God Gives Courage – Esther 5

Posted on June 17, 2022 by dkoop

As we look at Esther 5 today we’ll see a contrast between a believer who received courage by trusting God and an unbeliever trusts only in himself. Esther sought God and found direction and courage, Haman ignores God, seeks himself and boasts about his greatness.

Remember that Haman drafted a decree to exterminate the Jews had been issued throughout the Persian Empire. Every Jew—the entire race—was to be slaughtered and wiped off the face of the earth. Mordecai had encouraged Esther to seek an audience with King Xerxes to plead for mercy for the Jewish people. But Esther faced a dilemma, for Persian law prohibited anyone from approaching the king without first being summoned, upon penalty of death. Also of concern, the king had not requested her presence for 30 days, an entire month. Perhaps he no longer desired her presence or favored her. She simply did not know. Therefore, to approach the king under these circumstances was to place her life in danger. The king could react against her, commanding her execution for having broken the Persian law. Nevertheless, Esther became convinced that she had been placed upon the throne as queen for this very purpose: to be the liberator, savior, and deliverer of her people. She sensed deeply that God had appointed her to rescue the Jews from extermination. Holding this conviction down deep within her soul, Esther was willingly ready to risk her life by unlawfully approaching the king. This is, the courageous approach of Esther into the king’s presence: a contrast between a believer’s trust in god and an unbeliever’s pride .

  1. Esther’s Courage (5:1-8)

Esther made her courageous and unlawful approach before King Xerxes. With all her heart she trusted the Lord to guide, protect, strengthen, and give her wisdom as she approached the king. She was unquestionably a person of strong faith in the Lord, and her trust in Him was now being proven. Now it was time for her to act, and she must do so immediately. Her brave but illegal approach before King Xerxes was both suspenseful and dramatic:

Esther put on her beautiful royal robes, walked out of the queen’s quarters into the inner court of the palace, and stood right at the entrance of the king’s hall (v.1). Sitting on the throne in all his royal splendor as Persian king, Xerxes actually faced the entrance where Queen Esther suddenly appeared.

When the king saw her standing at the entrance of the royal court, instead of being offended, he was very pleased (vv.2-3). Remember, he had not seen her for over a month (4:11). No doubt he was once again stricken with her beauty and stately appearance. But he also knew that she had a matter of urgency that needed his attention, for she had broken one of the major laws of Persia by approaching him without having been summoned. Thus to protect her, he held out his scepter, which indicated that she had permission to approach him. When she approached, she touched the tip of the scepter and expressed gratitude for the privilege of an audience. As would be expected, he asked what she wanted, what her request was. And to show his extreme pleasure with her, he stated that she could request up to half the kingdom and it would be given her (v.3). Of course, this offer was not to be taken literally. It was apparently an oriental custom for kings of that day to show their pleasure in someone by making this statement, which simply meant that the person would be granted what they requested if the request was within reason.

Rather surprisingly, Esther did not bring up the Decree of Extermination that she wanted the king to revoke. Instead, she made a very simple request that the king attend a banquet that she had prepared for him and his prime minister, Haman (v.4). As soon as the king could free himself, she wanted him to spend some time with her. The implication was that she would make her request known at that time. Two questions need to be asked at this point:

First, why did Esther not grasp this opportunity to intercede for the Jews, begging Xerxes to have mercy upon them by revoking the Decree of Extermination? Commentators have various explanations. But regardless, Esther obviously sensed the leadership of the Lord, for her delay was to prove a wise decision. Time was needed for other events to take place before her requests were made. It definitely was not God’s timing, not yet. Xerxes’ heart needed to be prepared, made tender and soft and favorable toward her before she could make an accusation against Prime Minister Haman. The royal court was not the place to make a charge of conspiracy being plotted against the Jews by the prime minister. She needed to confront the king and Haman alone, without anyone else present. By Esther’s standing alone with them, the king was far more likely to accept her charge against the prime minister for plotting evil against her and her people.

Second, why would Esther want Haman present when she exposed the evil plot of the prime minister? No doubt, she wanted to hear what Haman himself had to say. In case the prime minister attempted to defend himself with seemingly justifiable arguments, she wanted to be present to refute these arguments. She wanted to argue the case against him.

Indicating his pleasure with Queen Esther, King Xerxes quickly accepted her invitation (vv.5-6). The meal had already been prepared, so he immediately ordered Haman to be summoned. When Haman arrived, the king and prime minister walked together to the banquet in Esther’s quarters. After King Xerxes and the prime minister finished eating, they relaxed and drank wine. At some point during the conversation, the king again asked Esther what her request was, politely assuring her that it would be granted.

In response, Esther showed reverence to the king and then made another surprising, suspense-filled request (vv.7-8). If the king was really pleased with her and wanted to grant her request, she wanted him and Haman to attend another banquet with her the very next day. At that time she would make her request known. By requesting another banquet with her husband the king, Esther was showing a desire to be in his presence more. This, of course, was bound to build up his ego and at the same time show great reverence for him. She did not want him to think that her request was more important than her desire for his attention and love. By delaying her request one more day and requesting his presence at a second banquet, the king would sense that she desired him as a man as well as the provider of her needs. Thus he was bound to accept the second invitation, giving his wife and queen the honor of his attention once again.

But behind Esther’s request was an effort to soften his spirit and to make him tender toward her. By showing how much she valued his presence and company, she hoped to please him beyond measure. If he was deeply pleased, he would be more likely to accept her charge against Haman, the charge that he was devising an evil plot against her and her people.

