Bible Story: Esther

Introduction

But we have one other sad story, and that’s in the book of Esther. The book of Esther and the Book of Haggai and Zachariah Malachi, those books are set in the Persian rule. Persia conquered Babylon and ruled the world. And during this period of time, Abraham’s seed faces a tragic dilemma. You know what their problem is going to be? A decree is going to be signed, an immutable decree that on such and such a date, all of these Hebrew people will be slaughtered, will be put to death, because an evil man named Haman has convinced Arta Xerxes, the ruler of Persia, over 127 provinces, who dwells in Shushan, the palace region. He has convinced him that Abraham’s seed will form an insurrection force and destroy Persia.

And so the immutable decree, the signet ring of the Persian king, has hit a document that says on such and such a date, Abraham’s seed shall be annihilated from the earth. Now who is immutable? God Almighty, who said Abraham’s seed shall be preserved so the Savior can come, Genesis 22 18. Or historically, the Persian ruler who has said, This immutable decree shall be fulfilled. You remember Mordecai, the faithful Jew, says to Esther, his kinswoman, you go into the king and plead for us. For who knows but what you have come into the kingdom for such a time as this. To preserve Abraham’s seed. She said, I’ll go into him, and if I die, I die. And you remember the result in the book of Esther. Haman was hanged on his own gallus.

God’s people were spared. Abraham’s seed remained alive. In the book of Malachi, the promise is made that one in the spirit and power of Elijah, and Luke 1 17 says that was John the Baptizer, would come to prepare the way of the Lord. And then suddenly the Lord would come to his temple. We close the Old Testament. There are 400 silent years in this interbiblical period. We open the New Testament. Rome is ruling, and we see in Bethlehem of Judea, as Micah V had predicted, the virgin birth of our Lord. Jesus, he shall save his people from their sins. Suddenly, the Lord has come to his temple. There is no book in all the annals of history of literature that excels the narrative of Esther in the Old Testament.

It has a thrilling tempo and a sparkling cadence that puts it in an incomparable realm of drama and pathos. The name of Jehovah is absent from its scintillating pages, but his sublime presence pervades every scene. To the student of ancient history, the saga of the Persian throne is pulsating. To the student of Scripture, Esther holds a splendor unsurpassed. In a practical way, we can glean from this book precious truths that enthrall us and challenge our deepest sense of loyalty as children of God. The providence of Jehovah permeates the sacred text as we become acquainted with Ahaziah, the Persian ruler, Vashtai, the modest queen, Mordecai the faithful Jew, and Haman the wicked counselor. But the spotlight is upon a beautiful young woman who comes upon the scene for a strategic occasion to preserve Abraham’s seed from extinction.

1. Jehovah Rules in the Kingdoms of Men

The sovereignty of God versus the immutable decree of Persian rule hovers in the background of every salient scene. The promise of the Messiah, Genesis 22, 18, is threatened by the sinfulness of man in one of the Bible’s most articulate passages. In many ways, the panorama of the sacred story is embedded in this historical masterpiece. Our general failure to study, preach, and write concerning Esther has robbed us of a closer walk with our Maker. If there is one major thrust in this section of the Bible, it is the blazing message of Daniel 4 25, recorded in a classic setting. Jehovah rules in the kingdoms of men. Oh, how we need to learn that the destiny of the world is in his almighty grasp and not in the puny machinery of men.

2. Principle Came Before Popularity with the Queen

Beleaguered saints in John’s day learned that Caesar had not pushed God off the throne of glory, Revelation 4 1, just as Babylon’s ruler acknowledged the God of Israel as the one who holds sway in the lives of men, Daniel 3 29. For Christians today to live in doubt and fear in view of the awesome power of our Father above is but an open confession of our shallow concept of creative genius. Since he ruleth by his power forever, Psalm 66 7, wisdom demands that we recognize his absolute sovereignty. As the story unfolds, we admit to a definite appreciation for vast task and her sense of modesty and her desire for purity, regardless of the cost of such action. The king demanded something of her that pandered to lust and sensual wickedness.

Principle came before popularity with the queen. Many women today in lesser positions need to learn the beauty of holiness and the challenge of shamefastness.

3. Always Be Ready for Service in God’s Vineyard

As they have a meek and quiet spirit, 1 Peter 3 1 to 3. Too many people, too many women today had rather be chaste, C H A S E D than chaste, C H A S T E. If every woman in the Lord’s church would spend just as much time studying the Bible as they do before a mirror, knowledge of truth would double. Vashta put a premium upon purity at a time when pressure dictated an easier decision. We cannot keep from wishing that more women today had a nobler taste for modesty than for fashion madness in an age of hot pants and mini skirts. Another brilliant message of Esther is always be ready for service in God’s vineyard. Mordecai seized the opportunity to prepare Esther for such a time as this.

Chapter 4 14. And the pretty damsel was ready to engage in the necessary dangers attendant to the challenge. Hosea’s message, it is time to seek the Lord is ever fresh in apropos. It is our duty to be alert, diligent, and submissive when the Lord needs helpers. Esther proved to be courageous, versatile, and perceptive in divine matters. The prayerful spirituality of her kinsman Mordecai was not in vain when the necessary moments of intervention arrived upon the solemn scene. Mordecai’s unwavering dedication to the Almighty’s sublime leadership is one of the rich fibers of the entire Bible. That man of God would not bow down to Haman’s pride or pseudo-authority. It takes genuine depth to see through human threats and pompous actions, especially when one is the definite minority and struggling for survival.

4. His Book of Remembrance Is Infallibly Accurate

But our Redeemer sees our tears and hears our prayers. Isaiah 35 38 5. Often at a later hour when we really need help in the midst of abject adversity. We reap the glorious dividends of the righteousness we have sown. Mordecai’s great courage in saving a king’s life received no immediate notice or reward. However, in the very shadow of certain death on Haman’s Gallus, the deed came to light and received its proper credit. The Lord’s time schedule may differ from ours, but his book of remembrance is infallibly accurate. Read Esther 6 1 to 3 and Malachi 3 16. Hagar was correct in Genesis 16 13 when she said, Thou, O God, seeest me. The sombre end of Haman’s folly echoes down the centuries. Evil men perish by their own cunning.

5. Evil Men Perish by Their Own Cunning

The gallows of that wicked plotter projected into the sky and call forth the wrath of the Lord of Sabot, the Lord of the hosts of the armies of heaven. God is not mocked, and sin has its own inevitable reward of ruin. As Proverbs 13:15 and 14:9 graphically foretell, so despicable men finally learn the way of the transgressor is hard, and fools make a mock at sin. The one sterling lesson that lingers in our hearts as we come to the close of the dynamic book of Esther is the fact that God’s will shall be done ultimately, whether or not we participate in concerted action with him. The sooner we really say, Thy will be done, the better our lives will be for time and eternity. E. E.

Conclusion

Hewitt captured this pertinent refrain in song. Give me thy heart, give me thy heart. Hear the sweet whisper wherever thou art. From this dark world he would draw thee apart, speaking so tenderly, give me thy heart. Thanks be unto God that Mordecai and Esther did give God their heart and life and delivered Abraham’s seed from annihilation so the Savior could come.