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.

Jerusalem’s Re-Population, Wall Dedication

Nehemiah 11 – 13

Nehemiah directs the re-population of the city of Jerusalem. One tenth of those who currently lived outside of Jerusalem were brought in to live in Jerusalem. Afterwards, the wall was dedicated. Later, it was read in the Law that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever enter the assembly of God. One was living in a room in the Temple. He was thrown out. All other foreigners were removed from Israel.

Nehemiah had left Israel to return to Persia for a time. During this time, the people became lax in following God’s Law. When Nehemiah came back, he found that they were not giving the due portion of the tithes and offerings to the Levites ministering in the Temple. Also, they were doing ‘menial’ work on the Sabbath. Nehemiah put a stop to this.

A Covenant Is Made

Nehemiah 8 – 10

The Law was read to the people. Once the people heard the Law, they mourned. But the people were urged to celebrate because the day was a holy day and they were to celebrate: “…Do not be grieved for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” That day they celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles. They had not celebrated it since the days of Joshua.

On the 24th day of the same month (the seventh month) the people separated themselves from foreigners and confessed their sins as well as those of their fathers to the LORD. The Law was read again for a fourth of the day. On another fourth the people confessed and worshiped the LORD. They recounted the LORD’s grace and mercy and judgment in their history.

The people put their names on a document of covenant with the LORD. The people reaffirm the covenant the LORD made with them on Mount Sinai. They covenant to keep the Sabbath holy, sacrifice the LORD their God, and maintain the Temple.

Nehemiah, continued

Nehemiah 5 – 7

The people cry out to Nehemiah because they were starving in the midst of a famine, and wealthier Jewish nobles were exacting usury from them and holding back food from them. Nehemiah castigates the Jewish nobles for this. They repent and give back land taken from the people so that the people can harvest the produce from their land.

The enemies (those against the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls) conspired to kill Nehemiah. He hears of this and refuses to come them for he knows it is a trap. Unfortunately many of Jewish nobles had contact and good relations with Tobiah, an enemy of Nehemiah. The wall of Jerusalem was completed in 52 days.

Nehemiah sets up a guard of the gates of Jerusalem. The gates were to be opened only during the daylight hours.

Building the Walls And Gates

Nehemiah 3 – 4

Chapter 3 of Nehemiah describes all those who were helping the rebuild the walls and gates of Jerusalem.

The non-Jewish inhabitants around Jerusalem opposed the rebuilding of the walls. They saw that the work on the walls was progressing so they conspired to attack the workers and stop the rebuilding. Nehemiah heard about their conspiracy so he set guards around the walls at night and also armed the workers during the day.

Here we see the combination of the wisdom that God gives us but also the faith He expects from us: Neh. 4:20, “At whatever place you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.”

Nehemiah Goes To Jerusalem

Nehemiah 1 – 2

It had been over 60 years since the Temple had been rebuilt in Jerusalem, but the walls of Jerusalem were still in terrible disrepair. Jerusalem was on Nehemiah’s mind and he inquires of men who apparently had just come from there. They tell him of the state of the city, and Nehemiah mourns. He prays to God, asks forgiveness for him and his people, and asks God to remember His promise to the repentant Jew.

The king of Persia at this time, for whom Nehemiah was a cupbearer, notices the sadness in Nehemiah. He asks Nehemiah about it. It has been noted by others that Nehemiah does an incredible thing at this time. The asks what Nehemiah would request of him. Before Nehemiah responds, he prays to God. This is in the very midst of the king! Now whether it was in his mind (most likely) or out loud, I don’t know, but he did pray. It reminds me of the verse: I Th. 5:17 – pray continually.

Nehemiah makes his request to rebuild Jerusalem and the king grants it. We will see how much faith Nehemiah had in God.