Throughout this entire drama, Esther is seen trusting the Lord. By approaching the king without being summoned, she broke the law of the land. Her unauthorized approach to the king could have been interpreted by one of the guards as a threat to his safety and against his life. Also, the king could have been involved in a critically important state matter that demanded privacy. Had that been the case, Esther could have been executed on the spot. Yet Esther risked her life, knowing she had only one source of help available to her. And that source was not a man. It was the Lord God Himself. Imagine what Esther was facing: she had to be accepted by the king and forgiven for having broken the law; she had to have very persuasive powers. She had to trust the Lord to change or convince the king about Haman’s evil plot. In addition, the king’s heart needed to be stirred to revoke, reverse, or counteract the horrendous decree against the Jews. All of this could be worked out only by the Lord God Himself. Therefore Esther’s only hope was to trust the Lord. She had to relinquish her desires, instincts, and fears and turn to the Lord for guidance, protection, strength, health, and wisdom.

When we are facing difficult circumstances in life, we too must turn to the Lord and place our trust in Him. Often there is no help available other than the Lord. During those times, we are foolish if we do not call upon Him. The Lord is always available to help us, and no matter how bad our circumstances are, the Lord loves us and longs to help us.

In difficult circumstances, we must trust the Lord for protection, strength and help.

 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” Psalm 46:1

In difficult circumstances, we must trust the Lord for wisdom.

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all liberally.” James 1:5

  1. Haman’s Pride (5:9-14)

The true nature of Haman’s heart is exposed in dramatic fashion. His heart was full of shameful pride and bitter anger against the Jews. In these six verses he is pictured as a man of extreme boasting, a man who took great pleasure in bragging about his position, power, and wealth. Scripture exposes the truth of his sinful, evil heart:

Haman was extremely happy and in high spirits as he left the banquet given by Esther (vv.9-10). The queen had shown him the highest honor by inviting him to join her and the king at the banquet. And by being the only invited guest to join the king and queen, he presumed that Esther held him in high esteem. In light of that and because of the honor granted him, Haman’s ego soared. But suddenly, as he walked alone, he saw Mordecai at the palace gate. Haman noticed that he neither stood up in honor of the prime minister nor trembled nervously due to the Decree of Extermination. This caused a raging fury to arise within Haman’s heart. But he restrained himself and went home.

After reaching his house, Haman summoned his friends to a social gathering so he could share the day’s joyful events with them. In his sharing, Scripture exposes the shameful depth of his prideful, arrogant heart. Sitting with his wife and friends and looking forward to the second banquet the next evening, Haman began to focus attention solely upon himself. Flooded with euphoria and pride, he boasted…

  • about his vast wealth
  • about his ten children
  • about the honors the king had bestowed upon him
  • about his promotion to be prime minister—the position, authority, and power the king had granted him
  • about the distinctive recognition and honor given him by the queen, clearly seen in her invitation to join her and the king at the two banquets

Nevertheless, despite his position, wealth, and power, there was still one disappointment in Haman’s life. This disappointment was Mordecai’s refusal to honor him (vv.13-14). After hearing Haman express his disappointment, his wife and friends offered counsel. What they recommended would immediately remove Mordecai from the scene. They suggested Haman build gallows 75 feet high and then inform the king in the morning of Mordecai’s contempt. The king’s command had been to bow and show reverence for the prime minister, which Mordecai had clearly violated. Thus on hearing of Mordecai’s contempt, the king would have him executed on the gallows immediately. The irritation caused by Mordecai would finally be removed. Haman’s heart could be at peace and he could go about his daily affairs. In addition, he would be able to attend the queen’s banquet free of irritation and disturbance. Hearing this suggestion pleased Haman immensely, and he immediately ordered that the gallows be built.

All of us must guard against shameful pride and boasting, against a spirit of hostility and revenge. How many people do we know who talk about themselves, constantly, using the word “I,” “me,” and “mine” over and over again? How many of us brag about our wealth, children, promotions, or honors? When bragging about our wealth, we expose the hardness of our hearts, for it shows that our thoughts are focused on accumulating wealth not on meeting the desperate needs of the world. When boasting about our children, we are being insensitive to those who cannot have children, who have lost children, or those whose children don’t measure up to our standards—whether in intelligence, education, looks, talents, abilities, or even health. The pain this causes is immeasurable and long-lasting. Think of any area of life where a person can brag and it is wrong, sinful, and wicked.

Our hearts should be thankful for God’s blessings not boastful, for “every good and perfect gift comes from Him” James 1:17. We should be thankful for the honors and promotions given to us, but we should not boast in these things. Boasting always hurts someone, and at the same time it makes us appear obnoxious. Any boasting we do is distasteful, causing people to shy away and want little to do with us.  We see a bad example in Haman and a good example in Esther.

Esther’s courageous act gives us a model to follow in approaching a difficult or dangerous task. Like Esther, we can trust in God to lead us, protect us and give us wisdom.

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Sources: The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible – Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, (Chattanooga: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 2004), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: “B. The Courageous Approach of Esther into the King’s Presence: A Contrast Between a Believer’s Trust in God and an Unbeliever’s Pride, 5:1-14”.
Life Application Study Bible, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 1988), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 774-775.
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Hard Times & Prayer Lead to a Plan of Action – Esther 4

Posted on June 9, 2022 by dkoop

Throughout life we all face crises from time to time. Sometimes the crises are severe, threatening the stability and security of our lives. Other times the situations are less critical. But whether the crisis is financial difficulty or bankruptcy, marital problems or divorce, disobedient or rebellious children, failing grades or unemployment, assault or rape, severe disease or accident, terminal illness or death, in such times we stand in desperate need of help.

