once again most preferred to remain in exile. These were God-given opportunities for escape before another time of persecution arose. Xerxes the Great replaced Darius Hystaspes, closing the door to further escape. Having refused these offers, the Jews then faced a major crisis. This is the subject of the book of Esther.
International Beauty Contest
In the third year of his reign, Xerxes I held a banquet for the chief officers of his empire. The fete, held at the royal palace at Susa, was in its seventh day of revelry and splendor. Everyone had drunk his or her fill, and Xerxes was heady with wine. Desiring to show off his beautiful wife Vashti, he sent for her to appear before his guests. When Vashti refused this humiliating request, the king was enraged. Upon consulting his wise men, Xerxes became convinced that Vashti should be deposed and another chosen to take her place. The king liked the idea of a contest, which appealed to his sensual nature. Four hundred virgins were to be summoned to the harem. After twelve months of preparation, each young woman would be sent for one night to the king's bed. The virgin he liked best would be chosen as his queen.
An unlikely contestant for Queen of Persia was young Hadassah, daughter of Abihail. She was related to Mordecai, a principal Jew in the city of Shushan. Their family had been taken into captivity with the prophet Jeremiah. When Hadassah's parents died, Mordecai adopted his cousin and loved the girl as his own daughter. Later, Esther (her Persian name) became one of the four hundred contestants in the king's royal beauty contest. Mordecai, however, warned her not to reveal her identity as a Jewess. Perhaps he had foreknowledge that she would somehow be used for the welfare of her people.
Intrinsic Beauty
Everyone who knew Esther was attracted to her quiet beauty, intelligence, and personality. Although she never asked for added favors, Esther was given them anyway. Hegai, who had charge of the harem, gave her special food, seven maids, the best room in the harem, and special beauty treatments. The king was immediately enamored with her and subsequently appointed Esther as queen. Xerxes made her his lawful wife, as opposed to the low status of the other women in his harem. As a member of the royal line, Xerxes should have chosen a bride from among the seven great Persian families. But God's providence prevailed, and a Jewess sat on the Persian throne.
Esther lived in indescribable luxury as queen of a vast empire; nevertheless, she was still obedient to Mordecai. When he reported an assassination plot against her husband, Esther told Xerxes, thereby saving his life. She was careful, however, to give the credit to Mordecai. And the king decreed that Mordecai's deed should be recorded in the annals of the kingdom.
Insidious Haman
Haman, who had been exalted to the post of chief minister, required that all palace officials bow down to him. But because Mordecai would not comply, Haman's anger quickly turned into hatred for Mordecai -- then for all the Jews. According to Haman, the punishment of one man was not sufficient for so serious an offense. Using his royal influence, he concocted a plan to annihilate the Jews living in the Persian Empire.
At that time, the Persian Empire extended from India to Ethiopia and included most of Asia Minor, Syria, and Palestine. Therefore, Haman's decree would have annihilated all the Jews living at that time. Evil is never satisfied; although Haman had everything else, he coveted the respect of one lone Jew. Spurred on by Satan himself, Haman had the royal magicians to cast the sacred lot, or pur to determine when the awful event should occur.
The thirteenth of the month of Adar was chosen, and the royal edict was sent to all the provinces. It ordered the annihilation of the Jews and the plunder of their possessions. Written in the king's name, it was sealed with his signet ring now in Haman's possession.
Intrepid Esther
As Mordecai sat mourning outside the palace dressed in sackcloth, Esther sent Hathach to discover the reason. Mordecai gave the eunuch a copy of the edict with an urgent request that Esther plead for mercy with the king. Her first response was one of fear. She had not seen the king for thirty days and knew the danger of addressing him without permission. Guards with axes stood on either side of the throne to behead anyone who was not received by the king. In addition, Xerxes was known for his uneven temper. However, after Mordecai explained the gravity of the situation, Esther agreed. Quick action on her part was needed.
To prepare herself spiritually, Esther asked the Jews to fast with her for three days. Because she was obeying God, His favor was on her as she approached the king. When Xerxes stretched forth the royal scepter, Esther felt confident that her plan would work. She requested the presence of both the king and Haman at a banquet. When they came to the first banquet, she deferred her request until the next day, which built up suspense and piqued the king's curiosity.
Meanwhile, emboldened by his apparent favor with the queen, Haman proudly boasted to his family and friends. But nothing could assuage his hatred of Mordecai. Encouraged especially by his wife, he had a gallows built on which to hang his enemy. Early the next morning, he would inform the king of the situation.
That same night God troubled the king's sleep. He asked that the royal records be read to him. While listening to them, Xerxes realized that Mordecai had never been rewarded for his meritorious action. And as God would have it, Haman appeared in the palace early in the morning bent on his evil purposes. Xerxes asked his opinion concerning the king's commendation of a worthy subject. Haman, assuming that he was to be the recipient, named everything that he would like to receive. The king was delighted with his advice. But wicked Haman was totally humiliated before the whole city when he was forced to lead the parade honoring Mordecai the Jew.
