(173) June 22: Esther 1-3 &
Acts 5:1-15
Ask God to open your mind, heart
and will to understand, delight in and obey what you read.
Read Esther
1-3 & Acts
5:1-16
To discover:
As you read consider the signs of
God at work in bringing Esther to her position of influence.
To ponder:
The third year of Xerxes is 483BC,
before the returns of Ezra and Nehemiah. However, the events take place in
Susa, where Nehemiah would live and serve.
The awesome
power of the one Esther would marry and reason with is first stressed in the
detail of Xerxes’ vast empire, stretching from the Sudan to Pakistan, together
with the greatness of his six month banquet in which his wealth and liberality
were displayed. The irony, however, was that he couldn’t control his wife.
Wanting to show off her beauty he commanded she come to him. But she refused.
This precipitated a crisis in which it was feared all wives in the empire would
be encouraged to despise their husbands. Having consulted his wisest men,
Xerxes therefore decreed throughout his kingdom that the Queen should never
again enter his presence, that a “better” one should be found, and that wives
should respect their husbands. The Queen’s actions would have been frowned on
by the Jews too. So this event affirms the quality of Esther’s character as one
who would deal so respectfully with Xerxes, whilst also outlining the means God
used to bring Esther to a position of powerful influence. Even the cut and
thrust of difficult marriages can be used to further God’s purposes.
By relating how
a beautiful alternative Queen was sought, Esther’s rise is dramatized. She is
the adopted daughter of her cousin Mordecai who was a descendent of Kish,
Saul’s father. He had been exiled to Babylon in 597BC with king Jehoiachin.
Esther’s beauty of form and features is portrayed as God’s gift, and his
blessing on her is seen throughout. Over all the girls brought to the king’s
harem under the care of his eunuch, Hegai, she won his favour and was given
special beauty treatment and food, with seven (the number of completeness)
maids and the most esteemed place in the harem. There she underwent a whole
year of beauty treatment before going to the king. And at that time she
displayed wisdom too, doing only what Hegai advised. Not only did she then win
the favour of everyone who saw her, but of the king, who crowned her (four
years after his divorce, 1v3, 2v16), and held a banquet and holiday, with the
giving of gifts to mark it. Of course the idea of a harem and of Esther
spending a night with the king to see if she pleased him is appalling. However,
as so often, God was working amidst such evil for good.
Throughout, on
Mordecai’s advice, Esther had kept her nationality secret, no doubt in case
this prejudiced her opportunity. And every day of the year, her loving adoptive
father walked near the harem in concern, to find out how she was doing. It may
have been whilst sitting at the gate on one of these occasions, as the virgins
were assembled after the coronation, that Mordecai overheard the conspiracy to
assassinate the king. Its record is important later in the story.
For now, although Mordecai is the one who
should be credited (2v22), it is Haman who is honoured – and highly, seen in
the king’s command people should kneel in honour to him. As an Agagite, his
rivalry with Mordecai patterns that between the Agagite king and Saul (1 Sam
15). Here, the theme of obeying the king develops as Mordecai refuses to. The
reason seems to do with Mordecai being a Jew (3v4), so may have been because he
felt such honour was only God’s, or because of God’s command that Israel oppose
Amalakites (Ex 17v16, Deut 25v17). Whatever the case, it commends obeying God
not man, even though important people might urge us not to, and even though it
may mean hardship (3v3-4).
Haman’s
wickedness is seen in taking his anger to the point of not just desiring but
organising a total genocide of the Jewish race. The king’s evil neglect, and
the status he had given Haman, is seen in his readiness to give Haman the
authority to do it and not even take his bribe. A date was set by lot, or
“pur,” which is why the Jewish festival that celebrates the deliverance the
Jews will experience is called purim. And so orders in the name of Xerxes were
sent throughout his provinces, to be made law and communicated to those of
every nationality, that on the selected day all Jews were to be destroyed,
killed, annihilated and plundered. Moreover, while this happened the king and
Haman sat down to drink - although the city was bewildered.
One cannot but
think here of the holocaust, where an irrational hatred of the Jews also arose
after played on their difference (as 3v8). But in Bible history, what is at
stake is the continuance of Israel and so nothing less than the fulfilment of
God’s promise to bless the world and so reverse the curse of Eden through one
of Abraham’s offspring.