In our scripture today, Mordecai and the Jews were facing the crisis of their lives, a Decree of Extermination that had been issued by the Persian Empire. A whole race of people had been decreed by law to be slaughtered. Millions of Jews—every man, woman, child, and even babies—were to be killed. The Jews stood in desperate need of help, and only two people could help them: Mordecai and his adopted daughter Esther. For this very purpose, Esther had been raised up by God to sit on the throne as queen to King Xerxes

Esther risked her life by coming before the king. Her courageous act gives us a model to follow in approaching a difficult or dangerous task. Like Esther, we can: (1) Calculate the cost. Esther realized her life was at stake. (2) Set priorities. She believed that the safety of the Jewish race was more important than her life. (3) Prepare. She gathered support and fasted. (4) Determine a course of action and move ahead boldly. She didn’t think too long about it, allowing the interlude to lessen her commitment to what she had to do.

Do you have to face a hostile audience, confront a friend on a delicate subject, or talk to your family about changes to be made? Rather than dreading difficult situations or putting them off, take action with confidence by following Esther’s inspiring example.

Although Esther was the queen and shared some of the king’s power and wealth, she still needed God’s protection and wisdom. No one is secure in his or her own strength in any political system. It is foolish to believe that wealth or position can make us impervious to danger. Deliverance and safety come only from God.

In Hard Times What Do We Do?  (4:1-9)

As soon as Mordecai heard about the decree of extermination, he was gripped with fear and trembling. He immediately knew that the best hope of deliverance lay with his adopted daughter, Queen Esther. As queen, she stood the best chance of appealing to King Xerxes for mercy. Somehow, some way, he had to get an urgent message to Esther, informing her of the Decree of Extermination against the Jews and appealing to her for help. She alone could intercede and plead for mercy before the king. In this dramatic story, God meets the Jews’ desperate need for an intercessor, a deliverer, and a savior through the obedience and courage of Esther.

When Mordecai and the Jews heard about the Decree of Extermination, they reacted just as any people would: with deep, intense grief and mourning (vv.1-3). Knowing that Queen Esther could approach King Xerxes in behalf of the Jews, believing that perhaps she could convince him to reverse the decree of extermination, Mordecai rushed out into the city dressed in sackcloth and ashes. Crying loudly and bitterly, he made his way to the palace gate (vv.1-2). However, he could not enter the palace grounds because Persian law prohibited anyone clothed in sackcloth to go beyond the gate. No doubt the law had been instituted as a protection for the king, his family, and royal officials.

In the midst of the Jews’ weeping and wailing, they began to fast and pray. Many even prostrated themselves in sackcloth and ashes, a clear indication of repentance and prayer before the Lord.

Eventually, Esther received news of Mordecai’s deep distress, and she became very concerned (v.4). Although her servants did not know that the relationship between the queen and Mordecai was like that of a father and daughter, they did know that they were acquainted. In view of that, when some of the servants noticed Mordecai mourning at the palace gate, they reported his distress to Queen Esther. Apparently, she immediately became fearful, for if the king happened to hear Mordecai mourning so loudly and bitterly at the palace gate, he might have Mordecai arrested due to the disturbance he was causing. As quickly as she could, she gathered up clothing to send to him so he could enter the palace grounds to meet and share his problem with her. But, shockingly, he refused to accept the clothing. No doubt, Mordecai wanted to protect Esther all he could. To be identified with him now would have been most unwise, for he could have exposed the fact that she too was a Jew. Since she was queen, exposure could endanger her life immediately. Consequently, he refused to accept the clean clothing and chose not to enter the palace courtyard. Knowing that Queen Esther loved him, he knew that she would send a trusted servant to find out what the problem was.

Just as Mordecai expected, Esther became extremely distressed over her adoptive father (vv.5-6). She promptly sent her trusted aide Hathach to find out what was troubling him. Hathach found Mordecai in the open square of the city in front of the palace gate.

After explaining the Decree of Extermination to this trusted servant, Mordecai made his appeal to Esther (vv.7-8). He explained that money—the plunder of Jewish property—was one of the reasons for the decree. Prime Minister Haman had promised to use the plunder to build up the depleted treasury of the Persian Empire (3:9). After sharing all the facts about the decree of extermination, Mordecai gave the aide a copy of the royal decree so Esther could see the proof for herself and know that the situation was critical. Finally he instructed the aide to urge Esther to seek an audience with the king. She must become a mediator for the Jewish people. She must plead with the king for mercy, plead with him to reverse the sentence of death upon her people.

The trusted aide Hathach returned to Esther and reported Mordecai’s message to her.

Only Queen Esther stood in the gap between the king and the extermination of the Jews. She alone could mediate in their behalf. She alone could approach the king and cry out for mercy in behalf of her people.

This is a clear picture of our desperate need for an intercessor, for a person who can stand before God and plead for mercy in our behalf. There is an enormous gap between God and us, an impassable gulf that separates God from man. This gap or gulf exists between God’s perfection and our imperfection. Only perfection is acceptable to God. Only a perfect person can approach God, and we are anything but perfect. We are sinful because we have committed wickedness and evil, both in thought and in behavior.

Our only hope is for a mediator—a perfect person—to stand between God and us and to plead for mercy in our behalf. The wonderful news is this: there is such a person, a perfect person, the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is our Intercessor, the perfect Savior and Deliverer who is accepted by God the Father. Standing before the Father, Jesus Christ pleads for God to have mercy when we trust and call out to him. And when we call in the name of Christ, God hears. He hears because Jesus Christ is the Perfect Intercessor, the Perfect Mediator who brings us to God.