At the second banquet Esther revealed Haman as the adversary of the Jews. The king was furious and ordered him hanged on the very gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Esther then asked the king to change the law concerning her people. But Xerxes assured her it could not be revoked. However, a counter decree would grant the Jews the right to protect themselves.
As a result of the new decree, Jews all over the empire rose up and destroyed their enemies. Their mourning turned into rejoicing as they celebrated their deliverance with a festivity called Purim (for pur -- the casting of lots). Although Purim was not one of the original feasts given to Israel by God, since the time of Esther the Jews have observed this occasion yearly. Purim is celebrated on the thirteenth of Adar in the twelfth month in early spring in every synagogue. Children especially enjoy the reading of the story of Esther because everybody stamps their feet and makes a great noise each time Haman's name is mentioned. Furthermore, Purim is celebrated with great feasting and the exchange of gifts.
Once again God showed His favor by having a pagan king elevate a Jew (recall Joseph and Daniel) to a royal position. Xerxes decreed that Mordecai would be second only to the king. In his new position the faithful Jew worked for the welfare of his people.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths: Esther was a charming woman with a gentle and submissive spirit, whose humility would not normally allow her to request special favors. The radiance of her character shone in a countenance that was devoid of pride. Esther's quiet strength, shrewdness, and self-control served her well in stressful times. She was a patriot willing to risk death to save her people.
Weaknesses: Esther may appear to be vindictive when she requested the hanging of Haman's ten sons and asked permission to kill the enemies of the Jews. However, her petitions accorded with the prevailing standards of justice in the Persian Empire. When the enemies of the Jews were killed, God secured the continued existence of His people in spite of this early example of anti-Semitism.
Key Scripture: "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" (Est.4:14).
The book of Esther does not mention the name of God, but this verse is one of the indirect references to Him. Mordecai pointed out that when God provides an opportunity to act on His behalf, you always have a choice. If you refuse, God's plans will not be thwarted; He will simply choose another vessel. But you will miss out on a tremendous blessing and may even suffer great hardship as a result.
Key Thought: The book of Esther demonstrates the sovereignty of Almighty God who delivers His people and preserves them in times of adversity.
Philosophy of Life
Esther learned early in life not to underestimate the value of little things and seemingly unimportant circumstances. She realized that earthly position, wealth, and power were all transitory -- only those things of God will last. Esther, willing to renounce herself for the good of her people, was a true patriot who held fast to a faith in Israel's destiny as a nation. This sweet-spirited young woman learned to seek divine guidance in times of trouble and then do whatever was in her power to do.
Comparison
Esther and Ruth were alike in many ways. Each was born in a foreign land -- Ruth in Moab and Esther in Persia. Both were courageous and willing to forsake familiar surroundings. Ruth and Esther, though lovely in face and form, were devoid of pride. The character of each woman shone in her beautiful face. Faithfulness and love of family were traits they shared -- Ruth for her mother-in-law Naomi, and Esther for her cousin and adoptive father Mordecai. Each is an example of a "rags to riches" story: Ruth, a poor widow who was coached and guided by Naomi, married an influential and wealthy man. And Esther, an unknown Jewess who was encouraged by Mordecai, became the Queen of Persia.

The Grand Design
Because God had promised throughout the Old Testament to bring a Savior to His people, He was obligated to intervene and save the Jews from extinction. Esther, as a part of the exiled remnant, was not a direct ancestress of Jesus. But she, along with other faithful Jews, is an integral part of the messianic tapestry, forming a lovely background upon which is woven the thread of the Messiah.
Key Concepts: [All answers above]
1. When Cyrus offered freedom to the exiles, only (five, fifty) thousand Jews went back to the Promised Land.
2. True or False. Xerxes banished Queen Vashti because of her disobedience.
3. Esther's (Jewish, Persian) name was Hadassah.
4. ___________________, Esther's cousin, reported a plot to assassinate the king.
5. The chief minister _________________ used his royal influence to get even with Mordecai.
6. The first edict for the thirteenth of Adar ordered the (exaltation, annihilation) of the Jews.
7. True or False. Esther's first response to Mordecai's request was courage.
8. True or False. Haman was satisfied that Mordecai would be killed with all the other Jews.
9. ______________, which means "the casting lots," is a very noisy celebration held every year.
10. The book of Esther demonstrates the (sovereignty, righteousness) of God.

Further Study: Read "Esther," p. 326 and "Esther, Book of," pp. 326- 27 in the NIDB.
Life Application: The story of Esther points out how God providentially works behind the scenes in our lives, arranging circumstances and setting the stage for important events. Consider Esther's unusual appointment as queen, the king's inability to sleep, and Haman's construction of his own gallows. Can you look back on a crisis in your own life and now see how God brought you through? Recall other instances when God similarly delivered you. Share these with others, particularly your family, since these "miracles" are real faith builders.