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Esther

Esther. Cycle 2, Week 5. Context :. Author : Unknown A Persian Jew (on-the-scene witness, pro-Jewish view, access to Persian records) When was it written: After king Xerxes dies – rest of his reign is mentioned in chapter 10 Written before Greek period – linguistic styling is different.

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Esther

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  1. Esther Cycle 2, Week 5

  2. Context: • Author: • Unknown • A Persian Jew (on-the-scene witness, pro-Jewish view, access to Persian records) • When was it written: • After king Xerxes dies – rest of his reign is mentioned in chapter 10 • Written before Greek period – linguistic styling is different

  3. Context: • Who was it written for: • Jews taken into exile • Those Jews who didn’t return to rebuild Jerusalem • Had reasons not to return • Many did return but more stayed living among the Gentiles • It was written to show that God was still with those that didn’t return

  4. Context: • Why was it written: • Historical purpose • Explanation of origin of the feast of Purim (Chap 7) • Doctrinal purpose • To show God’s care for His people • Christological purpose • Esther is a picture of Christ – both put themselves in the place of death for their people, but received the scepter of the King’s approval

  5. Context: History: • Babylon took them into exile – Nebuchadnezzar • Mede gained power • Persia gained power (that’s where Esther comes in) • King Xerxes was in power • During time of Nehemiah and Ezra • This means that there were Jews who had returned to Jerusalem and those that did not • This may have created more tension with the Jews – “plotting to over throw the king”

  6. Context: • Theme: • Main theme = deliverance (of God’s people) • Interestingbook: • 1 of 2 that is named after a woman (Ruth) • 1 of 2 that does not mention the name of God (Song of Solomon) • 1 of the few that is set entirely outside the the Promised Land

  7. Characters: • Haman • Descendant of Agag - Samuel killed him • Deep and lasting hatred for the Jews • Chap 6 = God’s sense of humour! • KingXerxes • Extravagant king • Will go to any length the establish his reign – Vashti

  8. Characters: • Esther: • “Esther” (star), her pagan name • Hadassah was her Jewish name • incredible courage and devotion • Had to hide her identity for so long – and then told the king in the most daring way! • God uses individuals – in a country not their own, He raises them up to be people of standing and stature to save His people (Daniel)

  9. Characters: • Mordecai: • Adopted Esther • Saves the king • Is paraded and honoured by his enemy • Became second in command to king Xerxes • Incredible faith – he knew that deliverance was coming for the Jews, regardless of who it was that brought it – he knew God was in control (4:14)

  10. Plot: • GOD KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING!! • The plot unfolds and is worked by the hand of God, minute details become major hinge factors: • Esther was beautiful • Mordecai saves the king’s life • The insomnia of the king • The right place in the king’s journal

  11. Notes: • Hatred for the Jews • Esther 3:8-9 • “…as if killing people who worship God gets rid of God Himself.” • Perceived threat – they were vastly different from the Gentiles • if Haman’s edict had been carried out – all the Jews would have died – no Jews = no Jesus! (Esther didn’t just save the Jews living in that time!) • Satan was always trying to kill the Jews – to kill the Jews meant stopping the birth of the ultimate Redemption of the world

  12. Notes: • Why didn’t they just revoke the edict that Haman had sent out? • An order written in the king’s name and sealed with the king’s signet ring is irrevocable (8:8) • Therefore the edict sent out to the Jews enabled them to arm themselves and fight • Esther had to take courage for the deliverance of the Jews, but the Jews fought for their freedom too – they also had to take courage to see their freedom

  13. Notes: • The true courage of Esther: • 4:9-11 = her risk • Protocol in the palace was unbreakable • 4:12-14 = her challenge • She stood to be counted • 1 Sam 14:6 “perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf” • 4:15-16 = her courage • “if I die, I die”

  14. Notes: • Why was the name of God never mentioned? • It was! In the form of acrostics • It was a typical Jewish literary style • It is “spelled out” 5 times in the book • The book was written in a time when it was dangerous to mention the name of the Jewish God – so the Gentiles would not have known that His name was in the book, but the Jews did

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