Prayer and Fasting Lead to a Plan of Action (4:10-17)

Esther was faced with the decision of her life. She alone could step forth to save the Jewish people from extermination, but she needed a deep-seated courage. Thankfully, such courage existed within her heart.  Esther made a momentous and extraordinary decision. She determined to risk her life by appearing before King Xerxes to plead for mercy for her people. At first, Esther’s courage was dormant. It needed to be stirred by Mordecai. Through Hathach the queen’s trusted aide, Mordecai and Esther exchanged message after message until the courage was aroused within her to risk her life to save the Jewish people from annihilation.

Because of Persian law, Esther faced a serious dilemma, so she sent her trusted aide Hathach back to Mordecai in order to seek her adoptive father’s advice (v.11). Persian law prohibited anyone from approaching the king without first being summoned. Such a law was necessary in order to protect the king from potential assassins and from being interrupted while conducting important business. Esther simply saw no way to secure an audience with the king, for she had not been summoned by him for 30 days. There was the possibility that she was no longer favored by him. Hence, she knew she might never again be summoned into his presence.

When Esther’s dilemma was reported to Mordecai, he insisted that she be courageous and figure out some way to approach the king (vv.12-14). Her reaching the king and pleading the case of the Jews was an absolute essential. She could not make excuses nor shrink from this responsibility. Seeking to arouse her courage, Mordecai gave three reasons why she had to figure out a way to approach the king to lead him to reverse the decree.

  1. Esther herself was a Jew and would not escape execution. Being queen was meaningless in the face of Persian law, for Persian law could not be reversed, not even by the king himself. Although she was the wife and queen of King Xerxes, she too was doomed to death unless she could arouse King Xerxes to figure out a way to reverse the decree.
  2. Esther had been placed upon the throne as queen for this very purpose: to save God’s People (v.14). If she failed in her mission by keeping silent during this crisis, God would raise up another deliverer.

Note how Mordecai believed that God would protect His people from annihilation, either through his adopted daughter Esther or through some other agent. Keep in mind that the name of the Lord is not mentioned anywhere in the book of Esther. However, there is no doubt that this is a veiled reference to God. Although God’s name is not mentioned, Mordecai was suggesting that God stands behind human affairs and He would somehow save his people. Keep in mind that the book of Esther was written soon after these events occurred, before Ezra’s return to Jerusalem, which would have been somewhere between 450 and 400 B.C. The plot of extermination was launched because of Mordecai’s faithful stand for the Lord (3:1-15). Because of the extreme prejudice and bitter hatred of the Jews by the public, the author apparently eliminated any direct reference to the Lord in order to protect the Jews. They were still citizens of Persia, a secular society while this book was being written and circulated. Whatever the case, the author records the fact of Mordecai’s strong faith in the Lord through this veiled reference to God (v.14).

Esther responded to Mordecai’s challenge. She made the courageous decision to go to the king to plead for mercy for her people, the Jews (v.15). But note her challenge to Mordecai: he had to mobilize the Jews to fast and pray for her for three days, both night and day. She and her maids would join in the fast and, then, at the end of the three days, she would disobey the law of the land. Risking her life, she would go to the king and plead for him to seek a way to reverse the Decree of Extermination.

By calling for a fast, Esther was asking the Jews to pray for God’s help on her dangerous mission. In the Old Testament, prayer was accompanied fasting (see Ezra 8:21-23). An important function of a community of believers is mutual support in difficult times. When you are experiencing struggles, turn to fellow believers for support by sharing your trials with them and gaining strength from the bond that unites you. Ask them to pray for you. And when others need your support, give it willingly.

Esther was risking her life out of conviction that she had been raised up by God for a time such as this. If she perished, then she would perish, but she would have fulfilled God’s purpose for her life. And by fulfilling His purpose, even if she failed, she was convinced that God would make another way to save His people, the Jews. She would do all she could, so no matter what the outcome, she could rest in peace.

After the decree to kill the Jews was given, Mordecai and Esther could have despaired, decided to save only themselves, or just waited for God’s intervention. Instead, they saw that God had placed them in their positions for a purpose, so they seized the moment and acted. When it is within our reach to save others, we must do so. In a life-threatening situation, don’t withdraw, behave selfishly, wallow in despair, or wait for God to fix everything. Instead, ask God for his direction, and act! God may have placed you where you are “for just such a time as this.”

“Save your own skin” and “Watch out for number one” are mottoes that reflect our world’s selfish outlook on life. Esther’s attitude stands in bold contrast to this. She knew what she had to do, and she knew it could cost her her life. And yet she responded, “If I must die, I must die.” We should have the same commitment to do what is right despite the possible consequences. Do you try to save yourself by remaining silent rather than standing up for what is right? Decide to do what God wants, and trust him for the outcome.

God was in control, yet Mordecai and Esther had to act. We cannot understand how both can be true at the same time, and yet they are. God chooses to work through those willing to act for him. We should pray as if all depended on God and act as if all depended on us. We should avoid two extremes: doing nothing, and feeling that we must do everything.

In facing any desperate situation, there is a need for courage, prayer, and fasting. When we face the crises of life, we must be courageous. But we must also seek the face of God, for only God can give us permanent help.

Only God can give us continued victory over the terrifying crises that may confront us, crises that can leave us frightened and confused, wondering what we can do to overcome the problem. No matter what the crises in life, there is hope in the Lord. If we turn to the Lord in prayer and fasting, seeking His face for help, He will help us. This is the clear declaration of God’s Word.

 

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Sources:  Life Application Study Bible, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 1988), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 774-775.
The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible – Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, (Chattanooga: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 2004), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: “A. The Courageous Decision of Esther: A Look at Two Desperate Needs, 4:1-17”.

