Esther 9:1-2 "Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over the, (though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;) The Jews gathered themselves together to their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt: and no man could withstand them; for the fear of them fell upon all people."
After Haman was discovered and reported to the king, his decree was reversed so that the Jews could defend themselves and they had the help of those governing them so that the tide turned totally in their favor.
Pur or Purim: called the feast of lots because Haman sought to determine by lots when the day would be to destroy the Jews. In celebration for their deliverance the feast is still honored. There was a difference in the day celebrated because the triumph occurred on a different day in the provinces than in Shushan. So two days are celebrated now as confirmed by queen Esther.
v22 "As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day; that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another and gifts to the poor."
v32 "And the decree of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim, and it was written in the book."
Mordecai was surely correct when he told Esther that her purpose in coming to the king's house may have been to save her people. The whole series of events could not have happened other than by the guiding hand of God. Vashti's rebellion, Haman's rise to power, Esther's abduction, the conspiracy to kill the king, Mordecai's lingering at the gate, Esther's winning of the king's heart, Esther's wisdom in arranging the banquet to accuse Haman, the decree that reversed the decree that was not suppose to be changed, Mordecai's rise to power. It is all to fantastic except by the hand of God.
Psalm 33:18 "Behold the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;"
The feasts of lots or Purim is confirmed.
Link to Turn-a-round post.
Showing posts with label Haman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Haman. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Monday, April 06, 2009
Turn-a-Round Esther 8
Esther 8:1 "On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews' enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her."
In faraway places the Jews must have been huddled in their homes afraid for the decree Haman had sent out, that the Jews could be killed and their stuff taken.
Here is an example of how the Lord works. While those people in the far flung provinces did not know of the goings on in the palace, the Lord had turned a king's heart because of a little Jewish girl and hanged the enemy and promoted a man who hung around the gate to the highest position under the king.
The children of Israel, called Jews in this Book, are still under God's protection even though he has allowed them to be carried away into captivity for their disobedience. It is love beyond understanding.
v4 "Then the king held out the golden scepter toward Esther, So Esther arose, and stood before the king."
Esther now approaches the king again and request that the decree of Haman, to kill the Jews, be dealt with. The king gave Mordecai his ring and told him to handle it as he saw fit.
v8 "Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring; for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse."
Oh ye people, who are afraid in the kingdom, help is on the way.
v10 "And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus' name, and sealed it with the king's ring and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries: v11 Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women and to take the spoil of them for a prey."
The king gave them the right to defend themselves.
v16 "The Jews had light, and gladness and joy, and honor. v17 "...And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them."
These dishonored people who did not even have the right to fight for their families were now elevated in the kingdom to the point that people took on their nationality.
God is doing as any parent would do here. He may punish his child but he will not allow another to do so.
Nehemiah 9:31 "Nevertheless for thy great mercies' sake, thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for thou art a gracious and merciful God."
Psalm 119:153 "Consider mine affliction, and deliver me; for I do not forget thy law."
Haman's decree is reversed.
Link to previous post.
In faraway places the Jews must have been huddled in their homes afraid for the decree Haman had sent out, that the Jews could be killed and their stuff taken.
Here is an example of how the Lord works. While those people in the far flung provinces did not know of the goings on in the palace, the Lord had turned a king's heart because of a little Jewish girl and hanged the enemy and promoted a man who hung around the gate to the highest position under the king.
The children of Israel, called Jews in this Book, are still under God's protection even though he has allowed them to be carried away into captivity for their disobedience. It is love beyond understanding.
v4 "Then the king held out the golden scepter toward Esther, So Esther arose, and stood before the king."
Esther now approaches the king again and request that the decree of Haman, to kill the Jews, be dealt with. The king gave Mordecai his ring and told him to handle it as he saw fit.
v8 "Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring; for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse."
Oh ye people, who are afraid in the kingdom, help is on the way.
v10 "And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus' name, and sealed it with the king's ring and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries: v11 Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women and to take the spoil of them for a prey."
The king gave them the right to defend themselves.
v16 "The Jews had light, and gladness and joy, and honor. v17 "...And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them."
These dishonored people who did not even have the right to fight for their families were now elevated in the kingdom to the point that people took on their nationality.
God is doing as any parent would do here. He may punish his child but he will not allow another to do so.
Nehemiah 9:31 "Nevertheless for thy great mercies' sake, thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for thou art a gracious and merciful God."
Psalm 119:153 "Consider mine affliction, and deliver me; for I do not forget thy law."
