Morning Message: The Queen Mother

Bobservations' Column

Titled - "The Queen Mother"

Written by:  Pastor Bob Lawrenz

Secular history describes the events in The Book of Esther during the reign of Ahasuerus. So, we must remember that Ahasuerus is simply a title meaning “King.” History accredits the Biblical history to Xerxes I, King of Persia, son of Artaxerxes, in timing and in order of occurrence.

For those that doubt scripture’s historical truth, we have a duplicate record of events recorded in secular history to prove that the Biblical record is true. What we are seeing in the differences in names not as a stumbling block, but as history from a different source.

The historical books in the Bible are not just fanciful descriptions of human events, but accurate portrayals of history from cultures that use the original cultural habits of their own times, complete with titles used as names. The Bible’s historical books have proven to be accurate by following histories gathered from non-Biblical methods. Such is the case for the Book of Esther. This is not Fantasy Island, but history gathered from another viewpoint.

The Persians spoken of in Esther are the same ethnic people who renamed their land, Iran in 1935 A.D. (C.E.). The Iranians we hear of in the media today are modern-day Persians. The attitudes of about 20% of them towards the Jews of the world are identical to the views of Haman in the Book of Esther. It is a deep-seated hatred toward Israel as a nation, and the world’s Jewish population wherever they reside. It is founded upon jealousy, greed, and pride, just as we read of in the story of Esther between Haman and Mordecai. The Jews have learned not to trust the Hamans of Iran, while Islam’s 20% of Iran clings to an irrational hatred of the Jewish people. And oddly enough, these two peoples are cousins, sharing much of their ancient history, being descended from Shem, one of Noah’s sons from the days of the world-wide flood. What they do not share is the Biblical Prophecy to Abraham and his descendants.

“And God said unto Abraham, ‘Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad (Ishmael), and because of thy bondwoman (Hagar); in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.’” - Genesis 21:12

Bobservations' Column:  Audio Version

Sunday Morning Message:

Esther 6:1-14 - "The Queen Mother"

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

Sleepless nights... we all hate them. Chapter Six begins with a pivotal turning point, where the king, unable to sleep, consumed with Esther's petition. It is the only thing in the narrative that is recorded which could bring him to this state. It shows that he really is concerned about what she desires to reveal. The fact that she was willing to risk her life in coming to him unannounced demonstrated that it was a matter of the highest urgency and importance. It is this which caused his sleep to fly away. There are nights when we can’t sleep, and then there are nights when sleep flies away from us. The mind races, and the thoughts which consume the minutes away then lead to hours of turning. The chances of the mind slowing down are zero, and so there is nothing to do but either have the mind race while lying there, or find something to do to whittle away the remaining hour.

He orders the royal chronicles to be read and realizes that Mordecai was never rewarded for saving his life. King Xerxes, perhaps hoping the dry records would lull him to sleep, instead hears the story of Mordecai, a Jewish man who had once uncovered a plot to assassinate the king but had never been rewarded for his loyalty. Xerxes, realizing the oversight, immediately decides to honor Mordecai... and you won't believe how. But what makes this moment even more remarkable is its timing. At that very instant, Haman is on his way to request the execution of Mordecai.

By the end of the verses today, Mordecai is probably the most confused man on the planet. He and his people have been set for destruction, and yet, his mortal enemy has come to him with a royal robe, and the king’s horse, and after placing the robe on him and placing him on the king’s horse, he has conducted him through the city square honoring him as a town crier would – “Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.”

As soon as that was over, the robe was removed, the horse was led back to the royal stalls, and he went back to sit at the king’s gate as if nothing ever happened. His people are still set for destruction, and yet the king honored him. It’s hard to see how the king delighted to honor him while reveling in destroying him. Little does Haman know that the tables are about to turn dramatically.


Sunday Morning Audio Message:

Key Words and Definitions with Reference:

The Book (6:1) - Five years (cf. 2:16 with 3:7) had intervened since Mordecai's loyal but unrewarded act (cf. 2:23).  At exactly the proper moment, God providentially intervened so the king suffered insomnia, called for the book of records, read of Mordecai's unrewarded deeds five years past, and then desired to reward him (cf. Daniel 6:18).

