EstherBright Star

in a dark place(Chapter 1)

By Samuel E. WardFor text version: cbckck.blogspot.com

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Introduction

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The Importance of the Book of Esther

1. It describes the situation of the majority of Jews who were dispersed throughout Persian Empire.

2. It gives details of events which took place under the rule of Cyrus’ grandson, Xerxes, and fits into the period between Ezra 6 and 7.

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3. The fact that any designation for God is not mentioned in the book has given some cause to believe that perhaps the book of Esther does not belong in the canon of scripture.

“All the books of the Prophets, and all the Hagioprapha shall cease in the days of the Messiah, except the volume of Esther; and too, that shall be as stable as the Pentateuch, and as the constitutions of the oral law which shall never cease.” --Maimonides

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4. It explains the origin of the Jewish Feast of Purim (Lots) .

5. It shows the sovereignty of God at work over the most powerful ruler at that time and the providence of God at work on behalf of His people.

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The Historical Setting

The events in the Book of Esther extend over a decade—from 483 B.C. (Xerxes’ 3rd year; Esther 1:3) to 473 B. C. (the end of Xerxes’ 12th year; Esther 3:7).

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I. The Hand of God Prepares for the Future:How Esther Came to Be

Queen

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A. The Great Banquets of Xerxes and Queen Vashti,

Esther 1:1-9 (483 B.C.)

These banquets hosted by Xerxes were mainly occasions for drinking. (See Ezra 3:7 for a distinction between “food” and “drink.” (Heb. mishteh, from root meaning “drink”)

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1. One banquet for nobles and officials, Esther 1:1-4.

a. The guests: nobles, officials, military leaders of Persia and Media, the princes and nobles of the provinces.

b. The purposes: to display the king’s wealth and glory and possibly to plan the military strategy to invade Greece.

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c. The length: 180 days of “drinking” feasts (Heb., mishteh). Perhaps these were after a day of planning and guests were rotated in and out throughout the period.

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2. One banquet for nobles and commoners, Esther 1:5-8.

a. The guests: all the people in the citadel of Susa.

b. The setting: an opulent garden accessorized by the best of fabics, precious stones and metal, marble columns, mosaic floors, gold and silver couches and an abundance of wine with no limits on any guest.

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c. The purpose: unstated, but the description leads one to believe that it was merely a prideful show of the king’s wealth and splendor.

d. The length: seven days

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3. One banquet for women in the royal palace, Esther 1:9.

The description is conspicuous by its brevity and lack of detail. Apparently its purpose was merely to point out that Vashti was not present at the Xerxe’s banquet.

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B. Vashti's Dethronement, Esther 1:10-22

1. Vashti's refusal to obey the king, Esther 1:10-12

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"It's not as though people do drunken things because they're not aware of their behavior, but rather they seem to be less bothered by the implications or consequences of their behavior than they normally would be." Basically, if you're drunk, you'll still be aware of your mistakes but you just won't care. . . For now, drinking a little too much is essentially creating a version of you who will be more than happy to make stupid choices. --Dr. Bruce Bartholomew, University of MO

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Stupid choice # 1: Xerxes placed Vashti on display before a crowd of drunken men.

Add anger to the drunkenness and the situation is ripe for the unintended consequences that often follow that mixture.

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2. The “wise men's” advice, Esther1:13-22

a. Their perception of the problem: Vashti’s disregard for the king will encourage the same disrespect from all their wives, Esther1:13-18

b. Their solution to the problem: Remove Vashti as Queen, make a law giving men absolute rule in their own households, Esther 1:19-22.

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Stupid choice # 2: Xerxes made a law during an emotional upset that once written could not be legally changed.

Men lack the omniscience to see all the possible consequences of the laws they make. It is best to leave the writing of absolute laws to the God of absolute wisdom and knowledge and man to make his laws based on that wisdom. Otherwise, like Xerxes, he may live to regret it as will be noted later in this story. (See Daniel 6.)

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Conclusions

1. God is at work to work His plan even when it appears man is having his own way.

Proverbs 16:9 (NIV2011) In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.

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2. Decisions made while angry or under the influence of alcohol or drugs are not likely to lead to anything good.

Proverbs 14:17 (NIV2011) A quick-tempered person does foolish things, and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.

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Titus 1:7 (NIV2011) Since an overseer manages God’s household [we assume anyone in a leadership position], he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.

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3. Words spoken in haste and anger often leads to regret. Like arrows released from a bow, once shot there is no returning it.

James 1:19-20 (NIV2011) 19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.