Esther Series

Bible Stories

ESTHER

Romans 8:28

April 22, 2023

The book of Esther is a true narrative.

The story begins in the third year of Xerxes the Great (Ahasuerus), who was King of Persia from 486-465 BC.

Xerxes threw a 6-month long feast to honor the officials, princes and nobles that made up the vast Persian Empire.

At the conclusion of this massive feast, he threw another, 7-day feast, for the people living in the capital city of Shushan (Susa).

It was at this feast – “when his heart was merry with wine” – that Xerxes decided all the partygoers should meet the queen – Vashti – and see her new crown, “for she was beautiful to behold.” Some commentators suggest that what the king was asking her to wear was her crown and ONLY her crown.

Well, Vashti said no. She disobeyed! Her refusal to appear before the drunken king and his drunken friends was interpreted as an act of rebellion.

The furious king asked his closest advisors, Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and Memucan, if there were any potential legal consequence for her actions.

“Here’s the deal,” they told him. “If Vashti gets away with this, all the wives in the realm will think that they, too, are allowed to disobey their husbands. Therefore, our advice to you is that Vashti be banished. Giving notice to all the wives that they better obey their husbands.”

Vashti was banished and a decree, emphasizing male headship over the family, was sent to all 127 provinces.

Time went by. Xerxes began to miss Vashti, but once a law was made it was permanent. But he was lonely, so it was suggested that the palace hold a beauty contest. All the beautiful virgins from throughout the empire would be brought to Susa. After 12 months of preparation, each girl would go before the king. The “winner” would become the next queen.

Enter Mordecai the Jew – lawyer extraordinaire. Mordecai was of the tribe of Benjamina, but he had been born in Persia.

Scripture does not tell us if Mordecai was married, but we know he had an adopted daughter, his cousin, Hadassah, whom he had adopted after her parents died.

Hadassah was a beautiful girl and eventually she, too, was taken to the king’s palace.

Mordecai understood that a high position did not mean the absence of prejudice, so before Hadassah went to the palace, he warned her not to reveal the truth of her nationality.

Hadassah arrived at the palace – forced to give up the only life she had ever known. No doubt this would have been an overwhelming and frightening experience for the young girl, but scripture tells us that she conducted herself in such a way that she impressed the harem overseer. Hadassah, now Esther, was given 7 maidservants and moved into her own apartment.

One year later, Esther went into the king ---- and the he loved her more than all the other women. He set the royal crown on her head and made her queen in Vashti’s place.

One day, while Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, he discovered a plot against Xerxes. He got word to Esther, who informed the king.

The conspirators were executed.

The event was recorded, but no reward was given - this will prove to be an important omission.

Now our story reveals the villain – Haman, son of Hammedatha, the Agagite.

Xerxes gave him a promotion, establishing his authority over all the princes. Haman now looked down on everyone, believing all “the lessers” should bow to him. Everyone did….. except Mordecai – he simply refused to bow!

As an Agagite, Haman’s disdain for the Jews had a deep history, but his hatred was personal and its focus was Mordecai. So, Haman hatched a plan to do away with Mordecai and while he was at it, the Jews.

At the beginning of Xerxes 12th year on the throne, Haman cast lots, until the 13th of Adar (March 7) was chosen – Esther 3:7.

Haman went before the king and reported that there was a group of people who did not keep the king’s laws. He then suggested that a law be written decreeing this group’s destruction. Haman even offered to pay the reward out of his own pocket - effectively putting a hit out on an entire nation.

The king asked no questions. Instead, he handed over his signet ring and told Haman to do with the people as he saw fit.

A decree stating that, “on 13th day of the month of Adar, all the Jews, both young and old, men and women and children are to be destroyed, killed and annihilated and all their possessions plundered.” was sent to the all the provinces within the empire – from Egypt to India.