What Honour (6:3) - The king has certainly not forgotten the deed of Mordecai. However, it was a reward for the deed that concerns him at this point. It is noted by Herodotus (Herod. viii. 85, 90) that in Persia there was a special list which was compiled and maintained of those who had done some special service for the king. It was considered a duty to acknowledge them for such things, and it would practically be a legal right for something noteworthy to be so conferred. The lack of any reward may have been that it was forgotten due to the development of other busy duties in the king’s life, or it could be that the court simply didn’t pursue reminding the king because Mordecai was a Jew. Whatever the reason, their response came back to the ears of the king…

Who is in the Court? (6:4) - The drama intensified as Haman arrived at just the wrong time and for just the wrong reason. One can sense the urgency of Haman’s arrival at the palace. It is still early in the morning, and yet he has excitedly gone to the palace with all alacrity to have his plan executed at the earliest possible moment. He probably didn’t sleep any more than the king did, tossing and turning at the delightful thought of fulfilling his plan of the previous evening.

Haman Standeth (6:5) - The remarkable sixth and seventh chapters of Esther contain one of the most incisively ironical narratives in all literature, not to mention an amazing testimony of providential ordering of events.   Haman, swollen with both pride and hatred of those who refused to pander to his pride, appears at the king's court just as the king is preparing special honor for the very man Haman is preparing to hang! Even though there were certainly other officers present, it seems that it was an unexpected surprise that Haman would be there at this time. Being the one who was granted the king’s signet ring back in Chapter 3, it seems that the timing of his coming was quite propitious. He would certainly be well-suited to attending to such an important duty of kingly matters. The irony increases…

More than to Myself (6:6) - The inordinate pride of Haman (like that of Satan) contributed to his humiliation (Proverbs 16:18; 18:12; compare Ezekiel 28:17).

Set Upon His Head (6:8) - That is, the royal crown (or crest) was to be placed on the head of the royal steed!  Stone carvings of horses so arrayed have been found in Persepolis, one of ancient Persia's capitals.

Royal Robe (6:8) - An honor which involved being treated as though the recipient were the king himself (cf. 8:15). It is noted that wearing a kingly robe would be a breach of Persian law, but the king might allow it at his command. As it is a robe the king had worn, it is signifying a special robe, not necessarily the regular garments which he would wear from day to day. Here Haman is looking for the highest form of recognition, showing the king’s absolute favor of the individual by granting one of his own special robes to be placed upon the favored subject. This is similar to the bestowal of the garments by Pharaoh upon Joseph in Egypt (Genesis 41:39-45), and the granting of Jonathan’s garment to David in 1 Samuel 18. It also foreshadows the laying of kingly attire upon Christ as is seen in the gospels.

A Horse (6:8) - A royal horse carries much the same symbolism of wearing a royal robe. It would be evident to all that the one being carried was truly highly honored. In Genesis 41, Joseph was made to ride in Pharaoh’s second chariot. And when Solomon was to be ordained as king in David’s place, David directed that he be taken on his own mule to Gihon for the ceremony. This honor would be made all the more distinct by another symbol of kingly authority…

Royal Crest (6:8) - It is argued whether this is a royal crown for the rider’s head, a royal crown from the king’s head, or a royal crown for the horse’s head. The Hebrew, however, is specific. It is for the horse. Ancient Assyrian monuments depict the king’s horse wearing a sort of crown. A special crown or crest is something that would identify it as the king’s own horse. The honor would be great. This verse contains the last use of this word Kether, or crown, in the Bible. History affirms that horses were adorned with the royal crown.

The City Square (6:9) - Mordecai had been there the day before in sackcloth and ashes (4:1), he now would arrive with royal honor much to Haman's disbelief.

Mordecai the Jew (6:10) -To ensure exactly who would be granted the honor, he signifies the name, the race, and the position held. All of this would have been recorded for him in the chronicles, and he is simply repeating what was just then relayed to him.

Some call into question the historical truth of the account because of these words. They ask how it is possible that the king would have forgotten that he had consigned all of the Jews to death and so honor a Jew in this way. However, Haman’s words in Chapter 3 never said anything about the Jews.

All he said to the king was, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of your kingdom.” With a little more talk about them, he offered to have them eliminated and to place the money in the king’s treasuries to do so. The subject of who these people were was never mentioned. For all the king knew, Haman was speaking of gypsies, tramps, and thieves. It was Haman who harbored the ill will, and the recompense for his wickedness towards the Jews was now coming back upon him.

