Esther is a fascinating book that takes us on a journey to understand God’s providence. Although the author of this book is unknown, the dialect used suggest that the author was a person who was accustomed to both Jewish and Persian customs, giving credence to the book being written in the timeframe of the events, which are approximately in 460 BC. It was most likely written after Xerxes had died (Esther 10:2 eludes to this) and before Ezra’s return to Jerusalem (Esther 8:12, Ezra 7:9).
The book of Esther is the last book in biblical order in the historical books of the Old Testament. But its chronological order is different. In fact, the final three historical books (Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther), all shares uniqueness as a unit.
First, Ezra and Nehemiah, from very early on, were viewed as two separate books. The Talmud was the first to combine the works as one, referring just to Ezra and never to Nehemiah. The Septuagint called the combined works Esdra (Ezra) B. Origen was the first to make a distinction between the two, wheel Jerome, who translated the Latin Vulgte, referred to Nehemiah as the second book of Esdrae. Wycliffe and Coverdale both referred to the books as 1 Esdras and 2 Esdras. Eventually it was separated as two distinct books, Ezra and Nehemiah, in current translations.
This is important to note because Ezra and Nehemiah were contemporaries under the Persian rule. Both served under the kingship of Artaxerxes I. But where does the book of Esther fit into this? Her story is fit inside Ezra 6 and 7, during the reign of Xerxes. Although Esther’s book is about a singular event during that reign, it no less fits into the overall narrative of the three books that are set under Persian rule.
All three books tell us of providence, but none like Esther. God is not mentioned in the book, and there are no allusions to what is happening outside Xerxes kingdom at the time, but God’s provision, protection and machinations are very prominent in this work. It is at the end of the historic books because the once-single work of Ezra/Nehemiah makes sense to follow each other, then the break out story of Esther as an addendum to both.
1 This is what happened during the time of Xerxes, the Xerxes who ruled over 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush: 2 At that time King Xerxes reigned from his royal throne in the citadel of Susa, 3 and in the third year of his reign he gave a banquet for all his nobles and officials. The military leaders of Persia and Media, the princes, and the nobles of the provinces were present.
Xerxes, also known as Ahasuerus, was a very well-known king of the Persian Empire. He was the son of Darius I and is mentioned in the books of Ezra, Daniel and Haggai. He is also very well-known historically. He ruled from 486- 465 BC. His mother was the daughter of Cyrus the Great. His most famous battle was when he attempted to conquer Greece in 483 BC. This attempt to strengthen the Persian Empire ended in an embarrassing defeat. As the story opens, Xerxes is no doubt planning this future invasion.
As the biblical account opens, Xerxes is in charge of 127 provinces from India to Cush (Ethiopia). The Persian Empire is the largest empire to date, one day to fall of Greece. Greece will fall to Rome and the colossal empire of Rome will rule the land up to and beyond Christ’s ministry. Here we see that Xerxes is throwing a great party for many of Persia’s officials.
4 For a full 180 days he displayed the vast wealth of his kingdom and the splendor and glory of his majesty.
For six months was a prideful display of his kingdom to the various officials and dignitaries of Persia.
5 When these days were over, the king gave a banquet, lasting seven days, in the enclosed garden of the king’s palace, for all the people from the least to the greatest who were in the citadel of Susa.
The second festival, which lasted seven days, was for the people of Susa.
6 The garden had hangings of white and blue linen, fastened with cords of white linen and purple material to silver rings on marble pillars. There were couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl and other costly stones.
There is opulence surrounding the party guests. This is to show those around him that Xerxes holds the ultimate wealth and power in the land. This is nothing more than a show of pride for all those around him.
7 Wine was served in goblets of gold, each one different from the other, and the royal wine was abundant, in keeping with the king’s liberality. 8 By the king’s command each guest was allowed to drink with no restrictions, for the king instructed all the wine stewards to serve each man what he wished.
It wasn’t just a display of pride, but one of excess. All were allowed to drink and get drunk, for it was Xerxes’ desire to show all that not only did he have power and benevolence, but also the very keys to sustenance and joy.
9 Queen Vashti also gave a banquet for the women in the royal palace of King Xerxes.
Xerxes wife, Vashti, also throws a party. This party is for the women in the royal palace.
10 On the seventh day, when King Xerxes was in high spirits from wine, he commanded the seven eunuchs who served him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Karkas— 11 to bring before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty to the people and nobles, for she was lovely to look at. 12 But when the attendants delivered the king’s command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and burned with anger.
In accordance with Xerxes’ pride, he commands for his wife to dance before the officials. But first we need to realize one important item: Xerxes is drunk. This is on day 7 of the party, when people have been drinking for week straight. Xerxes judgment is clearly skewed. When Vashti refuses, Xerxes goes into a rage.
We need to understand what this means in this culture. First, the king is the ultimate last word. You do not defy the king. The king has the right to kill anyone, anytime, on his own whim. This extends to the queen. No matter how lovely she may be, no matter how strong, she still yields to the king’s commands. What Vashti does is remarkable. Xerxes’ reaction is that of a petulant child. He’s been promoting himself and his kingdom for the better of 6 months and now his queen defies him in front of his officials.