 

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God’s People in Peril – Esther 3

Posted on June 8, 2022 by dkoop

For four years, things have been peaceful in Shushan. Esther has reigned as queen, and Mordecai has tended to the king’s business at the gate. Then everything changed, and all the Jews in the empire found themselves in danger of being killed—just to satisfy the hatred of a man named Haman!  This chapter explains to us why Haman was such a dangerous man.

  1. Haman’s People (Est. 3:1a)

Haman was an “Agagite,” which could mean he came from a district in the empire known as Agag. But it could also mean that he was descended from Agag, king of the Amalekites The story goes back to the time of Israel’s Exodus from Egypt (Ex. 17:8-15), when the Amalekites attacked God’s weary people in the rear ranks of the marching nation (Deut. 25:18).

It was Saul, the first king of Israel, whom God commanded to destroy the Amalekites (1 Sam. 15); and he failed in his commission and lost his own crown. (It was an Amalekite who claimed he put Saul to death on the battlefield. See 2 Sam. 1:1-10.) Because Saul didn’t fully obey the Lord, some Amalekites lived; and one of their descendants, Haman, determined to annihilate his people’s ancient enemy, the Jews. It’s worth noting that King Saul, a Benjamite, failed to destroy the Amalekites; but Mordecai, also a Benjamite (Est. 2:5), took up the battle and defeated Haman.

Haman’s attitude we will see was very prejudiced: He hated a group of people because of a difference in belief or culture. Prejudice grows out of personal pride—considering oneself better than others.

  1. Haman’s Power (Est. 3:1b)

At some time between the seventh and twelfth years of the reign of Xerxes (v. 7; 2:16), the king decided to make Haman chief officer in the empire. Think of it: Mordecai had saved the king’s life and didn’t receive a word of thanks, let alone a reward; but wicked Haman did nothing and was promoted! There are many seeming injustices in this life; yet God knows what He’s doing and will never forsake the righteous or leave their deeds unrewarded.

Haman probably fawned and flattered his way into this powerful new position because that’s the kind of man he was. He was a proud man, and his purpose was to achieve authority and recognition. As we have seen, Xerxes was, susceptible to flattery and anxious to impress people; so Haman’s task wasn’t a difficult one.

It’s easy to see that Haman an illustration of the “Anti-Christ or “man of sin” who will one day appear and ruthlessly rule over humanity (2 Thes. 2; Rev. 13). Haman was given great authority from the king, and Satan will give great power to this wicked world ruler we call the Antichrist (Rev. 13:2, 4). As Haman hated the Jews and tried to destroy them, so the Antichrist will usher in a wave of worldwide anti-Semitism (12:13-17). At first, he will pretend to be friendly to Israel and will even make a covenant to protect them, but then he will break the covenant and oppose the very people he agreed to help (Dan. 9:24-27). As Haman was ultimately defeated and judged, so the Antichrist will be conquered by Jesus Christ and confined to the lake of fire (Rev. 19:11-20).

What people do with authority is a test of character. Do they use their authority to promote themselves or to help others? Do they glorify themselves or glorify God?

  1. Haman’s Pride (Est. 3:2-6)

Not content with merely having a high office and using it, Haman wanted all the public recognition and honor that he could secure. Although the ancient people of the Near East were accustomed to giving public displays of homage, the king had to issue a special edict concerning Haman, or the people would not have bowed down to him. Haman was a small man in a big office; and the other nobles, more worthy than he, would not willingly recognize him. This fact is another hint that Haman got the office not by earning it but by stealing it. If he were a worthy officer, the other leaders would have gladly recognized him.

Pride blinds people to what they really are and makes them insist on having what they really don’t deserve.

Haman’s promotion may have brought out the worst in Haman, but it brought out the best in Mordecai; for Mordecai refused to pay homage to Haman.

Why did Mordecai refuse to bow down to Haman? What was there about being a Jew that prohibited him from doing what everybody else was doing?  Was it that he didn’t violate the First and Second Commandment? Exodus 20:1-4

The officials at the gate questioned Mordecai about his behavior, and it was then that Mordecai openly announced that he was a Jew (Est. 3:3-4). For several days, the royal officials discussed the matter with Mordecai, probably trying to change his mind; and then they reported his behavior to Haman. From that time on, Haman watched Mordecai and nursed his anger, not only toward the man at the gate, but also toward all the Jews in the empire.

Keep in mind that the extermination of the Jews would mean the end of the messianic promise for the world. The reason God promised to protect His people was that they might become the channel through whom He might give the Word of God and the Son of God to the world. Israel was to bring the blessing of salvation to all nations (Gen. 12:1-3; Gal. 3:7-18). Mordecai wasn’t nurturing a personal grudge against Haman so much as enlisting in the perpetual battle God has with those who work for the devil and try to hinder His will in this world (Gen. 3:15). Mordecai is not the only person in the Bible who for conscience’ sake practiced “civil disobedience.” The Hebrew midwives disobeyed Pharaoh’s orders and refused to kill the Jewish babies (Ex. 1:15-22). Daniel and his three friends refused to eat the king’s food (Dan. 1), and the three friends also refused to bow down to Nebuchadnezzar’s image (Dan. 3). The apostles refused to stop witnessing in Jerusalem and affirmed, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). That statement can be a wonderful declaration of faith or a cowardly evasion of responsibility, depending on the heart of the person saying it.

Mordecai may have had shortcomings with reference to his religious practices, but we must admire him for his courageous stand. Certainly God had put him and Esther into their official positions so that they might save their people from annihilation. Their neglect of the Jewish law is incidental when you consider their courage in risking their lives.