Haman's decree is reversed.
Link to previous post.
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Banquet for Three Esther 7
Esther 7:2 "And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom."
The three: King Ahasuerus, Queen Esther, Haman.
Haman has just led Mordecai through the street on the kings horse and went home in shame. Then the kings men came to get him for the banquet that Esther has set up. The king has asked Esther what she wanted.
v4 "For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. ..."
v5 "Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so?"
v6 "And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen."
The king rose and went to the garden. He must have been a good king, of sorts, to take time to think even now and to give his rage time to settle down. While he was in the garden Haman began pleading with Esther. It must have been custom to lie on a bed at these occasions for Esther was laying on one. Haman in his pleading fell upon her bed and the king came in at this time to find Haman on his queen's bed.
v8 "Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wind; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face."
It is a bad sign when the king stops talking directly to Haman and speaks about him as if he could not hear. He never got a chance to plead further. Esther told the king of the gallows Haman had prepared for Mordecai. Haman was hanged there forthwith.
v10 "So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified."
Remember how Haman was promoted to the top position in the kingdom under the king. The people of 127 provinces bowed to him except one man, Mordecai. Haman could have ignored Mordecai as a nut case but instead he aspired to take vengeance on all the Jews instead. His ego would not let him ignore Mordecai and it cost him his life. Although, he had the ring to represent the king, he was not the king and should have remembered.
In all this, we can see the LORD's hand. Esther was placed in the palace and given favor with the king. Mordecai was there to remind Esther that the issue was larger than just one person. They were there to rescue their people. The issue was a national issue. The decree went to all the provinces to kill the Jews. But the solution was narrowed to four people: King Ahasuerus, Queen Esther, Haman and Mordecai.
Esther was obedient to Mordecai. Esther won the king's heart.
Proverbs 11:5 "The righteous of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness."
A banquet for three. Esther points out the enemy.
Link to previous post.
The three: King Ahasuerus, Queen Esther, Haman.
Haman has just led Mordecai through the street on the kings horse and went home in shame. Then the kings men came to get him for the banquet that Esther has set up. The king has asked Esther what she wanted.
v4 "For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. ..."
v5 "Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so?"
v6 "And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen."
The king rose and went to the garden. He must have been a good king, of sorts, to take time to think even now and to give his rage time to settle down. While he was in the garden Haman began pleading with Esther. It must have been custom to lie on a bed at these occasions for Esther was laying on one. Haman in his pleading fell upon her bed and the king came in at this time to find Haman on his queen's bed.
v8 "Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wind; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face."
It is a bad sign when the king stops talking directly to Haman and speaks about him as if he could not hear. He never got a chance to plead further. Esther told the king of the gallows Haman had prepared for Mordecai. Haman was hanged there forthwith.
v10 "So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified."
Remember how Haman was promoted to the top position in the kingdom under the king. The people of 127 provinces bowed to him except one man, Mordecai. Haman could have ignored Mordecai as a nut case but instead he aspired to take vengeance on all the Jews instead. His ego would not let him ignore Mordecai and it cost him his life. Although, he had the ring to represent the king, he was not the king and should have remembered.
In all this, we can see the LORD's hand. Esther was placed in the palace and given favor with the king. Mordecai was there to remind Esther that the issue was larger than just one person. They were there to rescue their people. The issue was a national issue. The decree went to all the provinces to kill the Jews. But the solution was narrowed to four people: King Ahasuerus, Queen Esther, Haman and Mordecai.
Esther was obedient to Mordecai. Esther won the king's heart.
Proverbs 11:5 "The righteous of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness."
A banquet for three. Esther points out the enemy.
Link to previous post.
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Haman Shamed, Mordecai Honored Esther 6
Esther 6:1 "On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king."
Remember chapter 2 verse 23? There was a plot against the king and Mordecai discovered it and reported it to Esther who told the king. The plotters were hanged and an entry was made in the book of chronicles under Mordecai's name but Mordecai was never recognized for saving the life of the king.
Now is where the praying and fasting pays off. The king cannot sleep and so the chronicles are read to him. He hears the story of the plot and of the one who reported it.
v3 "And the king said, What honor and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him."
Haman was in the outward court waiting to see the king. The king asked his servants who was there and was told. he invited Haman in. Haman was there to get the king to hang Mordecai.
v6 "So Haman came in And the king said unto him, what shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honor? Now Haman thought in h is heart, To whom would the king delight to do honor more than to myself? v7 And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to honor, v8 Let the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head; v9 And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth, to honor, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honor."