13 Since it was customary for the king to consult experts in matters of law and justice, he spoke with the wise men who understood the times 14 and were closest to the king—Karshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and Memukan, the seven nobles of Persia and Media who had special access to the king and were highest in the kingdom. 15 “According to law, what must be done to Queen Vashti?” he asked. “She has not obeyed the command of King Xerxes that the eunuchs have taken to her.”
It is amazing that Xerxes even went to the officials to figure out what to do with Vashti. This is perhaps after he sobered up and pondered the situation.
16 Then Memukan replied in the presence of the king and the nobles, “Queen Vashti has done wrong, not only against the king but also against all the nobles and the peoples of all the provinces of King Xerxes. 17 For the queen’s conduct will become known to all the women, and so they will despise their husbands and say, ‘King Xerxes commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she would not come.’ 18 This very day the Persian and Median women of the nobility who have heard about the queen’s conduct will respond to all the king’s nobles in the same way. There will be no end of disrespect and discord.
The fear is that if Vashti does not go punished, her conduct will be a lightning rod for all other women in the land. They will realize that if the king’s wife doesn’t listen to the king, then why should they listen to their husband? The ripple effect could be enormous.
19 “Therefore, if it pleases the king, let him issue a royal decree and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media, which cannot be repealed, that Vashti is never again to enter the presence of King Xerxes. Also let the king give her royal position to someone else who is better than she. 20 Then when the king’s edict is proclaimed throughout all his vast realm, all the women will respect their husbands, from the least to the greatest.” 21 The king and his nobles were pleased with this advice, so the king did as Memukan proposed. 22 He sent dispatches to all parts of the kingdom, to each province in its own script and to each people in their own language, proclaiming that every man should be ruler over his own household, using his native tongue.
Although the role of the man as the leader of the household is a biblical one, the motivation here is suspect. Xerxes, the ever-prideful ruler of Persia, doesn’t want to look weak. He doesn’t want that weakness to filter down to other communities. Therefore, they will write an unbreakable edict, casting Vashti out forever, scaring other women into submission, and securing his pride.
Esther 2
1 Later when King Xerxes’ fury had subsided, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what he had decreed about her. 2 Then the king’s personal attendants proposed, “Let a search be made for beautiful young virgins for the king. 3 Let the king appoint commissioners in every province of his realm to bring all these beautiful young women into the harem at the citadel of Susa. Let them be placed under the care of Hegai, the king’s eunuch, who is in charge of the women; and let beauty treatments be given to them. 4 Then let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti.” This advice appealed to the king, and he followed it.
This passage is in regard to the events of chapter 1, in which Xerxes, in an incredible show of pride, begins a six month party to showcase his kingdom and power. It is capped off by a seven day party for the people of the city of Susa, in which they can drink all they desire. At the tail end of this party is a party, thrown by Queen Vashti, for the women of the royal palace. King Xerxes commands the queen to be displayed before the officials. The king’s drunken request is refused by the queen which throws Xerxes into a tirade. He consults his officials as to what to do about the queen, and they instruct him to construct a law that banishes Queen Vashti from ever being in his sight again. This edict is meant to squelch any other women from following the queen’s example.
The next plan is to find a replacement for Vashti. The commissioners are to scour the land, all 127 provinces, and take the best women from them, add them to Xerxes’ harem. From there, the women are to receive a beauty regiment until she is fit to go before the king. It’s the ancient form of the Bachelor.
5 Now there was in the citadel of Susa a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, named Mordecai son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, 6 who had been carried into exile from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, among those taken captive with Jehoiachin king of Judah. 7 Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither father nor mother. This young woman, who was also known as Esther, had a lovely figure and was beautiful. Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died.
Mordecai, who becomes a central figure in this story, was one of the Jews who was deported to Babylon during Nebuchadnezzar’s campaign. Babylon, being one of the many provinces under Persian control, is entered and the women of the land are surveyed by the commissioners. Mordecai apparently wasn’t one of the Jews who went with Ezra back to Jerusalem. He is in care of a woman named Hadassah, also known as Esther.
8 When the king’s order and edict had been proclaimed, many young women were brought to the citadel of Susa and put under the care of Hegai. Esther also was taken to the king’s palace and entrusted to Hegai, who had charge of the harem. 9 She pleased him and won his favor. Immediately he provided her with her beauty treatments and special food. He assigned to her seven female attendants selected from the king’s palace and moved her and her attendants into the best place in the harem.
Esther is one of the women scooped up and sent to the Susa harem. There, she is put under the care of Hegai, the eunuch officer who takes care of the women. But there is something about Esther that captures Hegai’s attention. Esther is given special treatment. She is assigned seven attendants and moved to the best place int he harem.
This may sound like a horrible situation and a random one at best, but this is the beginning of God’s providence at work. In this story we see God working behind the scenes to bring the separate players to their exalted and banished conclusions. What the book of Esther offers us is a close look at how God operates in this world. By these seemingly random and harsh events, God will bring glory to a horrible situation that hasn’t even arisen yet. God’s providence begins here, in a beautiful woman taken from her home and sent to a harem on the whim of a king.
