PROVIDENCE OF GOD Week 25: Those Who Stayed in Persia (which was once Babylon) (Esther & Zechariah) The book of Esther is the single biblical narrative that tells about Jewish life outside the land of Israel during the days of the Persians. Esther is the story of a beautiful young Jewess who risked her life to save her people. The story takes place during the reign of King Xerxes I of Persia (called Ahasuerus in Hebrew), primarily in the king’s palace in Susa, the capital of the Persian Empire (485-465BC). By this time, more than 100 years after the Babylonian captivity under Nebuchadnezzar, and just over 50 years after Zerubbabel led the first group of exiles back to Jerusalem, many Jews still remained in Persia. They were part of the diaspora, or “scattering” of exiles among the nations. Although they were free to return to Jerusalem by decree of Cyrus, many had probably become established and did not wish, or were not able, to return to their homeland. Esther’s family were among the Jews who stayed behind in Persia. When her parents died, the orphaned Esther was raised by her older cousin Mordecai. One day the king of the Persian Empire, Xerxes I, threw a lavish party. On the final day of the festivities, he called for his queen, Vashti, to flaunt her beauty to his guests. But the queen refused to appear before Xerxes and the drunken revelers. Filled with anger, Xerxes deposed Queen Vashti, permanently removing her from his presence. To ease his loneliness he needed to find a new queen. So he hosted a royal beauty pageant and Esther was chosen for the throne. Her cousin Mordecai became a minor official in the Persian government of Susa. Soon afterwards, Mordecai uncovered a plot to assassinate the king. He told Esther about the conspiracy, and she reported it to Xerxes, giving credit to Mordecai. The plot was thwarted and Mordecai’s act of kindness was preserved in the chronicles of the king. At this same time, the king’s highest official was a vicious man named Haman. He hated the Jews and he especially hated Mordecai, because he had refused to bow down to him. His hatred drove Haman to devise a scheme that would have every Jew in Persia killed. The king bought into the plot that was presented as a way to protect his nation and he agreed to annihilate the Jewish people on a specific day. Meanwhile, Mordecai learned of the plan and shared it with Esther, challenging her with these famous words: Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 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? (4:13-14) Esther urged all of the Jews to fast and pray for deliverance. Then risking her own life, Esther approached the king with a plan of her own. She invited Xerxes and Haman to a banquet where eventually she revealed her Jewish heritage to the king, as well as Haman’s diabolical plot to have her and her people killed. In a rage, the king ordered Haman to be hung on the gallows—the very same gallows Haman had built for Mordecai. Mordecai was then promoted to Haman’s high position and the Jews were granted protection throughout the land. As the people celebrated God’s tremendous deliverance, the joyous festival of Purim was instituted. There are many themes in the book of Esther. Though God’s name is not mentioned in the book we clearly see God’s interaction with man’s will, His hatred of racial prejudice, His power to give wisdom and help in times of danger. The providential hand and caring heart of God was at work in the lives of His people despite the tremendous opposition. He used the circumstances in Esther’s life, as He uses the decisions and actions of all humans to work out His divine plans and purposes. We can trust in the Lord’s sovereign care over every aspect of our lives. Chapter Chapter 1 ESTHER — “If I perish, I perish!” 10 TIMELINE Interesting Facts about Esther Week Twenty-Five Reading Plan • Esther means Star Esther 1:1-2:23 Esther is Chosen to be Queen of Persia • Her Hebrew name was Hadassah 605 Esther 3:1-4:17 Haman’s Plot to Exterminate the Jews • Not one time does the name of Esther 5:1-6:14 Esther’s Bold Request of the King 560 Cyrus the Great God appear in the book of Esther Esther 7:1-8:17 A Kingly Decree to Help the Jews 70 years Decree Given • The Jewish Feast of Purim (from CAPTIVITY Esther 9:1-10:3 The Victory of the Jews over Death 538 to Return the Assyrian word meaning lot) was begun to remember the deliverance Zechariah 9:9-10:12 Zion’s Coming King 530 Completed Temple of the Jews from Haman. Zechariah 14:1-21 The Lord Will Rule the Earth Ezra 1-6 Ezra 520 Haggai 520 Haggai 510 Exile Returnsfrom Three The Zechariah 520-518 Zechariah God’s Providence in Hard Times... ... & in Happy Times 500 Darius 490 480 Esther Xerxes 470 Law isTaught Law 460 Jews’ Rejoicing: Shalom! The King’s Banquet: Haman’s Plot The Queen’s Courage: God’s Deliverance: Mordecai’s Edict Feast of Purim Queen Vashti removed Approaches the king Mordecai honored Ezra 7-10 Ezra 450 1 Esther2 becomes3 Queen 3 4 To accuse5 Haman6 Haman7 hung8 8 9 9 10 10 Chapters Artaxerxes 440 Feast of the King Fast of Mordecai Feast of Esther Feast of Purim Walls Rebuilt Walls Esther was an advocate for God’s people and was willing to die for them Topics Malachi 430 Nehemiah 420 God accomplishes His purposes through ordinary people and apparent coincidences } Susa (or Shushan), Persia [modern day Iran near Iraqi border by the Persian Gulf] Place SILENCE (INTERTESTAMENTAL PERIOD) 483bc 473bc Time.