Historical context
- Historical context
- after the exile to Babylon and the first return under Zerubbabel
- possibly before the return under Ezra – 480 BC
- Some believe the events of Esther took place around 425 BC (Ezra’s reforms had begun).
- The greatness and power of Ahasuerus (Xerxes or Artaxerxes) Esther 1:1
- He ruled over 127 provinces (nations)
- Type of Satan – the god of this world, 1 John 5:19
(although a human figure, probably had demonic principalities assigned to him) - At the beginning of the story he is not paying any special attention to his Jewish subjects, they are living in peace
- Ahasuerus searching for a new queen because Vashti had disobeyed him
- Esther and her uncle Mordecai (descendant of King Saul) are introduced into the story line. They are Jews.
- Esther is included in the beauty contest
- We aren’t told whether Mordecai approved of this. Probably yes. We are later told that Esther always obeyed Mordecai.
- This could put Esther in a compromised position, but Mordecai doesn’t raise any concerns about this.
- Spiritual condition of the Jews at this time
Basic storyline – with brief notes
- Esther found favour with the eunuchs and the king ( Esther 2:15-17 )
- At this time she had been hiding her Jewish identity ( Esther 2:10, Esther 2:20 )
- yet we can see that God was blessing her and giving her favour
- Mordecai used by God to discover a plot against the king ( Esther 2:19-21 )
- At this point Mordecai is not recognized or honored for his action
- This becomes important later in the story. Delayed reward. God’s timing.
- Haman is promoted by the King. (Esther 3:1-2)
- Everyone is commanded to honour Haman and bow down to him.
- His name – Haman the Agagite – could mean “descendant of Agag” (an Amalekite)
(Amalekites were ancient enemies of Israel) - It could also simply mean that he was “like the Amalekites“
- Mordecai refuses to bow down or pay homage to Haman. Esther 3:2-4
- He is taking a risk by doing this
- At this point, Mordecai has told the palace guards that he is a Jew. His courage is rising.
- Haman is offended and plots to destroy not only Mordecai but all the Jews. Esther 3:5-6
- He tells the king of a people that don’t keep the King’s laws, but he doesn’t say who these people are. It’s a setup.
- He advises the King that these people need to be destroyed, and that he can arrange this. The King agrees. Esther 3:8-11.
This is an expression of Satan’s rage against the Jews. - Lots are drawn to determine the timing of the genocide of the Jews.
- By God’s provision, there is an 11 month gap between when the plot was hatched and when it was to be carried out. Esther 3:13.
- Mordecai and the Jews throughout the empire begin to fast and lament. Esther 4:1-3.
- Esther’s attendants tell her that Mordecai is wearing sackcloth. She sends one of her attendants to bring clothes to Mordecai but he won’t wear them. Esther 4:4
- She sends her attendant to find out why he is wearing sackcloth. Esther 4:5
- It seems she is not very well informed about events in the kingdom. She may be queen but she doesn’t have access to information and no real power
- Mordecai appeals to Esther to intervene
- He sends her a message telling her the details of the plot and instructing her to appeal to the king. Esther 4:6-9
- Esther replies that she has not been called to go in to the King for 30 days, and if she goes to him without an invitation, she forfeits her life unless the king spares her by extending the golden scepter to her. Esther 4:10-11.
- Mordecai sends another message to Esther challenging her to act and telling her that if she does not, relief and deliverance will come for her people but she and her father’s house will perish. Esther 4:13-14
- Esther appeals to Mordecai to gather all the Jews in Susa (the capital) to fast for her for three days. She will likewise fast. After the three days she will go to the king. Esther 4:15-16.
“If I perish, I perish“. Not fatalism, but resolve. Courage. Hope in God.
- Esther’s first banquet
- When she goes to the king, he extends the golden scepter to her, and asks her what she wants. Esther 5:1-2
- She invites him and Haman to a banquet. Haman is included to flatter him and to set the stage for his undoing. Esther 5:3-4
- The time of the banquet comes and she creates a delay by inviting Ahasuerus and Haman to a second banquet, to take place the next day. At that time she plans to appeal to the king for her people. Esther 5:7-8
- Haman’s pride and his plot to hang Mordecai
- Haman is flattered at the attention, but also annoyed because Mordecai will still not bow to him. Esther 5:9
- He brags to his wife and his advisors about the favour he has been experiencing, and how the next day he is invited to another banquet with the queen. Esther 5:11-12
- He starts complaining about Mordecai and his wife advises him to build a gallows on which he can hang Mordecai the next day. Esther 5:13-14.