10 Esther had not revealed her nationality and family background, because Mordecai had forbidden her to do so. 11 Every day he walked back and forth near the courtyard of the harem to find out how Esther was and what was happening to her.
Mordecai has given Esther instructions before she is taken. Do not reveal your heritage. Why? We don’t rightly know, but this plays out as masterstroke later. We’ll also learn that Mordecai is a man of God, so it is apt to assume that Mordecai is in deep contact with God, knows what God values, and if those lines of communication are open, Mordecai senses to keep that information close. Also in this passage we see that Mordecai is a loving man to Esther. He’s brought her up as a daughter and cares for her welfare. He’s followed her to Susa to remain close to her.
12 Before a young woman’s turn came to go in to King Xerxes, she had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments prescribed for the women, six months with oil of myrrh and six with perfumes and cosmetics. 13 And this is how she would go to the king: Anything she wanted was given her to take with her from the harem to the king’s palace. 14 In the evening she would go there and in the morning return to another part of the harem to the care of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the concubines. She would not return to the king unless he was pleased with her and summoned her by name.
This process isn’t a quick one. A year of beauty treatments has passed, along with another year of oil, myrrh and cosmetics. She was set up for success. And although this may sound like a nice way to spend time in the ancient world, we have to remember the real toll:
Only one woman would become queen The rest would be added to the king’s harem These women would seldom, if ever, see the king Many would become the king’s concubine The harem would disqualify them from marrying another
This is not a good end for the vast majority of the women plucked from their villages and ordered to the harem on the king’s whim.
15 When the turn came for Esther (the young woman Mordecai had adopted, the daughter of his uncle Abihail) to go to the king, she asked for nothing other than what Hegai, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the harem, suggested. And Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her. 16 She was taken to King Xerxes in the royal residence in the tenth month, the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. 17 Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. 18 And the king gave a great banquet, Esther’s banquet, for all his nobles and officials. He proclaimed a holiday throughout the provinces and distributed gifts with royal liberality.
From Queen Vashti’s refusal to Esther going before the king was four years. She is the one who Xerxes wants as queen. But what happened to Vashti? There is no conclusive evidence, but she was probably killed or exiled from the kingdom.
19 When the virgins were assembled a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate. 20 But Esther had kept secret her family background and nationality just as Mordecai had told her to do, for she continued to follow Mordecai’s instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up. 21 During the time Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, became angry and conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. 22 But Mordecai found out about the plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai. 23 And when the report was investigated and found to be true, the two officials were impaled on poles. All this was recorded in the book of the annals in the presence of the king.
Mordecai, ever present and in communication with Esther, hears of a plot to murder Xerxes. This predates Xerxes actual assassination in 465 BC. Artabanus, Xerxes royal bodyguard commander, and a eunuch named Aspamitres, killed Xerxes because Artabanus wanted the throne But he too was killed and the throne went to Artaxerxes I.
It shows that Xerxes wasn’t well-liked, most likely for his cruelty and hair-trigger temper. When Mordecai gets wind of this though, he is perhaps hit with a moral quandary: if the king dies, then maybe that frees Esther. Even if that entered his mind, Mordecai doesn’t act upon it. Instead, he takes a page from a Godly man on the future, Peter. 1 Peter 2:17 says this: Fear God, honor the king. Even though Xerxes is in power, Mordecai’s duty is to submit to it. It shows Mordecai’s godliness. By telling Esther and Esther relaying it to the king, it puts Mordecai on Xerxes’ radar. He is an ally.
Esther 3
After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him and giving him a seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles.
After Esther had become queen and the assassination plot was foiled, a man named Haman comes onto the scene. Haman’s lineage is important here. He is the son of an Agagite. Agag was the former king of the Amalekites. These were enemies to Israel from way back in the days of Moses (Exodus 17:14-16).
Let’s recap some of the judgment foibles of King Xerxes:
1. Six month glory party 2. 7-Day drunken bender 3. Calling the queen out to be displayed 4. Creating an edict to kick the queen out fo the house 5. Devising a Cinderella-esqe search for a new queen 6. Deporting and damning nearly 400 women to a life in the harem 7. Honoring a known enemy of Israel
2 All the royal officials at the king’s gate knelt down and paid honor to Haman, for the king had commanded this concerning him. But Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor. 3 Then the royal officials at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why do you disobey the king’s command?”
This seems out of character for a man that foiled the assassination attempt of a pagan king. Yet there are two profound differences in the stance Mordecai takes:
1. The prostration of those before Haman seems to be motivated by Haman’s pride. Mordecai may find no honor in bowing to a man’s pride 2. Mordecai would never bow to a generational enemy to Israel
4 Day after day they spoke to him but he refused to comply. Therefore they told Haman about it to see whether Mordecai’s behavior would be tolerated, for he had told them he was a Jew. 5 When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor, he was enraged. 6 Yet having learned who Mordecai’s people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes.
