Esther 1-3
Wednesday Evening Bible Study
Introduction
This book gives us the historical background to the Jewish Feast of
Purim. Purim is still celebrated by the
Jews and kind of carries a flavor similar to Halloween in that the children all
dress up in costumes. It is celebrated
around the month of March, this year it fell on March 18, 2003 .
Part of the modern celebration involves baking special cookies called a
“hamantasch” or, “Haman’s
Ear”, which is a crust filled with a sesame seed filling. The little girls dress up like Esther and the
boys get to play the part of evil Haman.
The story of Esther is told and whenever the name “Esther” or “Mordecai”
is read, everyone cheers, while everyone “boos” when the name “Haman” is read.
We aren’t told who the author is, but some think that it might have been written by Mordecai, Esther’s cousin.
Some have thought that the book of Esther shouldn’t have been included in the Bible because the name “God” is not used. Perhaps this is why the ancient Essene community didn’t include any copies of Esther in what we call the “Dead Sea Scrolls”. Yet you will see God’s fingerprints all through the book.
The first three chapters of the book really are to give a background of the main story. They record events that will take place years before the actual crisis occurs.
We see this in our own lives. We sometimes don’t understand why things are happening in our lives, but perhaps somewhere down the road we’ll realize what God was doing all along.
The danger of getting the wrong message.
Much in this book shows us the customs and culture of the Persians. We need to be careful that we don’t think that they’re setting examples for us to follow.
Esther 1
:1-9 The Persian pride and party
:1 Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which
reigned, from India Ethiopia
Ahasuerus – ‘Achashverowsh – “I will be silent and poor” (a Persian name). He lived from 519-465 BC.
He was also known in history as Xerxes I (his Greek name) or, Khshayarsha (his Persian name), and ruled from 486-465 BC.
Microsoft
® Encarta ® Reference Library 2003. © 1993-2002 Microsoft Corporation. All
rights reserved.
India Indus River Pakistan
The Persian Empire .
:2 which was in Shushan the palace,
Sushan – Shuwshan – “lily” also called “Susa Basra Persian Gulf , about 220 miles east of Babylon
:3 In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and
his servants; the power of Persia
the third year of his reign – 483 BC. Ahasuerus is 36 years old.
the power of Persia
:4 …even and hundred and fourscore days.
180 days – six months. It has
been suggested that during this first six months, Ahasuerus has gathered all
his nobles and military leaders to prepare for his coming invasion of Greece
:5 the king made a feast
feast – at the end of this six month period, Ahasuerus throws a drinking party.
:6 Where were white, green, and blue, hangings…
(Est 1:6 NLT) The courtyard was decorated with beautifully
woven white and blue linen hangings, fastened by 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.
:8 And the drinking was according to the law
the drinking was according to the law – no one was forced to drink. No one was forced to stop drinking.
Josephus:
He also gave order to the servants,
that they should not force them to drink by bringing them wine continually, as
is the practice of the Persians, but to permit every one of the guests to enjoy
himself according to his own inclination.[1]
:9 Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women
Vashti – Vashtiy – “beautiful”
:10-12 Vashti refuses
:10 when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded …the seven chamberlains
merry with wine – they were all drunk
chamberlains – seven eunuchs
:11 To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to show the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on.
to show – ra’ah – to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider
In those days, a woman was required to keep her veil on. It is possible that what Ahasuerus is asking is for her to parade around in front of his drunken guests without her veil. He may be asking her to do something worse.
fair – towb – good, pleasant, agreeable
Lesson
Drunk people do stupid things
Ahasuerus’ marriage is going to fall apart because of his drunken request.
:12 But the queen Vashti refused to come
refused – ma’en – (Piel) to refuse, utterly refuse
Josephus records:
But she, out of regard to the laws of the Persians, which forbid the wives to be seen by strangers, did not go to the king; and though he oftentimes sent the eunuchs to her, she did nevertheless stay away, and refused to come[2]
Isn’t it interesting to think that Vashti was the one who was actually obeying Persian law, while her husband wasn’t.
:13-22 Royal Divorce
:13 the wise men, which knew the times
knew the times – lawyers
:14 …and Memucan…
Memucan – M@muwkan – “dignified”
:18 …Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath.
He’s afraid that Vashti is setting a bad example. All the wives will revolt.
I wonder if Memucan was having trouble at home himself. Perhaps his wife kept bugging him to take out the trash.
:19 …That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus…
that it be not altered – the laws of the Persians and Medes were considered unchangeable.
Daniel knew this.
(Dan 6:8 KJV) Now, O king,
establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according
to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth
not.
(Dan 6:15
KJV) Then these men assembled unto the
king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and
Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth
may be changed.
Lesson
Don’t dump her
Divorce for the reason of a wife refusing to obey her husband. This is wrong.