Immediately, the king told Haman to do so to Mordecai. Haman followed the king's orders and led Mordecai through the streets as described by his own mouth. He then went home with his head covered and in shame. He consulted with his wife and friends and his wife told him he was doomed. Then a knock at the door and he was taken to the banquet where Esther had her day.
The king asked Esther what she desired and her plot reached its conclusion.
Psalm 18: "It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me. v48 He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man."
Haman Shamed, Mordecai Honored.
Link to Esther's trap for Haman.
Remember chapter 2 verse 23? There was a plot against the king and Mordecai discovered it and reported it to Esther who told the king. The plotters were hanged and an entry was made in the book of chronicles under Mordecai's name but Mordecai was never recognized for saving the life of the king.
Now is where the praying and fasting pays off. The king cannot sleep and so the chronicles are read to him. He hears the story of the plot and of the one who reported it.
v3 "And the king said, What honor and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him."
Haman was in the outward court waiting to see the king. The king asked his servants who was there and was told. he invited Haman in. Haman was there to get the king to hang Mordecai.
v6 "So Haman came in And the king said unto him, what shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honor? Now Haman thought in h is heart, To whom would the king delight to do honor more than to myself? v7 And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to honor, v8 Let the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head; v9 And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth, to honor, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honor."
Immediately, the king told Haman to do so to Mordecai. Haman followed the king's orders and led Mordecai through the streets as described by his own mouth. He then went home with his head covered and in shame. He consulted with his wife and friends and his wife told him he was doomed. Then a knock at the door and he was taken to the banquet where Esther had her day.
The king asked Esther what she desired and her plot reached its conclusion.
Psalm 18: "It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me. v48 He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man."
Haman Shamed, Mordecai Honored.
Link to Esther's trap for Haman.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Esther's Trap for Haman Esther 5
Esther 5:1 "Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house."
After three days of praying and fasting, Esther stands outside the door to the king's inner court where she will either be accepted by the king or sentenced to death. It must have been a lonely and frightening time for her.
The door opened and she went in and the golden scepter was extended toward her which was the sign that the king would hear her.
v4 "And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him."
The king agreed as he had promised Esther after she gained his favor, that he would give her anything up to half his kingdom.
Haman was excited and called his family and advisers together to make the announcement. He thinks he has found favor with the queen after all. I don't know if he realized the connection between her and Mordecai and I'm sure Haman did not know the queen was Jewish.
v12 "Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and tomorrow am I invited unto her also with the king."
I think there were two gatherings, the first being the one Haman is bragging about and another where Esther drops the hammer on him.
Haman has a problem with his ego and Esther used it as a weapon against him.
v14 Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and tomorrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made."
Reason has left Haman in his excitement. It appears that he has decided that he can get anything he asked for, now that he has won the favor of both the king and queen.
Next chapter, a sleepless night for the king.
Proverbs 4:23 "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee; Let thing eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left; remove thy foot from evil. 24-27
Esther sets a trap for Haman.
Mordecai and Esther communicate about the decree to kill all Jews.
After three days of praying and fasting, Esther stands outside the door to the king's inner court where she will either be accepted by the king or sentenced to death. It must have been a lonely and frightening time for her.
The door opened and she went in and the golden scepter was extended toward her which was the sign that the king would hear her.
v4 "And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him."
The king agreed as he had promised Esther after she gained his favor, that he would give her anything up to half his kingdom.
Haman was excited and called his family and advisers together to make the announcement. He thinks he has found favor with the queen after all. I don't know if he realized the connection between her and Mordecai and I'm sure Haman did not know the queen was Jewish.
v12 "Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and tomorrow am I invited unto her also with the king."
I think there were two gatherings, the first being the one Haman is bragging about and another where Esther drops the hammer on him.
Haman has a problem with his ego and Esther used it as a weapon against him.
v14 Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and tomorrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made."
Reason has left Haman in his excitement. It appears that he has decided that he can get anything he asked for, now that he has won the favor of both the king and queen.
Next chapter, a sleepless night for the king.
Proverbs 4:23 "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee; Let thing eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left; remove thy foot from evil. 24-27
Esther sets a trap for Haman.
Mordecai and Esther communicate about the decree to kill all Jews.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Mordecai and Esther Communicate Esther 4
Esther 4:1 "When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and bitter cry; v2 And came even before the king's gate; for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth."
