Bobservations' Column
Titled - "Epilogue to Esther"
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz
Titled - "Epilogue to Esther"
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz
One of his titles was “The Fourth King of Kings” of the Achaemenid Empire, a.k.a., the Old Persian Empire (Ethiopia and Egypt, eastward to India.). He controlled all 127 Provinces of the region. The State religion was Zoroastrianism, but other religions in the kingdom were well tolerated.
In Esther we read of Bigtha and Teresh in chapter 2, two of Xerxes Chamberlains who plotted to assassinate him. In 465 B.C., Xerxes' reign ended when Artabanus, the Commander of the Royal Guard murdered both Xerxes and his eldest son, Darius. Xerxes was succeeded on the Throne by his third son, who took the name Artaxerxes I.
As was the habit in many ancient kingdoms, nepotism was common, so also was pride. But to adopt the title of “Fourth King of Kings?” the Lord would have taken exception to that. The true "King of kings," is also the "Lord of lords," and "God of gods." Jehovah does not share His Glory with anyone.
At best, Xerxes formed his own fiefdom, and none of those ever last. The nations of the ancient world were ruled by brute force; “Conquer or be conquered.” Yes, Xerxes was powerful, but at what spiritual cost to himself?
The Book of Esther is a study in good vs. evil, and of the many Empires that have risen, and then fallen because of their Earthly wealth, opulence, pride and idolatry. It is also a study in the lengths to which God will go to protect His people. That Christians have been adopted into His inheritance is testimony of His great grace and mercy. A few other Bibles extend the Book of Esther to sixteen chapters, instead of the nine of the King James Version, but the story is essentially the same. Goodness will always win over evil as God’s plan for His Creation works through to completion.
"For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations.” - Psalm 100:5
Bobservations Column: Audio Version
Sunday Morning Message:
Esther 9:20 - 10:3 - "Epilogue to Esther"
Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:
Esther's story unfolds in the Persian Empire, where King Xerxes rules over 127 provinces. After a display of his vast wealth lasting 180 days, a series of events leads to Esther, a Jewish woman, becoming queen. Unbeknownst to the king, Esther's uncle Mordecai uncovers a plot to assassinate him, saving the monarch's life.
Enter Haman, a high-ranking official with a deep-seated hatred for the Jews. When Mordecai refuses to bow to him, Haman's rage ignites a plan to exterminate all Jews throughout the empire. The stage is set for a clash between human ambition and divine purpose.
As the decree to annihilate the Jews is issued, Mordecai urges Esther to intercede with the king. Her response echoes through the ages: "If I perish, I perish." This pivotal moment exemplifies courage born of faith, reminding us that sometimes we are placed in positions of influence "for such a time as this."
The narrative takes unexpected turns – a sleepless night leads the king to honor Mordecai, Haman's downfall comes swiftly, and the Jews are granted the right to defend themselves. Through it all, we see God's unseen hand orchestrating events, using unlikely people and circumstances to fulfill His purposes.
As we have seen since Chapter 1, God's attention is on what is happening, He is there – directing the events, and what seems clearly hopeless, is actually a chance for the Lord to shine through all the more at the end. Imagine the pain of the those who walked with Christ as they saw Him crucified. The darkness which must have covered their hearts would have been unimaginable. And yet, despite the greatest moment of pitch black they had ever encountered, there shown forth the most resplendent light they could ever have imagined.
This is what we too need to focus on as we hit those black, dark moments in our own lives. Children may be as lost as the prodigal son, marriages may be torn and destroyed, finances may be completely used up, but these things can never cover the light which lies ahead for the redeemed of the Lord. Israel went from sackcloth and ashes to feasting and joy. So too will we at the end of this difficult road, if we just profess faith in Christ. He’s already gone before us to open the doors and prepare the table. Let us follow Him until we pass through and sit down to dine, rejoicing in His marvelous presence for countless ages to come.
The book of Esther, chapters 9 and 10 conclude with the "Great Reversal." The Jewish people triumph over their enemies, celebrate their survival by establishing the Feast of Purim, and see Mordecai elevated to second-in-command of the Persian Empire.