Through Haman’s pride, we see the true color of his heart. Haman cannot stand for a single person not bowing to him. It seems that he didn’t notice at first until he was told about it. But then he discovers Mordecai’s heritage. But it isn’t enough to destroy just Mordecai. He must destroy all the Jews.
And perhaps this was what Mordecai first saw in Haman. It could have been the reason he could not bow to him. Because he saw that Haman was evil and bent on destruction. A man of God would be able to see that.
7 In the twelfth year of King Xerxes, in the first month, the month of Nisan, the pur (that is, the lot) was cast in the presence of Haman to select a day and month. And the lot fell on the twelfth month, the month of Adar. 8 Then Haman said to King Xerxes, “There is a certain people dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom who keep themselves separate. Their customs are different from those of all other people, and they do not obey the king’s laws; it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them. 9 If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will give ten thousand talents of silver to the king’s administrators for the royal treasury.”
In verse 7, we see that another 5 years has passed since Esther has become queen. Haman has cast the Pur (Persian for lots). This was an ancient way to leave decisions to chance. Since he was throwing it in the first month, and the our fell on the twelfth month, it meant that Haman’s attack on the Jewish population would not occur for nearly a year.
After choosing his timeframe, he then goes to the king. Haman is wily; he chooses his words carefully. Notice how he never calls out the Jews by name. He says “a certain people” who “keep themselves separate” have different “customs” and they “don’t obey the king’s laws”. In the best interest of the king, Haman says, it’s best to destroy them, and in doing so, he’ll set the treasury up with a tidy sum.
Haman frames the truth with a lie. Yes, the jews are a “certain people” and they have “different customs” and they do “separate themselves”. But there is no evidence that they didn’t obey the king’s laws. In fact, Haman’s motivation is based solely on his hate for Mordecai. He is trying to coerce the king to sign an irreversible edict.
In Persian culture, once a king signs an edict, they can’t reverse it. It stands as law. If you’ve read the book of Daniel, the conspiring officials use this same irreversible tactic to catch Daniel praying to God instead of the king (Daniel 6:13) and is thrown into the Lion’s Den because of it.
10 So the king took his signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. 11 “Keep the money,” the king said to Haman, “and do with the people as you please.”
Another poor decision by Xerxes, to eradicate a people based on a lie. He doesn’t research it, doesn’t even question it, but gives his seal of approval. This is a stark contrast to his father Darius, who researched the plight of the Jewish people rebuilding the temple deeply before issuing an edict (Ezra 6).
12 Then on the thirteenth day of the first month the royal secretaries were summoned. They wrote out in the script of each province and in the language of each people all Haman’s orders to the king’s satraps, the governors of the various provinces and the nobles of the various peoples. These were written in the name of King Xerxes himself and sealed with his own ring. 13 Dispatches were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces with the order to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and children—on a single day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, and to plunder their goods. 14 A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued as law in every province and made known to the people of every nationality so they would be ready for that day. 15 The couriers went out, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. The king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was bewildered.
Because of Haman’s pride, an entire people are to be murdered. Xerxes and Haman seem content with it (they sat down to drink), but the city was “bewildered”. The city knew there were Jewish people within their walls and these people were good people. They were given 11 months to prepare to be slaughtered. This telegraphed genocide was unusual, but this is also part of God’s timing. Things seem bleak, but God is at work. Remember, Mordecai told Esther not to reveal her lineage. Her lineage is Jewish. God is at work.
Esther 4
1 When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. 2 But he went only as far as the king’s gate, because no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter it. 3 In every province to which the edict and order of the king came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing. Many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
Mordecai’s anguish is in relation to the events of chapter 3, when Haman’s prideful vengeance against Mordecai resulted in a decree against the entire Jewish nation. Because King Xerxes has sealed it into law, under the Persian rules of law, the edict cannot be erased. This is because Mordecai acted out in integrity, refused to kneel before Haman, and Haman in his bitterness found a way to condemn all the Jews. This edict is carried out in all the provinces of Persia where Jews reside.
4 When Esther’s eunuchs and female attendants came and told her about Mordecai, she was in great distress. She sent clothes for him to put on instead of his sackcloth, but he would not accept them. 5 Then Esther summoned Hathak, one of the king’s eunuchs assigned to attend her, and ordered him to find out what was troubling Mordecai and why. 6 So Hathak went out to Mordecai in the open square of the city in front of the king’s gate. 7 Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him, including the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews. 8 He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict for their annihilation, which had been published in Susa, to show to Esther and explain it to her, and he told him to instruct her to go into the king’s presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people.
Esther is living in the citadel at Susa, cut off from the everyday lives of the people. She has no idea of why Mordecai is behaving this way. We see her love for her cousin, that reciprocal love that Mordecai showed for Esther when she was taken into the harem. It isn’t until Mordecai tells the eunuch Hathak what had happened that Esther knows of the plan.
This is a moment when Esther could refuse to believe, but Mordecai does not give her that chance. He provides her not only with the monetary amount Haman is prepared to deposit into the royal treasury, but the actual edict, which, by law, had to be posted and proclaimed in each province once it became law.
