What Is Worth Celebrating?
Explore the Bible Series
February 25, 2007
Background Passage: Esther 8:1-10:3
Lesson Passage: Esther 8: 3, 6-8; 9:1-2, 20-22
Introduction: This week’s lesson marks the end of our study of the Book Esther. Along the way we have encountered fascinating, colorful characters that make this story come alive; but, more importantly, we have considered, in these characters, some very important lessons for Christian living. Perhaps we should pause to review some of these principles.
Mordecai: This remarkable man left an enduring legacy of quiet, consistent patience in the service of God. He provides a wonderful example of patriotism and faithfulness to the King of Persia, and he also demonstrates the importance of longsuffering in the outworking of God’s providence in his life. Very early in the story we discover the life-saving kindness of Mordecai as he uncovered a clandestine conspiracy on the king’s life. For years Mordecai’s kindness went unrecognized and unrewarded. In time, the king rediscovered the account of Mordecai’s service, and Ahasuerus honored his noble benefactor.
Esther: The ancient world held women in low regard, but we find notable exceptions to this trend in the pages of Scripture. Despite her gender and youthfulness, God exalted her to a position of influence in the Medo-Persian Empire. Her comfortable, luxurious circumstance, however, did not quench her godly concern for her people. She roused herself from the temptation to lethargic neglect and risked her life to follow the path of honor by interceding for the Jews. Courageously, she entered the court of the king, and, in time, unveiled the sinister, murderous plan of Haman.
Ahasuerus: We find little reason to admire this capricious, impressionable king. He appears, in the text, as an easily-influenced, weak-willed man. His unseemly pride caused him to unjustly depose Vashti; then, he gives in to the impulsive, hateful designs of Haman. Even at the end of the story, Ahasuerus seemed startled at the revelation, by Esther, of Haman’s cruel plans for genocide. This was not a discerning, intelligent man.
Haman: This sad figure demonstrates the dangers of harboring envy, racism, and hatred. His ascension to power fostered a foolish illusion of invincibility, and he boldly sought the annihilation of the Jewish people. His wickedness seems exaggerated because of his great influence, but these attitudes can have catastrophic consequences in the lives of anyone.
As we considered in out initial study of this book, God does not always act in overt ways. Often, he works quietly, behind the scenes. His hand, however, turns the pages of human history, and Christians must discern his handiwork. The Book of Esther ends with a valuable lesson for us. The Jews, delivered from the deadly designs of Haman, commemorated their deliverance by annual observance of the Feast of Purim.
Outline of Background
Passage:
I. The Deliverance of the Jews (8:1-17)
A. Royal honor given to Esther and Mordecai (vv. 1-2): Following the common pattern of the ancient Middle East, a heroic figure, in this case Esther, received the estate of a vanquished enemy.
B. The
reversal of the king’s decree to annihilate the Jews (vv. 3-14): Esther’s great
concern, of course, did not center on receiving Haman’s estate; rather, she
wanted the king to reverse the deadly edict concerning the Jews. Ahasuerus complied with the queen’s request
by giving her authority to compose a new decree. He gave her his signet ring to denote his
approval of this action and gave her permission to send the newly written
document to the governors of
C. The
ascension of Mordecai (vv. 15-17): The remarkable change in circumstances
triggered the king’s gratitude. He
promoted Mordecai to a position of great dignity and responsibility in the
kingdom. This is obviously an amazing
development. Some decades before, the Babylonians
had denigrated a vanquished and disgraced nation if
II. The Destruction of the Enemies of the Jews and the Establishment of Purim (9:1-32)
A. The destruction in Shushan (vv. 1-10): When the day of Haman’s conspiracy came, the Jews in Shushan armed themselves and killed their enemies. This warfare extended beyond the winter capital, but this section places special focus on the killing in Shushan. Mordecai played a significant role in leading the fight, and the text records the death of five hundred people in Shushan. The rest of the chapter registers the destruction in other parts of the empire. Frankly, this chapter may prove problematic for people who understand the teachings of Jesus regarding the treatment of enemies. Tens of thousands of people died in this slaughter (See v. 16), and it seems difficult to reconcile this with the clear teachings of the Master. I claim no special insight into this dilemma; however, Esther Nine seems to describe an organized, authorized military confrontation aimed at self-defense.
B. The destruction of Haman’s sons and the extended warfare into the Persian provinces (vv. 11-19): After the killings in Shushan, Ahasuerus asked Esther what she wished to do. She requested the execution of the ten sons of Haman. Perhaps Haman’s sons had participated in their father’s conspiracy, and Esther reasoned that killing them was an appropriate act of justice. As the fighting spilled over into the other provinces, the Jews killed 75,000 of their enemies. The text emphasizes the Jew’s refusal to take the spoils of their victory, perhaps in commemoration of Saul’s disobedience in taking spoils from his conflict with the Amalekites (See I Samuel 15).
C. The celebration of Purim (vv. 20-32): The purpose of the Book of Esther now becomes more evident, the establishment of Purim. Mordecai notified the Jews in all the Persian provinces to mark the anniversary of the destruction of Haman’s conspiracy.
III.
Postscript (10:1-3): This brief postlude traces the
statesmanship of Mordecai. This story
began with the humble position of Mordecai, but it concludes with this man’s
ascension to the second position in
Questions for Discussion: