Coming soon…Job!

I will be starting the book of Job soon. This should be very interesting. We will see questions on why the wicked prosper and why bad things happen to good people. We will also see the transcendency of God (Where were you when I….?)!

Downfall of Haman and Deliverance of the Jews

Esther 7 -10

Esther makes her final petition to the king and asks him for the lives of the Jews, her brethren. Haman is implicated as the instigator of edict for the destruction of the Jews. The king hangs Haman on the gallows that Haman built to hang Mordecai.

The king then makes Esther head over Haman’s household and elevates Mordecai to a high position, giving him his signet ring. With the ring, Mordecai proceeds to write an edict in the king’s name to allow the Jews the defend themselves from their enemies. In that time, the kings of Persia could not rescind previously written edicts.

On the day that the enemies of the Jews were to come and destroy them, the Jews rose up and killed those who would kill them. They did not take any plunder, even though they were allowed to do so. Haman’s sons were killed. This was extended to a second day. On the third day the Jews celebrated their victory. Afterwards, Mordecai instituted a feast to be celebrated every year in remembrance of the Jews deliverance from their enemies. These feast days are called Purim after Pur, a lot cast against the Jews to destroy them.

The Beginning of Haman’s Downfall

Esther 5 – 6

Esther comes before the king and he extends his scepter to her. She petitions to king to come with her to a banquet. She also asks him to bring Haman. At the banquet, she petitions the king to come with Haman to a second banquet. Haman, at this point, is filled with pride in himself. He boasts about himself to his friends and wife. His wife then counsels him to set up a gallows to kill Mordecai.

It seems that God interferes with the king’s sleep such that he had to get the chronicles to be read to him. As it was read, it was found written there the account of Mordecai saving the king from a murder conspiracy. It was also found that nothing was done to honor Mordecai for his acts. The king asks Haman what he should do for one he honors. Haman believes the king is talking about himself. Haman describes what he would like the king to do for himself. The king then publicly honors Mordecai in front of Haman. Haman goes home and tells his wife what happened. She basically prophesies his downfall.

The Edict to Annihilate the Jews

Esther 3 – 4

Haman, called an Agagite, was made head over all the princes of the provinces in Persia. It is thought that Haman was actually an Amalekite since they had a king named Agag who was spared by Saul in disobedience to God’s command. One wonders if Saul had obeyed God, these things in the book of Esther would have even occurred. Given Haman’s authority, people were to bow down and pay homage to him. This was against God’s Law, so Mordecai would not bow down to him. Haman becomes enraged at this, and learning that Mordecai is a Jew, asks the king to proclaim an edict to annihilate the Jews. The king does what Haman asks.

When the Jews learn of this (including Mordecai), they mourn. Mordecai puts on sackcloth and ashes. Esther learns of Mordecai’s distress and inquires as to the reason. Mordecai informs her his reason, and asks her to go to the king and plead for the Jews’ lives. Now, the queen could not just go up to the king without him summoning her. If she does so, and he does not extend his scepter to her, she would be put to death.

At this point we see how events can happen that may be ordained by God: “…And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?” Sometimes, things can happen in our own lives, events occurring leading up to time where God will use us to accomplish something for Him. At the time, these things may not even bring God’s work to our minds. But the time will come, if we have a relationship with Him, that we will be able to discern the work of God in our lives to direct us to paths we are going.

Esther chooses, in faith I believe, to risk her life for her people.

Ahasueras and the Dethroning of Vashti

Esther 1 – 2

King Ahasueras gives a banquet for all his attendants and princes. During this banquet he commands Queen Vashti to come to him. She refuses his command. His counselors recommend that she be removed from her station as queen.

The king then begins the process of finding a new queen for himself. Virgins from all the provinces under the King’s rule were brought to be prepared for him. During this time, Hadasseh (Esther), was taken. She was the Mordecai’s cousin. Mordecai was taking care of her because her parents had died. Esther found favor with the head of the harem to which she was taken. Then that head (Hegai) instructed her on how to act toward the king. Eventually, the king was pleased with her more than any of the other virgins, so she was made queen.