9 Hathak went back and reported to Esther what Mordecai had said. 10 Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai, 11 “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.”
This is a very human moment for Esther. She hasn’t seen the king for a month. It is against the law for someone to approach the king without being summoned. This is an offense that can end in death. Perhaps its pushback or simply the logistics of her position, but she says she can’t get in front of the king unless he calls for her.
12 When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, 13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
This is the crux of the book. Esther is a Jew living as the king’s wife. The Jews have just been notified they will be murdered by the regime in 11 months. Esther is in a tough position. If she goes before the king to plead for the Jews, she could be killed. If she doesn’t, scores of her countryfolk will be slaughtered. She too will be found out.
But Mordecai’s words are important to understand. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” His question is a rhetorical one, but it yields the question, is God in charge? If we believe God to be in charge, then is He in charge of all? And if He is in charge of all, then is he in charge of this very situation? In our lives, we don’t know why God has given us certain steps to follow. We are supposed to follow and he leads us to where he needs us to be.
In the first four chapters of this book, we saw a queen deposed, a King put out a search for a new queen, years passing until he finds Esther, the rise of the tyrant Haman and the call to exterminate the Jews. What this book is teaching us is something very pointed: even though we live our life and don’t always think about God, God is thinking about us. His will is being done whether we believe so or not. Whether we participate or not. And from time to time, it is our duty to rise up in the story and show what we’re made of. In Mordecai’s case, he stood with integrity in the face of pride and long-standing animosity. Now it is a time for Esther to stand up. Because, as Mordecai puts it, it’s the very reason she is there.
15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” 17 So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions.
Esther does a wise thing. Instead of rashly going to Xerxes, she instead enlists the Jews to fast for her. Fasting is a way for a person to deprive themselves of the standard staples of life in order to grow closer to the one who provides true sustenance. She wants the Jewish people, in the city of Susa, to take on this task, to be her support, to get closer to God through fasting and, as implied, prayer. Only after she has the backing of the people, acting as one in a spiritual manner, will she approach the king.
Esther 5
1 On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. 2 When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter. 3 Then the king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.” 4 “If it pleases the king,” replied Esther, “let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him.” 5 “Bring Haman at once,” the king said, “so that we may do what Esther asks.” So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared. 6 As they were drinking wine, the king again asked Esther, “Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.” 7 Esther replied, “My petition and my request is this: 8 If the king regards me with favor and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.”
Esther approaches the king. In Esther 4:11 we see the law that she is violating: 11 “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.”
The king has the right to put to death anyone who approaches him without his summoning of them. When Mordecai challenged Esther to do just that, in order to save the Jewish population, she is well aware of this rule. But she doesn’t first go to the king. She first asked Mordecai and the people to fast for three days in preparation of this. This shows us that Esther needs this period of preparation, with fasting and prayer backing her, before she goes to the king.
When she finally goes before him, a true act of courage, the gold scepter is extended to her. This means that she can approach. Xerxes is happy to see her. This is surprising, because Xerxes first isn’t very good to his wives (see Queen Vashti) and has a reputation for being rash and impulsive (see his response to Vashti’s refusal). But God is at work here, if not overtly expressed in the text.
We will also notice that there isn’t an instant blurting of the problem at hand. Instead, her wish before the king is to invite Haman to a banquet. What is Esther up to? 9 Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage against Mordecai. 10 Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home.
Again, Haman, even though being honored by Xerxes and his queen, can’t be happy until everyone is showing him the respect he thinks he needs.
Calling together his friends and Zeresh, his wife, 11 Haman boasted to them about his vast wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored him and how he had elevated him above the other nobles and officials. 12 “And that’s not all,” Haman added. “I’m the only person Queen Esther invited to accompany the king to the banquet she gave. And she has invited me along with the king tomorrow. 13 But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king’s gate.”
Haman’s heart is wrong. Ultimately, this man needs God in his life, to humble himself and submit to the true, holy and pure power of the creator. Yet he cannot do that. His view of the world is temporal. He has done well for himself, but the one thing he can’t control, Mordecai, eats at his heart. His response is to lash out, to see the one speck that isn’t right in his life is rubbed out of existence. To eradicate everything that Mordecai and the Jews, are.
14 His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have a pole set up, reaching to a height of fifty cubits, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai impaled on it. Then go with the king to the banquet and enjoy yourself.” This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the pole set up.
One thing we can gather about human life is that a person likes to surround themselves with like thinkers. People who will validate one’s own views. It gives comfort to the sinner. If everyone is sinning, then it blunts the individual’s sin and allows sin to continue. We see this in who Haman surrounds himself with. Think about what delights Haman: hanging Mordecai from a pole! The killing of Mordecai will cheer him up immensely so he can enjoy himself at the banquet.
When our heart is wrong, our motivation is corrupt in just about everything. When we aren’t seeking God, we’re running away from Him. When we do that, God gives us into our iniquity so that we can experience the hopelessness of sin. Paul says it this was in Romans 1:32:
32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
Esther 6
1 That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. 2 It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. 3 “What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?” the king asked. “Nothing has been done for him,” his attendants answered.
