Esther
Session 1 - Introduction to Esther: "A Time for Esther: God's Sovereignty"- Esther 4:14
Printable Download
Alistair Begg Sermon
– Intro Part ONE
– Intro Part TWO
– Part ONE - The Prophesied Kingdom
– Part TWO - The Prophesied Kingdom
Focus: An overview of the Book of Esther and its relevance today.
Purpose Statement: To introduce the historical and cultural setting of Esther, highlighting God's providence even when His name is not explicitly mentioned.
Esther 4:14 “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 your royal position for such a time as this?”
UNDERSTANDING ESTHER’S WORLD: A Different Time, A Similar God
To really understand the book of Esther, we have to step into a very different world—one ruled by kings with absolute power, where women had little say in their futures, and where being the wrong race or religion could cost you your life. Esther lived in ancient Persia, a kingdom full of wealth, beauty, and political intrigue. The Persian king, Xerxes (also called Ahasuerus), was known for his lavish feasts, quick temper, and unpredictable decisions. In this culture, kings were considered almost god-like, and their word was law—once a decree was made, it could never be undone (Esther 1:19, 8:8). This helps us understand why Esther risked so much when she approached the king without an invitation (Esther 4:11). Unlike today, where leaders are elected and people have rights, Esther’s world was one where a single person’s favor—or anger—could change everything.
While the culture of Persia might feel distant from our lives today, the struggles in Esther’s story are surprisingly familiar. Esther faced fear, uncertainty, and pressure to stay silent in a difficult situation. Mordecai, her cousin, had to stand firm in his faith even when it was dangerous. And Haman, the villain, let pride and anger drive him to destruction. In the same way, people today deal with fear, peer pressure, and the challenge of doing the right thing when it’s hard. Esther’s story reminds us that God is always working, even when He seems silent. It also challenges us to be brave, trust His plan, and use our influence for good, just as Esther did.
Time Period: The events in Esther take place during the reign of King Xerxes I (also called Ahasuerus) of Persia, around 485-465 B.C.
Setting: The Jewish people were in exile in Persia after the fall of the Babylonian empire. While some Jews had returned to Jerusalem to rebuild, many remained scattered across the Persian Empire, living in relative peace but under Persian rule.
Key Themes in the Book of Esther:
God's Sovereignty: While God's name is not mentioned in the Book of Esther, His presence is felt throughout. The unfolding of events shows that God is at work in ways unseen by the human eye, guiding and orchestrating the details of Esther’s life and the salvation of the Jewish people.
Example: The king’s sleepless night leading to the remembrance of Mordecai’s loyalty is a clear example of God’s hand at work, though it appears as just a coincidence (Esther 6:1-2).
Divine Providence: The story demonstrates how God works through human decisions and events to fulfill His purposes, even when the people involved may not recognize it at the time.
Example: Esther’s rise to the position of queen seems random, but God placed her there for such a time as this (Esther 4:14).
Courage and Obedience: Esther’s courage in the face of fear is a central theme. Her willingness to risk her life for the sake of her people reflects deep trust in God’s providence.
Example: Esther’s decision to approach King Xerxes without being summoned was a moment of courage, trusting God to move in her favor (Esther 5:1-3).
Deliverance and Celebration: At the heart of the Book of Esther is the theme of deliverance, showing that God is faithful to His people, even when they are in difficult situations.
Example: The victory over Haman and the subsequent establishment of the Feast of Purim celebrate God's intervention and the deliverance of His people (Esther 9:20-32).
RELEVANCE OF ESTHER TODAY:
God is Sovereign in Our Lives: Just like in the story of Esther, we may not always see or recognize God’s hand in our daily lives, but He is always at work, guiding us through the circumstances of life. Even when things feel uncertain or out of control, God is sovereign.
Application: Reflect on times when you have seen God’s hand in your own live, even when you did not recognize it at the time.
Courage in the Face of Adversity: Esther’s story challenges us to step out in courage when God calls us to act, even when the situation seems intimidating or difficult. We may not always have a "guarantee" of success, but we trust that God will be with us.
Application: Think about moments when you have had to show courage in your live, and how trusting in God helped you through.
God Works Behind the Scenes:
The Book of Esther reminds us that God is often at work behind the scenes in our lives, even when we can't see or understand how He’s moving. We may not always hear His voice or see His immediate intervention, but His work is constant.
Application: Even when we don't see immediate results, God is always working out His plan for our good.
THIS MAY SURPRISE YOU: God’s name is never mentioned—But His hand is everywhere
One of the most astonishing aspects of the book of Esther is that it never explicitly mentions God, prayer, or worship—yet His divine providence is unmistakable throughout the story. For Christians today, this offers a powerful lesson: even when God seems silent, He is still at work behind the scenes. Esther’s rise from obscurity to royalty, Mordecai’s timely warnings, and the sudden reversal of Haman’s wicked plans all point to God’s unseen hand guiding events for His purposes. This challenges believers to trust in God’s sovereignty, even in seasons where He feels absent.
Clarifying a Difficult Teaching: "For Such a Time as This" (Esther 4:14)
A common misunderstanding of Mordecai’s famous words—"Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"—is that Esther alone was God’s only hope to save the Jews. In reality, Mordecai acknowledges that God’s plans will prevail with or without her, but she has the opportunity to be part of His greater purpose. This teaches Christians today that while God invites them into His work, His will is never dependent on human action. Instead of feeling pressured, believers can step forward in faith, knowing that God’s plans are certain and their role is a privilege, not a burden.
DEVOTIONAL ALLEGORY: “Hidden Hands at Work”
In 1940, during World War II, over 300,000 Allied soldiers were trapped on the beaches of Dunkirk, surrounded by enemy forces. It seemed hopeless—yet something remarkable happened. Civilians with fishing boats, ferries, and small personal vessels risked their lives to rescue the soldiers, bringing them safely home. This moment, known as the “Miracle of Dunkirk,” was not marked by any grand display of power, but by ordinary people stepping up at just the right time.
Esther’s story is similar. God’s name is never mentioned in the book, yet His unseen hand is guiding events. A young Jewish woman, placed in a royal position she never expected, was given the opportunity to act—and through her courage, an entire people were saved. Sometimes, like in Dunkirk, or in our own lives, God is working in ways we don’t immediately recognize. He places us in situations “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14), calling us to trust His plan and step forward in faith, even when He seems silent.
Just because you don’t see God working doesn’t mean He isn’t there. Have you ever experienced a time when things seemed random or unfair, but later, you saw how it all came together? That’s God’s hidden hand—just like in Esther’s life.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. Why do you think God chose to not be explicitly mentioned in the Book of Esther? How does this affect the way we understand His work in the world today?
2. What can we learn from Esther’s courage in the face of fear? How can we apply that to our own lives?
3. In what ways do you see God's providence working in your own life, even in ordinary moments?
EXTRA – NOT PART OF THE SESSION
KEY POINTS OF THE BOOK:
The book of Esther is a fascinating narrative that focuses on the deliverance of the Jewish people from a plot to destroy them in ancient Persia. Here are some key verses that capture the central themes and messages of the book, along with comments for each:
1. Esther 4:14 “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 your royal position for such a time as this?”
— This is one of the most famous verses in the book and speaks to Esther’s pivotal role in the story. Mordecai challenges Esther to recognize that her position as queen is not just a stroke of luck but perhaps a divinely appointed opportunity to save her people.
2. Esther 2:17 “Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.”
— This verse marks Esther's rise to the position of queen, which is central to the unfolding of the narrative. God's providence is guiding events behind the scenes, setting the stage for Esther to become the instrument of deliverance for the Jews.
3. Esther 4:16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”
— Esther demonstrates remarkable courage and faith in this verse. She recognizes the gravity of the situation and the personal risk involved, yet she chooses to act for the sake of her people. The statement “If I perish, I perish” epitomizes the self-sacrifice and willingness to face danger for a higher purpose. It’s a moment of personal commitment and trust, emphasizing the themes of faith and courage.
4. Esther 5:2 “When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.”
— Esther’s courage continues as she risks her life by approaching the king uninvited, a crime punishable by death. The king’s reaction—holding out the scepter—indicates that her bold action is accepted. This moment highlights Esther’s faith in God’s protection and the favor she has gained in the king’s eyes. It sets the stage for the eventual deliverance of her people.
5. Esther 7:3 “Then Queen Esther answered, ‘If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request.’”
— This is the climactic moment when Esther reveals her Jewish identity to the king and pleads for the life of her people. It marks a bold, decisive step in the plot. In this moment, Esther goes beyond personal risk to embrace her identity and fight for the survival of her people, showing the power of advocacy and standing firm for justice.
6. Esther 8:17 “In every province and in every city to which the edict of the king came, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them.”
— This verse highlights the successful reversal of Haman’s decree and the joy that followed the deliverance of the Jews. It also shows how God’s protection and providence led to a transformation in the surrounding nations, with many converting to Judaism due to their awe of the Jewish people’s newfound strength. It illustrates the theme of God turning despair into hope and the power of a changed situation.
7. Esther 9:22 “As the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration, he wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor.”
— This verse describes the institution of the Feast of Purim, a celebration of the Jews' deliverance from destruction. It emphasizes the importance of remembering and celebrating divine intervention, and it provides a framework for future generations to reflect on God's faithfulness. The fact that it involves feasting and gifts to the poor also highlights the communal aspect of the celebration and the call to share with others.
8. Esther 10:3 “Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.”
— The final verse of the book encapsulates the lasting impact of Mordecai’s actions in securing the safety of the Jews. It reflects the themes of leadership, justice, and community. Mordecai’s elevation to a high position illustrates the eventual reversal of fortunes, where those who sought harm for the Jews (like Haman) are overthrown, and those who stood for them (like Esther and Mordecai) are honored.
TAKE-HOME THOUGHT
The Book of Esther shows us a powerful truth about God’s sovereignty—how He works in ways we may not always see or understand, but His plan is always moving forward. In Esther, God’s name is never mentioned, yet His hand is evident in every chapter. Esther, a young Jewish woman, finds herself in the royal palace of Persia, and it seems like a random turn of events. But through the seemingly ordinary choices and circumstances, God uses Esther for something extraordinary: the deliverance of His people. What this tells us is that God is at work in our lives, even when we can’t see Him or hear His voice. We may not always understand why things happen or where they are leading, but God is in control, orchestrating everything for His good purposes.
As you reflect on the story of Esther, remember that God’s plan is bigger than we can imagine. Even when things seem uncertain or when we feel like we are in situations beyond our control, we can trust that God is working behind the scenes. Just like Esther, we might find ourselves in moments where we have to make choices that align with God's will, and when we do, we can be confident that we’re part of something much greater than ourselves. God has a plan for each of us, and He’s always working in ways that are for our good and His glory.
CLOSING THOUGHTS:
The Book of Esther is a powerful reminder that, no matter how distant or invisible God may seem at times, He is actively working in our lives, orchestrating events for His glory and our good. As we continue our study, we will see how God uses ordinary people in extraordinary ways to accomplish His plans. Even when we don’t recognize it, God is with us, working behind the scenes to fulfill His purposes.
CROSS-REFERENCE
Here are a few New Testament scriptures that speak to God's sovereignty and His active role in our lives, similar to the message in Esther:
Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
This verse is a reminder that, even when things seem difficult or uncertain, God is working all things for our good. Much like in the Book of Esther, we may not always see how God is working, but we can trust that He is.
Ephesians 1:11 “In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.”
This verse echoes the theme of God working behind the scenes, making sure everything happens according to His plan. It shows us that God’s sovereignty is at work in all things, just as it was in the Book of Esther.
Philippians 2:13 “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”
In the New Testament, Paul reminds us that God is not distant. He actively works within us, guiding us toward His purpose. Just like Esther was chosen for a specific purpose, we too can trust that God is at work in us, even when we don’t see the full picture.
James 4:15 “Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’”
James reminds us that our plans should always be submitted to God’s will. This speaks to the humility and trust we see in Esther's story, where she recognizes that God’s will is ultimately what matters, not our own plans or desires.
These verses remind us of the same message we see in Esther: God is sovereign, He works in all things for our good, and we can trust that He is guiding us to fulfill His purposes, even when we don’t understand how or why. Just like Esther, we have the opportunity to trust God’s plan and respond in faith.
Session 2: Setting the Stage (Esther 1-2)-"From Exile to Opportunity: The Beginning of Esther's Story"
Printable Download
Alistair Begg Sermon
– Wine, Women and Self
– Providence
– Mordecai and Esther
READ: Esther 1-2
Focus: The rise of Esther and the political backdrop that sets the stage for God's plan.
Purpose Statement: To understand how God works in the midst of seemingly ordinary events and how Esther’s life unfolds through her circumstances.
Setting the Political Stage: The first two chapters of Esther introduce the grand setting for the story, which takes place in the Persian Empire during the reign of King Xerxes (Ahasuerus). It’s important to understand the political and cultural background of this time.
The Persian Empire: It takes place in the Persian Empire during the reign of King Xerxes. It’s important to understand the political and cultural background of this time. The Persian Empire was vast and powerful, stretching from India to Ethiopia. King Xerxes ruled this empire with absolute power, and his decisions affected the lives of millions.
Context for Esther’s Story: The Jewish people were living in exile within the empire, some in relative peace but still under foreign rule. They were part of a larger population that had to navigate life under Persian authority.
King Xerxes Reign and Power: King Xerxes is portrayed as a powerful but impulsive ruler. In Esther 1, he is hosting a lavish banquet to show off his wealth and power to the leaders of his empire. This event is important because it leads to the removal of Queen Vashti and the search for a new queen, setting the stage for Esther’s rise.
IN THIS PASSAGE:
God Works Through Ordinary Events: The rise of Esther seems like a random event, yet God is using the political upheaval, the king’s lavish banquets, and even Vashti’s defiance to prepare for something greater. We may not always see God’s hand immediately, but He uses the ordinary and even difficult circumstances to fulfill His purpose.
God’s Timing is Perfect: Esther’s life unfolds at exactly the right time—she becomes queen just when the Jewish people will need her most. God is never early or late; He works through time and history to accomplish His plans.
The Importance of Obedience and Wisdom: Esther’s wisdom in not revealing her identity and Mordecai’s guidance reflect the importance of following God’s leading in everyday decisions. Even seemingly small choices can have a profound impact when aligned with God’s will.
DEVOTIONAL ALLEGORY: "An Unexpected Hero"
Imagine a young woman who never expected to make history. She wasn't born into power, she didn’t seek fame, and yet, circumstances placed her in a position where she could make a difference.
Think about Rosa Parks, a woman who, in 1955, refused to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama. She wasn’t a politician or a warrior—just an ordinary person who found herself in an extraordinary moment. Her small act of courage sparked a movement that changed the course of history.
In the Book of Esther, we meet another young woman who never expected to be a hero. Esther was an orphan raised by her cousin Mordecai. She was taken from her home and placed in the palace of a foreign king, surrounded by wealth and power. At first, she may have wondered, Why am I here? What difference can I make? But as the story unfolds, we see how God was positioning her for something greater than she could have imagined.
Just like Rosa Parks, Esther’s story reminds us that we don’t have to be the strongest, smartest, or most powerful person to make an impact. Sometimes, God places us in certain situations for a reason—even if we don’t see it right away. The question is: When the time comes, will we have the courage to step up?
Reflection Question: Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you felt small or unimportant, only to realize later that you were exactly where you needed to be?
THIS MAY SURPRISE YOU: Clarifying a Difficult Teaching
In Esther 1:19, King Xerxes, influenced by his advisor Memucan, decrees that Queen Vashti is to be permanently removed from her royal position because of her refusal to appear before him and his guests. This edict not only strips Vashti of her title but also serves as a cautionary measure to prevent other women in the empire from following her example, aiming to uphold male authority within the Persian society.
This passage may raise questions about the treatment of women and the cultural norms of the time. It's important to recognize that the Book of Esther reflects the historical and cultural context of ancient Persia, where patriarchal values were dominant. The narrative doesn't necessarily endorse these practices but rather presents them as part of the story's setting, highlighting the challenges and injustices faced by individuals, especially women, during that era.
Discussion Questions:
1. How do you think Esther’s rise to power was influenced by God’s providence, even though she might not have realized it at the time?
