Sunday School study of the book of Esther….

Date of Writing: The Book of Esther was likely written between 460 and 350 B.C.

Purpose of Writing: The purpose of the Book of Esther is to display the providence of God, especially in regard to His chosen people, Israel. The Book of Esther records the institution of the Feast of Purim and the obligation of its perpetual observation. The Book of Esther was read at the Feast of Purim to commemorate the great deliverance of the Jewish nation brought about by God through Esther. Jews today still read Esther during Purim.

Key Verses: Esther 2:15 – Now when the time came for Esther to go to the king, she asked for nothing other than what Hegai, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the harem, suggested.

Esther 4:14 – For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to the royal position for such a time as this.

Esther 6:12 – Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has begun, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him – you will surely come to ruin!

Esther 7:3 – If I have found favor with you, O king, and if it pleases your majesty, grant me my life – this is my petition, and the life of my people – this is my request.

Brief Summary: The Book of Esther can be divided into three main sections. Chapters 1:1-2:18 – Esther replaces Vashti; 2:19-7:10 – Mordecai overcomes Haman; 8:1-10:3 – Israel survives Haman’s attempt to destroy them. The noble Esther risked her own death as she realized what was at stake. She willingly did what could have been a deadly maneuver and took on the second-in-command of her husband‘s kingdom, Haman. She proved a wise and most worthy opponent, all the while remaining humble and respectful of the position of her husband-king.

Esther’s story is much like the story of Joseph in Genesis 41. Both stories involve foreign monarchs who control the destiny of the Jews. Both accounts show the heroism of Israelite individuals who provide the means for the salvation of their people and nation. The hand of God is evident, in that what appears to be a bad situation is indeed very much under the control of the Almighty God, who ultimately has the good of the people at heart. At the center of this story is the ongoing division between the Jews and the Amalakites, which was recorded to have begun in the Book of Exodus. Haman’s goal is the final effort recorded in the Old Testament period of the complete eradication of the Jews. His plans eventually end up with his own demise, and the elevation of his enemy Mordecai to his own position, as well as the salvation of the Jews.

Feasting is a major theme of this book: there are ten recorded banquets, and many of the events were planned, plotted, or exposed at these banquets. Although the name of God is never mentioned in this book, it is apparent that the Jews of Susa sought His intervention when they fasted and prayed for three days (Esther 4:16). In spite of the fact that the law allowing their destruction was written according to the laws of the Medes and Persians, rendering it unchangeable, the way was cleared for their prayers to be answered. Esther risked her life by going not once uninvited before the king but twice, (Esther 4:1-2; 8:3). She was not content with the destruction of Haman; she was intent on saving her people. The institution of the Feast of Purim is written and preserved for all to see and is still observed today. God’s chosen people, without any direct mention of His name, were granted a stay of execution through the wisdom and humility of Esther.

Foreshadowings: In Esther, we are given a behind-the-scenes look at the ongoing struggle of Satan against the purposes of God and especially against His promised Messiah. The entrance of Christ into the human race was predicated upon the existence of the Jewish race. Just as Haman plotted against the Jews in order to destroy them, so has Satan set himself against Christ and God’s people. Just as Haman is defeated on the gallows he built for Mordecai, so does Christ use the very weapon that his enemy devised to destroy Him and His spiritual seed. For the cross, by which Satan planned to destroy the Messiah, was the very means through which Christ “having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross” (Colossians 2:14-15). Just as Haman was hanged on the gallows he built for Mordecai, so the devil was crushed by the cross he erected to destroy Christ.

Practical Application: The Book of Esther shows the choice we make between seeing the hand of God in our circumstances in life and seeing things as merely coincidence. God is the sovereign Ruler of the universe and we can be assured that His plans will not be moved by the actions of mere evil men. Although His name is not mentioned in the book, His providential care for his people, both individuals and the nation, is evident throughout. For instance, we cannot fail to see the Almighty exerting influence over King Xerxes’s timely insomnia. Through the example of Mordecai and Esther, the silent love language our Father often uses to communicate directly to our spirits is shown in this book.