Praying it home:
Praise God for working good even
from evil. Pray that he would place Christians in positions through which they
can influence rulers for good, and especially the good of the church.
Thinking further:
To read the NIV
Study Bible introduction to Esther, click
here.
If you receive this post by
email, visit bible2014.blogspot.co.uk
and make a comment.
(174) June 23: Esther 4-6 &
Acts 5:17-42
Ask God to open your mind, heart
and will to understand, delight in and obey what you read.
To discover:
As you read note the qualities
displayed by Mordecai and Esther.
To ponder:
In response to the terrible decree,
there was very public mourning by Mordecai and the Jews in every province.
Esther was however ignorant. Only when distressed by her adopted father’s grief
did she find out the situation by sending Hathach to discover why he was so
upset. Mordecai displayed wisdom, telling every detail and showing the edict to
prove the truth of what he said. He asked Hathach not only to relay this to
Esther, but urge her to intercede with the King for the people – as Christ does
with his father for us.
Esther
was reluctant, sending Hathach back to explain that if she approached the king
and he didn’t hold out his sceptre to her, she would be killed. The suggestion
is that as she had only seen him recently it is unlikely he would welcome her.
Moredecai’s response is the theological centre of the book (4v13-14), and
although God is never mentioned, he is assumed. Mordecai is confident that as
God is sovereign he will deliver the people anyway. But Esther is still
responsible to play her part, recognising that she may have gained her position
“for such a time as this.” Indeed, if she does nothing, she should not assume
that she or Mordecai’s family will escape. It’s a reminder that in putting us
in our own particular circumstances, God gives us opportunities with which we
can serve him. Indeed, at times, this may mean trusting him to put our position
or lives on the line. Here we might consider our responsibility to speak up for
God’s people to government.
Esther’s
reply models wisdom when faced with any difficulty. Like Christ in Gethsemane,
she asks others to pray, and determines to do the right thing even if it means
she perishes. So after all the Jews in the city pray and fast, she dresses
rightly and goes and stands in the king’s court. As with previous key events,
this takes place on the “third day,” building tension. With relief, the king
extends his sceptre, saying he will give Esther up to half his kingdom (a
figure of speech). She is too wise to accuse his right hand man immediately, so
she invites the king and Haman to a banquet, and there, to another the next
day. No doubt this increased the king’s anticipation and softened him into an
accepting mood. Esther is as shrewd as a snake whilst being as innocent as a
dove (Matt 10v16).
During
the twenty four hour delay, we see the signs of God’s hand at work. Haman went
home joyful, boasting of his wealth, family, and honour before the king and his
Queen. Yet at the suggestion of his wife and friends, he also built a gallows
to hang Mordecai, against whom he continued to rage. Yet that very night, being
unable to sleep, the king read of how Mordecai saved him from the assassins.
And “just” when he was pondering the fact that Mordecai hadn’t been honoured,
Haman walked into the court. So it turned out that the king asked Haman what he
should do for the man “the king delights to honour,” and, assuming this was
about him, Haman suggested the sort of honour that would make a man almost
equal to the king (6v8-9). Suddenly Haman’s fortunes therefore reverse
dramatically. Not aware that the decree he had allowed Haman to authorise was
against the Jews (3v8), the king commanded that Haman honour Mordecai in the
way he just outlined! Haman may have realised what this could mean if the king
found out what he had done, and so rushed home in grief. His wife and advisors
were cold in their response, suggesting he stood alone. They declared his
“downfall” had “started” and that he couldn’t stand against Mordecai because he
was a Jew. Perhaps they had heard of God's acts for Israel. Whether they had or
not, their words signal to the reader that these circumstances stemmed from
God’s protection of his chosen people. The one who had sought to curse Mordecai
not only inadvertently blessed him, but might now have to face God himself for
his actions (Gen 12v3). It is at this timely moment, that Haman was taken to
Esther’s banquet.
Praying it home:
Praise God for how delivering his
people through Christ from all evil. Pray that you would have faith to do what
is right whatever the consequences.
Thinking further:
None today.
If you receive this post by
email, visit bible2014.blogspot.co.uk
and make a comment.
(175) June 24: Esther 7-10 &
Acts 6
Ask God to open your mind, heart
and will to understand, delight in and obey what you read.
To discover:
As you read note how God turns the
tables on Haman.