King Xeres cannot sleep. So what does he do? He calls for a book to be brought to him to make him sleepy. The book chosen is the record of things done in the past, a book of remembrance. And the story that is read to him is one of Mordecai.
This is another example of God in motion even when we don’t believe God may even care. Xerxes remembers that Mordecai was the one who thwarted an assassination attempt but was never commended for it (Esther 2:19-23).
4 The king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to speak to the king about impaling Mordecai on the pole he had set up for him. 5 His attendants answered, “Haman is standing in the court.” “Bring him in,” the king ordered.
It seems this is perhaps happening the next day, but regardless of when it is happening, God is at work. Although Haman and Xerxes don’t understand the hand of God here, God has set up the situation to bring justice to Mordecai and glory to himself. Haman shows up, just at the right time, to speak to Xerxes about killing Mordecai, just as Xerxes is showing a bout of compassion for Mordecai. After all, Mordecai saved his life.
6 When Haman entered, the king asked him, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?” Now Haman thought to himself, “Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?” 7 So he answered the king, “For the man the king delights to honor, 8 have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. 9 Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king’s most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!’”
Haman’s request is small and childish. He wants to parade through the city streets in the guise of a king for his own praise.
10 “Go at once,” the king commanded Haman. “Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended.” 11 So Haman got the robe and the horse. He robed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!”
Haman, at the height of his pride, suddenly is given a jolt. Instead of parading through the streets in his honor, the king requests that Mordecai take his place. And it’s Haman’s job to lead Mordecai through the procession. This was a deep humiliation for Haman, to honor the very man he was attempting to destroy simply because Mordecai chose not to give Haman the honor he thought he deserved.
12 Afterward Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief, 13 and told Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him—you will surely come to ruin!” 14 While they were still talking with him, the king’s eunuchs arrived and hurried Haman away to the banquet Esther had prepared.
At the height of his anguish, one that he told all of his hangers-on, now he is fetched for the banquet in”His honor”.
Esther 7
1 So the king and Haman went to Queen Esther’s banquet, 2 and as they were drinking wine on the second day, the king again asked, “Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.” 3 Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request. 4 For I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.”
Esther frames the petition and request in a very unique way. Remember, Xerxes is anxious to grant her wish, through his power. Having waited and made sure she had the power of the God through prayer and providence asks for her life, and the lives of her people, be spared. Notice that she does not out herself as a Jew or name the Jewish people. It is a tactic that Nehemiah would also use when before Artaxerxes (Nehemiah 2:4-5).
Esther also says that if it was just slavery, she wouldn’t have even bothered the king. But since in is about annihilation, she risks her life to come before him. She plays to Xerxes ego and power, showing him that she defers to his authority and is taking a giant chance.
5 King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, “Who is he? Where is he—the man who has dared to do such a thing?”
Xerxes now is emotionally invested. What monster would do this to such a beauty as Esther? What deviant would try to wipe out a race of people? Xerxes is ready for war, to defend this hapless people and his beloved queen.
6 Esther said, “An adversary and enemy! This vile Haman!” Then Haman was terrified before the king and queen. 7 The king got up in a rage, left his wine and went out into the palace garden. But Haman, realizing that the king had already decided his fate, stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life.
Haman’s in big trouble here. Even though Xerxes doesn’t put it together that he had a hand in this, he realizes Haman is a traitor. As he leaves to blow off steam, Haman stays behind, begging Esther for his life. After his humiliation with Mordecai, and this sudden turn of events, it has left Haman bankrupt before the king and queen. He never though that Esther could have been one of the Jews he was hoping to destroy. Now God’s justice has come full circle.
8 Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining. The king exclaimed, “Will he even molest the queen while she is with me in the house?” As soon as the word left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face. 9 Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, “A pole reaching to a height of fifty cubits stands by Haman’s house. He had it set up for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king.” The king said, “Impale him on it!” 10 So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided.
Haman’s end is truly epic and at the same time pathetic. A man who wanted glory at any cost, who could not suffer one person not bowing to him, comes to a crashing end. As he begs for his life, the kings returns and thinks Haman is trying to molest the queen! There is no good ending for Haman, and the very ending that Haman envisioned for Mordecai is his own ending.
Esther 8
1 That same day King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came into the presence of the king, for Esther had told how he was related to her. 2 The king took off his signet ring, which he had reclaimed from Haman, and presented it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed him over Haman’s estate.
In the end, Haman achieved nothing. Even his legacy was affected, because all that he achieved was given to Queen Esther, who in turn gave it to Mordecai. This shows us the folly in simply running after the things of this life only. Blind ambition, greed, status - these things in the end matter little. But if we are to place our view on eternity, then we can achieve much in this world, for our mindset is set on God and His values, rather than the values of the earth.
