Good morning,
The Book of Esther shows us how God keeps His promises, how God saves the Jews from annihilation, and the sovereignty of God. Did I mention the name of God is not mentioned in the whole book? Yet God is in every circumstance that happens to save God’s people.
Read Esther 3-4.
Chapter Outline for Book of Esther
Chapter 3 introduces us to Haman. He is the sworn enemy of the Jews. (Reference passages above) The King promotes Haman above all the other princes. All the King’s servants bow in reverence to him. Mordecai, the Jew, refuses to bow down and reverence Haman. Haman devises a plan to destroy all the Jews. He presents his plan to the King and he agrees. The destruction of the Jews is set.
The destruction of the Jewish people has been an on-going theme through all of history. However, God always saves a remnant. The Jewish people have never been, nor ever will be wiped out.
Haman has a plan. It will wipe out all the Jewish people in the King’s provinces.
To understand why Mordecai and Haman (Chapter 3) were at odds, read Exodus 17:8-16, Genesis 36:12, Deuteronomy 25:17-19, 1 Samuel 15:2,3,7-9,11,26,32-33 28:18.
Chapter 3 The rise of Haman and his wicked plot to destroy the Jews
“After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him.2 And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.” (3:1-2)
“And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.6 And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.” (3:5-6)
Things to think about Haman hated the Jewish people because of his upbringing as an Amalekite. Had King Saul been obedient, Haman would not be alive.
When we fail to obey God, bad things happen.
Chapter 4 is Mordecai’s response. Mordecai and Queen Esther have a back and forth discussion about Haman’s decree. The chapter ends with Queen Esther agreeing to go before the King and make him aware of what is happening.
Mordecai weeps for his people. He tells them to pray. Then he explains Haman’s decree to Queen Esther. She balks when encouraged to go before the King unannounced. Then knowing that her life was on the line she agrees to go to the King.
Chapter 4 Mordecai informs, Jews fast, Esther prepares to go to the king
“And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king’s treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them.8 Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people.” (4:7-8)
“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? (4:14)
“Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.” (4:16)
Things to think about is Esther’s courage. Her situation was one of life and death. On the one hand, if she does nothing she dies due to the King’s decree. On the other hand, if she goes to the King and he does not extend the golden scepter, she dies. By going to the King she at least had a chance. Then she would have to come up with a plan.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com