3/12/89 -First and foremost to declare the providence of God over His people. Eph. 1:11 Esther 1-3 -In Egypt, God intervened supernaturally, buy in Esther He overrules providencially, seeing beforehand The book of Esther is once again one of the three by the foreknowledge. postcaptivity historical books, the other two being -In God's providence we see His perfect control over Ezra and Nehemiah. all the events without violation of man's free-will. -Esther is one of five rolls associated with Hebrew -Second to declare God's faithfulness to His convent festivals. and the people of God. (He that keepeth Israel shall 1) Song of Solmon - Passover, the exodus from neither slumber nor sleep.) Egypt. -Third, to reveal a picture of God's people who are out 2) Ruth - Feast of weeks, grain harvest and giving of of the will of God . love. -all Jews should of returned to Jerusalem when Cyrus 3) Lamentations Fall of Jerusalem. gave the decree but only around 50,000 returned with 4) Ecclesiastes Feast of Tabernacle, grape harvest. Zarubabbabel. 5) Esther - Feast of Purim, God's miraculous .Only 1,500 with Ezra. deliverance of the Jews from Hamen. -The majority of the nation chose comfort, properity, and seeming safety. -Chronologically, Esther fits between chapter 6 and 7 of Ezra. Proof of Esther's genuineness in the Canon - Zerubbabel returned in 536 B.C. 1) Esther is accepted in the Jewish Canon, LXX -The temple was finished in 516 B.C. makes 7 additions of 100 versus in the apocryph -Esther becomes Queen in 479 B.C. called "The Rest of the Book of Esther ." -The Jews were delivered from Hamen in 473 B.C. 2) Description of Persian courts are accurate. -Ezra returned to Jerusalem in 457 B.C. 3) Feast -of Purin had its origin and still celebrated -Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem in 444 B.C. today among orthodox Jews. -Written around 450-455 B.C. by someone who had 4) Hebrew is much like Ezra, Nehemiah and first-hand knowledge and access to the churches of Chronicles. Persia. 5) Reference to Persian Chroncles. 6) Herodetus historian mentions Xerxes search for a The purpose of the book Queen after his defeat by Greece.
-His description of Xerxes or Ahasueras is very 1:1-22 Queen Vashti dethroned similar to the book. 1:1 Argument against the book Ahasuerus - he was Xerxes, the Greek for of the Persian title 1) There is no mention of God or His name anywhere. Ahasurus, like Pharoh, etc... -Remember, it is a people who have disassociated -reigned from 485-465 B.C., the son of Darius 1. • Themselves from God and obedience to return being -Title means venerable king according to Sir Henry out of will of God. Rawlingson- -God is behind the scenes in His providence From India to Ethiopia - distinguished him form his working. his father Darius in Dan. 9:1. -Some believe that the name of God "Jehovah" is found four times, being hidden in an acoustic form, 1:2-3 and "I am that I am" once. Est. I:2; 5;4; 5:13; 7:5, 7 Su;La - Shushan, the fortified palace. 2) There Is no mention of prayer. - Third year of reign, 483 B.C. -Prayer is implied throughout it, particularly in - in preparation for his invasion of Greece. chapter 4. 3) Herodotus the historian does not mention the main 1:4 Six months banquet celebration. character of the book and give the name of Amestris. Seven days were added to invite all the residents of -Many believe Amestris and Esther to be the Shushan. same. 1:6-7 So they are willing to call the book a historical Herodotus the wealth by the spoils Greece took from Persia. romance rather than recognizing it as inspired history. -Archeologist have equally uncovered marble pillars and mosaic pavements of the royal palace. I rather see it as a historical romance between God and His people by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. 1:9 Men and women were separated in public gatherings. Divisions -Vashti - means beautiful woman. Esther 1-5 Jews in danger. Esther 6-10 Jews delivered. 1:10-11
Under his intoxication, the king decrees for Vashti to parade -1.3 - ibird year, 2:16 - Seventh year, 2:12 - one year herself before all which he would never have done if preparation, therefore three years have elapsed. sober. -King was discouraged defeat and Vashtils dethronement.
1:13 2:2-4 Wise men who understand the times - astrologers Proposed plan by servants.
1:14 2:5-6 Cabinet advisors. Mordecai - carried away in second siege in 597 B.C. 2 King 24:6-12, he should have returned with the remnant. 1;16-18 They considered the- offense was not only to the king but to 2:7 all men as heads of their homes. Hadassah - means myrtle, her Hebrew name. Esther - means star, her Persian name. 1:19 Decree was to be after the law of the Persian. 2:8-14 1) Vashti is to be denied the kings company. Esther taken also and prepared one year to go before the 2) Vashti is to be dethroned and place given to another. King. -Her compromise meant danger. 1.20 This would reaffirm the honor of husbands by their I) Food defilement. wives as proclaimed throughout the kingdom. 2) Sexual defilement – concubine. VS. 13 3) Marriage defilement – VS. 12; 1 Pet. 3:4 Adorning of the 1: 22 heart." Persians had a type Of PonY express to ensure speedy news. 2: 1 5-18 Esther gains favor before the King. VS. 16 479 B.C. 2:1-23 Eather is made Queen 2:19 2:1 Mordecai is now a judge sitting at the gate. After those things - believed to after his defeat by Greece in 480 at battle of Salamis and Plataen in 479 B.C. 2-.21-23
Mordecai discovers an assassination attempt on the King 3:10 and is recorded in the chronicles. Signet ring - to seal document with King's authority.
3:1-15 Haman's anti-senetic conspiracy 3:13 Thirteenth of March 473 B.C. 3 :1 Agagite -Title like Pharoh for King Amelekitas. -Descendants of Esau. Gen.. 36:12; IChron. 1:36
- Ex 17, Joshua fought against them while Moses prayed, lifting his hands with Aaron and Hur balding them up. -Ex 17:14-17, Jehovah would war with Amalek from generation to generation. -Deut. 25:17-19, God commanded to destroy Amalek. -I Sam. 15:8,33, Saul disobeyed Samuel.
3:6 Haman is a type of the anti-christ, this man of sin. Rev. 13:1-10; 2Thess. 2:3-4; Matt. 24.-15
3:7 Pur - Lot Prov. 16:33 - five years after Esther became Queen.
3:8-11 Haman’s plot to destroy the Jews.
3.9 Plan presented to the King.
Ten thousand talents - $18 million.