2. What can we learn from Vashti’s refusal to obey the king? How might we respond in similar situations when we’re asked to compromise our values?
3. How have you seen God work through seemingly ordinary events in your life? Have you ever realized in hindsight that God was preparing you for something bigger?
4. Why is it important for us to make wise decisions, even when we don’t see the bigger picture?
BIBLE PASSAGE: Esther 1 and 2
1 This is what happened during the time of Xerxes, the Xerxes who ruled over 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush: 2 At that time King Xerxes reigned from his royal throne in the citadel of Susa, 3 and in the third year of his reign he gave a banquet for all his nobles and officials. The military leaders of Persia and Media, the princes, and the nobles of the provinces were present.
4 For a full 180 days he displayed the vast wealth of his kingdom and the splendor and glory of his majesty. 5 When these days were over, the king gave a banquet, lasting seven days, in the enclosed garden of the king’s palace, for all the people from the least to the greatest who were in the citadel of Susa. 6 The garden had hangings of white and blue linen, fastened with cords of white linen and purple material to silver rings on marble pillars. There were couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl and other costly stones. 7 Wine was served in goblets of gold, each one different from the other, and the royal wine was abundant, in keeping with the king’s liberality. 8 By the king’s command each guest was allowed to drink with no restrictions, for the king instructed all the wine stewards to serve each man what he wished.
9 Queen Vashti also gave a banquet for the women in the royal palace of King Xerxes.
10 On the seventh day, when King Xerxes was in high spirits from wine, he commanded the seven eunuchs who served him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Karkas— 11 to bring before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty to the people and nobles, for she was lovely to look at. 12 But when the attendants delivered the king’s command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and burned with anger.
13 Since it was customary for the king to consult experts in matters of law and justice, he spoke with the wise men who understood the times 14 and were closest to the king—Karshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and Memukan, the seven nobles of Persia and Media who had special access to the king and were highest in the kingdom.
15 “According to law, what must be done to Queen Vashti?” he asked. “She has not obeyed the command of King Xerxes that the eunuchs have taken to her.”
16 Then Memukan replied in the presence of the king and the nobles, “Queen Vashti has done wrong, not only against the king but also against all the nobles and the peoples of all the provinces of King Xerxes. 17 For the queen’s conduct will become known to all the women, and so they will despise their husbands and say, ‘King Xerxes commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she would not come.’ 18 This very day the Persian and Median women of the nobility who have heard about the queen’s conduct will respond to all the king’s nobles in the same way. There will be no end of disrespect and discord.
19 “Therefore, if it pleases the king, let him issue a royal decree and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media, which cannot be repealed, that Vashti is never again to enter the presence of King Xerxes. Also let the king give her royal position to someone else who is better than she. 20 Then when the king’s edict is proclaimed throughout all his vast realm, all the women will respect their husbands, from the least to the greatest.”
21 The king and his nobles were pleased with this advice, so the king did as Memukan proposed. 22 He sent dispatches to all parts of the kingdom, to each province in its own script and to each people in their own language, proclaiming that every man should be ruler over his own household, using his native tongue.
Chapter 2
1 Later when King Xerxes’ fury had subsided, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what he had decreed about her. 2 Then the king’s personal attendants proposed, “Let a search be made for beautiful young virgins for the king. 3 Let the king appoint commissioners in every province of his realm to bring all these beautiful young women into the harem at the citadel of Susa. Let them be placed under the care of Hegai, the king’s eunuch, who is in charge of the women; and let beauty treatments be given to them. 4 Then let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti.” This advice appealed to the king, and he followed it.
5 Now there was in the citadel of Susa a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, named Mordecai son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, 6 who had been carried into exile from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, among those taken captive with Jehoiachin king of Judah. 7 Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither father nor mother. This young woman, who was also known as Esther, had a lovely figure and was beautiful. Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died.
8 When the king’s order and edict had been proclaimed, many young women were brought to the citadel of Susa and put under the care of Hegai. Esther also was taken to the king’s palace and entrusted to Hegai, who had charge of the harem. 9 She pleased him and won his favor. Immediately he provided her with her beauty treatments and special food. He assigned to her seven female attendants selected from the king’s palace and moved her and her attendants into the best place in the harem.
10 Esther had not revealed her nationality and family background, because Mordecai had forbidden her to do so. 11 Every day he walked back and forth near the courtyard of the harem to find out how Esther was and what was happening to her.
12 Before a young woman’s turn came to go in to King Xerxes, she had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments prescribed for the women, six months with oil of myrrh and six with perfumes and cosmetics. 13 And this is how she would go to the king: Anything she wanted was given her to take with her from the harem to the king’s palace. 14 In the evening she would go there and in the morning return to another part of the harem to the care of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the concubines. She would not return to the king unless he was pleased with her and summoned her by name.
15 When the turn came for Esther (the young woman Mordecai had adopted, the daughter of his uncle Abihail) to go to the king, she asked for nothing other than what Hegai, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the harem, suggested. And Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her. 16 She was taken to King Xerxes in the royal residence in the tenth month, the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.
17 Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. 18 And the king gave a great banquet, Esther’s banquet, for all his nobles and officials. He proclaimed a holiday throughout the provinces and distributed gifts with royal liberality.
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.
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.
EXTRA – NOT PART OF THE SESSION
KEY EVENTS: in Esther 1: The Fall of Queen Vashti (Esther 1:1-22)
The King’s Banquet:
Verses 1-9: King Xerxes throws a lavish banquet lasting 180 days to display his wealth. During this time, he commands Queen Vashti to appear before him and show off her beauty, but she refuses.
Vashti’s Refusal: Vashti’s refusal to obey the king’s command is significant. In a culture where the king’s word was law, Vashti’s defiance is an act of courage. However, this leads to her being dethroned.
What We Can Learn: Even in an extravagant setting, a decision was made that seemed ordinary at the time but set in motion events that would fulfill God's purposes. Sometimes, even negative circumstances (like Vashti's removal) create the opportunity for God’s plan to unfold.
The Council’s Decision:
Verses 10-22: The king consults his counselors and decides that Vashti’s disobedience must be met with a consequence to maintain the law. She is removed as queen, and a decree is sent out across the empire that every man should rule his household.
God's Hand in the Situation: While the political decisions made here seem to be based on human wisdom or pride, God uses these events to prepare for the rise of Esther, a Jew who would eventually save her people. This reminds us that God works through political and personal upheavals for His greater purpose.
KEY EVENTS: in Esther 2: Esther’s Rise to the Palace (Esther 2:1-23)
The Search for a New Queen:
Verses 1-4: After Vashti’s removal, King Xerxes is in search of a new queen. A decree is made to gather beautiful young women from across the empire to be brought to the palace, and one will be chosen to replace Vashti.
God’s Providential Timing: At this point, Esther enters the scene. She is a Jewish orphan raised by her cousin Mordecai, and her beauty catches the attention of the king’s officials. This is a pivotal moment when Esther’s life, though seemingly ordinary, begins to align with God’s plan.
Esther’s Favor with Hegai:
Verses 5-9: Esther is taken to the palace and placed under the care of Hegai, the king’s eunuch. God grants her favor in the eyes of those in charge, which is an important part of the unfolding plan.
What We Can Learn: God works in the details of our lives, even in seemingly small moments. Esther gains favor, not by her own doing but by God’s providence. The ordinary circumstances of Esther’s life—being an orphan, being Jewish in a foreign land—become the means by which God prepares her for a greater purpose.
Esther's Approach to the King:
Verses 10-20: Esther, though chosen for the king’s harem, does not reveal her Jewish identity, following the advice of Mordecai. When the king sees Esther, he chooses her to be his queen.
God's Providence in Esther’s Choices: Even in her careful decisions, Esther shows wisdom in keeping her identity secret, which would later prove crucial in God’s plan for her people. God’s hand is evident in the favor Esther receives, as this event directly leads to her becoming queen.
Mordecai’s Role:
Verses 21-23: Mordecai, Esther’s cousin, plays a pivotal role in Esther’s life by instructing her on how to navigate the palace. He also uncovers a plot against the king and reports it, which will later come into play in the narrative.
Application: God uses everyday situations and relationships to position Esther for His purpose. Mordecai’s role here—informing the king of a plot—seems like an ordinary event but becomes crucial later on.
TAKE-HOME THOUGHT: Seeing the Bigger Picture of God's Plan
While the Book of Esther doesn't explicitly mention God, His presence is subtly woven throughout the events. The story invites readers to look for God's activity behind the scenes, recognizing that He works through ordinary circumstances and individuals to fulfill His purposes.
Esther's rise from an orphaned Jewish girl to the queen of Persia exemplifies how God positions people in places of influence for His greater plan. Her courage to act on behalf of her people demonstrates that, even in challenging times, individuals can be instruments of God's deliverance and justice. This narrative encourages believers to trust in God's sovereignty and His ability to work through human actions to bring about His will.
CROSS-REFERENCE: Similar Teachings in the New Testament
Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Philippians 1:12 "Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel."
These New Testament passages echo the theme of God's providence seen in Esther's story, reinforcing the belief that God orchestrates events and positions individuals to fulfill His divine purposes.
Closing Thoughts: In this session, we see how Esther’s story begins with what may appear to be just an ordinary series of events. However, we also see that God is at work behind the scenes, preparing Esther for a time and purpose she couldn’t yet understand. The rise of Esther to the palace is just the beginning of God’s plan, and it serves as a reminder that God uses every moment—every relationship and every decision—as part of His greater purpose. Even the smallest events in life can be part of God’s grand design, and it will set the tone for the rest of the study as they watch Esther’s story unfold.
Session 3: Have Courage (Esther 3-4)-"Courage in the Face of Crisis: Esther’s Bold Decision"
Printable Download
Alistair Begg Sermon
– God is in Charge
– Fasting, Weeping, Lamenting
– Part ONE - For such a Time as This
– Part TWO - For such a Time as This
READ: Esther 3-4
Focus: Esther’s courage to stand up for her people when faced with a life-threatening decision.
Purpose Statement: To examine Esther's bravery in the face of fear and how we too can step out in courage when called by God.
OVERVIEW: Courage in the Face of Crisis
Esther, a young Jewish queen, found herself in a terrifying position—her people were sentenced to death, and she was the only one who could speak up. But approaching the king without an invitation could cost her life. Would she stay silent, or would she risk everything for the sake of her people?
Billy Graham once said, “Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.” Esther’s courage inspired her people, and her story continues to inspire us today.
Key Verse: “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)
EXAMINE THE TEXT
At this point in the story, Haman, a high-ranking official in Persia, is furious that Mordecai (Esther’s cousin) refuses to bow to him. In his anger, Haman convinces King Xerxes to issue a decree ordering the destruction of all Jewish people in the kingdom (Esther 3:5-6). Since Persian laws could not be reversed, this was essentially a death sentence for an entire nation.
Mordecai, devastated by the news, sends word to Esther, urging her to plead with the king on behalf of her people (Esther 4:1-8). But there’s a huge problem—Persian law forbids anyone, even the queen, from approaching the king without being summoned. The penalty? Death. Esther has every reason to be afraid (Esther 4:11).
This is when Mordecai delivers his famous challenge: “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14). He reminds Esther that she is in a unique position to make a difference. God has placed her where she is for a reason.
Despite her fear, Esther makes a bold choice. She asks her people to fast and pray for three days (Esther 4:16), then declares, “I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” This is the turning point—Esther moves from fear to faith.
Through Esther’s bravery, we see that God often places us in positions of influence to accomplish His purposes. Like Esther, we may face fear, but God calls us to trust Him and step out in courage.
DEVOTIONAL ALLEGORY: "The Moment You Have to Decide"
Imagine you’re walking down the street and see someone being bullied. You feel the weight of a decision—do you step in and say something, or do you stay quiet and hope someone else will? Your heart races. You don’t want to get involved, but deep down, you know the right thing to do.
Esther faced a moment like this, but on a much bigger scale. She was safe in the palace, far from the immediate danger her people faced. But Mordecai reminded her that silence wasn’t an option—God had placed her in that position “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14).
This reminds me of Desmond Doss, the World War II medic who refused to carry a weapon but still ran into battle to save his fellow soldiers. Despite fear, he chose to do what was right, saving 75 men on Hacksaw Ridge. Like Esther, he could have stayed safe, but instead, he stepped forward with courage.
Courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s doing what’s right despite it. The next time you face a tough decision, remember Esther’s boldness. You may not be a queen or a soldier, but God places each of us in moments where we have a choice: stay silent or step out in faith.
Reflection Question: Have you ever felt God nudging you to take a stand? What happened when you did—or when you didn’t?
THIS MAY SURPRISE YOU: Clarifying a Difficult Teaching
In Esther 3:2, Mordecai refuses to bow down to Haman, the king's highest official, which leads to a decree for the annihilation of all Jews in the Persian Empire. This act of defiance might seem rebellious, but it was rooted in deep conviction. Mordecai's refusal was likely due to his Jewish faith, which prohibited bowing to anyone but God. This incident highlights the tension between personal beliefs and societal expectations, and how standing firm in one's convictions can lead to significant challenges.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. What made Esther’s decision so difficult? How does her example challenge us when we face tough decisions or fearful situations?
2. How can Mordecai’s words to Esther (“for such a time as this”) apply to our own lives? Do you believe God places us in specific situations for His purpose?
3. What role do prayer and fasting play in gaining courage to face challenges? Have you ever faced a situation where prayer and seeking God’s will gave you the strength to act?
4. In what ways can we be courageous in standing up for what is right, even when it costs us something?
BIBLE PASSAGE: Esther 3 and 4
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.”
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. 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. 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.
4 When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. 2 But he went only as far as the king’s gate, because no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter it. 3 In every province to which the edict and order of the king came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing. Many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
4 When Esther’s eunuchs and female attendants came and told her about Mordecai, she was in great distress. She sent clothes for him to put on instead of his sackcloth, but he would not accept them. 5 Then Esther summoned Hathak, one of the king’s eunuchs assigned to attend her, and ordered him to find out what was troubling Mordecai and why.
6 So Hathak went out to Mordecai in the open square of the city in front of the king’s gate. 7 Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him, including the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews. 8 He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict for their annihilation, which had been published in Susa, to show to Esther and explain it to her, and he told him to instruct her to go into the king’s presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people.
9 Hathak went back and reported to Esther what Mordecai had said. 10 Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai, 11 “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.”
12 When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, 13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 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 your royal position for such a time as this?”
15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”
17 So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions.
EXTRA – NOT PART OF THE SESSION
TAKE-HOME THOUGHT: Seeing the Bigger Picture of God's Plan
Esther's courageous decision to approach King Xerxes without being summoned, risking her life to save her people, serves as a powerful example of stepping out in faith when faced with daunting circumstances. Her story reminds us that God often places us in positions to make a difference, even when it requires great personal risk. Recognizing these moments as opportunities to act can lead to outcomes, not just for ourselves but for those around us. This narrative encourages us to trust in God's sovereignty and to be bold in our actions when we sense His calling.
CROSS-REFERENCE: Similar Teachings in the New Testament
Matthew 14:27: "But Jesus immediately said to them: 'Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.'"
2 Timothy 1:7: "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."
SETTING THE STAGE:
The Rise of Haman and His Plot (Esther 3:1-6):
Haman’s Promotion: King Xerxes promotes Haman, an Agagite, to the highest position in the kingdom, causing all the king's officials to bow to him.
Mordecai’s Refusal: Mordecai, Esther's cousin, refuses to bow to Haman. Haman is enraged by this defiance, and, upon learning that Mordecai is a Jew, he decides to destroy all the Jews in the Persian Empire, not just Mordecai.
Haman’s Decree: Haman convinces King Xerxes to issue a decree that on a specific day, all Jews in the kingdom should be killed, and their possessions plundered.
What We Can Learn:
The Power of Hatred and Pride: Haman’s pride and hatred lead him to make a genocidal decision that will affect thousands of innocent people. This reminds us of how unchecked pride and hatred can lead to devastating consequences.
The Threat to Esther’s People: For Esther, this is not just a distant political event—this decree puts her life, and the lives of all her people, in grave danger. Her position as queen may seem safe, but now she faces a crisis that requires courage.
