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John Shaver XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX Courses of Affairs The book
of Esther takes place during the Persian Empire at the time of Xerxes (485-465
BCE). It is one of the most neglected books in the bible and very few people
have ever heard a sermon on it. In fact, Ray C. Stedman reports that “Esther is
a different kind of literature” and “because it is a different kind of
literature, I think perhaps we are a bit frightened by it” (np).
The book never mentions the name of God, the prophecy of Christ, and the
words heaven or hell never even appear in it. It is a parable, so that God may
illustrate a point (Stedman np). The Layman’s Bible Commentary states that
“there is no doubt that it is God’s hand that determines the course of affairs”
(Kelly et al. 43). God’s does this by allowing a Jewish girl, Esther, to become
queen of the Persian Empire, using her influence to destroy their enemies in
order to save his people and allowing his people to rejoice in their glory (NJB
Esther 1:one-one0:3).
Esther rises to power when King Ahasuerus, another name for Xerxes, calls
upon Queen Vashti to show the people, at Ahasuerus’s feast, her beauty. She
refused and Ahasuerus divorced her. Soon after Ahasuerus calls all the fair
young virgins, that live in his empire, to come and stand before him. He is to
marry one of them and he chooses a Jewish girl, Esther, because she has great
beauty.
The Bible states “And the king loved Esther above all the women”(NJB Esther
2:one-one6). Mordecai, Esther’s uncle, forbids Esther to revel her race, for he
fears of what might happen if Ahasuerus was to find out. Because of his fear, he
would walk up and down the courtyard in hopes of finding out her treatment.
Mordecai soon comes to know two officers, Bightan and Teresh, in the king’s
service. At this time Mordecai learns of their plot to assassinate Ahasuerus.
Mordecai informs Esther of their plot, who in return, informs Ahasuerus.
Mordecai accusation’s proved to be true and the two officers went to prison. (NIV
Esther 2:1nine-two3) Haman comes into the story as one of Ahasuerus’s favorites.
The Catholic Encyclopedia informs us that Haman is “A royal favorite before
whom the king has ordered all to bow”(np). When Haman walks pass the palace’s
gate, he notices that Mordecai sitting their (McMahon np). This is where the
story turns from the introduction of Queen Esther to the plot of massacring the
Jewish people. Haman is angered by Mordecai rudeness and wishes to hang him and
destroy the Jews (NIV Esther 3:5-7). Haman bribes Ahasuerus with silver in hopes
of him signing a document.
The document is for the destruction of the Jews. Ahasuerus tells Haman to do
whatever he wishes with the Jews. Copies of the signed document are sent out to
all of Ahasuerus provinces, by the order of Haman. The documents contain the
orders of Ahasuerus to annihilate the Jews, no matter the age or gender, and
then take their possessions. Mordecai soon learns of Haman’s plot and asks
Esther to use her influence to save him and Jews (NJB Esther 3:7-4:14). Mordecai
is the most important character in the story.
He is God’s link between him and his people. God uses Mordecai to contact
Esther in order that she may save the Jews, God’s people (McMahon np). At the
same time of Haman’s plotting, Ahasuerus wishes to reward the man who showed
favor for the king. He sends for Haman and asks Haman what he should do for the
man that showed the king favor. Haman thinking it was he gave his ideas.
Ahasuerus liked Haman’s ideas and sent Haman to retrieve Mordeai, for he is the
man the king wishes to honor. Haman became even more angered as he did as he was
told.
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