The Old Testament book of Esther records events which were in the days of the Persian empire. The book begins with details about Queen Vashti failing to heed the voice of king Ahasuerus when he called her to his presence. Her disrespect resulted in her being put away (1:19) and the king sought another wife for himself.
Women from throughout the region were taken to the palace and prepared to come before the king. Among them was Esther, the neice of Jewish man by the name of Mordecai.
“The king loved Esther more than all the other women” (2:17), so much so that he named a feast after her.
While sitting in the king’s gate, Esther’s uncle heard two of the king’s eunuchs plotting to kill the king. He told Esther of the plot and she made it known to the king. Credit was given to Mordecai in the book of the chronicles of Persia.
Haman the Agagite was promoted by the king. All the king’s servants would pay homage to him, but Mordecai would not (3:2). It was not civil homage that Haman expected, but divine adoration. Mordecai explained his refusal to bow to Haman by saying he was a Jew (3:4). As it was a matter of faith, Haman sought to kill not just Mordecai, but all the Jews. He portrayed them as an unlawful people to the king, a people not fit to remain alive (3:8-10).
A decree was made, that on the 13th day of the 1st month, the Jews should be annihilated.
Esther learned what was to take place through her uncle, as he gave a copy of the decree to one of the king’s eunuchs and commanded her to make supplication to the knig for her people. She was weary to do so, for there was a law by which any who approached before the king when not called should be put to death. To this, Mordecai said,
Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this? (Esther 4:13-14)
Having received such a charge from Mordecai, Esther went before the king and he received her. She invited the king and Haman to a feast that day, and again the next. As good as things were for Haman, the sight of Mordecai still frustrated him. To take care of him, Haman made a gallows and planned to suggest to the king that Mordecai be hung on it (5:3-14).
Unable to sleep that night, the king had the record of the chronicles read before him. Hearing of Mordecai’s role in stopping the attack on his life, he asked what honor had been done for him. Haman came, ready to ask for Mordecai’s life, but the king asked him,
What shall be done for the man whom the king delights to honor? (6:6)
Thinking the king spoke of him, Haman suggested a royal parade in the city square. The king accepted his suggestion, and told him to do so for Mordecai.
After honouring Mordecai, Haman was brought to the banquet which Esther had prepared. His evil plot against the Jews was re-vealed by Esther to the king. In the end, Haman was hung on the gallows intended for Mordecai, the Jewish people were saved. In fact, on the 13th day of the 12th month, a month before the Jews were to be annihilated, all who were of a mind to rise up against them were killed themselves.
A few lessons…
The word “God” is not found in Esther, yet He is throughout the book. It was Mordecai’s faith that angered Haman, resulting in the eminent annihilation of the Jewish people. It was Esther’s stand for her people and their faith that saved the Jews from the evil plot of Haman.
Friend, the great lesson of Esther is the need for us to stand for what is true and right, regardless what the consequences will be. Mordecai asked Esther to consider God’s providence
…who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this? (Esther 4:14)
Will we stand and act according to faith, and be part of exercise of God’s will in this life, or will we sit by on the sidelines? God will accomplish His will, whether we include ourselves in the process or not. Let us be in tune to how we can used for good and fellow workers in the will of God.
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