Like a cancerous tumor, Haman’s hatred for Mordecai soon developed into hatred for the whole Jewish race. Haman could have reported Mordecai’s crime to the king, and the king would have imprisoned Mordecai or perhaps had him executed; but that would not have satisfied Haman’s lust for revenge. No, his hatred had to be nourished by something bigger, like the destruction of a whole nation. As with Judas in the Upper Room, so with Haman in the palace: he became a murderer. Mark Twain called anti-Semitism “the swollen envy of pygmy minds.” And he was right.

  1. Haman’s Plan (Est. 3:7-15a)

Follow the steps that wicked Haman took as he executed his plan to destroy the Jewish people.

He selected the day (Est. 3:7). Haman and some of the court astrologers cast lots to determine the day for the Jews’ destruction. This was done privately before Hainan approached the king with his plan. Haman wanted to be sure that his gods were with him and that his plan would succeed.

The Eastern peoples in that day took few important steps without consulting the stars and the omens. A century before, when King Nebuchadnezzar and his generals couldn’t agree on a campaign strategy, they paused to consult their gods. “For the king of Babylon stands at the parting of the road, at the fork of the two roads, to use divination: he shakes the arrows, he consults the images, he looks at the liver” Ezek. 21:21, nkjv. The Babylonian word puru means “lot,” and from it the Jews get the name of their feast, Purim (Est. 9:26).

It’s interesting that Haman began this procedure in the month of Nisan, the very month in which the Jews celebrated their deliverance from Egypt. As the astrologers cast lots over the calendar, month by month and day by day, they arrived at the most propitious date: the thirteenth day of the twelfth month (v. 13). This decision was certainly of the Lord, because it gave the Jews a whole year to get ready, and because it would also give Mordecai and Esther time to act. “The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord” Prov. 16:33, kjv.

Was Haman disappointed with this choice? He may have wanted to act immediately, catch the Jews off guard, and satisfy his hatred much sooner. On the other hand, he would have nearly a year in which to nurse his grudge and anticipate revenge, and that would be enjoyable. He could watch the Jews panic, knowing that he was in control. Even if the Jews took advantage of this delay and moved out of the empire, he would still get rid of them and be able to claim whatever goods and property they would have left behind. The plan seemed a good one.

He requested the king’s permission (Est. 3:8-11). Like Satan, the great enemy of the Jews, Haman was both a murderer and a liar (John 8:44). To begin with, he didn’t even give the king the name of the people who were supposed to be subverting the kingdom. His vague description of the situation made the danger seem even worse. The fact that these dangerous people were scattered throughout the whole empire made it even more necessary that the king do something about them.

Haman was correct when he described the Jews as a people whose “laws are different from those of all other people” (Est. 3:8). Their laws were different because they were God’s chosen people who alone received God’s holy law from His own hand. Moses asked, “And what great nation is there that has such statues and righteous judgments as are in all this law which I set before you this day?” Deut. 4:8, nkjv and the answer is: “None!”

The fact that one man, Mordecai, disobeyed one law was exaggerated by Haman into the false accusation that all the Jews disobeyed all the laws of the land. The Prophet Jeremiah had instructed the Jews of the Exile to behave as good citizens and cooperate with their captors (Jer. 29:4-7), and the evidence seems to be that they obeyed. If the Jews in the Persian Empire had been repeatedly guilty of sedition or treason, Xerxes would have known about it by now. And even if some Jews in a few towns did disobey the king’s laws, why should the whole nation of Israel be destroyed for the crimes of a few?

Hainan’s coup de grace came at the end of his speech when he offered to pay the king 10,000 talents of silver for the privilege of ridding the empire of these dangerous people. According to the Greek historian Herodotus (Book III, Section 95), the annual income of the entire Persian Empire was 15,000 talents of silver. In effect, Haman was offering the king an amount equivalent to two thirds of that huge amount. Haman must have been a fabulously wealthy man. Of course, he hoped to recoup some of this amount from the spoils taken from the Jews.

In Esther 3:11, the king’s response (“The silver is given to thee,” kjv) gives the impression that Xerxes rejected the money and offered to pay the expenses himself. In typical Oriental fashion, the king politely rejected the offer (“Keep the money,” niv), fully expecting Haman to insist that he accept it. Haman knew that the Greek wars had impoverished the king’s treasuries, and he would never have offered so much money to so mighty a ruler if he didn’t really intend to pay it.

Without asking any questions, the king gave Haman his royal signet ring (see 8:2), which granted him the authority to act in the king’s name. He could write any document he pleased and put the king’s seal on it, and the document had to be accepted as law and obeyed. It was a foolish thing for Xerxes to do; but true to character, he acted first and regretted it afterward. “He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him” Prov. 18:13, nkjv.

He immediately spread the word (Est. 3:12-14). Unknown to the Jews who were getting ready to celebrate Passover, Haman was busy with the king’s secretaries, writing out the new law and translating it into the various languages of the peoples within the empire. The official document was given to the royal couriers, who quickly carried it to every part of the empire.

The work was done quickly because Haman didn’t want Xerxes to change his mind. Once the law was written and sealed, the doom of the Jews was also sealed; for the laws of the Medes and Persians could not be altered (Est. 1:19; 8:8; Dan. 6:8). Haman’s subtle plan had worked.

  1. Haman’s Pleasure (Est. 3:15b)

Haman could send out the death warrants for thousands of innocent people and then sit down to a banquet with the king! What a perverted heart he had!  However, in the end, it was his own death warrant that Haman had sealed; for within less than three months, Haman would be a dead man (Est. 8:9).

In contrast to the happiness of the king and his prime minister were the heaviness and bewilderment of the people in Shushan, Gentiles and Jews alike. What had caused this sudden change in policy? Why were the Jews suddenly targeted as enemies of the empire? Was there any way of escape?