To ponder:
At her second banquet Esther
answers the king’s query as to her petition. She is a model of gracious respect
in addressing him, and wisely asks first for her life, appealing to his
feelings for her, and then those of her people. Her comment that they have been
“sold” alludes to Haman’s offer of a bribe. She then quotes the very words on
Haman’s edict: “destruction and slaughter and annihilation,” stressing she has
only raised the issue because it is most extreme. When the king’s anger is
aroused, she then tells him the “adversary and enemy is this vile Haman.” She
had invited Haman there just for this reason. Providence then causes things to
worsen for Haman as the king’s brief exit meant he returned to think Haman’s
protestations to the Queen were an attempt to molest her. And so Haman was
arrested and hanged on the very gallows he had erected for Mordecai.
Considering the favour Esther had found in the harem, the eunuch who pointed
out Haman had erected this gallows may have been one of her friends. And so
with great irony, the one who stood against God’s man, brought his own curse on
himself. Indeed, things progress quickly. “That same day” the king gave Haman’s
estate to Esther who appointed Mordecai over it, and on hearing of their
relationship, gave Mordecai the signet ring Haman had been given, and so his
authority. There’s a hint here to how God’s people who are so despised in this
life, will eventually inherit what their despisers have cherished – the earth
itself.
In
what follows we see the same on a larger scale. Esther is emboldened to plead
with the king in tears to put an end to Haman’s plans. He extends his sceptre
allowing her to live, and with further tact and diplomacy she suggests he write
an order to overrule the previous one - as the first cannot be revoked. And so
the king tasks Esther and Mordecai with issuing the order and sealing it with
his ring. This order was also speedily sent to every province in the language
of its people, and of the Jews too. They were given the right by law to do
exactly as was to be done to them (8v11), but only to those who actually
attacked them. On the specified day they were therefore to be ready to avenge
themselves.
We should not
see this as a personal vendetta, but God’s means of vengeance through the Persian
state. Indeed, although through Christ the Christian is to love and forgive
their enemies, leaving God’s promise of vengeance and relief to the last day
(Rom 12v19-21, 2 Thess 1v6-7), it is still at times appropriate to appeal to
government to punish those who persecute them (Rom 13v3-4).
Mordecai
is now dressed like a king, and the city of Susa, that was bewildered by
Haman’s edict, is joyful at this one (3v15, 8v15). Indeed, the Jews celebrated
with feasting throughout the empire, whilst others became Jews in fear. This is
how utterly God can reverse misfortune. Just when Satan seemed to have won in
destroying Christ at the cross, Christ was raised and exalted, defeating and
disarming him. And now reigning, his people celebrate their freedom from Satan’s
oppression too.
And
so we read how the “tables were turned” on the enemies of the Jews. It seems
some still sought to attack them on the designated day, but “none could stand
against them” because people wouldn’t help them for fear of the Jews, and the
rulers assisted the Jews out of fear of Mordecai (9v2-3), who became
increasingly powerful. So the Jews struck down their enemies, as they had when
a kingdom in their land. The king is rather blasé about this, and happily
accepts Esther’s request for a second day of the same in Susa, with Haman’s
sons being hung on gallows. No doubt she requested this because there were more
allies of Haman in the city. In all, 75,000 people were killed throughout the
empire, although it is repeatedly stressed that plunder wasn’t taken despite
this being permitted. This may have been to emulate Abraham (Gen 14v23) showing
utter trust in God and purity of motive.
The book ends
explaining how this led to the feast of Purim, with the extra day in Susa
explaining why city Jews celebrated a day later than rural ones. Mordecai
recorded the events and ordered that they be commemorated each year with a
feast and the giving of presents and charity. It’s a hint at the
appropriateness of Christians establishing feasts to commemorate God’s great
acts even if not prescribed in the Bible - as long as this is not done
legalistically (Rom 14v5-6). We then read how Mordecai became second in rank to
Xerxes and was held in high esteem for speaking up for his people. The last and
least therefore became the first and the greatest. Again, it’s an encouragement
to always do what is right, knowing the Lord will acknowledge it in the end
(Matt 18v1-5).
Praying it home:
Praise God for how he can turn the
worst situation to good. Pray that you would entrust any vengeance to God.
Thinking further:
Congratulations.
With almost half a year covered, we have finished the history books of the Old
Testament.
If you receive this post by
email, visit bible2014.blogspot.co.uk
and make a comment.