The Turning Point: Mordecai’s Plea (Esther 4:1-14)
Mordecai’s Response and Mourning (Esther 4:1-3):
Mordecai's Grief: Upon hearing of the king's decree, Mordecai mourns deeply, tearing his clothes, wearing sackcloth, and going out into the city in despair. Many Jews throughout the empire do the same.
Esther’s Concern: Esther, hearing of Mordecai’s actions, sends him clothes, but he refuses. He wants to communicate the seriousness of the situation to her.
Mordecai’s Message to Esther (Esther 4:4-11):
Esther's Dilemma: Esther is reluctant to get involved, especially since approaching the king without being summoned is punishable by death. She’s in a position of power, but taking action could cost her life.
Mordecai’s Challenge: Mordecai sends a powerful message to Esther:
Verses 12-14: "Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape... And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?"
Mordecai challenges Esther to consider that her position as queen may have been providentially placed by God for this very moment—to save her people.
What We Can Learn:
Courage in Crisis: Esther is in a moment of crisis, and the decision she faces is life-threatening. But Mordecai’s words remind her that her position might be part of God’s plan to bring deliverance to her people.
Purpose in Position: Mordecai helps Esther see that her role as queen is not just for her own comfort or safety, but for a greater purpose. This can remind us that God places us in specific circumstances, not for our benefit alone, but to fulfill His purpose.
Esther’s Courageous Decision (Esther 4:15-17):
Esther’s Words: After hearing Mordecai’s challenge, Esther replies, “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16).
What We Can Learn: Esther’s decision to risk her life for the sake of her people is an act of immense courage. She acknowledges the risks but is willing to obey God’s call, trusting that He is in control, even if she doesn’t know the outcome.
The Power of Prayer and Fasting:
Spiritual Preparation: Before taking action, Esther calls for a time of fasting and prayer. She recognizes that courage alone won’t be enough—she needs God’s strength and guidance.
What We Can Learn: In times of crisis, we too can pray and fast, seeking God’s will and strength before stepping out in faith. Esther’s courage is rooted in her dependence on God.
The Courage of Esther:
Fear and Courage Coexist:
Courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to act despite fear. Esther was undoubtedly afraid—her life was at risk. But her faith in God, her sense of responsibility to her people, and her trust in God’s sovereignty led her to act.
God’s Call on Our Lives:
Like Esther, we may find ourselves in situations where we are faced with hard decisions or crisis moments. Sometimes, God calls us to step out in faith, even when the outcome is uncertain. When God calls us to act, He will equip us with the courage to follow through, just as He did with Esther.
Closing Thoughts:
Esther’s story is one of courage in the face of fear. She understood that her position was not just for her own benefit but was a divine appointment for such a time as this. Like Esther, we may face situations that require great courage, but we can trust that God will provide the strength and wisdom we need. Just as Esther stepped out in faith, we too can trust that God will equip us to act in obedience to His will, no matter the cost. These passages echo the theme of courage found in Esther's story, emphasizing that with God's presence and empowerment, we can face our fears and challenges with boldness.
Session 4: Faithfulness Brings Honor (Esther 5-6)-"God’s Timing and Favor: Faithfulness in Action"
Printable Download
Alistair Begg Sermon
–O Father, You are Sovereign!
–The Unseen Hand of God
READ: Esther 5-6
Focus: Esther’s faithfulness and trust in God’s timing, and how God’s favor is revealed.
Purpose Statement: To explore the importance of waiting on God's timing and remaining faithful in the midst of challenges, knowing that He honors those who honor Him.
OVERVIEW
In Esther 5-6, we witness Esther's courageous actions and God's timely intervention, highlighting the rewards of faithfulness. Esther, upon learning of Haman's plot to annihilate the Jews, risks her life by approaching King Ahasuerus without an invitation—a breach of protocol punishable by death. Her invitation to a banquet with the king and Haman sets the stage for her plea to save her people. These chapters underscore the significance of trusting in God's timing and remaining faithful amidst challenges, with the assurance that He honors those who honor Him.
Key Verse: Esther 4:14b – "And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?"
EXAMINE THE TEXT
In Esther 5, Esther, after a three-day fast with her fellow Jews, courageously approaches King Ahasuerus, who extends his golden scepter, sparing her life. She invites the king and Haman to a banquet, where she plans to present her request. At the banquet, the king offers to grant her any wish, up to half his kingdom. Esther invites them to another banquet the following day, setting the stage for her plea.
That night, the king is troubled and orders the royal chronicles to be read to him. The account of Mordecai uncovering an assassination plot against the king is read, and the king realizes that Mordecai has not been honored. Haman, arriving to request Mordecai's execution, is instead compelled to honor Mordecai publicly, leading to his humiliation.
In Esther 6, after honoring Mordecai, Haman is invited to Esther's second banquet. There, Esther reveals her Jewish identity and exposes Haman's plot to destroy her people. Enraged, the king orders Haman's execution on the very gallows Haman had prepared for Mordecai. Esther is granted Haman's estate, and Mordecai is promoted to Haman's former position, signifying a dramatic reversal of fortunes.
These events illustrate God's providence, working through Esther's bravery and timing to protect the Jewish people. The narrative emphasizes that remaining faithful and trusting in God's plan can lead to deliverance, even in perilous circumstances. It also highlights the reversal of fortunes, where those who plot evil may face their own downfall, and the faithful are honored. This story encourages believers to act courageously in the face of adversity, trusting that God honors those who honor Him.
DEVOTIONAL ALLEGORY: "The Right Time Matters"
Have you ever tried to pick a piece of fruit before it was ripe? Maybe you grabbed a banana that was still green or a peach that was too hard. You were hungry, and you didn’t want to wait—but when you took a bite, it just didn’t taste right. Timing makes all the difference.
In Esther 5-6, we see how Esther didn’t rush into action, even though she was facing a crisis. Instead, she showed wisdom and patience. Rather than immediately pleading for her people’s lives, she invited the king and Haman to a banquet—not once, but twice—waiting for the perfect moment to speak (Esther 5:4-8). At the same time, God was working behind the scenes. That very night, the king couldn’t sleep, and he was reminded of Mordecai’s loyalty (Esther 6:1-3). By the time Esther finally revealed Haman’s evil plan, everything was set in place for God’s justice and favor to be shown.
This reminds me of Nelson Mandela, who spent 27 years in prison before seeing the end of apartheid in South Africa. He could have given up or acted in anger, but he trusted that the right moment would come. When it did, his patience and perseverance led to peace and change.
Like Esther, we often want solutions now, but God’s timing is always best. If we remain faithful, He will work in ways we may not see right away.
Reflection Question: Have you ever acted too quickly and regretted it? How can you learn to trust God's timing in your life?
THIS MAY SURPRISE YOU: Clarifying a Difficult Teaching
In Esther 5:6, King Ahasuerus offers Esther anything she desires, up to half his kingdom, after she invites him and Haman to a banquet. This extravagant promise might seem unusual, but it was a customary expression of goodwill in Persian culture, demonstrating the king's favor and generosity. Understanding this cultural context helps clarify the king's response and sets the stage for Esther's courageous plea to save her people.
TAKE-HOME THOUGHT: Seeing the Bigger Picture of God's Plan
Esther's story illustrates how God orchestrates events and positions individuals to fulfill His divine purposes. By remaining faithful and trusting in God's timing, Esther became an instrument of deliverance for her people. This narrative encourages us to recognize our unique roles in God's plan and to act with courage and conviction, knowing that our faithfulness aligns with His greater purpose.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
What do you think God was teaching Esther by having her wait for the perfect moment to approach the king? How does this relate to our own struggles with waiting on God’s timing?
How does Esther's restraint and wisdom in planning her banquet show her faithfulness to God’s timing? What are some situations in your life where waiting on God’s timing has been challenging?
How does the story of Haman’s pride and downfall illustrate the difference between self-exaltation and God's honor? How can we remain humble and faithful even when others might seem to be getting ahead?
What are some practical ways we can remain faithful and patient while waiting on God’s perfect timing?
BIBLE PASSAGE: Esther 5 and 6
1 On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. 2 When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.
3 Then the king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.”
4 “If it pleases the king,” replied Esther, “let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him.”
5 “Bring Haman at once,” the king said, “so that we may do what Esther asks.”
So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared. 6 As they were drinking wine, the king again asked Esther, “Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.”
7 Esther replied, “My petition and my request is this: 8 If the king regards me with favor and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.”
9 Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage against Mordecai. 10 Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home.
Calling together his friends and Zeresh, his wife, 11 Haman boasted to them about his vast wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored him and how he had elevated him above the other nobles and officials. 12 “And that’s not all,” Haman added. “I’m the only person Queen Esther invited to accompany the king to the banquet she gave. And she has invited me along with the king tomorrow. 13 But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king’s gate.”
14 His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have a pole set up, reaching to a height of fifty cubits, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai impaled on it. Then go with the king to the banquet and enjoy yourself.” This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the pole set up.
Chapter 6
1 That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. 2 It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.
3 “What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?” the king asked.
“Nothing has been done for him,” his attendants answered.
4 The king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to speak to the king about impaling Mordecai on the pole he had set up for him.
5 His attendants answered, “Haman is standing in the court.”
“Bring him in,” the king ordered.
6 When Haman entered, the king asked him, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?”
Now Haman thought to himself, “Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?” 7 So he answered the king, “For the man the king delights to honor, 8 have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. 9 Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king’s most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!’”
10 “Go at once,” the king commanded Haman. “Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended.”
11 So Haman got the robe and the horse. He robed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!”
12 Afterward Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief, 13 and told Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him.
His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him—you will surely come to ruin!” 14 While they were still talking with him, the king’s eunuchs arrived and hurried Haman away to the banquet Esther had prepared.
EXTRA – NOT PART OF THE SESSION
Esther’s Request for an Audience with the King (Esther 5)
Esther’s Bold Move (Esther 5:1-2):
The Risk: Esther approaches King Xerxes uninvited—a dangerous decision, as anyone who appeared before the king without being summoned could be put to death. However, she had fasted and prayed with her people, demonstrating faithfulness in preparation for this moment.
God’s Favor: To her surprise, King Xerxes extends the scepter to her, signifying his willingness to hear her request. This moment highlights God's favor in Esther’s bold action.
What We Can Learn: Faithfulness to God’s call, even in uncertain and scary circumstances, often leads to His favor. While Esther didn’t know the outcome of approaching the king, she acted in obedience, trusting God’s timing.
The King’s Invitation (Esther 5:3-8):
A Simple Request: The king asks Esther what she wants, offering up to half his kingdom. Instead of immediately making her request, Esther invites the king and Haman to a banquet.
What We Can Learn: In this moment, Esther demonstrates wisdom. She doesn’t rush the king, but instead uses the opportunity to set the stage for her request in a way that would be most favorable. She shows restraint and trust in God's perfect timing. Esther’s approach is calculated, not impulsive, indicating her patience in waiting for God’s plan to unfold.
What We Can Learn from Esther’s Faithfulness:
Patience and Trust in God’s Timing: Even when the situation seems urgent, Esther doesn’t rush. She waits on the timing that God has for her moment of intervention. She is being faithful in the little things (like holding the banquet) to set the stage for something bigger.
God’s Timing: Just because God’s timing doesn’t always align with our expectations doesn’t mean He isn’t at work. Esther trusted in God's plan, even when she couldn’t see all the details.
Haman’s Rising Pride and Fall (Esther 5:9-14)
Haman’s Rejoicing (Esther 5:9-14):
Haman's Pride: After being invited to the banquet, Haman feels elevated and full of pride. He goes home bragging about the king’s favor and the special treatment he’s received, yet Mordecai’s refusal to bow continues to frustrate him.
Haman’s Plan to Kill Mordecai: Haman becomes so enraged by Mordecai’s lack of reverence that he builds a gallows to hang him on, planning to ask the king for Mordecai’s execution.
What We Can Learn: Haman’s pride blinds him to the consequences of his actions. He seeks to elevate himself and destroy others, leading to his downfall. This contrasts with Esther’s humility and trust in God’s timing, which leads to her favor.
The Role of Faithfulness in the Face of Pride:
Pride vs. Faithfulness: Haman’s story serves as a warning about the dangers of pride. While he seeks to exalt himself, Esther remains humble, faithful, and dependent on God. Her actions are a reflection of God’s grace, while Haman’s are fueled by selfishness and pride.
The Challenge to Remain Humble: Just like Esther, we too must remain faithful to God and humble, even in times when others might be exalting themselves or boasting about their achievements. True honor comes from being faithful to God’s purpose, not self-promotion.
God’s Timing Revealed: The King’s Insomnia (Esther 6)
The King’s Sleepless Night (Esther 6:1-3):
A Divine Disruption: King Xerxes is unable to sleep one night, and he asks for the royal records to be read to him. In the process, he hears about Mordecai’s earlier act of loyalty, when he exposed a plot to kill the king.
What We Can Learn: This seemingly insignificant event (a sleepless night) is actually God's intervention at the perfect moment. It’s a reminder that God’s timing is never accidental. He orchestrates the details of life—even something as small as a sleepless night—to fulfill His purposes.
The King Honors Mordecai (Esther 6:4-14):
The King’s Decision: Upon hearing about Mordecai’s loyalty, the king decides to honor him. Haman, who had come to request Mordecai’s execution, is forced to parade Mordecai through the city in honor of his loyalty.
What We Can Learn: God’s timing is perfect, and when we remain faithful, He honors us in His time. Even when it seems like our faithfulness goes unnoticed, God sees and rewards it at just the right moment. Esther’s and Mordecai’s faithfulness in the small things is now being honored in the most public way.
Haman’s Humiliation:
Haman’s Fall: Haman’s pride and arrogance lead to his humiliation. Instead of being exalted, as he expected, he is forced to honor the very man he intended to destroy.
What We Can Learn: God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Haman's story illustrates the downfall of those who seek to elevate themselves through pride, while those who remain faithful and humble are honored by God.
The Importance of Waiting on God’s Timing:
Faithfulness in Waiting: Both Esther and Mordecai are faithful in waiting on God’s timing. Esther’s careful planning, combined with her dependence on God through prayer and fasting, prepares her for a moment of favor. Mordecai’s loyalty to the king, even when it seemed like he was forgotten, ultimately leads to his honor.
Trusting God in the Process: Waiting on God’s timing is not easy, but the Bible teaches us that faithfulness in the waiting leads to honor and reward. Esther shows us that when we trust God’s timing, we demonstrate faith that He is in control.
CROSS-REFERENCE: Similar Teachings in the New Testament
Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Philippians 4:13 "I can do all this through him who gives me strength."
These passages echo the themes of God's providence and the empowerment of believers to fulfill His purposes, reinforcing the lessons from Esther's example.
Closing Thoughts:
Esther’s story in chapters 5 and 6 teaches us the importance of remaining faithful and trusting in God’s timing. Though she faced a dangerous and uncertain moment, her careful actions and prayerful dependence on God led to His favor and honor. Similarly, when we remain faithful in the small things, trusting God to lead us in His perfect timing, He will honor us in His time. Just as God honored Mordecai and Esther, He will honor us when we trust Him.
Session 5: Pride and Hatred Lead to Destruction (Esther 7-8)-"The Fall of the Proud: God’s Justice in Action"
Printable Download
Alistair Begg Sermon
–Haman Is Hanged!
–Celebration Time
Focus: The destruction of Haman and the victory of God’s justice over evil and pride.
Purpose Statement: To reflect on the destructive power of pride and hatred, and how God’s justice ultimately prevails.
OVERVIEW
In Esther 7-8, we witness the dramatic downfall of Haman, the man who sought to destroy God's people through his pride and hatred. God’s justice unfolds as Haman’s evil plans are overturned, and he faces the very destruction he intended for others. These chapters highlight the power of pride and the consequences of acting out of hatred. As we reflect on the events in this story, we are reminded of the truth in Proverbs 16:18: "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." The key verse for this study is Esther 7:10: "So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided." This verse encapsulates the justice of God, showing that evil intentions will not go unchecked, and ultimately, God's righteousness will prevail.