The situation was not hopeless, however, for God had two people prepared and in place—Mordecai and Queen Esther—and He was ready to act.

www.Upwards.Church

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Sources:

Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary – History, (Colorado Springs, CO: Victor, 2003), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 716-722.
Life Application Study Bible  , (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 1988), WORD  search CROSS e-book, 773.
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God Puts His People in Place – Esther 2

Posted on June 2, 2022 by dkoop

“God is preparing His heroes,” said A.B. Simpson, founder of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, “and when the opportunity comes, He can fit them into their places in a moment, and the world will wonder where they came from.” Dr. Simpson might have added that God also prepares His heroines, for certainly Esther was divinely prepared for her role as the new queen. God is never surprised by circumstances or at a loss for prepared servants. He had Joseph ready in Egypt, Ezekiel and Daniel in Babylon, and Nehemiah in Susa; and He had Esther ready for her ministry to the Jews in the Persian Empire.

As we read this chapter, we will see at two evidences of the hand of God at work in the affairs of the people.

  1. God Positions the King (Est. 2:1-4)

Nearly four years have passed since Vashti was deposed. During that time, Xerxes directed his ill-fated Greek campaign and came home in humiliation instead of honor. As he considered his rash actions toward his wife, his affection for Vashti rekindled; and though he had a harem full of concubines, he missed his queen. There is a difference between love and sex. The passing excitement of the moment is not the same as the lasting enrichment of a lifetime relationship.

The king’s advisers were concerned that Vashti not be restored to royal favor; for if she regained her throne, their own lives would be in danger. After all, it was they who had told the king to remove her! But more was involved than the lives of the king’s counselors, for the survival of the Jewish nation was also at stake. Queen Vashti would certainly not intercede on behalf of the Jews. She probably would have cooperated with Haman.

Knowing the king’s strong sensual appetite, the counselors suggested that he assemble a new harem composed of the most beautiful young virgins in the empire. This was not a “beauty contest” where the winners were rewarded by having a chance for the throne. These young women were conscripted against their will and made a part of the royal harem. Every night, the king had a new partner; and the next morning, she joined the rest of the concubines. The one that pleased the king the most would become his new queen. It sounds like something out of Taken.

I wonder how many beautiful girls hid when the king’s officers showed up to abduct them? Heartbroken mothers and fathers no doubt lied to the officers and denied that they had any virgin daughters. Perhaps some of the girls married any available man rather than spend a hopeless life shut up in the king’s harem. Once they had been with the king, they belonged to him and could not marry. If the king ignored them, they were destined for a life of loneliness, shut up in a royal harem.

“The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes” Prov. 21:1, nkjv. This doesn’t mean that God forced Xerxes to accept the plan, or that God approved of the king’s harems or of his sensual abuse of women. It simply means that, without being the author of their sin, God so directed the people in this situation that decisions were made that accomplished God’s purposes.

The decisions made today in the high places of government and finance seem remote from the everyday lives of God’s people, but they affect us and God’s work in many ways. It’s good to know that God is on His throne and that no decision is made that can thwart His purposes. “He does as He pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back His hand or say to Him: ‘What have You done?'” Dan. 4:35, niv

“There is no attribute of God more comforting to His children than the doctrine of divine sovereignty,” said Charles Haddon Spurgeon. While we confess that many things involved in this doctrine are shrouded in mystery, it’s unthinkable that Almighty God should not be Master of His own universe. Even in the affairs of a pagan empire, God is in control.

  1. God Puts Esther in Place (Est. 2:5-18)

We are now introduced to Mordecai and his cousin Esther, who, along with Haman, are the principal players in this drama. Once again, we see the hand of God at work in the life of this lovely Jewess. Consider the factors involved.

The influence of Mordecai (Est. 2:5-7). Mordecai is named fifty-eight times in this book, and seven times he is identified as “a Jew” (2:5; 5:13; 6:10; 8:7; 9:29, 31; 10:3). His ancestor, Kish, was among the Jews taken to Babylon from Jerusalem in the second deportation in 597 B.C. (2 Kings 24). Cyrus, King of Persia, entered Babylon in 539 and the next year gave the Jews permission to return to their land. About 50,000 responded (Ezra 1-2). In subsequent years, other Jews returned to Israel; but Mordecai chose to remain in the Persian capital.

While the Babylonians made life difficult for the Jews, the Persians were more lenient to aliens; and many Jews prospered in the land of their captors. Mordecai eventually held an official position in the government and sat at the king’s gate (Est. 2:21). It’s likely that he was given this position after Esther’s coronation, because he had to walk back and forth in front of the house of the women in order to find out how his adopted daughter was doing (v. 11). If he were an officer of the king, he would have had access to inside information.

Esther was Mordecai’s cousin and adopted daughter (v. 15). Her Persian name Esther means “star,” and her Hebrew name Hadassah means “myrtle.” (It’s interesting that the myrtle tree bears a flower that looks like a star.) A beautiful woman, she was one of those taken into the king’s harem.

One of the key elements in this story is the fact that the people in Shushan didn’t know that Mordecai and Esther were Jews. The palace personnel found out about Mordecai when he told them (3:4), and the king learned about Esther at the second banquet she hosted for him and Haman (chap. 7).

This fact presents us with some problems. For one thing, if Mordecai and Esther were passing themselves off as Persians, they certainly weren’t keeping a kosher home and obeying the laws of Moses. Had they been following even the dietary laws, let alone the rules for separation and worship, their true nationality would have quickly been discovered. Had Esther practiced her Jewish faith during her year of preparation (2:12), or during the four years she had been queen (2:16 with 3:7), the disguise would have come off.