I wonder about the reasons why people give the advice they do.
We’re going to see that Ahasuerus is going to regret having made this decision.
:22 that every man should bear rule in his own house
Lesson
Husbands and wives
This can sound very similar to what the Scripture teaches, but it’s not exactly like it.
That man should rule over his wife was a result of the curse on Eve:
(Gen 3:16
KJV) Unto the woman he said, I will
greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring
forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over
thee.
The results of Adam and Eve’s sin included a wife’s desire being towards her husband and her husband ruling over her.
But the Christian pattern for marriage relationships handles things differently:
(Eph 5:22-27 KJV) Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. {23} For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. {24} Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Wives are commanded to submit to their husbands.
This doesn’t mean that a woman never has an opinion. She, like Sarah (1Pet. 3) ought to give her opinion, but learn to teach her husband to be a strong decisive leader by letting him make the decision.
This is a step of faith. This is how the ancient “holy women” demonstrated their trust in God (1Pet. 3).
I think this is interesting since the curse has brought about men ruling over their wives, that now the wife is to learn how to submit in response to her husband.
{25} Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the
church, and gave himself for it; {26} That he might sanctify and cleanse it
with the washing of water by the word, {27} That he might present it to himself
a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it
should be holy and without blemish.
Husbands are not commanded to RULE over their wives. They are commanded to LOVE them like Christ
loves the church.
This is supposed to be a sacrificial love, thinking only of her needs and not the needs of the husband.
This is a beautifying love, where a woman will flourish and blossom, all blemishes disappear.
I think this is interesting since the curse has brought about a woman’s desire being towards her husband, now her husband is to learn to love her back.
What Ahasuerus is advocating is the result of the curse, not the answer to the curse.
:22 that it should be published according to the language of every people.
It is thought that this is talking about what language was spoken in each home:
(Est 1:22 ICB) …Also, each family was to speak the language
of the man.
Esther 2
:1-4 Beauty Contest Proposed
:1 After these things…
After these things – There are going to be a few years here, during
which Ahasuerus goes to war with Greece Greece Greece Athens Salamis
It’s probably after this, after having returned home, that Ahasuerus begins to miss Vashti.
:2 Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king:
They probably don’t want to risk Vashti coming back and having them put to death.
:3 Hege the king's chamberlain
Hege – Hege’ – “eunuch”
chamberlain – cariyc – official, eunuch
:5-7 Mordecai and Esther
:5 Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite;
Jew – Y@huwdiy – Jew; a form of “Judah
Mordecai – Mord@kay – “little man” or “worshipper of Mars”
the son of Shimei –
There is a possibility that this is the Shimei
who cursed David when David was being chased out of Jerusalem
(2 Sam 16:5-7 KJV) And when
king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a
man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei,
the son of Gera
This could possibly fit since Shimei was “of the
house of Saul”, and Saul’s father’s name was Kish
If this is the same Shimei, this could be a cool
picture of restoration. God hasn’t given
up on the family of Shimei.
:6 Who had been carried away ,,,with Jeconiah
the captivity … with Jeconiah – Jeconiah was carried off to Babylon Kish
:7 And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter
Hadassah – Hadaccah – “myrtle”
Esther – ‘Ecter – “star”
uncle’s daughter – they were cousins
:8-11 Esther joins the beauty pageant
:8 to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.
Hegai – Hege’ – “eunuch”
keeper of the women – this guy was in charge of the harem.
It doesn’t seem that Mordecai made a choice to have Esther “apply” for the job, but it seems that he had no choice in the matter.
Was it wrong for Mordecai to allow Esther to take part in this “beauty pageant”?
I’m not sure we can say whether it was right or wrong. It just happened. It seems to be a given.
It will turn out that her taking part in this pageant will be an important thing.
:10 Esther had not showed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not show it.
Was it proper for Esther not to “show her people”?
This will play another important part in the things to come.
:11 And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house
He’s keeping an eye on her.
:12-14 The method of choosing
:12 …six months with oil of myrrh…
six months with oil of myrrh … - I’ve heard that six months were for drawing out bad stuff in the gals’ skin, and six months were to soak her in sweet fragrances.
:14 In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house
evening … morrow – does this imply that the king slept with each woman? I think it does.
concubines – This sounds like there was a sort of marriage type of agreement with the king and these women. Yet they were not considered “queens”, only concubines.
Remember, this is a pagan, Persian society. This isn’t a practice we should copy!!!
:15-20 Esther is chosen
:15 she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed
She lets Hegai choose her wardrobe and guide her appearance.
Lesson
Listen to advice
Hegai knows what works. She pays attention.
:16 So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.
Tebeth – the Babylonian month that falls near December and January.
seventh year – It has been four years since the divorce from Vashti (Est. 1:3).