EXAMINE THE TEXT
In Esther 7, the story reaches its climax. Haman, full of pride and hatred toward Mordecai, had made plans to exterminate the Jews. He even built gallows to hang Mordecai, believing his power and status would ensure his plans succeeded. However, the turning point comes during a banquet with King Xerxes and Queen Esther. Esther reveals to the king that Haman is plotting to destroy her and her people. When the king learns of Haman’s wickedness, his anger burns, and Haman is sentenced to the same fate he had prepared for Mordecai. The king orders Haman to be hanged on the gallows, and his downfall is a clear demonstration of how God’s justice works in the world, even when it seems that evil is in control.
Moving into chapter 8, we see the reversal of Haman's decrees. Esther pleads for the king to save the Jews, and through her influence, the king issues a new decree allowing the Jews to defend themselves. Mordecai is elevated to a position of power, and the Jewish people are given the right to protect their lives and property. These events show how God works through people, like Esther, to bring about justice, even when it seems impossible. In ancient Persia, laws could not be changed once they were issued, but God’s intervention makes a way for the impossible to happen.
In understanding the culture of the time, it’s important to note that pride and hatred were often seen as personal traits that could have significant societal consequences. A king’s favor could be a matter of life and death, and Haman’s pride led him to believe that his power would protect him. Yet, God’s justice ensured that Haman’s pride led to his fall, and the Jewish people were saved. This story reminds us that, no matter how powerful evil may seem, God's plan will always triumph. Through the downfall of the proud and the protection of the humble, God’s justice is shown in action, teaching us that pride and hatred can never have the final say when God is at work.
DEVOTIONAL ALLEGORY: "The Fall of the Proud"
Have you ever seen someone who thought they were unstoppable, only to watch them fall because of their own pride?
In 1998, Lance Armstrong was on top of the cycling world. He won seven Tour de France titles and was celebrated as an inspiration. But behind the scenes, he was hiding a doping scandal. For years, he denied any wrongdoing, even attacking those who questioned him. But the truth eventually came out, and his victories were stripped away. His pride and deception led to his downfall.
Haman’s story in Esther 7-8 is similar. He was powerful, honored, and full of pride. But instead of using his position for good, he let his hatred for Mordecai consume him. He built a gallows to execute Mordecai, thinking he was in control. But in a stunning turn of events, the king saw the truth, and Haman was the one who ended up being executed on the very gallows he built (Esther 7:9-10). His pride led to his destruction.
The Bible warns us in Proverbs 16:18 (NIV), “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Haman’s story reminds us that when we let pride and hatred rule our hearts, we set ourselves up for disaster. But when we walk in humility and trust God’s justice, He will lift us up in the right way and at the right time.
Reflection Question: Have you ever seen pride lead to someone’s downfall? How can we guard our hearts against arrogance and bitterness?
THIS MAY SURPRISE YOU: Clarifying a Difficult Teaching
In Esther 7:8, King Xerxes, upon returning to the banquet hall, finds Haman falling on Queen Esther's couch, pleading for his life. The king's attendants interpret this as an attempt to assault the queen, leading to Haman's immediate execution. This swift judgment might seem harsh, but it's important to understand the cultural and historical context. In ancient Persia, the king's word was law, and any perceived threat to the queen's honor was taken very seriously. Additionally, the attendants covering Haman's face was a customary gesture indicating his condemnation. Recognizing these cultural norms helps us grasp the gravity of Haman's actions and the king's response, shedding light on the narrative's progression.
TAKE-HOME THOUGHT
The events in Esther 7-8 serve as a powerful reminder of how unchecked pride and hatred can lead to one's downfall. Haman's rise to power was fueled by arrogance and a deep-seated animosity toward Mordecai and the Jews. His inability to recognize his own flaws and his relentless pursuit of vengeance blinded him to the consequences of his actions. This narrative encourages us to reflect on our own attitudes and behaviors, prompting us to cultivate humility and empathy. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's justice and mercy, fostering environments where love and understanding prevail over pride and hatred.
Furthermore, the story illustrates God's sovereignty and His ability to orchestrate events for the good of His people. Despite the seeming triumph of evil, God's plan unfolds, bringing about justice and deliverance. This perspective invites us to trust in God's timing and His ultimate control over our circumstances, especially when faced with challenges or injustices. Believing in His providence empowers us to navigate life's difficulties with faith, knowing that His justice will prevail in the end.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. How do you see the destructive power of pride and hatred in Haman's life? What can we learn from his downfall about the dangers of these attitudes in our own lives?
2. How did God’s justice bring about not only the defeat of evil but also the restoration of Mordecai and the Jewish people? In what ways can we trust God to bring justice in our own lives?
3. How does the reversal of Haman’s fortune (from power to execution) show the role of God in turning the tables on evil? Have you ever seen God work in a similar way, where He brings justice and restoration from a seemingly hopeless situation?
4. What are some ways we can guard our hearts against pride and hatred? How can we cultivate humility and love instead?
5. How do you find hope in knowing that God’s justice will ultimately prevail over evil in our world today?
BIBLE PASSAGE: Esther 7 and 8
1 So the king and Haman went to Queen Esther’s banquet, 2 and as they were drinking wine on the second day, the king again asked, “Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.”
3 Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request. 4 For I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.”
5 King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, “Who is he? Where is he—the man who has dared to do such a thing?”
6 Esther said, “An adversary and enemy! This vile Haman!”
Then Haman was terrified before the king and queen. 7 The king got up in a rage, left his wine and went out into the palace garden. But Haman, realizing that the king had already decided his fate, stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life.
8 Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining.
The king exclaimed, “Will he even molest the queen while she is with me in the house?”
As soon as the word left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face. 9 Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, “A pole reaching to a height of fifty cubits stands by Haman’s house. He had it set up for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king.”
The king said, “Impale him on it!” 10 So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided.
Chapter 8
1 That same day King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came into the presence of the king, for Esther had told how he was related to her. 2 The king took off his signet ring, which he had reclaimed from Haman, and presented it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed him over Haman’s estate.
3 Esther again pleaded with the king, falling at his feet and weeping. She begged him to put an end to the evil plan of Haman the Agagite, which he had devised against the Jews. 4 Then the king extended the gold scepter to Esther and she arose and stood before him.
5 “If it pleases the king,” she said, “and if he regards me with favor and thinks it the right thing to do, and if he is pleased with me, let an order be written overruling the dispatches that Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, devised and wrote to destroy the Jews in all the king’s provinces. 6 For how can I bear to see disaster fall on my people? How can I bear to see the destruction of my family?”
7 King Xerxes replied to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, “Because Haman attacked the Jews, I have given his estate to Esther, and they have impaled him on the pole he set up. 8 Now write another decree in the king’s name in behalf of the Jews as seems best to you, and seal it with the king’s signet ring—for no document written in the king’s name and sealed with his ring can be revoked.”
9 At once the royal secretaries were summoned—on the twenty-third day of the third month, the month of Sivan. They wrote out all Mordecai’s orders to the Jews, and to the satraps, governors and nobles of the 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush. These orders were written in the script of each province and the language of each people and also to the Jews in their own script and language. 10 Mordecai wrote in the name of King Xerxes, sealed the dispatches with the king’s signet ring, and sent them by mounted couriers, who rode fast horses especially bred for the king.
11 The king’s edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate the armed men of any nationality or province who might attack them and their women and children, and to plunder the property of their enemies. 12 The day appointed for the Jews to do this in all the provinces of King Xerxes was the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar. 13 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 that the Jews would be ready on that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.
14 The couriers, riding the royal horses, went out, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa.
15 When Mordecai left the king’s presence, he was wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa held a joyous celebration. 16 For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor. 17 In every province and in every city to which the edict of the king came, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them.
EXTRA – NOT PART OF THE SESSION
Haman’s Fall: The Unmasking of Evil (Esther 7)
Esther’s Final Banquet (Esther 7:1-4):
The Setting: Esther invites the king and Haman to a second banquet, where she will finally reveal her request. King Xerxes asks again, "What is your petition, Queen Esther? It will be given to you." This time, Esther boldly answers:
"If I have found favor with you, O king, and if it pleases you, grant my life—and the life of my people—for we have been sold to destruction, slaughter, and annihilation."
The Reveal: Esther reveals that she and her people are doomed because of a decree by Haman, who had plotted to destroy the Jews.
What We Can Learn: The moment of truth has come. Esther’s courage in revealing Haman’s wicked plot not only brings her justice but also exposes the evil of Haman’s heart. In this moment, we see that evil, no matter how hidden or deceitful, will eventually be uncovered by God's hand.
Haman’s Desperation (Esther 7:5-10):
The King’s Wrath: Upon hearing Esther’s words, the king is enraged. He leaves the banquet in anger, and Haman, realizing that his plot has been uncovered, falls at Esther’s feet, begging for his life.
Haman’s End: When the king returns and sees Haman pleading with Esther, he mistakenly thinks Haman is attacking the queen. This seals his fate. The king orders Haman to be executed, and he is hanged on the very gallows that Haman had built for Mordecai.
What We Can Learn: The destruction of Haman is a clear illustration of how God’s justice prevails. Haman’s pride, hatred, and wickedness, which he thought were hidden, ultimately led to his own downfall. His own actions were turned against him. The scripture affirms that pride comes before a fall (Proverbs 16:18), and Haman’s story is a vivid example of this principle.
The Triumph of Justice: Mordecai’s Rise (Esther 8)
The King’s Decree (Esther 8:1-2):
Mordecai’s Promotion: After Haman’s death, King Xerxes gives Esther the estate of Haman. Esther, in turn, gives it to Mordecai, showing a dramatic reversal of fortune. Mordecai is given Haman’s position as the second-in-command in the empire.
What We Can Learn: God often works in ways that completely reverse the plans of the enemy. Haman sought to destroy Mordecai, but now Mordecai is honored in the very position Haman once held. This shows that God’s justice not only brings punishment to the wicked but also elevates the righteous.
Esther’s Plea for Her People (Esther 8:3-6):
A Second Petition: Esther approaches the king again, this time pleading for her people. She requests that the king allow the Jews to defend themselves against those who would still seek to harm them, as the decree Haman initiated is still in effect.
What We Can Learn: Even after Haman’s defeat, the consequences of evil remain. Esther's plea shows that God’s justice doesn’t just stop at the defeat of evil; it ensures protection and safety for the innocent. God’s justice brings about not just punishment but also protection and restoration for His people.
The King’s New Decree (Esther 8:7-17):
The Reversal of the Decree: The king grants Esther’s request and allows the Jews to defend themselves. A new decree is issued, giving the Jews the right to gather and protect themselves from their enemies, ensuring their survival.
What We Can Learn: God’s justice often includes both judgment and restoration. While Haman's evil plot was stopped, God’s ultimate justice also includes the vindication of His people and the restoration of their dignity and safety. God doesn’t simply allow evil to happen; He uses His justice to restore His people.
The Destructive Power of Pride and Hatred:
Haman’s Pride and Hatred:
The Root of Evil: Haman’s pride and hatred were the driving forces behind his plot against Mordecai and the Jews. His inability to humble himself and his desire to destroy others led to his eventual ruin.
What We Can Learn: Pride and hatred always lead to destruction. Haman believed he was above others, and his inability to show mercy or humility brought about his tragic end. We are reminded that holding on to pride and hatred can destroy relationships, opportunities, and even lives, while humility and love lead to life and peace.
God’s Justice Prevails Over Evil:
Victory for the Righteous: Despite Haman’s power and position, God’s justice triumphed. His pride and hatred were not only exposed but used as the very means by which he was brought down. God’s justice is a reminder that no evil deed goes unnoticed by God, and His plans will always prevail.
What We Can Learn: We may face evil, injustice, and hatred in the world, but we can take comfort in knowing that God’s justice will prevail. In the end, evil will be defeated, and the righteous will be vindicated. Trusting in God's justice frees us from taking matters into our own hands and empowers us to remain faithful to Him, even when it seems like evil is winning.
CROSS-REFERENCE
Here are some New Testament scriptures that echo the themes of pride leading to destruction and the virtues of humility:
James 4:6: "But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'"
1 Peter 5:5: "In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'"
Matthew 23:12: "For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."
These passages reinforce the biblical principle that pride leads to downfall, while humility aligns us with God's favor and grace.
Closing Thoughts:
The downfall of Haman and the triumph of God’s justice is a powerful reminder that pride and hatred lead to destruction, while humility and trust in God lead to vindication and restoration. Throughout this story, we see how God uses His justice to both punish evil and protect His people. As believers, we can rest in the knowledge that no matter how powerful or hidden evil may seem, God is in control, and His justice will prevail. His plans for us are good, and He will work all things together for our ultimate good and His glory.
Session 6: With God, There is Victory (Esther 9-10)-"Victory Through Faith: Celebrating God’s Deliverance"
Printable Download
Alistair Begg Sermon
The Tables are Turned
Remember, Remember!
Mordecai Was Great
READ: Esther 9-10
Focus: The victory of the Jews and the establishment of the feast of Purim.
Purpose Statement: To celebrate how, through faith in God, victory is won even in the darkest of times, and to reflect on how God’s deliverance impacts our lives today.
OVERVIEW
In Esther 9-10, we see the powerful and joyous victory of the Jewish people over their enemies, a victory that came through God’s deliverance. The Jews were saved from the plot to destroy them, and this event was so significant that it led to the establishment of the feast of Purim, a time of celebration and remembrance of God’s protection. As we reflect on these chapters, we can hold on to the truth in 1 Corinthians 15:57: “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” This verse highlights the idea that victory, especially over life’s greatest challenges, comes through God’s power. The key verse for this study is Esther 9:22: “As the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration.” This moment of victory teaches us about the joy that comes when God brings deliverance.
EXAMINE THE TEXT
In Esther 9, the Jews are granted the right to defend themselves from Haman’s evil plot. What seemed like certain death turns into a victory as the Jews, under Mordecai's leadership, overcome their enemies. The feast of Purim is established to commemorate this incredible event. The name "Purim" comes from the word "pur," meaning "lot," because Haman had cast lots to decide the day of the Jewish destruction. However, the tables are turned, and it is Haman’s lot that leads to his downfall, as God’s intervention prevails.
In verse 22, we see how this victory is celebrated. It says that the Jews' “sorrow was turned into joy” and “mourning into a day of celebration.” This highlights the profound transformation that God can bring to His people. What was meant to be a time of grief and fear was instead turned into an occasion for joy and thanksgiving. This was a reminder to the Jews, and to us today, of how God can turn any situation around for good, even when things look impossible.
In Esther 10, we learn about the continued rise of Mordecai, who, having been promoted by the king, becomes second in command over the Persian Empire. His story, paired with Esther’s, reflects how God works through people who are faithful, showing that even in difficult circumstances, God’s plan for His people will not be stopped. In the culture of ancient Persia, loyalty to the king was paramount, and both Esther and Mordecai’s roles show how God can use even those in foreign lands to fulfill His purposes.
The feast of Purim, which is still celebrated by Jews today, is a reminder of the importance of remembering God’s deliverance and faithfulness. It was not just a moment of physical victory, but also a spiritual one, as the people were called to reflect on God's provision and to help those in need. The celebration of Purim emphasizes that when God’s people are faithful, and when they trust in His power, He will bring victory, no matter how difficult the battle.
DEVOTIONAL ALLEGORY: A Celebration of Unlikely Victory
Imagine a small underdog team making it to the championship game against a powerhouse opponent. No one expects them to win. The other team is bigger, stronger, and has won every game all season. But against all odds, the underdogs pull off an incredible victory! The crowd goes wild, and the players celebrate—not just because they won, but because they overcame something that seemed impossible.
In Esther 9-10, the Jewish people faced an even greater challenge. They weren’t just the underdogs; they were supposed to be wiped out completely! But God had a bigger plan. Through Esther’s courage, Mordecai’s leadership, and God’s unseen hand at work, the Jews experienced a great victory over their enemies. Not only were they saved, but they established a feast—Purim—to celebrate what God had done for them.
Like that underdog team, the Jewish people knew their victory wasn’t just about their own strength. It was God who turned their situation around. And just like them, we can trust that with God, there is victory—even when things seem impossible.