Anyone has the right to conceal his or her true nationality, and this is not a sin. As long as nobody asked them, Mordecai and Esther had every right to conceal their racial origin. If people thought that the two cousins were Gentiles, well, that was their own conclusion. Nobody lied to them. “All truths are not to be spoken at all times,” wrote Matthew Henry, “though an untruth is not to be spoken at any time.” Nevertheless, that Esther and Mordecai did not acknowledge the God of Israel in the midst of that pagan society is unfortunate.

So much for their subterfuge. What about their non-kosher lifestyle? Even though the Law of Moses was temporary, and it would be ended with the death of Christ on the cross, that law was still in effect; and the Jews were expected to obey it. Daniel and his friends were careful to obey the law while they lived in Babylon, and the Lord blessed them for their faithfulness (Dan. 1). Why would He overlook the unfaithfulness of Mordecai and Esther and still use them to accomplish His purposes?

But even more serious than their lifestyle is the problem of a Jewess in a harem and ultimately marrying a Gentile. The Law of Moses prohibited all kinds of illicit sex as well as mixed marriages (Ex. 20:14; 34:16; Lev. 18; Deut. 7:1-4), and both Ezra and Nehemiah had to deal with the problem of Jews marrying Gentiles (Ezra 9-10; Neh. 10:30; 13:23-27). Yet, God allowed a pure Jewish girl to become the wife of a lustful Gentile pagan king, a worshiper of Zoroaster!

Some Bible students see this whole enterprise as an empire-wide “beauty contest” and Esther as a contestant who probably shouldn’t have entered. They also assert that Mordecai encouraged her because he wanted to have a Jew in a place of influence in the empire in case there was trouble. Perhaps that interpretation is true. However, other students feel that the women were not volunteers but were selected and assembled by the king’s special officers. The girls were not kidnapped, but everybody knew that the will of an Eastern monarch could not successfully be opposed. In this case I don’t think we should condemn Esther for what happened to her since these circumstances were, for the most part, out of her control; and God did not overrule them for the good of her people.

The encouragement of Hegai (Est. 2:8-9). Just as Joseph found favor in Egypt (Gen. 39:21) and Daniel in Babylon (Dan. 1:9), so Esther found favor in Shushan. God is so great that He can work even in the heart and mind of the keeper of a harem! Hegai was a Gentile. His job was to provide pleasure for the king, and he didn’t know the true God of Israel. Nevertheless, he played an important role in the plan that God was working out for His people. Even today, God is working in places where you and I might think He is absent.

Hegai had a year-long “beauty treatment” to prepare each woman for the king. It included a prescribed diet, the application of special perfumes and cosmetics, and probably a course on court etiquette. They were being trained to do one thing—satisfy the desires of the king. The one who pleased him the most would become his wife. Because of the providence of God, Hegai gave Esther “special treatment” and the best place in the house for her and her maids.

The nationality of Esther (Est. 2:10-11). Had Esther not been born into the Jewish race, she could never have saved the nation from slaughter. It would appear that the two cousins’ silence about their nationality was directed by God because He had a special work for them to accomplish. There was plenty of anti-Semitism in the Gentile world, and Mordecai’s motive was probably their own personal safety, but God had something greater in mind. Mordecai and Esther wanted to live in peace, but God used them to keep the Jewish people alive.

The approval of the king (Est. 2:12-18). Each night, a new maiden was brought to the king; and in the morning, she was sent to the house of the concubines, never again to be with the king unless he remembered her and called for her. Such unbridled sensuality eventually would have so bored Xerxes that he was probably unable to distinguish one maiden from another. This was not love. It was faceless, anonymous lust that craved more and more; and the more the king indulged, the less he was satisfied.

Esther had won the favor of everybody who saw her; and when the king saw her, he responded to her with greater enthusiasm than he had to any of the other women. At last he had found someone to replace Vashti! The phrase “the king loved Esther” (kjv) must not be interpreted to mean that Xerxes had suddenly fallen in love with Esther with pure and devoted affection. The niv rendering is best: “Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women” (v. 17). This response was from the Lord who wanted Esther in the royal palace where she could intercede for her people. “Known to God from eternity are all His works” (Acts 15:18, nkjv).

It’s worth noting that Esther put herself into the hands of Hegai and did what she was told to do. Hegai knew what the king liked, and, being partial to Esther, he attired her accordingly. Because she possessed such great beauty “in form and features” (Est. 2:7, niv), Esther didn’t require the “extras” that the other women needed.

The king personally crowned Esther and named her the new queen of the empire. Then he summoned his officials and hosted a great banquet. (This is the fourth banquet in the book. The Persian kings used every opportunity to celebrate!) But the king’s generosity even touched the common people, for he proclaimed a national holiday throughout his realm and distributed gifts to the people. This holiday may have been similar to the Hebrew “Year of Jubilee.” It’s likely that taxes were canceled, servants set free, and workers given a vacation from their jobs. Xerxes wanted everybody to feel good about his new queen.

In chapter one, we have a glimpse into Xerxes’s palace with his parties and excess. We have been introduced to the happenings there for a specific purpose.  It explains how Esther came to the throne.  Because she became queen, she was able to intervene and intercede in behalf of God’s people.  An evil plan was being hatched to exterminate God’s people, but God was three step ahead.  Even though God is not mentioned, we cannot deny His hand in placing His people in place!

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Additional Sources:
J. Vernon McGee, Thru The Bible with J. Vernon McGee, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1983), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: “Chapter 2”.
Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary – History, (Colorado Springs, CO: Victor, 2003), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 710-714.
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