Mourning . . . Head Covered (6:12) - What a difference a day makes!  His imagined honors had quickly turned to unimaginable humiliation. While Mordecai took his honors in stride, Haman has not fared so well. There is urgency in returning to his house, as if he needed to shut himself in from the outside world. And on the way there he both mourned, a sign of deep distress, and he covered his head, a sign of exceeding shame. When David was overthrown by his son Absalom, it says in 2 Samuel 15:30 that as he fled, he ascended the Mount of Olives weeping as he went, and he had his head covered and went barefoot. Likewise, it says this in Psalm 44 –

“My confusion is continually before me, and the shame of my face hath covered me,” Psalm 44:15.

Jeremiah also speaks of the shame of drought, a sign of the Lord’s displeasure –

“Because the ground is parched, for there was no rain in the land, The plowmen were ashamed; They covered their heads.” - Jeremiah 14:4

This verse now introduces another set of two’s. Here Haman’s face is covered by himself at the beginning of his downfall as he flees to his house in shame, hoping for comfort. In verse 7:8, his face will be covered by others as he is led off to the gallows at his house in disgrace. They contrast in detail, but they confirm the full and final downfall of wicked Haman.

You Have Begun to Fall (6:13) - Neither divine prophecy (Exodus 17:14) nor biblical history (1 Samuel 15:8,9) stood in Haman's favor.  Haman's entourage seemed to have some knowledge of this biblical history.   In Haman, we can see the truth of the proverb –

“Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.” - Proverbs 26:27

Haman had metaphorically dug a pit for Mordecai, and he will fall into it; and he had attempted to roll away Israel, but they will roll right back upon him. 

Haman to the Banquet (6:14) - There is a rapid succession of events which has come about in this chapter, culminating in this final verse. Whereas just one chapter before, he was bragging about being the only one invited to Esther’s banquet, now he is fearful of having made the wrong decision concerning the Jews. He needs time to think through what to do, but time is not his friend. Instead, the royal court has come to gather Haman for the second banquet of Esther. What was a point of bragging and hoped-for joy, would now be a tasteless time of trial and trepidation. One can almost anticipate the outcome, if not the events themselves, of what lies ahead at Esther’s banquet. Like a lamb led to slaughter. Haman was escorted off to his just due.

Morning Message: The Golden Sceptre

Bobservations' Column
Titled - "The Golden Sceptre"
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz

“Ahasuerus held out his golden sceptre…"  It was the law in ancient Persia, that no one could approach the King without being invited to do so, not even his queen! But Queen Esther dutifully humbled herself, and waited for the King to notice her, and acknowledge her. After all, her husband had unwittingly joined in Haman’s plan to kill all the Jews in His kingdom.

With the Jews being persecuted under the King’s #2 man, Haman, Esther approached her husband and King with humility and caution according to the law. This should remind Christians to approach our own husbandman and King by putting on humility, and waiting. Waiting on the Lord, our strength will be renewed, and we shall fly as on eagle’s wings. But our path to Him begins with a humble approach. That’s not always easy. In our time-controlled realm, and our most immediate needs bringing desperation, putting on humility is among the hardest things we are called to do.

But with sincere humility we must look around and consider others whose needs might be greater.  Jesus knows our needs already, even before we ask. Let our blessed Lord see sincere humility. If we take the time to see another’s needs, and help them while we wait upon the Him, we might find the purpose for our wait. Humility will lead to slowing down among the throngs of people, and nurture our own compassion to help another. Ministries can grow from such a seedling faith. And love is spread, perhaps even emboldening others to join in a service to others. In Galatians 5:13, Paul writes, “For brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not your liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love, serve one another.” There are plenty of people suffering in this world, whose king is Satan. Remain in the Spirit, waiting.

When Ahasuerus saw his queen waiting, he held out his golden sceptre to her, and she drew near, and touched it. Message invitation received, and it would be her opportunity to speak with her request.

What Jesus sees is one of His children waiting humbly, and patiently. His favor is turned towards the humble, towards His child. Then! We can come boldly to His Throne of Grace and lay out our petitions before Him.

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” - Hebrews 4:16

Bobservations' Column:  Audio Version

Sunday Morning Message

Esther 5:1-14 - "The Golden Sceptre"

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

In chapter four we learned of the reaction of Mordecai and the Jews upon hearing the new edict issued from the king for the annihilation of the all the Jews in the Media-Persian empire. Mordecai instructed Esther to go before the king and plead for her people. Since she had not been summoned by the king, going into his presence unannounced was taking her life in her own hands. If he held out his scepter to her, she would live and have her audience with the king, but if he did not hold out his sceptre, she would be executed.