Whenever you see an underdog win—whether it’s a team, a person overcoming struggles, or a surprise victory—let it remind you of God’s faithfulness and power to deliver His people!
THIS MAY SURPRISE YOU: Clarifying a Difficult Teaching
In Esther 9:1, we read that the "tenth month, the month of Adar," was chosen by lot for the Jews' destruction. However, in verse 26, the Jews establish the feast of Purim in the twelfth month, the month of Adar, to celebrate their victory. This apparent discrepancy arises from the way ancient calendars were structured. In the Persian calendar, months were numbered rather than named, and the twelfth month corresponded to Adar. Therefore, the events occurred in the tenth month, and the celebration was held in the twelfth month, aligning with our modern understanding of the calendar.
Discussion Questions:
1. How does the establishment of Purim as a yearly celebration reflect the importance of remembering and celebrating God’s deliverance? What are some ways we can establish traditions in our own lives to remember God’s faithfulness?
2. In what areas of your life do you need to step out in faith, trusting that God will bring victory even when circumstances seem impossible?
3. How does the victory of the Jews through Esther and Mordecai inspire you to trust in God’s deliverance in your own challenges?
4. How can you apply the principles of faith and victory in God’s deliverance to situations you may face today?
5. Why do you think God emphasizes joy and celebration in times of deliverance? How can we cultivate joy and thanksgiving even in difficult circumstances?
BIBLE PASSAGE: Esther 9 and 10
9 On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, the edict commanded by the king was to be carried out. On this day the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but now the tables were turned and the Jews got the upper hand over those who hated them. 2 The Jews assembled in their cities in all the provinces of King Xerxes to attack those determined to destroy them. No one could stand against them, because the people of all the other nationalities were afraid of them. 3 And all the nobles of the provinces, the satraps, the governors and the king’s administrators helped the Jews, because fear of Mordecai had seized them. 4 Mordecai was prominent in the palace; his reputation spread throughout the provinces, and he became more and more powerful.
5 The Jews struck down all their enemies with the sword, killing and destroying them, and they did what they pleased to those who hated them. 6 In the citadel of Susa, the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men. 7 They also killed Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha, 8 Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha, 9 Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai and Vaizatha, 10 the ten sons of Haman son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews. But they did not lay their hands on the plunder.
11 The number of those killed in the citadel of Susa was reported to the king that same day. 12 The king said to Queen Esther, “The Jews have killed and destroyed five hundred men and the ten sons of Haman in the citadel of Susa. What have they done in the rest of the king’s provinces? Now what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? It will also be granted.”
13 “If it pleases the king,” Esther answered, “give the Jews in Susa permission to carry out this day’s edict tomorrow also, and let Haman’s ten sons be impaled on poles.”
14 So the king commanded that this be done. An edict was issued in Susa, and they impaled the ten sons of Haman. 15 The Jews in Susa came together on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar, and they put to death in Susa three hundred men, but they did not lay their hands on the plunder.
16 Meanwhile, the remainder of the Jews who were in the king’s provinces also assembled to protect themselves and get relief from their enemies. They killed seventy-five thousand of them but did not lay their hands on the plunder. 17 This happened on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, and on the fourteenth they rested and made it a day of feasting and joy.
18 The Jews in Susa, however, had assembled on the thirteenth and fourteenth, and then on the fifteenth they rested and made it a day of feasting and joy.
19 That is why rural Jews—those living in villages—observe the fourteenth of the month of Adar as a day of joy and feasting, a day for giving presents to each other.
20 Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews throughout the provinces of King Xerxes, near and far, 21 to have them celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar 22 as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration. He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor.
23 So the Jews agreed to continue the celebration they had begun, doing what Mordecai had written to them. 24 For Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them and had cast the pur (that is, the lot) for their ruin and destruction. 25 But when the plot came to the king’s attention, he issued written orders that the evil scheme Haman had devised against the Jews should come back onto his own head, and that he and his sons should be impaled on poles. 26 (Therefore these days were called Purim, from the word pur.) Because of everything written in this letter and because of what they had seen and what had happened to them, 27 the Jews took it on themselves to establish the custom that they and their descendants and all who join them should without fail observe these two days every year, in the way prescribed and at the time appointed. 28 These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. And these days of Purim should never fail to be celebrated by the Jews—nor should the memory of these days die out among their descendants.
29 So Queen Esther, daughter of Abihail, along with Mordecai the Jew, wrote with full authority to confirm this second letter concerning Purim. 30 And Mordecai sent letters to all the Jews in the 127 provinces of Xerxes’ kingdom—words of goodwill and assurance— 31 to establish these days of Purim at their designated times, as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had decreed for them, and as they had established for themselves and their descendants in regard to their times of fasting and lamentation. 32 Esther’s decree confirmed these regulations about Purim, and it was written down in the records.
10 King Xerxes imposed tribute throughout the empire, to its distant shores. 2 And all his acts of power and might, together with a full account of the greatness of Mordecai, whom the king had promoted, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Media and Persia? 3 Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.
EXTRA – NOT PART OF THE SESSION
TAKE-HOME THOUGHT: Seeing the Bigger Picture of God's Plan
The story of Esther reminds us that God can use anyone, regardless of their background, to fulfill His purposes. Esther, a Jewish orphan, became queen and played a crucial role in saving her people. This shows that God places us in specific situations and positions to be instruments of His deliverance. Even when facing challenges, we can trust that God has a plan for us and is working behind the scenes to bring about His will.
CROSS-REFERENCE: Similar Scriptures in the New Testament
The New Testament also emphasizes God's deliverance and the importance of faith. Here are a few verses that echo the themes found in Esther:
Romans 8:1: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." This verse assures us of our deliverance from sin through faith in Jesus.
Ephesians 2:8-9: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." These verses highlight that our salvation and deliverance are gifts from God, received through faith.
Revelation 7:10: "They cried out in a loud voice: 'Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.'" This passage depicts the ultimate deliverance and victory of God's people.
The Victory of the Jews (Esther 9)
The Day of Deliverance (Esther 9:1-16):
The Jews’ Victory: On the 13th day of the 12th month, the day that had been set for their annihilation, the Jews instead gathered to defend themselves. They were given the power to destroy their enemies, and they triumphed over those who sought their destruction.
What We Can Learn: Despite the intense opposition and the seeming certainty of their fate, God’s intervention brought victory. It’s a reminder that with God, even in the darkest times, there is hope, and with faith, victory is possible. The Jews, through their courage and faith in God’s protection, were delivered from destruction.
The Establishment of Purim (Esther 9:17-32):
The Feast of Purim: After their victory, the Jews celebrated their deliverance by instituting a feast called Purim. This annual feast was a time to celebrate their salvation and to remember how God had turned their circumstances from certain death to life.
What We Can Learn: Purim is a celebration of God’s faithful deliverance. It was not just a time to rejoice in their survival, but also a reminder of God’s faithfulness and the importance of remembering and sharing His mighty works. God desires for His people to remember His deliverance, not just in their personal lives but also as a community. We are called to celebrate and give thanks for His salvation, as the Jews did with Purim.
The Role of Esther and Mordecai in Deliverance (Esther 9:29-32):
The Leaders’ Role: Esther and Mordecai, who had been instrumental in bringing about this deliverance, are acknowledged for their leadership. Their faith and courage, alongside the faithfulness of the Jewish people, led to a monumental victory.
What We Can Learn: Esther and Mordecai’s actions demonstrate the importance of stepping out in faith and trusting God, even when the situation looks bleak. God works through those who are willing to act on behalf of His people, and He uses ordinary individuals to accomplish extraordinary things. They were obedient to God, and through their leadership, the people were saved. In our own lives, we are called to lead in faith, trusting that God will bring victory even when the odds seem impossible.
The Celebration of Purim (Esther 9:29-32)
The Importance of Remembering (Esther 9:29-32):
Purim as a Remembrance: The Jews were commanded to celebrate Purim as a memorial of God’s deliverance, ensuring that future generations would remember how God saved them from destruction. It was a time of feasting, giving gifts, and celebrating the joy of their salvation.
What We Can Learn: Celebration is an important aspect of our faith journey. God desires for us to remember and celebrate His goodness and faithfulness. Celebrating God’s deliverance, whether through special times of thanksgiving or simply by recounting His faithfulness in our daily lives, strengthens our faith and inspires gratitude in our hearts.
Joy in Deliverance (Esther 9:22):
The Focus of Purim: Purim was not only a time to remember God’s deliverance but also a time of joy and feasting. It was an opportunity to rejoice in the victory God had given and to share that joy with others.
What We Can Learn: When God delivers us from trials, we should rejoice! Faith in God leads to victory, and that victory brings joy. The celebration of Purim reminds us that, even in hard times, joy can be found in knowing that God is with us, fighting for us, and delivering us from evil.
The Lasting Impact of Deliverance:
God’s Faithfulness Endures (Esther 10):
The Elevation of Mordecai: Mordecai is promoted to a high position in the kingdom, and he uses his influence to ensure the well-being of the Jews. His faithfulness is rewarded, and he continues to work for the good of God’s people.
What We Can Learn: Mordecai’s promotion shows that faithfulness in difficult times leads to reward. In the same way, when we trust in God, He honors our faith and uses us to impact the lives of others. God’s deliverance is not just a one-time event but continues to shape the future of His people.
Victory Through Faith in God:
God’s Role in Deliverance: The entire story of Esther reveals that, while human action is important, it is ultimately God’s providence and deliverance that lead to victory. God’s hand was evident throughout, from Esther’s rise to the throne to the defeat of Haman’s plot. The Jews’ victory came because of their trust in God’s timing, wisdom, and protection.
What We Can Learn: Our victory, just like the Jews’, is ultimately found in God’s deliverance. When we step out in faith, trusting in God’s provision and timing, we can experience His victory in our lives, even in the darkest of times. God is always at work behind the scenes, orchestrating events for the good of His people.
The study of Esther delves into the themes of courage, providence, and divine sovereignty, exploring how God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary purposes. As the renowned preacher Charles Spurgeon once said, "God’s providence is the great thread that runs through the story of Esther, though it is not always visible, it is always at work."
1: Introduction to Esther: "A Time for Esther: God's Sovereignty"- Esther 4:14
2: Setting the Stage (Esther 1-2)-"From Exile to Opportunity: The Beginning of Esther's Story"
3: Have Courage (Esther 3-4)-"Courage in the Face of Crisis: Esther’s Bold Decision"
4: Faithfulness Brings Honor (Esther 5-6)-"God’s Timing and Favor: Faithfulness in Action"
6: Pride and Hatred Lead to Destruction (Esther 7-8)-"The Fall of the Proud: God’s Justice in Action"
The Book of Esther shows how God intervened once again to save the Jews. This fast-moving story occurs during the reign of the Persian king Xerxes (most likely Xerxes I, 486–465 BC). It relates the adventures that take place when a Jewish exile named Esther and her cousin and guardian Mordecai work to rescue their people from a plot to destroy them. While the story never mentions God by name, God’s hand of protection can be detected in the timing and combination of events as they unfold.
The book features numerous banquets, including two hosted by Xerxes at the beginning, two given by Esther in the middle, and two celebrated by the grateful Jews at the end. Since this story was told to later generations during the feast of Purim itself, the audience is placed right in the middle of the action. Those who read it can not only join in celebrating God’s deliverance, but they can ask themselves, as Mordecai asked Esther, for what great purpose God may have brought them to their own position in life.
This is a historical narrative, and it is a wonderful example of God making a plan before we know we need a plan. God saw what was going to happen for the Jewish people at the hands of a political advisor of this king, and God arranged things so that Esther would be in a place of influence that would ultimately save the people of God. What an extraordinary story and an extraordinary young lady who found herself in a position of influence whom God could use to change the destiny of a people.
INTRODUCTION
The Book of Esther shows how God intervened once again to save the Jews. This fast-moving story occurs during the reign of the Persian king Xerxes (most likely Xerxes I, 486–465 BC). It relates the adventures that take place when a Jewish exile named Esther and her cousin and guardian Mordecai work to rescue their people from a plot to destroy them. While the story never mentions God by name, God’s hand of protection can be detected in the timing and combination of events as they unfold.
The book features numerous banquets, including two hosted by Xerxes at the beginning, two given by Esther in the middle, and two celebrated by the grateful Jews at the end. Since this story was told to later generations during the feast of Purim itself, the audience is placed right in the middle of the action. Those who read it can not only join in celebrating God’s deliverance, but they can ask themselves, as Mordecai asked Esther, for what great purpose God may have brought them to their own position in life.
This is a historical narrative, and it is a wonderful example of God making a plan before we know we need a plan. God saw what was going to happen for the Jewish people at the hands of a political advisor of this king, and God arranged things so that Esther would be in a place of influence that would ultimately save the people of God. What an extraordinary story and an extraordinary young lady who found herself in a position of influence whom God could use to change the destiny of a people.
Key Verse
“Now in the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king’s command and edict were about to be carried out, on the very day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain the mastery over them, the reverse occurred: the Jews gained mastery over those who hated them.” (Est. 9:1)
Date and Historical Background
Esther’s story takes place in Susa, capital of the Persian empire, during the reign of King Ahasuerus (or Xerxes, in Greek), who ruled from 485 to 464 BC. When Judah fell to the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BC, Jerusalem was destroyed and God’s people were taken as exiles to Babylon. But in 539 BC. Persian King Cyrus conquered Babylon and released the exiles to return to their land. Some Jews did not return—including Esther’s family. We find Esther and her cousin, Mordecai, settled in the Persian empire and in fact right under the nose of this later and very powerful Persian king.
The author and date of composition of Esther are unknown, although the original text indicates an author close to the time of the events, one with an intimate knowledge of the story’s setting and details.
Sideline Notes:
As you may recall, Nehmiah was sent back to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall after the exile. Esther and Nehemiah could have lived as contemporaries in the same city for a period of time. Here’s where it really gets interesting! King Artaxerxes not only allowed Nehemiah to return to Jerusalem, he even agreed to a request for supplies (Nehemiah 2:8). From what we know of Artaxerxes heritage, this is hard to understand. What made him sympathetic to the plight of the Jewish homeland, even to the point of providing resources? Was it his personal relationship with Nehemiah that accounted for his behavior, or was there something more?
There may have been some political reason for his sympathy, but there are also some personal factors to consider. Most scholars believe that Artaxerxes was the son of Esther’s husband, Xerxes. (Some have suggested that he was the son of Esther and Xerxes, but it is more probable that he was born to one of Xerxes’ other wives). Regardless, this means that depending on how long she lived, Esther and Artaxerxes may have lived on the palace grounds at the same time. While we can’t be sure a personal relationship existed, we can safely assume that Artaxerxes would have been very familiar with the story of Esther.
Outline
Introduction: The Pieces in Place (1:1–2:23)
Queen Vashti’s downfall (1:1–22)
Esther’s rise to the throne (2:1–18)
Mordecai’s success in foiling a plot against the king (2:19–23)
Main Action: A Great Reversal (3:1– 9:19)
God’s People Falling; Enemies Rising (3:1–5:14)
The crisis: Haman plots to kill the Jews (3:1–15)
Mordecai and Esther plan to save their people (4:1–17)
Esther is favorably received by the king; Esther’s first feast (5:1–8)
Haman prepares to hang Mordecai (5:9–14)
God’s People Rising; Enemies Falling (6:1–9:19)
A pivotal night; Mordecai is honored and Haman is humiliated (6:1–13)
Esther’s second feast; Haman’s destruction (6:14–7:10)
Esther wins the right of the Jews to defend themselves (8:1–17)
The Jews completely destroy their enemies (9:1–19)
Conclusion (9:20–10:3)
The establishment of the Feast of Purim (9:20–32)
Mordecai’s high rank and beneficent rule (10:1–3)
The opening chapters of Esther are like the elegant opening moves of a perfectly executed chess game, with pieces set in just the right positions in the first few turns. As we enter this decadent Persian court, King Ahasuerus is introduced in all his royal but ineffective pomp; Queen Vashti is deposed and Queen Esther crowned, and Esther’s cousin Mordecai serves the king and foils a plot against him. All these “pieces” of the plot must be in place just so, in order for the action to proceed as it does throughout the rest of the book. What seems like a self-contained drama in the palace of King Ahasuerus is really the introduction to a much larger drama, one that stretches as far as the kingdom of God’s people.