Esther proved to have a godly and teachable spirit that also showed great strength and willing obedience. Esther’s humility was markedly different from those around her, and this caused her to be elevated into the position of queen. She shows us that remaining respectful and humble, even in difficult if not humanly impossible circumstances, often sets us up to be the vessel of untold blessing for both ourselves and others. We would do well to emulate her godly attitudes in all areas of life, but especially in trials. Not once is there a complaint or bad attitude exposed in the writing. Many times we read she won the “favor” of those around her. Such favor is what ultimately saved her people. We can be granted such favor as we accept even unfair persecution and follow Esther’s example of maintaining a positive attitude, coupled with humility and the determination to lean on God. Who knows but that God put us in such a position, for just such a time as this?

What is the providence of God? Providence is a theological term that Dr. Strong defines as this “Providence is that continuous agency of God by which He makes all events of the physical and moral universe fulfill the original design with which He created it.” There are three words that describe the work of God as it affects His physical universe that should help us to better understand God’s providence. 1. Creation. Which explains the existence of the universe. Gen. 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” There are really only two alternatives today: we can either accept revelation or choose speculation. The second word is preservation, God not only created, but He holds the universe together. Hebrews 1:3 “…upholding all things by the word of His power…” Colossians 1:17 says “…by Him all things consist.” God Himself holding together the atoms which are the building blocks of this universe.  The third word is providence, the means by which God directs all things, animate and inanimate, seen and unseen, good and evil, toward a worthy purpose, which means His will must ultimately prevail. Psalm 103:19 “…His kingdom ruleth over all.” Psalm 135:6 “Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did He in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.” God runs the universe to please Him, not us.  Look at Psalm 135: 7-10. Daniel 4:35. Paul says in Ephesians 1:11”…who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will.” Providence is God at the steering wheel of the universe. Providence is the hand of God in the glove of history. Without mentioning God’s name in the Book of Esther, the book teaches the providence of God. Providence means “to provide.” God will provide! “God permits a dog to have a reasonable amount of fleas and it is a good thing, for it enables the dog to take his mind off the fact that he is a dog!” God permits an enemy or trouble to come into our lives so we will turn to Him. The only way He can get the attention of a great many people is by sending them trouble. Someone suggested that disappointment should be spelled with a capital “H”- “His appointment.”God permits disappointments, enemies, and even tragedies to come to us. He does so for a purpose. Proverbs 16:33 states, “The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.” God is saying, “Don’t gamble with Me- I’ll win.”

Chap.1 vs.1: Ahasuerus is not his name but his title. The word means “high father” or “ruler.” There is a great divergence of opinion as to this king’s identity, one good viewpoint would be that he is Xerxes the great of Persia.

vs.2-3 This banquet would really be something, probably one to two thousand people and costing in the millions of dollars.

vs. 4 A buffet for 181 days. An ongoing non-stop party. This banquet reveals the wealth, the luxury and regal character of the king. Probably the main reason for this was to prove to the 127 provinces that the king had the power and resources to go against the Greeks. This would make Xerxes king of the world.

vs. 5  A tremendous population was brought in for the final seven days.

vs. 6 Beds – For in those eastern countries, they did not then sit at tables as we do, but rested    or leaned upon beds or couches.

vs. 7 From beginning to end, it was a drunk fest.

vs. 8 No one was compelled to drink.

vs. 9 Women – While the king entertained the men. For this was the common custom of the Persians, that men and women did not feast together.

vs 10-11 We find Xerxes under the influence of alcohol, doing something that he would never have done if he had been sober. This is a very crude thing the king is asking for from his queen.

vs 12 The king tells all these men that they are going to get to see the queen wearing only her crown and then is told that she will not appear. So he has to get up and tell all these men that the star of the show will not be performing. So what does the king do after getting angry?

vs 13-15 He calls for a crisis meeting of his cabinet. These were men that met regularly with the king over all matters and this was a serious matter. The queen had refused to obey the king. It seems that there was no law  which they could exercise.

vs 16 Apparently the queen had a lot of freedom and there was no law that could force her to obey the king. This cabinet needed to come up with something. They are afraid that if all women found out about this, that they would all disobey their husbands.

vs 17-18 This is a real crisis because the king and the queen set the example for the kingdom. Contempt in the wives, and thereupon wrath in the husbands; and consequently strife in families.

vs 19 This a pagan court issuing a pagan law for pagan people. This has nothing to do with the Mosaic Law or Christians.