At the end of chapter 4, with courage and grace, Esther bows to the will of Mordecai and agrees to go unannounced to the king to plead for her people. But first Mordecai must gather all the Jews in Susa and fast on Esther’s behalf for three days and Esther with her maids will do the same. Then she would go to the king, even though it was against the law. Esther’s resolve was, “If I perish, I perish.” The fast symbolized Esther’s complete willingness to enter into death—a death three days and three nights long. Esther was willing to die to save her people from annihilation, just as Jesus Christ was willing to save us from the second death. We must be willing to accept in practical experience the judgment of the cross upon our flesh, our old nature, as Esther was willing to enter into death. 

This morning we enter into chapter five, the three days of fasting are over. It is the third day, the fast is over, and Queen Esther bravely approaches King Ahasuerus unsummoned to stop Haman's plot.  She is welcomed by the king, finds favor with him and receives his promise to fulfill her request. She hosts two banquets for the King and Haman to delay her reveal. A furious Haman, annoyed by Mordecai, builds 50-cubit gallows to hang him, unaware of his impending downfall.

Let’s pray and then read our Scripture for today.

Sunday Morning Audio Message:

Key Words and Definitions with Reference:

She Obtained Favor (5:2) - This actually means that Esther first found favor with the God of Israel (cf. Proverbs 21:1).

What is Thy Request (5:3) - Esther deferred her real request until 7:2,3. Esther delayed her request to King Ahasuerus to ensure the timing was perfect, maximize her influence, and trap Haman. God’s unseen hand shapes the timeline. Esther’s second banquet aligns with the king’s sleepless night (6:1), the reading of the royal chronicles, and the overdue honor for Mordecai—all indispensable for exposing Haman’s plot. The pause allowed Yahweh to orchestrate circumstances impossible for Esther to arrange.

It Shall Be Given Thee (5:3) - Esther had risked her life in approaching the king without being bidden, but the Lord providentially touched his heart.  No doubt Esther, already having been recognized as the fairest in the kingdom and now dressed in her "royal apparel" (5:1), looking radiant after three days of prayer and fasting, made a striking appearance, and the king knew that she must have come for some very good reason.  Three times he promised to give her up to half the kingdom (see 5:3, 6; 7:2).  This was probably a rhetorical exaggeration (note also Herod's promise to Salome - Mark 6:23), but it does indicate the king's sincere desire to please his queen.

The Banquet (5:4) - The first of two (cf. 5:4-8; 6:14-7:1) that Esther prepared.  God would providentially intervene between the two (6:1,2).

Half of the Kingdom (5:6) - With such a huge promise from the king, Esther did not immediately make the appeal for her people, instead requests a second banquet.  Whatever the reason for her delay, notice the Lord's hand in this.  It was on this sleepless night (6:1) that Ahasuerus learns of Mordecai's earlier report to Esther which had saved the king's life (2:21-23; 6:1,2).

The Multitude of His Children (5:11) - At least ten sons were fathered by Haman (cf. 9:13), who personified sinful pride (cf. Proverbs 16:18; 1 Corinthians 10:12; Galatians 6:3).

Availeth Me Nothing (5:13) - Haman expressed raging fixation on killing Mordecai.

Gallows (5:14) - A stake on which a human would be impaled to death and/or displayed after death (cf. 2:23). 

Fifty Cubits High (5:14) - Approximately seventy-five feet or almost eight stories high.  Perhaps the gallows involved displaying a shorter stake atop a building or wall to attain this height.

Morning Message: The Agagite's Plot

Attention: The order of Esther Chapter's 3 and 4 have been mistakenly reversed. Posted below is Chapter 3, as Chapter 4 was taught last Sunday.  While we apologize for our error, the misordered chapters and the timing of chapter 3 really fall in line with current middle east events. The Lord is in control. Thanks for your understanding.

Bobservations' Column
Titled - "The Agagite's Plot"
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz

Murphy’s Law says, “If something can go wrong, it will.” It has nothing to do with Sacred Scripture, but Sacred Scripture has plenty of examples of it as it covers the plans of men.