Beauty like no other turned a simple Jewish girl from being an ordinary citizen to being the queen of an entire nation! But there is something more about her than what meets the eye—she possessed a courage that helped save her entire race from annihilation.
STUDY 1 - Setting the Stage - Esther 1-2
Chapter 1 (NLT)
1 These events happened in the days of King Xerxes, who reigned over 127 provinces stretching from India to Ethiopia.
2 At that time Xerxes ruled his empire from his royal throne at the fortress of Susa.
3 In the third year of his reign, he gave a banquet for all his nobles and officials. He invited all the military officers of Persia and Media as well as the princes and nobles of the provinces.
4 The celebration lasted 180 days—a tremendous display of the opulent wealth of his empire and the pomp and splendor of his majesty.
5 When it was all over, the king gave a banquet for all the people, from the greatest to the least, who were in the fortress of Susa. It lasted for seven days and was held in the courtyard of the palace garden.
6 The courtyard was beautifully decorated with white cotton curtains and blue hangings, which were fastened with white linen cords and purple ribbons to silver rings embedded in marble pillars. Gold and silver couches stood on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and other costly stones.
7 Drinks were served in gold goblets of many designs, and there was an abundance of royal wine, reflecting the king’s generosity.
8 By edict of the king, no limits were placed on the drinking, for the king had instructed all his palace officials to serve each man as much as he wanted.
9 At the same time, Queen Vashti gave a banquet for the women in the royal palace of King Xerxes.
10 On the seventh day of the feast, when King Xerxes was in high spirits because of the wine, he told the seven eunuchs who attended him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas—
11 to bring Queen Vashti to him with the royal crown on her head. He wanted the nobles and all the other men to gaze on her beauty, for she was a very beautiful woman.
12 But when they conveyed the king’s order to Queen Vashti, she refused to come. This made the king furious, and he burned with anger.
13 He immediately consulted with his wise advisers, who knew all the Persian laws and customs, for he always asked their advice.
14 The names of these men were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan—seven nobles of Persia and Media. They met with the king regularly and held the highest positions in the empire.
15 “What must be done to Queen Vashti?” the king demanded. “What penalty does the law provide for a queen who refuses to obey the king’s orders, properly sent through his eunuchs?”
16 Memucan answered the king and his nobles, “Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king but also every noble and citizen throughout your empire.
17 Women everywhere will begin to despise their husbands when they learn that Queen Vashti has refused to appear before the king.
18 Before this day is out, the wives of all the king’s nobles throughout Persia and Media will hear what the queen did and will start treating their husbands the same way. There will be no end to their contempt and anger.
19 “So if it please the king, we suggest that you issue a written decree, a law of the Persians and Medes that cannot be revoked. It should order that Queen Vashti be forever banished from the presence of King Xerxes, and that the king should choose another queen more worthy than she.
20 When this decree is published throughout the king’s vast empire, husbands everywhere, whatever their rank, will receive proper respect from their wives!”
21 The king and his nobles thought this made good sense, so he followed Memucan’s counsel.
22 He sent letters to all parts of the empire, to each province in its own script and language, proclaiming that every man should be the ruler of his own home and should say whatever he pleases.
Chapter 2
1 But after Xerxes’ anger had subsided, he began thinking about Vashti and what she had done and the decree he had made.
2 So his personal attendants suggested, “Let us search the empire to find beautiful young virgins for the king.
3 Let the king appoint agents in each province to bring these beautiful young women into the royal harem at the fortress of Susa. Hegai, the king’s eunuch in charge of the harem, will see that they are all given beauty treatments.
4 After that, the young woman who most pleases the king will be made queen instead of Vashti.” This advice was very appealing to the king, so he put the plan into effect.
5 At that time there was a Jewish man in the fortress of Susa whose name was Mordecai son of Jair. He was from the tribe of Benjamin and was a descendant of Kish and Shimei.
6 His family had been among those who, with King Jehoiachin of Judah, had been exiled from Jerusalem to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar.
7 This man had a very beautiful and lovely young cousin, Hadassah, who was also called Esther. When her father and mother died, Mordecai adopted her into his family and raised her as his own daughter.
8 As a result of the king’s decree, Esther, along with many other young women, was brought to the king’s harem at the fortress of Susa and placed in Hegai’s care.
9 Hegai was very impressed with Esther and treated her kindly. He quickly ordered a special menu for her and provided her with beauty treatments. He also assigned her seven maids specially chosen from the king’s palace, and he moved her and her maids into the best place in the harem.
10 Esther had not told anyone of her nationality and family background, because Mordecai had directed her not to do so.
11 Every day Mordecai would take a walk near the courtyard of the harem to find out about Esther and what was happening to her.
12 Before each young woman was taken to the king’s bed, she was given the prescribed twelve months of beauty treatments—six months with oil of myrrh, followed by six months with special perfumes and ointments.
13 When it was time for her to go to the king’s palace, she was given her choice of whatever clothing or jewelry she wanted to take from the harem.
14 That evening she was taken to the king’s private rooms, and the next morning she was brought to the second harem, where the king’s wives lived. There she would be under the care of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch in charge of the concubines. She would never go to the king again unless he had especially enjoyed her and requested her by name.
15 Esther was the daughter of Abihail, who was Mordecai’s uncle. (Mordecai had adopted his younger cousin Esther.) When it was Esther’s turn to go to the king, she accepted the advice of Hegai, the eunuch in charge of the harem. She asked for nothing except what he suggested, and she was admired by everyone who saw her.
16 Esther was taken to King Xerxes at the royal palace in early winter of the seventh year of his reign.
17 And the king loved Esther more than any of the other young women. He was so delighted with her that he set the royal crown on her head and declared her queen instead of Vashti.
18 To celebrate the occasion, he gave a great banquet in Esther’s honor for all his nobles and officials, declaring a public holiday for the provinces and giving generous gifts to everyone.
19 Even after all the young women had been transferred to the second harem and Mordecai had become a palace official,
20 Esther continued to keep her family background and nationality a secret. She was still following Mordecai’s directions, just as she did when she lived in his home.
21 One day as Mordecai was on duty at the king’s gate, two of the king’s eunuchs, Bigthana and Teresh—who were guards at the door of the king’s private quarters—became angry at King Xerxes and plotted to assassinate him.
22 But Mordecai heard about the plot and gave the information to Queen Esther. She then told the king about it and gave Mordecai credit for the report.
23 When an investigation was made and Mordecai’s story was found to be true, the two men were impaled on a sharpened pole. This was all recorded in the book of the history of King Xerxes reign.
THINK ABOUT THIS
Life in a Persian palace was difficult to imagine for ordinary people, especially when the king showed off his wealth and splendor and entertained nobles and officials with the best food and drink his kingdom could offer. Whether you lived in the suburbs of Susa or at the border of the empire, the palace was a faraway place. And what happened in the palace stayed in the palace—usually.
Like any grand king, Xerxes spoiled his guests. For 180 days he showed off the splendor of his kingdom, and then he gave a weeklong banquet—at which his guests could choose their own wine and drink as much as they pleased.
On the last day of the feast, Xerxes demanded that his queen, Vashti, parade her beauty before this besotted crowd. Her refusal and its consequences did not stay in the palace; this would affect all who lived outside, even those who might have thought they lived beyond the king’s reach.
“A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion” (Proverbs 20:2). Vashti lost her royal position, and the results would threaten even God’s people.
But it is also true that a king’s “favor is like dew on the grass” (Proverbs 19:12). As we will see in Esther’s story, a young Jewish woman will win the king’s favor, and she will use her position to save her people.
Let us seek the favor of God our King, that we may enjoy the bounty of his kingdom.
INTO THE BOOK
Chapters 1–2 immerse us in the extravagance of King Ahasuerus’s court, where, against the background of lavish feasts and decadent beauty rituals, Queen Vashti falls and Queen Esther rises.
The King, His Feasts, and His Queen (Esther 1)
The book opens with a pair of sumptuous feasts given by the king (1:3, 5). Many think this passage portrays the time in which Persian King Xerxes was building support for his famous invasion of Greece in 480 BC (in which he was soundly defeated).
Clearly, this king and this kingdom treated women abominably. We would all like to know Vashti’s thoughts and feelings on that subject—but we don’t get to; that is clearly not the narrator’s purpose.
Enter Esther and Mordecai (Esther 2)
We do not know what Esther was thinking and feeling. The luxurious beauty treatments sound nice . . . but consider their implications in this story.
Many have noted that Esther throughout this chapter is more “done unto” rather than doing, obeying rather than initiating.
We are not told that the favor Esther won came from God. We are reminded repeatedly, however, of the people to whom Esther belongs, Jews.
Esther 2:19–23 focuses finally on Mordecai, whose “sitting at the king’s gate” indicates a position of official service to the king. The plot he foils shows how strategic his position is. In all these events, God has not been mentioned, but his hand of providence is clearly at work. Step back and review all the things that have had to happen just so, so far.
TAKE HOME
You Are Where You Are for A Reason!
God led Esther’s steps and used her as an instrument to save the Jewish people from being wiped out.
Esther became the Queen of Persia after King Xerxes’ wife, Queen Vashti, was deposed. Among all the beautiful women in the empire, Esther’s beauty and personality stood out. The king was so delighted in her that she was declared queen! Upon the request of her cousin, Mordecai, she kept her nationality a secret and later on revealed it to save her people from the impending danger Haman had planned.
God has a purpose for our lives too. He allows things to happen for a reason. Like Queen Esther, God may have brought you where you are for a special purpose.
STUDY 2 - Have Courage - Esther 3-4
Chapter 3 (NLT)
1 Some time later King Xerxes promoted Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite over all the other nobles, making him the most powerful official in the empire.
2 All the king’s officials would bow down before Haman to show him respect whenever he passed by, for so the king had commanded. But Mordecai refused to bow down or show him respect.
3 Then the palace officials at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why are you disobeying the king’s command?”
4 They spoke to him day after day, but still he refused to comply with the order. So they spoke to Haman about this to see if he would tolerate Mordecai’s conduct, since Mordecai had told them he was a Jew.
5 When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down or show him respect, he was filled with rage.
6 He had learned of Mordecai’s nationality, so he decided it was not enough to lay hands on Mordecai alone. Instead, he looked for a way to destroy all the Jews throughout the entire empire of Xerxes.
7 So in the month of April, during the twelfth year of King Xerxes’ reign, lots were cast in Haman’s presence (the lots were called ) to determine the best day and month to take action. And the day selected was March 7, nearly a year later.
8 Then Haman approached King Xerxes and said, “There is a certain race of people scattered through all the provinces of your empire who keep themselves separate from everyone else. Their laws are different from those of any other people, and they refuse to obey the laws of the king. So it is not in the king’s interest to let them live.
9 If it please the king, issue a decree that they be destroyed, and I will give 10,000 large sacks of silver to the government administrators to be deposited in the royal treasury.”
10 The king agreed, confirming his decision by removing his signet ring from his finger and giving it to Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews.
11 The king said, “The money and the people are both yours to do with as you see fit.”
12 So on April 17 the king’s secretaries were summoned, and a decree was written exactly as Haman dictated. It was sent to the king’s highest officers, the governors of the respective provinces, and the nobles of each province in their own scripts and languages. The decree was written in the name of King Xerxes and sealed with the king’s signet ring.
13 Dispatches were sent by swift messengers into all the provinces of the empire, giving the order that all Jews—young and old, including women and children—must be killed, slaughtered, and annihilated on a single day. This was scheduled to happen on March 7 of the next year. The property of the Jews would be given to those who killed them.
14 A copy of this decree was to be issued as law in every province and proclaimed to all peoples, so that they would be ready to do their duty on the appointed day.
15 At the king’s command, the decree went out by swift messengers, and it was also proclaimed in the fortress of Susa. Then the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa fell into confusion.
Chapter 4
1 When Mordecai learned about all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on burlap and ashes, and went out into the city, crying with a loud and bitter wail.
2 He went as far as the gate of the palace, for no one was allowed to enter the palace gate while wearing clothes of mourning.
3 And as news of the king’s decree reached all the provinces, there was great mourning among the Jews. They fasted, wept, and wailed, and many people lay in burlap and ashes.
4 When Queen Esther’s maids and eunuchs came and told her about Mordecai, she was deeply distressed. She sent clothing to him to replace the burlap, but he refused it.
5 Then Esther sent for Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs who had been appointed as her attendant. She ordered him to go to Mordecai and find out what was troubling him and why he was in mourning.
6 So Hathach went out to Mordecai in the square in front of the palace gate.
7 Mordecai told him the whole story, including the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews.
8 Mordecai gave Hathach a copy of the decree issued in Susa that called for the death of all Jews. He asked Hathach to show it to Esther and explain the situation to her. He also asked Hathach to direct her to go to the king to beg for mercy and plead for her people.
9 So Hathach returned to Esther with Mordecai’s message.
10 Then Esther told Hathach to go back and relay this message to Mordecai:
11 “All the king’s officials and even the people in the provinces know that anyone who appears before the king in his inner court without being invited is doomed to die unless the king holds out his gold scepter. And the king has not called for me to come to him for thirty days.”
12 So Hathach gave Esther’s message to Mordecai.
13 Mordecai sent this reply to Esther: “Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed.
14 If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?”
15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai:
16 “Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die.”
17 So Mordecai went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him.
Esther faced a difficult choice. Was this a time to speak or not? She may have been reminded of the wisdom teaching about “a time for everything”: “a time to weep and a time to laugh . . . a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak” (see Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). How do you know when it is the right time to do one or the other?
It’s a question of understanding the time you live in, of recognizing signs of trouble in your community. Sometimes silence can be golden in a time of conflict, but at other times it can be very cowardly.
Mordecai discerned signs of a catastrophe, and Esther, being in the right place at this time, decided not to be silent. With fasting and prayer, she knew her life and times were in God’s hands. She would make use of her position as the king’s favorite to invite him and Haman to a banquet, hoping she’d survive her unbidden entrance to the king’s court. Her lavish dinners would help her get close to the enemy. She would wait for the right time to say what needed to be said.
When Queen Esther learned about Haman’s evil plan toward the Jews, she asked Mordecai to gather all the Jews in Susa to fast with her for three days and nights. Fasting is a spiritual discipline that Christians do. We fast to acknowledge our dependence on God and focus on Him.
Esther knew that the first thing we should do is to run to God. Only He can help us face and win life’s biggest battles.
Esther exercised a patient, calculating wisdom to undo Haman’s plans—the kind of wisdom Christ exercised on the cross, where, though he gave up his life, he triumphed over and embarrassed all of God’s enemies (Colossians 2:15), saving us from the destruction of sin and death. What an amazing Savior!
INTO THE BOOK
During the time of Queen Esther, it was against the law to approach the king without being summoned. But even if it meant risking her life, Esther went to see the king. In Esther 4:16, she bravely said, “And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die.”
With her faith in God and her people standing with hers in prayer, Esther took the most difficult decision of her life, faced the king, and saw God’s deliverance.
Chapter 3 introduces the crisis that the rest of the book must resolve. Haman enters as the “villain” of the narrative, who sets in motion a plan to annihilate the Jews throughout the empire. Chapter 4, however, sets something else in motion: the character of Esther, whose resolve in this chapter directs the action to its final resolution—at least from a human perspective. These two chapters establish the fundamental tension of the book: the battle between God’s people and the enemies of God’s people. Even this early on, we sense the larger context of the history and reality of God’s promises to his people.
The historical background is relevant to the tension between Mordecai the Jew and “Haman the Agagite” (3:1). After Mordecai’s introduction as a descendant of King Saul (2:5), Haman’s introduction likewise links him to a king—an enemy of King Saul.
The casting of the lots takes place five years after Esther became queen. Lots were cast in the first month of the year, and the lot fell on the twelfth month as the month in which the Jews were to be destroyed. Along with the Persian word pur, the writer gives the Hebrew word “lots” (3:7)—which resonates with other Old Testament uses of this word found in Joshua 18:1–10 and Proverbs 16:33.
