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? God is in every circumstance that happens to save God’s people.
Things to think about Esther 6
Chapter 6 Mordecai Rewarded and Haman shamed
“And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. And the king said, What honor and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him.” (6:2-3)
“Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king’s gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken.11 Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honor.12 And Mordecai came again to the king’s gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered. (6:10-12)
Chapter 6 is a beautiful picture of how God takes care of His children. It also exhibits God’s sense of humor.
The King can’t sleep. He requests the book of records be read to him. The record stated that Mordecai saved the King’s life and no recognition had been given to Mordecai. The King wanted to honor Mordecai.
Haman was in the courtyard waiting to talk to the King in regards to hanging Mordecai. The King requests Haman’s presence and advice on how to honor the man the King chooses to honor. Haman’s pride kicks in. He thinks the King wants to honor him. So, he proceeds to tell the King what he should do. The King agrees.
The King then commands Haman to do all that he said to Mordecai.
The people of Shushan knew that Haman hated Mordecai. So, when Mordecai is exulted, riding on the King’s horse, wearing the King’s robe, and with the King’s crown on his head, led around town by Haman, it was total humiliation for Haman.
Haman goes home and tells his family and friends about his day. His wife, the one who suggested building the gallows, prophetically tells Haman that he will fall before Mordecai.
God’s hand is all over this chapter.
God knows all things. He can exult whomever He pleases. Haman’s pride was crushed, while Mordecai, who was not looking for anything, was exulted.
We must be careful not to harbor evil thoughts, deeds, or actions against anyone. Our evil may come on our own heads. We should obey God in all aspects of our lives.
Things to think about Esther 7
Chapter 7 Esther’s banquet request and the death of Haman
“Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favor in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:4 For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king’s damage.5 Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so?6 And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.” (7:3-6)
“So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king’s wrath pacified.” (7:10)
Chapter 7
The King had no clue that this wickedness was going on. Why? He never asked any questions. When Haman wanted to destroy the Jews, he did not tell him who they were and the King did not ask. When Esther revealed Haman to be the one to destroy her people, the King did not ask for any evidence.
Haman had no idea that Queen Esther knew of, or cared about, his plan to kill the Jews. No one knew the Queen was a Jew. Haman’s arrogance caused him to suffer the shame (Chapter6) and the death he plotted for Mordecai. God knows our thoughts and the intention of our hearts. We must be very careful not to think wicked deeds. The very act we mean for others may come back on us.
Queen Esther’s courage. When the Queen told the King of Haman’s plan, she was accusing Haman of being a traitor. Since women were not held in high esteem, why did the King believe her? He had no evidence.
The answer to the above questions is God. God’s hand prevailed to protect Queen Esther, condemn Haman, and to hang him on the gallows built for Mordecai. In fact, that same God is intervening in the affairs of men and women today. Every day, 24/7. He knows what we do, whether good or bad. Before we act, we must think about who is watching, and consider our ways.
Things to think about Esther 8
Chapter 8 Promotion of Mordecai and new decree to allow the Jews to defend themselves
“On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews’ enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her.2 And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.” (8:1-2)
“Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s ring: for the writing which is written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s ring, may no man reverse.” (8:8)
“And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus’ name, and sealed it with the king’s ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries:11 Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey,” (8:10-11)
Esther 8:1-8
Queen Esther puts Mordecai over the house of Haman. Mordecai now rules over the very people who were out to destroy him. When we honor God, obey His word, and fulfill His will, God blesses us. Mordecai obeyed God. He did not bow down to Haman or worship the gods of Babylon. He followed God. God honored him.
How do we honor God? What do we do on a daily basis that sets us apart unto God?
Do we desire to be recognized with the people of God? To serve others?
Esther 8:9-14
The letter Mordecai drafted, in the King’s name, was a letter that allowed the Jews to defend themselves. It was also for the same day as the original. He could have sent a letter saying that the Jews could “…gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey,…”. The date could have been earlier, so they would have the advantage. Mordecai did not do that. Why?
Haman was a wicked Prince who demanded people to bow down to him. The people of Shushan were not glad. When Mordecai rode through the streets of Shushan the people rejoiced and were glad. When the provinces received the King’s letter, the Jews were glad. The rest of the people feared the God of the Jews.
Esther 8:9-14
Why were the Jews rejoicing? They would still be under attack.
They rejoiced in the work of God. They realized that apart from God’s intervention, they had no hope. Now Haman was dead, they were given the ability to defend themselves, and many of their enemies became their friends. Only God could have done all that and they knew it and rejoiced.
Their enemies saw the power of God and feared.
Do we fear God’s power? Do we take our relationship with God for granted? Does it bother us when we do things contrary to God’s word? Do we repent of our sin? Do we believe that God is still judging His saints?
Tomorrow the letter that changes everything.
Things to think about Esther 9
Chapter 9 Jews destroy their enemies and Purim instituted
“Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction, and did what they would unto those that hated them.” (9:5)
“And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far,21 To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly,22 As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.” (9:20-22)
“Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. Therefore for all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and which had come unto them,” (9:26)
Esther 9:1-10
The leadership of the King helped the Jews. Why was there still opposition? The sin nature of man. Unregenerate men and women hate Jews. Haman tried to destroy them and failed. So, others pick up the torch thinking they would be able to defeat them. They also failed.
When Haman’s ten sons were executed, why didn’t the Jews take the spoil? Earlier, the King gave the house of Haman to Queen Esther. She already owned the spoil.
Genesis 12:3 states,” And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”
God made this covenant with Abraham and continues to fulfill it unto this very day. We must be very careful how we treat the Jewish people. God is very clear that He has not abandoned Israel. During the tribulation, 144,000 Jewish evangelists will preach about Yeshua (Jesus) as the Messiah, and many will repent and be saved.
The question then begs itself, do you support Israel (blessing), or are you opposed to Israel (cursing)?
You choose.
Esther 9:11-14
The Jews are victorious. They are able to defend themselves. Five hundred are killed in Shushan.
Why did Esther request the ten sons of Haman to be hung? Vengeance? No!
Remember when Saul was supposed to completely destroy the Amalekites? He did not obey God. This resulted in Haman and his hostility to the Jews.
Esther knew that ALL the sons of Haman must be destroyed to ensure this wickedness would not happen again. Esther was a wise queen.
What is the wickedness in our lives that is holding us back from serving God? Have we completely put it to death? Do we want to?
Esther 9:15-32
The enemies of the Jews were hard hearted, wicked, and stupid individuals. Instead of seeing that God was on the side of the Jews, they continued their fight at Shushan. It cost them 300 more lives.
In the provinces of King Ahasuerus, 75,000 were killed. God protected the Jews and gave them the victory.
He does that with us today, if we are willing to trust Him completely.
The holiday of Purim is a remembrance or memorial. It reminds Jews all over the world, in all generations, of how God preserved His chosen people. The Feast Of Purim is a celebration over wickedness. It is a time of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.
God will never break covenant with the nation of Israel!
Things to think about Esther 10
Chapter 10 Mordecai’s greatness
“For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.” (10:3)
Esther 10:1-3
Mordecai was a Jew. The Bible says he became great among the Jews, advanced by the King, declared great by the King, next unto the King. How does this happen apart from God’s intervention?
Will we submit to God’s intervention in our lives? He wants to do miraculous things in and through you!
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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