Two weeks ago, I had to cancel Sunday service due to illness. I was ready to teach Esther 3 when I realized I could not speak. In preparing last week’s study, Chapter 3 was completed in my mind, so I prepared for Chapter 4. Murphy’s Law struck because my plans were incomplete. This week, we are going back to pick up Chapter 3, and I’m glad we can do this, because Chapter 3 leads to as much a turning point for Esther, as we saw happen in Iran this past week. The history of that region today is following the history of Ancient Persia. The leaders have not learned the lessons of the past and are repeating them.

Among the most ancient of lands, the Land of Elam takes us back to the days following the Flood of Noah. Genesis 10 lists the name Elam as a son of Shem, and a grandson of Noah. Elam’s descendants inhabited that land after the flood, beginning about 2,000 BC (Genesis 10: 21,22). That’s 19 generations before even Abraham came from that same bloodline of Shem.

The capital of Elam was Susa, along today’s Persian Gulf, north and west of the Strait of Hormuz. The Medes came along about 650 BC, occupying the mountainous region northwest of Elam.

Nonetheless, as the Elamites and Medes shared their region, the Elamites held to the lowlands of the south, and the Medes took to the highlands to the northwest. Eventually, the line between them was blurred, and they became a blended people, and they are inextricably connected to modern Iran. While the Elamites were absorbed into Persia, it was the Medo-Persian Empire’s combined forces that defeated Babylon. The mountainous region of Elam became Kurdistan, and the lowlands became Persian, which changed its name to Iran in 1935 AD.

This was the norm among tribes and nations: “Conquer, or be conquered.” But it is clear that Iran’s blended bloodline includes Shem’s, which is the bloodline of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Jesus.

“In Isaac shall thy seed be called…” (Hebrews 1:18; Genesis 21:12; Romans 9:7)

Bobservations' Column:  Audio Version

Sunday Morning Message:

Esther 3:1-15 - "The Agagite's Plot"

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

In the last study we were introduced to a rather lovely character by the name of Esther. Under the direction of her guardian, Mordecai, she arose from obscurity to become queen in the Medo-Persian Empire. God's providence. After a yearlong preparation period Esther was chosen by King Ahasuerus (Xerxes) to become his queen, and a great feast was proclaimed throughout the empire. Esther was happy, the king was happy and everything was going swimmingly.

Throughout this whole book we shall see that King Ahasuerus (Xerxes) makes very poor decisions. Choosing Haman, the Agagite, to be the highest in command in the king's court, is a glaring example of this.

This week, in chapter 3, we are introduced to the nasty villain, Haman. Haman was a proud and ambitious man who demanded that everyone bow down to him as a sign of respect. Those refusing, well, we will see just how far this hateful man is willing to go to punish the offender. When Mordecai refuses to bow, citing his identity as a Jew, this triggers Haman's fury, exposing his true nature and his pure hatred of an entire race.

As Esau hated Jacob, so Amalek hated Israel and so Haman hates Mordecai and the Jews. In fact, Haman is so full of rage that Mordecai will not bow down to him that he forms a plan to not only destroy Mordecai himself, but the entire Jewish population! Sound familiar. The same scenario is playing out today.

The types in verses 5 and 6 are hopefully clear. We have seen above that Haman is an Amalekite - the sworn enemy of Israel. You may remember from other studies that Amalek speaks of the flesh - that sinful self-centered old nature that we all possess. Thus, the conflict here between Haman and Mordecai gives us a glimpse of that which battles in our own hearts - the conflict between flesh and spirit. This battle may be internal and unseen to those around us, yet it is as real as the conflict that we see brewing in these first verses in Esther chapter 3. Mordecai then, is a picture of the Holy Spirit who will not bow down or give any ground to Haman, the sinful old nature. The two will always be in conflict:

"And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah-nissi: for he said, Because the Lord hath sworn that the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation" (Exodus 17:16).

On a prophetic level, Haman is a type of the Antichrist still to come. Whether it is Haman, Antiochus Epiphanies, Adolph Hitler, the Ayatollahs or the Antichrist himself, the goal is always the same - kill the Jews! Thus, it is no surprise that we read that "Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai." And thus, unfortunately, it shall happen again. In a very sobering prophecy Jesus directly warned the Jews in Judea (and indirectly all believers on earth at that time) to flee for their lives when they see the 'abomination of desolation' for ' then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now-- and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened (Matthew 24:21-22). We shall see more about the prophetic implications of this book later on in the series. But for now, let's return to the drama at hand!

Sunday Morning Audio Message:  

Key Words and Definitions with Reference:

After these things (3:1) - Sometime between the seventh (2:16) and twelfth year (3:7) of the king's reign.