Mordecai has gotten the word of the decree sent out concerning the Jews. Haman had persuaded the king to let the Jews be killed. Haman did this because the Jews would not bow to him, particularly Mordecai.
This chapter is a back and forth between Mordecai and Esther. Mordecai wants Esther to go to the king but she fears for her life if she goes before the king uninvited. Mordecai tells her that she will die anyway because the decree was for all the Jews to be killed.
v14 "For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed; and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"
Esther declares a fast and tells Mordecai to get the people to fast for her three days. She answered with these famous words:
v16 "...and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish."
It seems strange, to me, that such a burden would be laid on this young woman. She was but a young Jewish girl who was stolen away to the palace for the king's pleasure. But on her shoulders rest the fate of all the Jews in the king's provinces, over a hundred of them. In the next chapter, we will see how she did.
Here we should stop and note that even though Mordecai and Esther have developed a plan, The people have prayed and fasted for three days. In their captivity, they have turned to God for help. It is a good time to remember II Chronicles 7:12 "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
Psalm 42:11 "By this I know that thou favorest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me."
Mordecai and Esther talk back and forth about her visit to the king to save their people.
Mordecai and Haman face off.
Mordecai has gotten the word of the decree sent out concerning the Jews. Haman had persuaded the king to let the Jews be killed. Haman did this because the Jews would not bow to him, particularly Mordecai.
This chapter is a back and forth between Mordecai and Esther. Mordecai wants Esther to go to the king but she fears for her life if she goes before the king uninvited. Mordecai tells her that she will die anyway because the decree was for all the Jews to be killed.
v14 "For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed; and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"
Esther declares a fast and tells Mordecai to get the people to fast for her three days. She answered with these famous words:
v16 "...and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish."
It seems strange, to me, that such a burden would be laid on this young woman. She was but a young Jewish girl who was stolen away to the palace for the king's pleasure. But on her shoulders rest the fate of all the Jews in the king's provinces, over a hundred of them. In the next chapter, we will see how she did.
Here we should stop and note that even though Mordecai and Esther have developed a plan, The people have prayed and fasted for three days. In their captivity, they have turned to God for help. It is a good time to remember II Chronicles 7:12 "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
Psalm 42:11 "By this I know that thou favorest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me."
Mordecai and Esther talk back and forth about her visit to the king to save their people.
Mordecai and Haman face off.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Haman and Mordecai Face Off Esther 3
Esther 3:5 "And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath." See also Daniel chapter 3.
Haman is one of the kings men who was promoted to the top spot under the king. The people were required to bow to him when he passed as they would bow for the king. Mordecai refused to do so.
v3 "Then the king's servants, which were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transfressest thou the king's commandment?"
They let this go on for a while but finally reported the disobedience to Haman. Haman took personal offence instead of actually being offended for the king's commandment. Instead of getting mad at Mordecai, Haman got mad at the whole race of Jewish people.
v8 "And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws; therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them."
Haman carried his offense to the king, not for the kings sake (actually) but for his own ego because Mordecai would not bow to him. The king turned the lions lose on the Jewish people and made a decree that they could be killed and their possessions taken for spoil.
v15 "The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed."
Haman seems to have accomplished his purpose. He has convinced the king to allow the Jews to be killed and he is now having a drink with the king.
But we should not forget about Esther. Remember she has not yet revealed that she too is a Jew. Mordecai will ask for her help in the next chapter.
Psalm 34:1 "I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth."
Haman plots to kill the Jews.
Esther and the King.
Haman is one of the kings men who was promoted to the top spot under the king. The people were required to bow to him when he passed as they would bow for the king. Mordecai refused to do so.
v3 "Then the king's servants, which were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transfressest thou the king's commandment?"
They let this go on for a while but finally reported the disobedience to Haman. Haman took personal offence instead of actually being offended for the king's commandment. Instead of getting mad at Mordecai, Haman got mad at the whole race of Jewish people.
v8 "And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws; therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them."
Haman carried his offense to the king, not for the kings sake (actually) but for his own ego because Mordecai would not bow to him. The king turned the lions lose on the Jewish people and made a decree that they could be killed and their possessions taken for spoil.
v15 "The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed."
Haman seems to have accomplished his purpose. He has convinced the king to allow the Jews to be killed and he is now having a drink with the king.
But we should not forget about Esther. Remember she has not yet revealed that she too is a Jew. Mordecai will ask for her help in the next chapter.