According to Esther 3:12, the king’s edict went out on the thirteenth day of the first month, which would have been Passover eve for the Jews (see Ex. 12:18).
Verse 10 of chapter 4 is a turning point in the narrative’s presentation of Esther. Her first response is one of understandable shock and incredulity, as she processes the personal ramifications (v. 11). Mordecai’s famous final statement in verse 14 offers a positive argument and his appeal reaches the target: Esther’s next response is strong and resolved.
The rest of the story grows from this moment of resolve on the part of Esther. Step back for a moment and consider how the circumstances of this moment depend on God’s hand of providence at work.
TAKE HOME
Esther is all about a people condemned to death by an irrevocable edict of the king. The desperation of their need is emphasized by the edict’s instruction “to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate” all the Jews. Without a deliverer, this people is hopeless and helpless. The story might lead us to ponder the desperate need of all fallen human beings apart from the deliverance sent to us in Christ who suffered our sentence of death, in our place, on the cross.
Repeatedly throughout Scripture, God’s people need someone to represent them, or plead their cause. They are helpless, and by themselves will perish. Moses perhaps most directly offers a type of such an intercessor, a godly leader pleading with the Lord on behalf of a people facing the judgment of death (Ex. 32:7–14). Esther’s story suggests a similar pattern, as she is called to “go to the king to beg his favor and plead with him on behalf of her people” (4:8). To be sure, no imperfect human intercessor can come close to picturing the needed perfect one who can fully and finally save. This pattern of needed intercession for a people points us ultimately to the Lord Jesus, whose blood shed on the cross pleads for us, and who even now lives to make intercession for us at the right hand of God the Father in heaven (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25).
The mention of fasting in Esther 4:3, 16 almost certainly implies the accompanying activity of prayer. Among many prophets who call for fasting and heartfelt prayer, Joel offers a pertinent example, as he in the midst of national calamity extended God’s call for his people to return to him “with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning” (Joel 2:12). The New Testament as well carries the theme of fasting and prayer: for example, the prophetess Anna worshiped “with fasting and prayer night and day” (Luke 2:37); the believers in Acts 13:2 “were worshiping the Lord and fasting.” The broader biblical context of fasting helps us see the never-mentioned but sovereignly active God at work in this book, faithfully watching over his people—and hearing their prayers.
STUDY 3 - Faithfulness Brings Honor - Esther 5-6
Chapter 5 (NLT)
1 On the third day of the fast, Esther put on her royal robes and entered the inner court of the palace, just across from the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne, facing the entrance.
2 When he saw Queen Esther standing there in the inner court, he welcomed her and held out the gold scepter to her. So Esther approached and touched the end of the scepter.
3 Then the king asked her, “What do you want, Queen Esther? What is your request? I will give it to you, even if it is half the kingdom!”
4 And Esther replied, “If it please the king, let the king and Haman come today to a banquet I have prepared for the king.”
5 The king turned to his attendants and said, “Tell Haman to come quickly to a banquet, as Esther has requested.” So the king and Haman went to Esther’s banquet.
6 And while they were drinking wine, the king said to Esther, “Now tell me what you really want. What is your request? I will give it to you, even if it is half the kingdom!”
7 Esther replied, “This is my request and deepest wish.
8 If I have found favor with the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my request and do what I ask, please come with Haman tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for you. Then I will explain what this is all about.”
9 Haman was a happy man as he left the banquet! But when he saw Mordecai sitting at the palace gate, not standing up or trembling nervously before him, Haman became furious.
10 However, he restrained himself and went on home. Then Haman gathered together his friends and Zeresh, his wife,
11 and boasted to them about his great wealth and his many children. He bragged about the honors the king had given him and how he had been promoted over all the other nobles and officials.
12 Then Haman added, “And that’s not all! Queen Esther invited only me and the king himself to the banquet she prepared for us. And she has invited me to dine with her and the king again tomorrow!”
13 Then he added, “But this is all worth nothing as long as I see Mordecai the Jew just sitting there at the palace gate.”
14 So Haman’s wife, Zeresh, and all his friends suggested, “Set up a sharpened pole that stands seventy-five feet tall, and in the morning ask the king to impale Mordecai on it. When this is done, you can go on your merry way to the banquet with the king.” This pleased Haman, and he ordered the pole set up.
Chapter 6
1 That night the king had trouble sleeping, so he ordered an attendant to bring the book of the history of his reign so it could be read to him.
2 In those records he discovered an account of how Mordecai had exposed the plot of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the eunuchs who guarded the door to the king’s private quarters. They had plotted to assassinate King Xerxes.
3 “What reward or recognition did we ever give Mordecai for this?” the king asked. His attendants replied, “Nothing has been done for him.”
4 “Who is that in the outer court?” the king inquired. As it happened, Haman had just arrived in the outer court of the palace to ask the king to impale Mordecai on the pole he had prepared.
5 So the attendants replied to the king, “Haman is out in the court.” “Bring him in,” the king ordered.
6 So Haman came in, and the king said, “What should I do to honor a man who truly pleases me?” Haman thought to himself, “Whom would the king wish to honor more than me?”
7 So he replied, “If the king wishes to honor someone,
8 he should bring out one of the king’s own royal robes, as well as a horse that the king himself has ridden—one with a royal emblem on its head.
9 Let the robes and the horse be handed over to one of the king’s most noble officials. And let him see that the man whom the king wishes to honor is dressed in the king’s robes and led through the city square on the king’s horse. Have the official shout as they go, ‘This is what the king does for someone he wishes to honor!’”
10 “Excellent!” the king said to Haman. “Quick! Take the robes and my horse, and do just as you have said for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the gate of the palace. Leave out nothing you have suggested!”
11 So Haman took the robes and put them on Mordecai, placed him on the king’s own horse, and led him through the city square, shouting, “This is what the king does for someone he wishes to honor!”
12 Afterward Mordecai returned to the palace gate, but Haman hurried home dejected and completely humiliated.
13 When Haman told his wife, Zeresh, and all his friends what had happened, his wise advisers and his wife said, “Since Mordecai—this man who has humiliated you—is of Jewish birth, you will never succeed in your plans against him. It will be fatal to continue opposing him.”
14 While they were still talking, the king’s eunuchs arrived and quickly took Haman to the banquet Esther had prepared.
THINK ABOUT THIS
It is wise, the apostle Paul reminds us, not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought. But people like Haman overrate their importance: Whom would the king rather honor than me? Fools invest only in “me.”
We are familiar with such folly: “My body is mine; I can do with it—intellectually, sexually, matrimonially, gastronomically—as I please. I am ruler over my body.”
What truly matters, though, is not what you think you deserve, or what you think of yourself, but what the King thinks of you. If we concern ourselves with the righteousness of the King, says Jesus, all the other good things we need will be given to us as well (Matthew 6:33).
Mordecai, a good citizen of the kingdom of heaven, had saved the king of Persia from an attempt on his life. Because the smile of a king is like rain on a thirsty field (see Proverbs 16:15), King Xerxes honored Haman’s enemy. Even worse, he ordered Haman to honor Mordecai in the exact way Haman had expected to be honored, himself.
A fool and his honor soon come to grief.
May we act wisely, not thinking too highly of ourselves, and acknowledge that all our gifts and talents come from the Lord.
INTO THE BOOK
Haman’s anger was aroused when Mordecai chose not to bow down to him. Because of this, he decided to kill all the Jews. Haman asked for the king’s approval to issue a decree that would have all the Jews killed. Before something tragic happens, Queen Esther had already approached the king and planned a way to stop their annihilation. In the end, the Jews were saved, and Haman was executed.
At the center of the book, we find its turning point, when Haman the enemy of God’s people reaches his high point but then begins to fall, and Mordecai the sentenced-to-death Jew begins to rise. Esther is on the move, as she finds favor with the king in her approach and in her first banquet. But that banquet ends with the question of how she will proceed at the next day’s banquet. Chapter 5 leaves us hanging, with Haman’s pole rising ominously against the night sky. It’s chapter 6 that makes the turn, beginning with a king that could not sleep and ending with a dramatic reversal in the trajectories of these two men. That reversal will continue and accelerate to the book’s end.
Esther’s resolve turns into action, as she approaches King Ahasuerus successfully and then hosts her first banquet for the king and Haman, who is being ironically prepared by the narrator for a very steep fall.
Between Esther’s first banquet (chapter 5) and her second banquet (chapter 7), everything changes in that pivotal chapter 6. We should be sure to enjoy these verses as we observe Haman. The chapter accelerates to the end—and hurries us ahead. We are given little comment on Mordecai’s responses through these scenes.
With Chapter 6, the direction of the story has reversed itself. At this point, stop and consider the ways in which this book lets us glimpse not only the courage and faithfulness of God’s people but at the same time the hand of an amazing providence at work.
The repeated mention of Mordecai’s Jewishness (5:13; 6:10, 13) reminds us of the point of God’s providence in this story: it is to protect his people. Recall God’s promises in Genesis 12:1–3 and 2 Samuel 7:12–17 and know throughout the generations, God cares.
TAKE HOME
Haman is the epitome of the proud man whom Scripture warns to beware lest he fall: “One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor” (Prov. 29:23). One might call Mordecai “lowly in spirit” by contrast: it appears that he continued to serve the king for years without receiving or demanding a reward for his special service to him. In planning Mordecai’s demise, Haman was living out Proverbs’ warning that “whoever digs a pit will fall into it” (26:27). Haman’s story vividly illustrates James 4:6: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
STUDY 4 - Pride and Hatred Lead to Destruction - Esther 7-8
Chapter 7 (NLT)
1 So the king and Haman went to Queen Esther’s banquet.
2 On this second occasion, while they were drinking wine, the king again said to Esther, “Tell me what you want, Queen Esther. What is your request? I will give it to you, even if it is half the kingdom!”
3 Queen Esther replied, “If I have found favor with the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my request, I ask that my life and the lives of my people will be spared.
4 For my people and I have been sold to those who would kill, slaughter, and annihilate us. If we had merely been sold as slaves, I could remain quiet, for that would be too trivial a matter to warrant disturbing the king.”
5 “Who would do such a thing?” King Xerxes demanded. “Who would be so presumptuous as to touch you?”
6 Esther replied, “This wicked Haman is our adversary and our enemy.” Haman grew pale with fright before the king and queen.
7 Then the king jumped to his feet in a rage and went out into the palace garden. Haman, however, stayed behind to plead for his life with Queen Esther, for he knew that the king intended to kill him.
8 In despair he fell on the couch where Queen Esther was reclining, just as the king was returning from the palace garden. The king exclaimed, “Will he even assault the queen right here in the palace, before my very eyes?” And as soon as the king spoke, his attendants covered Haman’s face, signaling his doom.
9 Then Harbona, one of the king’s eunuchs, said, “Haman has set up a sharpened pole that stands seventy-five feet tall in his own courtyard. He intended to use it to impale Mordecai, the man who saved the king from assassination.” “Then impale Haman on it!” the king ordered.
10 So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai, and the king’s anger subsided.
Chapter 8
1 On that same day King Xerxes gave the property of Haman, the enemy of the Jews, to Queen Esther. Then Mordecai was brought before the king, for Esther had told the king how they were related.
2 The king took off his signet ring—which he had taken back from Haman—and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed Mordecai to be in charge of Haman’s property.
3 Then Esther went again before the king, falling down at his feet and begging him with tears to stop the evil plot devised by Haman the Agagite against the Jews.
4 Again the king held out the gold scepter to Esther. So she rose and stood before him.
5 Esther said, “If it please the king, and if I have found favor with him, and if he thinks it is right, and if I am pleasing to him, let there be a decree that reverses the orders of Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, who ordered that Jews throughout all the king’s provinces should be destroyed.
6 For how can I endure to see my people and my family slaughtered and destroyed?”
7 Then King Xerxes said to Queen Esther and Mordecai the Jew, “I have given Esther the property of Haman, and he has been impaled on a pole because he tried to destroy the Jews.
8 Now go ahead and send a message to the Jews in the king’s name, telling them whatever you want, and seal it with the king’s signet ring. But remember that whatever has already been written in the king’s name and sealed with his signet ring can never be revoked.”
9 So on June 25 the king’s secretaries were summoned, and a decree was written exactly as Mordecai dictated. It was sent to the Jews and to the highest officers, the governors, and the nobles of all the 127 provinces stretching from India to Ethiopia. The decree was written in the scripts and languages of all the peoples of the empire, including that of the Jews.
10 The decree was written in the name of King Xerxes and sealed with the king’s signet ring. Mordecai sent the dispatches by swift messengers, who rode fast horses especially bred for the king’s service.
11 The king’s decree gave the Jews in every city authority to unite to defend their lives. They were allowed to kill, slaughter, and annihilate anyone of any nationality or province who might attack them or their children and wives, and to take the property of their enemies.
12 The day chosen for this event throughout all the provinces of King Xerxes was March 7 of the next year.
13 A copy of this decree was to be issued as law in every province and proclaimed to all peoples, so that the Jews would be ready to take revenge on their enemies on the appointed day.
14 So urged on by the king’s command, the messengers rode out swiftly on fast horses bred for the king’s service. The same decree was also proclaimed in the fortress of Susa.
15 Then Mordecai left the king’s presence, wearing the royal robe of blue and white, the great crown of gold, and an outer cloak of fine linen and purple. And the people of Susa celebrated the new decree.
16 The Jews were filled with joy and gladness and were honored everywhere.
17 In every province and city, wherever the king’s decree arrived, the Jews rejoiced and had a great celebration and declared a public festival and holiday. And many of the people of the land became Jews themselves, for they feared what the Jews might do to them.
THINK ABOUT THIS
The Jews had escaped Haman’s plot of destruction. Haman himself had fallen into the hole he had dug for others, and many of his followers were destroyed on the day decreed for the Jews’ annihilation. So the days afterward were celebrated as days of relief from the enemy.
This was not to be just a onetime celebration, however, for the memory of Purim was to continue through the generations. Feasting, joy, gifts of food to one another, and gifts to the poor would mark these days every year. And so it is to this very day among observant Jews.
Christians too observe a time each year when they remember the day the devil plotted Christ’s destruction, and with great joy they celebrate the day of Christ’s victory over God’s ancient enemy. And by Christ’s command they gather regularly at the Lord’s table to remember his gifts of his body and blood, offered so that all who believe in him may live. Week by week and year by year, then, Christians are reminded to be joyful because death no longer has any power.
The Lord’s Supper, Good Friday, and Easter are celebrations of what God has done for us in Jesus Christ. And already today Christians begin to enjoy their eternal rest from the enemy as they await the final return of the Lord Jesus.
INTO THE BOOK
Haman’s fall comes with quick inevitability in chapter 7, followed by Mordecai’s rise in chapter 8—which brings with it the rise of the Jewish people, who move from mourning the decree of death to joyfully celebrating the reversal effected by a second decree that protects their lives.
Chapter 6 leaves us with a sense of inevitability, and yet Esther still must play her crucial part in the action. When the king makes his generous offer to her (for the third time), notice how Esther responds. (7:3–4) Specifically how Esther names the Jewish people in her plea. Consider the various references to the Jews throughout chapters 1–8. Then think about God’s way of referring to the Jews in Exodus 3:7–10 and Leviticus 26:11–13. To grasp the largest meaning of this text, look at the extent of God’s promises in Jeremiah 31:31–33 and 1 Peter 2:9–10.
Esther is the human trigger of the action that brings about the fall of Haman and now the rise of Mordecai. Some have argued over whether Mordecai or Esther is the “hero” or central figure of this narrative. Clearly, they are both necessary to the story. At this point, Esther knows the problem is not completely solved. Notice how her second petition (8:3–6) is similar to, but different from the first. (7:3–4) Also, consider what the king’s answer reveals about him. (8:7–8)
So, as the only possible solution, a second edict is issued. Stop to consider the hand of God, not mentioned, but again so clearly evident.