Haman . . . the Agagite (3:1) - Haman was an Agagite and the son of Hammedatha. Haman was likely a descendent of Agag, king of the Amalekites, long-time enemies of the Jewish people. Haman was married to a woman named Zeresh, and they had ten sons. Haman, is a central villain in the book of Esther, was the high-ranking minister to Persian King Ahasuerus (Xerxes) who plotted to annihilate all Jews in the empire. He sought revenge against Mordecai, a Jew who refused to bow to him, but was ultimately hanged on his own gallows.

Bowed Not (3:2) - Mordecai refused to bow because the act constituted idolatrous worship that violated the first commandment and because honoring an Amalekite enemy contradicted God’s covenant mandate. His allegiance to Yahweh overrode imperial decree, modeling faithful resistance that preserved God’s people and advanced redemptive history.

He was a Jew (3:4) - Originally, God’s chosen people were known as the Hebrews. Later, after they settled in the Promised Land and formed a nation, they were known as the Israelites. The term “Jew” did not come into use until after the ten northern tribes were exiled to Assyria and Judah was exiled to Babylon. In the later stages of the captivity (Esther) and in the early stages of the return to the land of Israel (Ezra and Nehemiah), the tribe of Judah was dominant. The word Jew developed as a shortening of the word Judah. But the word Jew was used as a descriptor for more than just the tribe of Judah. The dominance of the tribe of Judah in the return to the Promised Land resulted in all of the Israelites, people from all 12 of the tribes, being referred to as “Jews.”
It seems evident, from Haman's fury and attempted genocide, that there were strong anti-Semitic attitudes in Shushan, which seems to explain Mordecai's reluctance to reveal his true ethnic background.

The People of Mordecai (3:6) - The Jews. Haman was being satanically influenced and used to target the entire Jewish race in an unsuccessful attempt to change the course of redemptive history and God's plans for Israel.

Destroy all the Jews (3:6) - Haman had apparently such delusions of grandeur that he craved worship as a divinity. He realized that not only Mordecai but also the Jews as a people would refuse him the worship he desired. Therefore, he determined to stamp out the Jews and their monotheistic religion altogether.

Nisan (3:7) - The time period March/April. Ironically, the Jews should have been celebrating the Passover to remind them of a former deliverance.

Twelfth Year (3:7) - circa 474 B.C.

They Cast (3:7) - Haman's court advisers made decisions superstitiously based on astrology and casting of lots.

Pur . . . Lot (3:7) - A lot would be like modern dice which were cast to determine future decisions (cf. Hebrew lot, 1 Chronicles 26:14; Nehemiah 10:34; Jonah 1:7). Proverbs 16:33 states that God providentially controlled the outcome of the lot.

Adar (3:7) - February/March. There would have been an eleven-month interval between Haman's decree and its expected fulfillment.

A Certain People (3:8) - It may be significant that Haman did not reveal that this "certain people" were the Jews. He may have been afraid that Ahasuerus (Xerxes) would remember the earlier decrees of Cyrus and Darius favoring the Jews, and possibly also remember the honored position that Daniel - also a Jew - had held in the courts of two Persian kings (Ezra1:2-3; 6:11-12; Daniel 6:25-28).

Ten Thousand Talents (3:9) - The exact dollar amount is uncertain, but reportedly it would have weighed 375 toms and equaled almost 70 percent of the king's annual revenue. Since this sum would have been derived from the plunder of the Jews, it indicates that they had grown prosperous. Haman was evidently the wealthiest man in Persia, and Ahasuerus had dipped heavily into his own resources in financing his ill-fated Grecian campaign. No doubt one reason for the king's promotion of Haman was this wealth, which he coveted. Haman thus agreed, in effect, to make up personally any lost income that might otherwise have been received from the Jews. Whether monarchy or democracy, men of wealth have often been able to manipulate political leaders by controlling their financial resources.

Sealed . . . King's Ring (3:12) - Equivalent to the king's signature. The date has been calculated by historians to be April 7, 474 B.C.

To Destroy (3:13) - An ambitious plot to annihilate the Jews in just one day. Historians have calculated the date to be March 7, 473 B.C. The king had unwittingly approved this provision which would kill his own queen.

For a Commandment (3:14) - As Law. It would be irrevocable.

Perplexed (3:15) - No specific reason is state. Most likely, even this pagan population was puzzled at the extreme and deadly racism of the king and Haman.