Sunday Morning Audio Message:
Key Words and Definitions with Reference:
Mordecai . . . Sent Letters (9:20) - The verse begins with va’yiktov mordecai eth ha’devarim he’elleh, or “And Mordecai wrote these things.” It seems straightforward enough, but scholars are at war as to what “these things” refers to. Is it what has occurred, or what he will now convey. If it is what occurred, does it comprise the book of Esther up to this point, or the events of the past few days which will lead to what will next be stated? Whatever it is referring to, it is a letter by the second highest in the land to all of his people. As you can see, what seems obvious at first does get complicated with a bit of study. In the end, the result comes out the same, a commemoration is forthcoming.
To Establish (9:21) - The reason for this seems clear. The Jews in the provinces fought on one day and celebrated the next. On the other hand, the Jews in Shushan fought on two days and celebrated on the third. In order to bring conformity to annual celebrations of this day, Mordecai establishes two days of celebration. It seems, based on this, that the “these things” of the previous verse were the details of what had occurred. They are thus presented as justification to all who were unaware of the events in Shushan for holding a two-day festival.
Rest (9:22) - It is not the days of fighting which are celebrated, but the days of resting.
They Should Make Them (9:22) - The intent of Mordecai’s letter was to establish a remembrance of what occurred. In order to solidify that, the days were to become special days, with more than just a memory of what happened, but an active participation in the day. Thus, each year, the people would come to anxiously anticipate the celebration. And so, the commemoration each year was to follow what occurred on the first occasion – feasting, joy, and sending portions of food. And one extra expectation is given, that of sending gifts to the poor. The obvious reason for this addition is that all Jews were delivered, and thus all Jews, even the poor, should be able to participate in, and celebrate, what occurred.
Words of the Letters (9:26) - Verse 26, leading into verse 27, introduces our final set of twos in the book. It is the two letters instituting the commemoration of Purim. The first is here, written by Mordecai. The second is written by Esther & Mordecai in verse 29. They contrast, and yet they confirm the instructions for the observance of the celebration at their appointed time, year by year, and wherever the Jews were. Purim is more than just a voluntary annual celebration of remembrance, but a self-imposed time of remembrance. Mordecai gave the instructions; they were accepted and the self-imposition of them became a resulting custom from that time on. It was to become, and indeed it is, as firm a date of remembrance as the Passover. All Jews, their descendants, and any who would join them – generally meaning proselytes – observe the days.
Confirm . . . Appoint . . . Decree (9:31) - The three verbs, “confirm,” “prescribe,” and “decree,” are all from the same Hebrew word. The word means “to stand,” and thus it signifies “fixing,” or “establishing.” The letters of Mordecai confirmed what was prescribed by both himself and Esther concerning the days of Purim – when it should be held, how it should be observed, and so on.
Enjoined (9:31) - This means, "ordered."
Purim (9:32) - The annual Feast of Purim of the Jews was established by Esther and Mordecai as two days "of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor" (9:22), in commemoration of their remarkable deliverance from their imminent annihilation as a people and a nation. The name Purim, meaning, "lots," seems a strange name for a holiday, but it was based on Haman's evil device to "cast Pur, that is, the lot . . . to consume them, and to destroy them" (3:7; 9:24) when the month Adar (i.e., February-March) came. this decision by the lots (possibly specially marked stones), rather than helping Haman, turned out to have been so order by the Lord that a wait of almost a full year was required. It thus provided ample time for all the events to be set in motion which would finally bring Haman's evil scheme back on his own head.
Book of the Chronicles (10:2) - Although this book and its records have not been found (perhaps destroyed by later emperors or conquerors), the essential historicity of the events is confirmed by the long-continued observance of the feast-days of Purim-an observance which could never have been initiated and sustained otherwise.
Mordecai . . . Was Second (10:3) - Mordecai joined the top echelon of Jewish international statesmen like Joseph, who ranked second in the Egyptian dynasty (Genesis 4:37-45), and Daniel who succeeded in both the Babylonian (Daniel 2:46-49; 5:29) and Medo-Persian Empires (Daniel 6:28).
Speaking Peace (10:3) - Less than ten years later (c. 465 B.C.), Ahasuerus was assassinated. There are no further details about Esther and Mordecai. what Mordecai did for less than a decade on behalf of Israel, Jesus Christ will do for all of Eternity as the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6, 7; Zechariah 9:9 10).