- Setting up his own downfall. Proverbs 16:18
- The Lord intervenes through a sleep disturbance
- That night – the day before the second banquet – the king cannot sleep. Esther 6:1
- He asks an attendant to bring the book of memorable deeds and read to him. He hears the story of the occasion when Mordecai had uncovered a plot to kill him. Esther 6:2
- He asks what was done to reward Mordecai. “Nothing has been done for him”, Esther 6:3
- Haman enters the court, unaware of what has just occurred, planning to speak to the king about his plot to hang Mordecai. Esther 6:4
- The beginning of Haman’s downfall
- The king asks Haman what should be done for someone that the king wishes to honour. The king is thinking of Mordecai. Esther 6:5-6
- Haman assumes the king is thinking of him, so he advises the king to provide him with royal robes and a royal horse, and honor him with a procession and a public proclamation. Esther 6:7-9
- The king tells Haman to do these things for Mordecai. Haman obeys but is deeply humiliated. Esther 6:10-12.
- He goes home, tells his wife and advisors what has happened. They prophesy to him (unaware of the hand of God). If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of the Jewish people, you will not overcome him but will surely fall before him. Esther 6:13
- Esther’s second banquet and Haman’s end.
- The court attendants arrive at Haman’s home to bring him to the banquet. Esther 6:14
- The King asks Esther to tell him her request, and promises to grant it. Esther 7:2
- She tells him that her people are in danger of being wiped out. Esther 7:3-4.
- The king asks what enemy has done this. She names Haman, He is terrified. Esther 7:5-6
- Haman pleads for mercy but is sentenced to death by the king. He is hanged on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Esther 7:7-8. Poetic justice.
- Final vindication
- Haman’s property granted to Esther and Mordecai. Esther 8:1.
- Mordecai given the kings’ signet ring Esther 8:2.
- Esther pleads for Haman’s edict against the Jews to be overturned. Esther 8:3-6.
- The King gives Esther and Mordecai full power to issue a new edict. Esther 8:7-8.
- A new edict is written, giving the Jews permission to take vengeance on their enemies on a set day, the exact day on which Haman had plotted to have them all killed. Esther 8:12
- They were to kill only those who had threatened them with harm. Esther 8:11
- Haman is honored.
- Haman’s sons hanged. Esther 9:10
- Feast of Purim established Esther 9:20-22
Key prophetic insights
1. Satan’s hatred of the Jewish people
Satan hates the Jewish people and wishes to destroy them. It was Satan who incited Haman to destroy the Jews.
2. God gave courage to Mordecai and Esther
God gave courage to Mordecai and Esther to not hide their Jewish identity, but to reveal it, despite the risk. At first they were afraid to be known as Jews. Then Mordecai took courage – he did not bow down to Haman. He appealed to Esther and she took courage also. They had to take a risk to save their people.
3. God puts us in key positions for a purpose
- Shortly after Esther became queen, God gave Mordecai an opportunity to do good and he did it. He uncovered a plot against the king, told Esther and Esther told the king. Later this simple act of obedience was something God used to save the people.
- God gave Esther a privileged position, but at first she was afraid to use it. When God’s people are threatened with destruction, the enemy wants us to be passive, to feel hopeless.
- Esther took courage when Mordecai appealed to her, and God used her to save her people.
4. Satan’s plots and God’s direction
Satan wants to keep us in the dark about his plots. At first Esther did not know anything about Haman’s plot, even though she was in the king’s harem. She needed to be told what to do. God used Mordecai to do this. Sometimes God uses other people to tell us what we need to do.
5. God’s interventions
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- when Esther approached the king, he extended the golden scepter to her – gave her favour (Esther 5:2). This favour continued when she appealed to him twice more (Esther 7:2, Esther 8:4)
- when Ahasuerus could not sleep – the night before the second banquet. This was a critical moment. Esther 6:1-2.
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6. Pride and humility. God’s vindication.
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- Mordecai acted to protect the king from harm (Esther 2:19-21) and was not recognized for his righteous act. Later he was rewarded. Did not seek honour, but was honored in the sight of all.
- Haman sought honor, and in his pride was brought low.
