OVERVIEW OF ESTHER"
Notes
Transcript
Background info –
Author – Unknown – speculation that Ezra, Nehemiah, or Morecai
Theme – “Preservation through Providence”
Definition of terms -
Preservation – protection from harm Providence – Guidance from God
Interesting Facts about Esther –
The book of Esther covers a time period of 10 years – From 483 – 473 BC It takes place between Ezra 6 and 7 – Between Zerubbabal’s return and Ezra’s return to Judah – Esther comes from the Persian word “star” God is never mentioned in the entire book
By the grace of God, we will come to see how the theme “Preservation through Providence” is exemplified throughout the book of Esther -
What’s going on -
Read vs 1-2, 7-8 to get the setting –
King Ahasuerus is reigning over a large area 127 provinces The king is located in Susa the capital city Feasts and Banquets are taking place
1:10-12 – King Ahasuerus makes a request –
The king wants queen Vashti to come out – why Simply to show off her beauty The queen refused to come out As a result, the king becomes enraged
The result of Queen Vashti’s refusal is found in 1:19 – she was no longer queen
The situation thus far is pretty simple –
The queen did not do as the king requested As a result, she was no longer queen
At the end of chapter 1 and the beginning of chapter 2 you have the outcome of what the King has done – Remember he has just removed Vashti from being queen. Now he needs to get another queen. The way that he does this is by essentially having a fashion show.
1:22 – He sent letters to the 127 provinces that he rules over 2:1-4 – The king had all of the beautiful women come before, and he would then select one of them to be queen in the place of Vashti There was a woman named Esther – Her mother and father died (2:7) and her uncle Mordecai raised her. She was very beautiful, and her uncle told her to go before the king however, do not tell him that she is a Jew The King’s response 2:17 – He loved her – ultimately led to Esther being the queen –
So far, the setting is this –
Vashti is no longer queen Esther has been established as Queen, but her nationality has not been made know to the king
A pivotal point in the book of Esther is 2:19-23 –
Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, and he overheard two men Bigthan and Teresh talking about laying hands on the king ultimately wanting to kill him. Mordecai then passed this info on the Esther who in turn told the king which led to and investigation and ended with these men being killed – Mordecai is on extremely good terms with the king now.
Now, as we look at the outline, I would encourage you pay close attention to how God is working everything out according to His plan despite the fact the word God is never used in this book -
The outline that I am using is taken from the book called “Talk Thru the Bible”
(Authors are Wilkinson and Boa)
The Threat to the Jews – 1-4 - Specifically 3-4
Haman is now brought into the picture – What do you know about Haman?
Haman’s Evil Plan – 3
The king promotes him – 3:1 The people bowed down to him and paid homage to him except for Mordecai – 3:2
The question comes up – Why didn’t Mordecai bow to him?
Could have been cause he was a Jew Could have been cause he only worships God alone The fact is that Scripture does not specifically tell us 3:5-6 – As a result of this Haman if filled with fury. Haman would not be satisfied with jus killing Mordecai rather he wanted to kill all of the Jews.
Who else is a Jew? - Queen Esther is This is the threat to the Jews – Haman wants to kill all of them 3:8-11 – Haman describes his evil plan to the King. However, he makes it sound good – The king agrees and allows Haman to pass the law which enables Haman to have all of the Jews killed – Key Text 3:13 – this letter when out to all 127 provinces keep in mind that majority of people are Jews.
Haman is all stirred up b/c one man did not bow down to him – so his conclusion is to take it out on all of the Jew’s.
Mordecai’s plea – 4
Mordecai and Esther are having a conversation –
Mordecai explains what is going on with the Jews – requesting Esther who is a Jew to plead before the King Esther tells Mordecai that I have not been invited to approach the king. If I go to the king without being granted permission then I will surely die Look at Esther’s response – 4:16-17 – She say’s I will go – Haman and set up this terrible plan to kill all Jews and not Esther the queen is going to risk her life to spare the Jews. Esther has complete confidence in God!
Now, let us transition and look at how the Jews triumph – it is amazing to see how God works things out for His perfect plan –
The Triumph of the Jews – 5-10
Read 5:1-2 – This is an extremely brave thing that Esther does – Keep in mind that if you were to approach the king without being called then you shall be put to death –
Esther goes and stands where the king can see her When the king sees her he invites her in rather than killing her – this is a complete act of God and His goodness
The King’s response -5:3-4
He will give her up to have the Kingdom - Again this is God Esther invites the king and Haman to a banquet and they both come
It is interesting to note that at the banquet Esther does not request protection for the Jews in fact she does not say anything – The question comes up – Why didn’t she say anything?
She might have been scared Afraid of the outcome Didn’t know what to say She requests to have them both come to another banquet – that will take place in Chapter 7
Remember that Haman does not like Mordecai and chapter 5:9-14 tells us that his plan is to have Mordecai hanged upon the gallows that he built about 50 feet high – Haman planned on killing Mordecai prior to going and having a meal with Esther and the King – but look it how God continues to work out His perfect plan –
6:1 – The king was unable to sleep so he requested the book of memorable deeds. As we was reading through it he was reminded of how Mordecai has said his life by telling the queen about the two guys who wanted to kill the king.
The king wanted to honor Mordecai for what he had done 6:6 – the king asks what should be done to honor someone? Haman assuming that it is himself says all kind of things. 6:10 – The king says Haman does this to Mordecai – Could imagine what is going through his mind right now? - Again God is working out his perfect plan – Remember the Abrahamic Covenant and the Davidic Covenants? (God means what He says)
The king and Haman have another feast with Esther - at that time Esther tells the king what Haman is doing – 7:5-6 – Esther has complete confidence in the Lord!
The gallows that Haman made for Mordecai was used to hang Haman on –
8:11-12 – The Jews are spared – God accomplishes His perfect plan – Esther did not know what was going to happen but she trusted completely on the Lord and He worked out His perfect plan!
What does this mean to us?
Dever – Lessons –
God always punishes His enemies
Consider your state carefully Repent immediately
God will certainly deliver His people
Be comforted in trials Be confident with joyful hope in your waiting