Solomon pined about some of these very things in Ecclesiastes. Advancement is meaningless (Ecc. 4:13-16) and Riches are meaningless (5:8-20). But he also found the real meaning that gives life purpose:
Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. - Ecclesiastes 12:13
3 Esther again pleaded with the king, falling at his feet and weeping. She begged him to put an end to the evil plan of Haman the Agagite, which he had devised against the Jews. 4 Then the king extended the gold scepter to Esther and she arose and stood before him. 5 “If it pleases the king,” she said, “and if he regards me with favor and thinks it the right thing to do, and if he is pleased with me, let an order be written overruling the dispatches that Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, devised and wrote to destroy the Jews in all the king’s provinces. 6 For how can I bear to see disaster fall on my people? How can I bear to see the destruction of my family?”
Esther lays it on the line. She doesn’t want to see the destruction of her people. She wants Xerxes to overrule the previous edict.
7 King Xerxes replied to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, “Because Haman attacked the Jews, I have given his estate to Esther, and they have impaled him on the pole he set up. 8 Now write another decree in the king’s name in behalf of the Jews as seems best to you, and seal it with the king’s signet ring—for no document written in the king’s name and sealed with his ring can be revoked.” 9 At once the royal secretaries were summoned—on the twenty-third day of the third month, the month of Sivan. They wrote out all Mordecai’s orders to the Jews, and to the satraps, governors and nobles of the 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush.These orders were written in the script of each province and the language of each people and also to the Jews in their own script and language. 10 Mordecai wrote in the name of King Xerxes, sealed the dispatches with the king’s signet ring, and sent them by mounted couriers, who rode fast horses especially bred for the king. 11 The king’s edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate the armed men of any nationality or province who might attack them and their women and children, and to plunder the property of their enemies. 12 The day appointed for the Jews to do this in all the provinces of King Xerxes was the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar. 13 A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued as law in every province and made known to the people of every nationality so that the Jews would be ready on that day to avenge themselves on their enemies. 14 The couriers, riding the royal horses, went out, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa.
According to Persian law, an edict could not be reversed. So what does Xerxes do? He creates another law, one which says that the Jewish people, if attacked on the prescribed day, had the right to defend, attack and kill anyone who tried to destroy them. This, like the previous edict, was sent out through the land so all the provinces would know and understand their rights.
15 When Mordecai left the king’s presence, he was wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa held a joyous celebration. 16 For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor. 17 In every province and in every city to which the edict of the king came, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them. Mordecai is exalted to Haman’s position and the Jews, understanding that justice has returned to the land, have cause for celebration. Even though Mordecai’s refusal to give honor to an unjust man has consequences, they all spun into a narrative that ultimately returned justice to the provinces of Persia.
Esther 9
1 On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, the edict commanded by the king was to be carried out. On this day the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but now the tables were turned and the Jews got the upper hand over those who hated them. 2 The Jews assembled in their cities in all the provinces of King Xerxes to attack those determined to destroy them. No one could stand against them, because the people of all the other nationalities were afraid of them. 3 And all the nobles of the provinces, the satraps, the governors and the king’s administrators helped the Jews, because fear of Mordecai had seized them. 4 Mordecai was prominent in the palace; his reputation spread throughout the provinces, and he became more and more powerful.
Mordecai, now in Haman’s position, is regarded with respect and honor. We could infer that Mordecai did not rule in the same way as Haman. He most likely ruled by giving respect to others and guiding them in mutual respect. And even though the original edict was allowed to go forward (as dictated by Persian law), so was the second edict, which allowed the jewish people to repel any threats. You’ll notice that the people of the surrounding areas helped the Jews against anyone who would attack them because Mordecai had grown in power and they feared a reprisal.
5 The Jews struck down all their enemies with the sword, killing and destroying them, and they did what they pleased to those who hated them. 6 In the citadel of Susa, the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men. 7 They also killed Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha, 8 Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha, 9 Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai and Vaizatha, 10 the ten sons of Haman son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews. But they did not lay their hands on the plunder.
There was still opposition to the Jews, as there always is. The Jews were attacked that day by forces that plotted for a good part of the year. Haman’s sons took up the plight of their dead father, but it was to no avail. Not only was Haman’s legacy held at bay by Mordecai, but the lineage was wiped out in this battle. Everything Haman fought for in his life was erased by his pettiness. But the plunder, which was a staple of wartime in the old world, was not touched.
11 The number of those killed in the citadel of Susa was reported to the king that same day. 12 The king said to Queen Esther, “The Jews have killed and destroyed five hundred men and the ten sons of Haman in the citadel of Susa. What have they done in the rest of the king’s provinces? Now what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? It will also be granted.” 13 “If it pleases the king,” Esther answered, “give the Jews in Susa permission to carry out this day’s edict tomorrow also, and let Haman’s ten sons be impaled on poles.” 14 So the king commanded that this be done. An edict was issued in Susa, and they impaled the ten sons of Haman. 15 The Jews in Susa came together on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar, and they put to death in Susa three hundred men, but they did not lay their hands on the plunder. 16 Meanwhile, the remainder of the Jews who were in the king’s provinces also assembled to protect themselves and get relief from their enemies. They killed seventy-five thousand of them but did not lay their hands on the plunder. 17 This happened on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, and on the fourteenth they rested and made it a day of feasting and joy.