Psalm 34:1 "I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth."
Haman plots to kill the Jews.
Esther and the King.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Esther Intro
Esther 1:1 "Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:) v2 That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace, v3 In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants, the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him: v4 When he showed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honor of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days."
Shushan was known to the greeks as Susa, a chief city of Persia. It was the winter palace of the kings.
Ahasuerus(king): king of Persia 529-521 between Cyrus and Darius. I think this is the same as Artaxerxes (great king) because the events in Jerusalem correspond. i.e. the rebuilding of the temple was interrupted. However CI Scofield says that Artaxerxes was the secular Cambyses of 529-521 and Ahasuerus of Esther's time was Xerxes of secular history 485 BC.
Although the Bible uses the title, the full name would be Ahasuerus Cambyses and Artaxerxes Xerxes according to Scofield. For our purposes and the purposes of the Jews under their rule it is enough to know that they were in charge as far as the world was concerned.
Ahasuerus had a wife named Vashti who was queen with him. The king threw a party and paraded his riches before his guest for a 180 days. Obviously, he had a lot of riches. At the end of this parade of riches, the king wanted to show off his wife, a beautiful women, as if she were one of his treasures. I don't know how the king meant this, I expect it was an honor he wished to bestow on her. Vashti was having a party of her own with the wives that came and did not show up when the king ordered it. She was dethroned as a result. That is where Esther comes into the picture. The king got lonesome.
The king had an advisor named Haman who rises to the kings most trusted advisor.
The Jews had a man who refused to go along with everything Haman insisted on and so incurred the wrath of Haman. Mordecai was the Jews name and he would not bow to Haman.
Mordecai was faithful to the king though and discovered a plot to kill the king and reported it.
So that is how the stage is set for this beautiful book of the Bible. Esther had to take the station of wife of the king and her position in the kingdom was used to save the lives of the Jews, albeit at the risk of her own life. Esther was a young virgin who was taken from the kingdom to be the wife of the king after Vashti was banished.
v10 "On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he comanded...the seven chamberlains ...v11 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. v12 But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment..."
To get a picture of how the government was set up we can go to Daniel 6:1-3 if Darius was following the example of Ahasuerus: "It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first; that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage. Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in hi; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm." So there are some thoughts to add to our study of Esther.
Vashti refuses to obey king Ahasuerus and Esther comes on the scene.
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Shushan was known to the greeks as Susa, a chief city of Persia. It was the winter palace of the kings.
Ahasuerus(king): king of Persia 529-521 between Cyrus and Darius. I think this is the same as Artaxerxes (great king) because the events in Jerusalem correspond. i.e. the rebuilding of the temple was interrupted. However CI Scofield says that Artaxerxes was the secular Cambyses of 529-521 and Ahasuerus of Esther's time was Xerxes of secular history 485 BC.
Although the Bible uses the title, the full name would be Ahasuerus Cambyses and Artaxerxes Xerxes according to Scofield. For our purposes and the purposes of the Jews under their rule it is enough to know that they were in charge as far as the world was concerned.
Ahasuerus had a wife named Vashti who was queen with him. The king threw a party and paraded his riches before his guest for a 180 days. Obviously, he had a lot of riches. At the end of this parade of riches, the king wanted to show off his wife, a beautiful women, as if she were one of his treasures. I don't know how the king meant this, I expect it was an honor he wished to bestow on her. Vashti was having a party of her own with the wives that came and did not show up when the king ordered it. She was dethroned as a result. That is where Esther comes into the picture. The king got lonesome.
The king had an advisor named Haman who rises to the kings most trusted advisor.
The Jews had a man who refused to go along with everything Haman insisted on and so incurred the wrath of Haman. Mordecai was the Jews name and he would not bow to Haman.
Mordecai was faithful to the king though and discovered a plot to kill the king and reported it.
So that is how the stage is set for this beautiful book of the Bible. Esther had to take the station of wife of the king and her position in the kingdom was used to save the lives of the Jews, albeit at the risk of her own life. Esther was a young virgin who was taken from the kingdom to be the wife of the king after Vashti was banished.
v10 "On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he comanded...the seven chamberlains ...v11 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. v12 But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment..."
To get a picture of how the government was set up we can go to Daniel 6:1-3 if Darius was following the example of Ahasuerus: "It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first; that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage. Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in hi; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm." So there are some thoughts to add to our study of Esther.
Vashti refuses to obey king Ahasuerus and Esther comes on the scene.
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