Finally, consider that pile-up of joy-words bursting out of Esther 8:15–17. Then consider the chapter’s final statement: "In every province and in every city to which the edict of the king came, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them." (8:17)
TAKE HOME
The Bible makes clear that salvation happened according to God’s plan, with Christ our Savior coming and dying for us “at the right time” (Rom. 5:6), “when the fullness of time had come” (Gal. 4:4). The sovereign timing of the salvation story in Esther shows the ways of this same God, who determines the outcome of the casting of lots in 3:7, thereby allowing the perfect time span for not just one but two separate decrees to be sent out from Susa to the far ends of the Persian empire. Even the timing of Haman’s entrance into the court in chapter 6 is clearly ordained—and all not just for a good story but for the story of God’s people being saved from death. We glimpse here a sovereign God who at the right time perfectly saves his people.
Esther 7–8 is about who will live and who will die. From the beginning there have been the two great and opposite realities: in the Garden of Eden stood the tree of life, and the man and woman ate from the forbidden tree and were condemned to death. The Bible is all about God conquering death on our behalf to give us new life. God promised and brought about that new life through the people we watch in the Old Testament—the Jews. From them came the promised Christ, who died to bring life to all God’s people from all the nations. The only alternative to this life is death. Esther offers a vivid glimpse into the life-and-death ramifications of God’s redemptive plan promised through the Jewish people. To reject this people and their God was to align with death, ultimately in opposition to God’s redemptive plan. Esther, in saving her people, is aligning herself with life—with God’s redemptive plan through his chosen people.
STUDY 5 - With God, there is Victory (Esther 9–10)
READ Esther 9-10
Chapter 9 (NLT)
1 So on March 7 the two decrees of the king were put into effect. On that day, the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but quite the opposite happened. It was the Jews who overpowered their enemies.
2 The Jews gathered in their cities throughout all the king’s provinces to attack anyone who tried to harm them. But no one could make a stand against them, for everyone was afraid of them.
3 And all the nobles of the provinces, the highest officers, the governors, and the royal officials helped the Jews for fear of Mordecai.
4 For Mordecai had been promoted in the king’s palace, and his fame spread throughout all the provinces as he became more and more powerful.
5 So the Jews went ahead on the appointed day and struck down their enemies with the sword. They killed and annihilated their enemies and did as they pleased with those who hated them.
6 In the fortress of Susa itself, the Jews killed 500 men.
7 They also killed Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha,
8 Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha,
9 Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai, and Vaizatha—
10 the ten sons of Haman son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews. But they did not take any plunder.
11 That very day, when the king was informed of the number of people killed in the fortress of Susa,
12 he called for Queen Esther. He said, “The Jews have killed 500 men in the fortress of Susa alone, as well as Haman’s ten sons. If they have done that here, what has happened in the rest of the provinces? But now, what more do you want? It will be granted to you; tell me and I will do it.”
13 Esther responded, “If it please the king, give the Jews in Susa permission to do again tomorrow as they have done today, and let the bodies of Haman’s ten sons be impaled on a pole.”
14 So the king agreed, and the decree was announced in Susa. And they impaled the bodies of Haman’s ten sons.
15 Then the Jews at Susa gathered together on March 8 and killed 300 more men, and again they took no plunder.
16 Meanwhile, the other Jews throughout the king’s provinces had gathered together to defend their lives. They gained relief from all their enemies, killing 75,000 of those who hated them. But they did not take any plunder.
17 This was done throughout the provinces on March 7, and on March 8 they rested, celebrating their victory with a day of feasting and gladness.
18 (The Jews at Susa killed their enemies on March 7 and again on March 8, then rested on March 9, making that their day of feasting and gladness.)
19 So to this day, rural Jews living in remote villages celebrate an annual festival and holiday on the appointed day in late winter, when they rejoice and send gifts of food to each other.
20 Mordecai recorded these events and sent letters to the Jews near and far, throughout all the provinces of King Xerxes,
21 calling on them to celebrate an annual festival on these two days.
22 He told them to celebrate these days with feasting and gladness and by giving gifts of food to each other and presents to the poor. This would commemorate a time when the Jews gained relief from their enemies, when their sorrow was turned into gladness and their mourning into joy.
23 So the Jews accepted Mordecai’s proposal and adopted this annual custom.
24 Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews, had plotted to crush and destroy them on the date determined by casting lots (the lots were called ).
25 But when Esther came before the king, he issued a decree causing Haman’s evil plot to backfire, and Haman and his sons were impaled on a sharpened pole.
26 That is why this celebration is called Purim, because it is the ancient word for casting lots. So because of Mordecai’s letter and because of what they had experienced,
27 the Jews throughout the realm agreed to inaugurate this tradition and to pass it on to their descendants and to all who became Jews. They declared they would never fail to celebrate these two prescribed days at the appointed time each year.
28 These days would be remembered and kept from generation to generation and celebrated by every family throughout the provinces and cities of the empire. This Festival of Purim would never cease to be celebrated among the Jews, nor would the memory of what happened ever die out among their descendants.
29 Then Queen Esther, the daughter of Abihail, along with Mordecai the Jew, wrote another letter putting the queen’s full authority behind Mordecai’s letter to establish the Festival of Purim.
30 Letters wishing peace and security were sent to the Jews throughout the 127 provinces of the empire of Xerxes.
31 These letters established the Festival of Purim—an annual celebration of these days at the appointed time, decreed by both Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther. (The people decided to observe this festival, just as they had decided for themselves and their descendants to establish the times of fasting and mourning.)
32 So the command of Esther confirmed the practices of Purim, and it was all written down in the records.
Chapter 10
1 King Xerxes imposed a tribute throughout his empire, even to the distant coastlands.
2 His great achievements and the full account of the greatness of Mordecai, whom the king had promoted, are recorded in
3 Mordecai the Jew became the prime minister, with authority next to that of King Xerxes himself. He was very great among the Jews, who held him in high esteem, because he continued to work for the good of his people and to speak up for the welfare of all their descendants.
THINK ABOUT THIS
One of war’s tragic consequences in times past was that the victors plundered their enemies. This enriched some generals and the war industry; it also helped to pay soldiers, provide food and drink, and build weapons of war. Most of all, however, despoiling the enemy bled their economy dry and reduced their community to servitude.
But the Jews in Persia did not plunder the enemies who tried to destroy them. No one could stand against the Jews, in part because fear of Mordecai moved many government administrators to help them. The Jews’ main goal was relief from their enemies, not plunder.
Our battle is not against flesh and blood but against the forces of evil in the spiritual realms. Christians take up the armor that God has decreed for them, as described in Ephesians 6:10-18. Christians are also urged to let God’s Word judge “the thoughts and attitudes of the heart,” for that Word is “alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow” (Hebrews 4:12).
May God bring into his kingdom the people from all nations whom he favors through Jesus Christ. Then they too will celebrate “relief from their enemies.”
INTO THE BOOK
Esther 9–10 tells of the Jews’ victory over their enemies and their celebratory feasting on the fourteenth and fifteenth days of Adar, establishing those dates as the documented source of the Jewish Feast of Purim. Esther and Mordecai are firmly established as powerful rulers under King Ahasuerus, seeking the good of their people the Jews.
In many ways, Esther 8:15–17 might have been a nice conclusion to the book. The final chapters, however, bring home the full implications of that conclusion—first of all by summarizing the final shape of the action.
The feasting and gladness come in the text soon after the battles and destruction (as in Moses’ song in Exodus 15, and many other passages). Look ahead to the promised final feast, the marriage supper of the Lamb, in Revelation 19:6–9—and glance through the larger context of that whole chapter.
Esther 9:17–18 tells of two closing feasts. Also is the Feast of Purim (Esther 9:20–27). Look at Hannah’s song in 1 Samuel 2:1–10 and Mary’s song in Luke 1:46–55. Look for similar themes in the two. Notice the repeated emphasis on writing all this down, in Esther 9:20–32. Why this emphasis, do you think?
In chapter 10 we see various ways in which Mordecai is shown to be raised up high in these final verses. See what phrases call attention to the Jews in the final verses. Many have found here echoes of Psalm 122:6–9. There is a great resolution in Esther 10, celebrate God!
TAKE HOME
In the final victory of Esther, we see a vivid portrayal both of God’s steadfast love for his people and of God’s holy wrath that punishes his enemies. This is a hard whole truth. But surely it is the truth pictured large for us throughout the Old Testament and taught fully in the New Testament—so that we will turn to this God and repent, and he will have mercy on us, only and ultimately through the blood of Christ. At the cross shines forth both God’s justice and God’s mercy. His mercy is more beautiful when we understand that, without it, we are all “dead” in our sin and “children of wrath” (Eph. 2:1–3).
Free add-on's
5 Unique Facts about The Book of Esther:
1. The Book of Esther does not explicitly mention the name of God, making it unique among biblical texts. However, it showcases the implicit presence and guidance of God throughout the narrative.
2. The Book of Esther is one of only two biblical books named after women, the other being Ruth.
3. Purim, a Jewish holiday, commemorates the events described in the Book of Esther. It is celebrated with joyous festivities, including the reading of the book and exchanging gifts.
4. The Book of Esther is known for its literary richness, employing various storytelling techniques such as irony, suspense, and foreshadowing.
5. The Book of Esther was included in the Hebrew Bible due to its historical significance and the profound lessons it imparts, rather than its explicit religious content.
FAQs:
1. Why is the Book of Esther important?
The Book of Esther provides valuable life lessons, illustrates the power of courage, unity, and timing, and highlights the presence of divine providence in our lives.
2. What is the main theme of the Book of Esther?
The main themes of the Book of Esther include courage, unity, divine providence, and the power of humility.
3. How can we apply the lessons from Esther’s story to our lives?
We can apply these lessons by being courageous in the face of adversity, valuing unity, trusting in divine providence, and practicing humility.
4. What can we learn from Esther’s character?
Esther’s character teaches us the importance of integrity, authenticity, and remaining true to our values, even in challenging circumstances.
5. Why is unity significant in the Book of Esther?
Unity is significant in the Book of Esther because it showcases the power of collective effort in overcoming obstacles and achieving success.
6. What is the historical context of the Book of Esther?
The Book of Esther is set during the reign of the Persian king Ahasuerus (Xerxes I) in the 5th century BCE.
7. How does the Book of Esther emphasize the role of women?
The Book of Esther empowers women through the portrayal of its courageous protagonist, Esther, who defies societal norms and saves her people.
8. What is the significance of fasting in the Book of Esther?
Fasting symbolizes the Jewish people’s commitment to prayer and spiritual connection while seeking divine intervention and guidance.
9. How does the Book of Esther inspire readers today?
The Book of Esther inspires readers to trust in a higher power, remain steadfast in their values, and take bold actions when faced with adversity.
10. What lessons can we learn from the villain, Haman?
Haman’s character teaches us the consequences of pride, arrogance, and pursuing personal agendas at the expense of others.
11. Is the Book of Esther historically accurate?
While the Book of Esther may contain elements of historical truth, its primary purpose is to convey moral and spiritual lessons rather than serve as a historical account.
12. How does the Book of Esther celebrate diversity?
The Book of Esther celebrates diversity by highlighting the Jewish community’s resilience and triumph over persecution in a foreign land.
13. What is the lasting impact of the Book of Esther?
The Book of Esther’s lasting impact lies in its ability to inspire and teach valuable life lessons that transcend time and cultural boundaries.
Conclusion:
The Book of Esther offers profound life lessons through its courageous characters and captivating storyline. From the power of courage and unity to the presence of divine providence, these lessons remind us of our own strengths and the importance of staying true to our values. By learning from the unique wisdom of this ancient biblical account, we can navigate our own challenges and triumphs with grace and resilience.
Insight from the Book of Esther.
Silence Doesn’t Mean it’s not There
The Book of Esther never mentions God by name, there is never the word “prayer” uttered, and the only spiritual discipline that is mentioned is fasting but that never says anything about prayer and fasting. It doesn’t appear that Esther actually wrote this book because if she did, she wouldn’t have likely named it after herself. Many Bible scholars believe it was written by Mordecai although the book never says who the author actually was. Ultimately, we know that God is the real Author anyway, as with all Scripture (2 Tim 3:16). The lesson here is that even though there is no mention of God or of prayer, we know that God’s hand was on Esther and on Mordecai and that His divine timing is always the best, even if we don’t see it at the time. The silence of certain things in the Book of Esther doesn’t mean that there wasn’t prayer or that God was at work in this book.
Pride Comes, then the Fall
When Queen Vashti refused to obey the king, guess what? She was dethroned (Esther 1:13-20). As they say, pride comes and then the fall (Prov 11:2). God will resist the proud person and only then will He give grace to those who humble themselves (James 4:6). Queen Vashti refused to humble herself before the king and even though the king wanted Queen Vashti to come before him for the wrong reason, it is still true that “Pride brings a person low” (Prov 29:23) and “Before a downfall the heart is haughty” (Prov 18:12a). She learned far too late that humility brings favor but pride brings resistance; before God, before kings, and before everyone. The same pride was at the root of King Ahasuerus’ heart as he displayed the riches of his glorious kingdom (Esther 1:4) and as we have read in the Bible, King Hezekiah did the very same thing and it came with disastrous results in the form of the Babylonians desire for riches (2 Kings 20:12,13).
Pleasing God brings God’s Favor
When the king started looking for another queen to replace Vashti, he loved Esther above all other women and she obtained favor before him and she became Queen Esther (Esther 2:9-17). Mordecai learned of a plot to kill King Ahasuerus and so he made it known to the king through Esther. This will become a very important fact later in the Book of Esther but for now, the lesson is that when God’s hand is on someone because their ways are pleasing to Him, He gives them favor in the sight of all, whether it’s a pagan king and his court or not. This is found throughout Scriptures like in Proverbs 16:7 “When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him” and of course we can say the same thing about when a woman’s ways please God He makes her enemies to be at peace with her. Even after Daniel was taken as a captive by the Babylonians, “God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel” (Dan 1:9).
For Such a Time as This
This phrase has become synonymous with the divine providence and sovereignty of God and it originated from the Book of Esther and we’ll see why in a bit. Haman received a promotion from the King and when Mordecai refused to bow to him (Esther 3:1-4), which was due to his being a Jew which forbid him from bowing to anyone except to God (Ex 20:4-5). Haman was outraged and sought a way to destroy Mordecai and all Jews (Esther 3:6) so Haman devised a wicked plan to do just that (Esther 3:7-13) and tricked the king into agreeing to a law where all the Jews would be killed within twelve months (Esther 3:13). Of course, the king had no idea that Queen Esther was Jewish or he would not have ever allowed this law but Haman’s deception worked. Every single Jew was to be killed on the very same day and this evil plot included every man, woman, and child. All that the Jews could do was fast in sackcloth (Esther 4:6-8) and we can assume they prayed, even though this is never mentioned in the book. Mordecai was desperate and so called on Queen Esther to seek an audience with the king and go before him which could be certain death in most cases if the king had not summoned them (Esther 4:10-11) but Mordecai reminded Esther that “Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish” (Esther 4:13-14a) and this is when the famous phrase came out as Mordecai said “And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14b). Esther then ask the Jews to fast about this for three days and three nights (Esther 4:15-17). The lesson here is that God’s timing is always immaculate and the Book of Esther reminds the reader of this and Esther’s place on the throne at this exact time would save the Jews from extermination.
Dig a Pit, Fall into It
After three days, Queen Esther approached the king and the king put out his scepter but only because she had found favor in the king’s eyes (Esther 5:1-2). When the king asked what Esther wanted and could have up to half the kingdom if that’s what she wanted, she used tact and said that she wanted to have a banquet or feast for the king and for Haman (Esther 5:7-8). When the deceitful Haman heard this, he was sure that this was all meant for him and he was partially right but not in the way that he thought (Esther 5:9-13) and his friends were so excited that they suggested he build some gallows which he did and which were intended for Mordecai (Esther 5:14). By God’s providence, the king couldn’t sleep and so just to occupy himself he went to the chronicles and read about the plot to take his life and discovered that it was Mordecai that had saved his life (Ester 6:1-3). The king later inquired about another plot that was devised to kill the Jews and Esther revealed that it was Haman (Esther 7:1-6). The king was so outraged that the gallows that were built to hang Mordecai, who became the hero who saved the kings life, were to be used for the man who built them, which was of course Haman (Esther 7:8-10). The lesson here is that if your intent is to build gallows for someone else, you might be the one to hang on them or in other words, as Proverbs 26:27 says: “Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.”
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