Esther’s next petition is a seemingly cruel one: for the Jews to continue to fight and to make a public display of the sons of Haman. First, why is she asking the king to extend the defense of their homes? Simply because the fight must be decisive. There is no doubt that the raging opponents of the jews will continue, so why shouldn’t the Jews continue their defense? Second, why does Esther want to impale the ten sons of Haman? Back in the ancient days of the kingdom, when the first king Saul was in power, he was tasked by God to get rid of the Amalekites (1 Samuel 15:2-3). And even though God ordered Saul to do this, Saul did not carry out God’s orders. This is the completion of judgment against the Amalekites, the work finished by both Esther and Mordecai. This again is moment to pause and consider how God works His long- game plan. The problem with the Amalekites began in the era of Joshua. But it took centuries to come to a conclusion. Is this because God is too busy or doesn’t care enough to bring it to swift conclusion? As we can see, this was a moment that two people had to rise to in order to do God’s ultimate will against both Haman individually and the Amalekites collectively.
18 The Jews in Susa, however, had assembled on the thirteenth and fourteenth, and then on the fifteenth they rested and made it a day of feasting and joy. 19 That is why rural Jews—those living in villages—observe the fourteenth of the month of Adar as a day of joy and feasting, a day for giving presents to each other.
This is the establishment of the Jewish celebration of Purim, which is celebrated to this day. It is celebrated in the spring. It is in remembrance of the events int he book of Esther and celebrated by exchanging gifts, food and drink (called Mishloach Moanot), eating a meal (called se’udat Purim), donating to the poor) called mattanot la-evyonim), and a reading of the book of Esther (the Megillah).
20 Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews throughout the provinces of King Xerxes, near and far, 21 to have them celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar 22 as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration. He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor. 23 So the Jews agreed to continue the celebration they had begun, doing what Mordecai had written to them. 24 For Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them and had cast the pur (that is, the lot) for their ruin and destruction. 25 But when the plot came to the king’s attention,[a] he issued written orders that the evil scheme Haman had devised against the Jews should come back onto his own head, and that he and his sons should be impaled on poles. 26 (Therefore these days were called Purim, from the word pur.) Because of everything written in this letter and because of what they had seen and what had happened to them, 27 the Jews took it on themselves to establish the custom that they and their descendants and all who join them should without fail observe these two days every year, in the way prescribed and at the time appointed. 28 These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. And these days of Purim should never fail to be celebrated by the Jews—nor should the memory of these days die out among their descendants. 29 So Queen Esther, daughter of Abihail, along with Mordecai the Jew, wrote with full authority to confirm this second letter concerning Purim. 30 And Mordecai sent letters to all the Jews in the 127 provinces of Xerxes’ kingdom—words of goodwill and assurance— 31 to establish these days of Purim at their designated times, as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had decreed for them, and as they had established for themselves and their descendants in regard to their times of fasting and lamentation. 32 Esther’s decree confirmed these regulations about Purim, and it was written down in the records.
With Purim established, the Jews had a remembrance of what happened in the provinces of Persia. This is also a celebration of God moving among the Jewish people, of how He operates and to remember that he does so in the individual life as well as the collective community.
Esther 10
1 King Xerxes imposed tribute throughout the empire, to its distant shores. 2 And all his acts of power and might, together with a full account of the greatness of Mordecai, whom the king had promoted, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Media and Persia? 3 Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.
The book of Esther ends with an understanding of how Mordecai excelled to second in command to King Xerxes. He became a man of true respect, integrity, and cared for the Jews as a shepherd cares for his flock.
In the great scheme of how God operates, we don’t always understand why God does certain things, or allows certain things into a life. We may look at it singularly and wonder why it is happening to us. Why would God be so cruel? Why would He allow such devastation?
But as we see in this book, the adversity that visits individual characters have a long-range effect.
Esther - she is taken from her place of safety and thrown into a king’s harem. She did not want this, yet she excelled to queen for a singular purpose: to save the Jewish people from annihilation.
Mordecai - He follows Esther to the harem to learn how she is, to care for her from afar. Yet when he sees the prideful Haman rise to power, he will not bow to him. This sets the annihilation of the Jews in motion. His one act of defiance potentially damned all his people. Yet ultimately, because he was loyal to the king and to God, he was exalted to the second highest position in Persia.
Haman - His pride brought him to a place of power, but was not content until all people bowed to him. His pride was challenged and he decided to not only teach Mordecai a lesson, but all of the Jews. But it didn’t work. Through the intertwining stories, Haman was discovered as an oppositional force and lost everything he strove for.
God plays a long game to act out His will. When we are in the clutches of a problem or concern, we must always understand that God is allowing adversity in our lives not only to teach us a lesson, but to help us to trust a plan that is at best blurry to us. To trust that the God of love and mercy is acting in our best interest. Through adversity we learn and grow, and part of that is learning to stand up in situations God calls us to stand up in.