It has been one year since Ahasuerus’ defeat at Salamis
:17 And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.
loved – ‘ahab – to love; human love for another, includes family, and sexual
grace – chen – favour, grace, charm; acceptance
favour – checed – goodness, kindness, faithfulness
queen – does this mean that Ahasuerus gets rid of the harem? I don’t think so.
:18 he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.
made a release – this could mean a release from taxes, a holiday, or possibly a release of prisoners.
:19 And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate.
Why were the virgins gathered together a second time?
It means that Ahasuerus is adding to his harem.
sat in the king’s gate – this means that Mordecai is considered a “judge”. The courts were located at the city gates.
:21-23 Mordecai saves the king
:21 two of the king's chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh
Bigthan – Bigthan – “in their wine-press”. I wonder if he was given that name because when his mother saw him, she said to the lady in the hospital bed next to her, “My baby is Bigger-than your baby”. J
Teresh – Teresh – “strictness”
:22 Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai's name.
certified – ‘amar – to say, speak, utter. She passed on the news.
:23 they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.
hanged on a tree – This was not hanging on a rope by the neck. This was being impaled on a stake or a pole. It was the Persians who invented crucifixion.
written in the book of the chronicles – an important fact for later in the story.
Esther 3
:1-6 Mordecai won’t bow to Haman
:1 Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him
Haman – Haman – “magnificent”
the Agagite – a descendant of Agag.
Josephus records:
by birth an Amalekite
The story of Agag starts back in Exodus.
(Exo 17:8-16 KJV) Then came Amalek,
and fought with Israel Israel
King Saul was sent on a mission by God to finish what was decreed back in Exodus. He was told to wipe out the Amalekites. He had a great victory, but he apparently didn’t do a complete job. He spared the king of the Amalekites, Agag.
(1 Sam 15:18-23 KJV) And the
LORD sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed.
{19} Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly
upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD? {20} And Saul said
unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way
which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the
king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. {21} But the people took of the spoil, sheep
and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to
sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal. {22} And Samuel said, Hath the LORD
as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of
the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat
of rams. {23} For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as
iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath
also rejected thee from being king.
Samuel himself would finish off Agag, but it appears that he had some descendants who survived.
Now one day they would try to get even.
Lesson
Finish off the flesh
Amalek is often seen as a picture of our fleshly nature.
The way to handle the flesh is not to pamper it. The way to victory is to put the flesh to death. Completely.
If we leave some things undone, they will come back to haunt us.
Lesson
Sometimes kings make mistakes
Looking at the choice of Haman from a human perspective, we can see that it was a mistake.
It’s hard to choose leaders. Sometimes you don’t see the problems right away.
(1 Tim 5:22 KJV)
Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins:
keep thyself pure.
(1 Tim 5:24-25 KJV) Some
men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they
follow after. {25} Likewise also the good works of some are manifest
beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.
:2 And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him.
It was the king’s idea to have people bow before Haman.
Lesson
The danger of exaltation
I wonder what Haman was like before this exaltation occurred?
:2 But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.
Mordecai won’t “bow” because as a Jew, he only “bows” before God.
(Deu 6:13-14 KJV) Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve
him, and shalt swear by his name. {14} Ye shall not go after other gods, of the
gods of the people which are round about you;
Lesson
Respect or idolatry
This is not a matter of showing respect. This is a matter of not bowing to the things that the world bows to.
This is the same reason why a few years back, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego did not bow to Nebuchadnezzar’s statue:
(Dan 3:17-18 KJV) If it be
so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace,
and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. {18} But if not, be it known
unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden
image which thou hast set up.
This does not mean that we don’t show respect for people in authority.
(Rom 13:7 KJV) Render
therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom
custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
But we draw the line at not worshipping people.
:5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.
Lesson
Test of character
This is when we see the wicked side of Haman’s character come out.
Illustration
In the book “Calvary Chapel Distinctives” (chapter 7), Chuck Smith talks about how they handle people who, while everyone else is sitting down, they stand up in the middle of the worship service, a practice that draws attention to the individual instead of drawing attention to Jesus:
“At Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, if someone does stand up, the ushers approach them and invite them back to the foyer, then one of the pastors talks to them there, gently and in love. They usually say, “We don’t practice this because we’ve discovered that it draws people’s attention away from worship. And surely you wouldn’t want to take the person’s attention from Jesus Christ and put it on yourself, would you?”
“We tell them they are drawing attention to themselves, and people are losing the central focus on Jesus. We talk to them in love and suggest that they not do it, and if they get upset it shows that they were in the flesh the whole time. If they’re really in the Spirit and walking in the Spirit, they will take it in the Spirit. They’ll say, “Oh, I didn’t realize that. I’m sorry.” But if they get all huffy, then you know that they were in the flesh.”